Choosing the Best Family Caravan

Written by John "Bear" Willis | 11/12/24

When I was a youngster, family caravanning consisted of camping in an old Millard, Franklin, or Viscount that was towed to the bayside shoreline once a year for the summer season or a permanent campsite in a "caravan park." We would be covered head to foot with baby oil to protect us from the sun for long days at the beach, with the occasional upset of the local shark plane sounding a warning of the arrival of the toothy predators. The regional playground had swings, see-saws, roundabouts, and all manner of climbing constructions made from galvanised pipe that would make modern safety inspectors shudder in their boots. Thankfully, most of us survived. Arr - those were the days!

While many old-time caravans still exist as a true testament to their construction, the world has exploded with newfound freedoms, opportunities, technology, and travel possibilities. Choosing a family caravan to suit your mob's wants, needs, and interests can be more complex these days. You may be shopping for off road family caravans to travel off the beaten track, or maybe right caravan perhaps a more sedate affair with the purpose of becoming a base camp in the safety of a modern holiday park. So, where do we start our search for the perfect family caravan with the thousands of available options?

How many family members?

The best family caravan is going to be different for every family. The first step in selecting a family caravan is determining the number of people travelling. The size and layout of the caravan should comfortably accommodate all family members, to be sure you have ample sleeping space, seating, and plenty of storage for all of the road and living essentials. You will also need room for all your family holiday toys (in our case the fishing rods).

That said, other factors such as load and maximum towing capacity, intended destinations, and frequency may hinder sleeping arrangements for the whole family. In that case, a smaller, perhaps more suitable van for general excursions, possibly separate tents or swags, and the required storage for able teenagers and a large family may be worth considering. After all, consider that the lifespan of a good caravan may extend well beyond the time your teenagers want to travel with you.

Are you planning off road adventures?

Consider your family's travel habits and preferences. Are you planning frequent short trips or extended vacations? Do you prefer staying at well-equipped caravan parks, travelling on the blacktop and well-defined dirt roads? Or are you considering extended touring, where you often venture off the beaten track with an off road caravan? Understanding your travel style will help you choose a caravan with the right features, amenities and ample storage space.

Remember, one person's dream of off-road touring and remote destinations may well not be the family caravan reality. But if it is, you will definitely want to look into off road caravans for sale.

Popular Types of Family Caravans

Conventional Caravans

Conventional caravans are the most common type and come in various sizes, layouts, features, and abilities. They offer a good balance between living space and amenities, making them suitable for families of all sizes. These caravans are towed by a vehicle and can be easily detached once you've reached your destination, creating a reasonably secure and comfortable home away from home.

Caravans can be compact and lightweight for smaller towing vehicles, or virtual homes on wheels with extendas, ensuites, multiple living spaces, and a host of indoor and outdoor facilities for larger towing vehicles.

Perhaps the greatest defining characteristic of all caravans and campers is the trailer type. The three main types are:

Road/touring caravans - this type is suited to made roads and limited secondary/gravel road use.
Semi off road caravans - higher wheel clearance with heavy frame, stronger suspension and usually all-terrain wheels and tyres
Off road caravans - high wheel clearance with increased departure angle, off-road towing coupling, heavy frame, generally independent (or similar) suspension and all-terrain or specialty off-road wheels and tyres

Pop-Top Caravans

Pop-top caravans have solid side walls with a separate roof that can be raised mechanically or physically to provide a lower profile when towing and for low storage applications. The roof is lowered for towing reducing wind resistance and thus increasing fuel efficiency at the same time reducing towing clearance height. The roof can be raised when parked, providing additional headroom and ventilation through flexible canvas or synthetic infills. They are ideal for families who prioritize ease of towing and storage.

If this sounds like your family, you're in luck because there are heaps of great pop top caravans for sale these days.

Pop-Up Caravans/Campers

Pop-up caravans and campers are similar in structure to pop-top caravans, but they have shorter solid side walls, a more extended roof lift, and more flexible canvas/synthetic side walls. Pop-up caravans and campers drop down to a low towing height, dramatically reducing wind resistance and thus increasing fuel efficiency. The lowered towing height often provide accessible roof racks for added accessories such as small boats.

Camper Trailers

Camper trailers are generally compact and reasonably lightweight, making them easy to tow with smaller vehicles or more conducive to serious off-road exploration. They are perfect for families enjoying outdoor adventures and camping, particularly in remote locations. Although most don’t offer the same level of comfort and amenities as larger caravans, they provide a unique and immersive travel experience, often with an extensive range of extended off-grid living accessories.

Camper trailers can be as basic as a trailer-mounted tent, or innovative off-road exploration pods with immense independent living capabilities. I have very loosely divided them into four categories – but with the immense range of innovative designs among camper trailers for sale, they are often difficult to classify:

Rear And Side Fold Campers (trailer with varying degrees of ability and accessories and a folding canvass tent)
Forward Fold Camper Trailer (trailer with varying degrees of ability and accessories, solid roof that hinges forward with pop-up tent)
Pod Body Camper Trailers (trailers with varying degrees of ability and accessories with generally solid body and roof construction)
“Chuck Wagon” Camper Trailer (trailer with varying degrees of ability and accessories, generally with a solid body for the storage and accessories, but with an open rooftop with racks or rooftop tent)
Hybrids

Hybrids are a crossover between a caravan and a camper trailer. They are generally very compact and have off-road-style trailer construction and suspension. They have a mostly solid body, often with fold-out extenda’s, but their designs vary so greatly that they are impossible to define. Hybrids are generally fitted with a wide range of fittings and accessories for extended off-road sojourns. Hybrid caravans for sale are also quite affordable.
Fifth-Wheel Caravans

Fifth-wheel caravans are larger and more spacious, offering a luxurious travel experience. They require a special hitch mounted in a utility bed or flatbed tray for towing. These caravans are ideal for larger families or those who plan to spend extended periods on the road. There are fifth wheeler caravans for sale available new or used, if that's better for your budget.

Key Features of a Family Caravan

Power and Water Capacity
I consider power and water capacity the two key elements for all caravans and campers. We need sufficient water to survive, particularly good, clean drinking water. A water filtration unit is highly recommended.

A general water storage guideline is to aim for:
- at least two litres of water per person per day for drinking and
- an additional 5 litres of water per person per day for cooking, cleaning, and hygiene
If free camping is envisioned, you will also need a grey water tank for waste and a retained toilet system, such as a cartridge. I really like the addition of an external freshwater shower or water tap for washing off the family's grubby little feet, or perhaps sand and salt from the beach.
The amount of power required is determined by the lighting and accessories fitted to the caravan. Many kids nowadays think life will end without power, and many adults consider the same fate without their coffee machine!

We have many power storage and generation sources, including via the towing vehicle and Anderson Plug, 240v plug when available, solar, generator, and conversion via inverters, chargers, DC/DC, AC/DC, etc. Lithium batteries have become popular for capacity and weight but be careful that your charging systems match.

Modern Battery Management Systems (BMS) are a must in a high-demand, family-style caravan.
Caravan Layout and Design
A family caravan should have the type of layout that is practical and functional for your family, so you'll want to think about internal flow as you review floorplans. Look for a design that offers a good flow between the living, dining, sleeping areas, and the ensuite if fitted. Consider the placement of beds, seating, kitchen, and bathroom facilities to ensure every family member has enough space and privacy.

Some limiting factors include head height (both roof height and bed), access to the beds (sleeping and making), comfortable step heights, doorway access, security, seating comfort, and size (especially dinettes), surfaces for easy cleaning, heating/cooling/insulation, privacy and enough storage space storage for clothes, food, refrigeration, and cooking utensils.

Caravan Sleeping Arrangements

Ensure the caravan has enough beds to accommodate all family members comfortably. Bunks are a great solution for families with children. Many caravans also offer convertible seating/dinettes that can be transformed into additional sleeping space. Alternatively, if the kids are old enough, they may wish to sleep in their own tent or swag, and others may opt for a separate shower tent replacing an ensuite.

Kitchen Facilities
A well-equipped kitchen is essential for family travel. Look for a caravan with a stove, oven, refrigerator, and ample counter space. Consider the storage capacity for food and cooking utensils to ensure you can prepare meals easily on the road. Bench space and refrigeration facilities are essentials.

Many caravans offer optional external cooking and refrigeration options that are often worth their weight in gold for pleasurable outdoor living.

Bathroom Amenities

Having bathroom facilities in the caravan adds significant convenience, especially for families with young children. Look for caravans with a shower, toilet, and sink. Some models even offer separate wet and dry areas, and even a washing machine!

Be sure the bathroom and shower are big enough, too. A toilet is almost useless without elbow room, and there's no point in a shower cubicle so small you can’t pick up the soap! Look out for the little extras like towel racks, toilet roll holders, and soap holders, and ensure good ventilation/extraction throughout.

Storage Space
How much storage you need naturally depends on who is travelling, where you are going, and for how long. You'll want to make sure the caravan has enough cabinets, closets, and compartments to store clothing, toys, and other essentials for every family member, including the little ones. This is one of the most important aspects for many families.

External caravan storage compartments can also be helpful for larger items like camping gear, off-road equipment, rescue gear, outdoor seating and tables, sporting equipment, generators, barbeque, etc. A Full-width tunnel boots are ideal, and so too are the front wall compartments for all your general travel and recovery gear, removable jockey wheels, stands, chocks, jacks, pegs, and winders.

Rear-mounted bicycle racks are ideal for family vans, but so too are strong rear bumpers to carry added spare wheels, rubbish bags, and even jerry can holders.

Safety Features
Safety should always be a top priority. Look for caravans with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and dust extraction. Additionally, ensure the caravan has sturdy construction and reliable brakes for safe towing.

Swaying is the number one cause of major accidents with caravans, so consider anti-sway mechanisms and reversing cameras. Ensure your towing weights are legal and responsible when fully loaded with family and friends. ATM’s are easily exceeded when the family sets off in holiday mode!

Consider Renting Before You Buy

Maybe the best piece of advice we can give you is to consider renting a caravan for a short trip before making a purchase, whether shopping for camper trailers or motorhomes for sale. This way you can test different layouts and features in a real-world setting and determine whether it has the potential to be the best caravan for your family. Your dreams may not, in fact, be your caravan's reality!
Ready to Hit the Open Road?

We've covered the main features to consider in finding the perfect caravan, so it's time to put your new knowledge to the test! It's time to visit the extensive range of caravan manufacturers and start looking at floor plans. I hope that by providing some key features, I've helped you take those first steps toward a comfortable and enjoyable travel experience in your family caravan. Take your time to research, explore options, and test out caravans before making your final choice.

And when you're researching, check out what we have in store here at Only Vans. We have a range of caravans for sale -- the best family caravan for you and your brood awaits!

For a great deal on financing your new purchase, contact Australia's best reviewed finance broker on 1300 Credit (1300 273 348) today or visit CreditOne.com.au