Dreaming of adventure out on the open road without the hassle of towing a behemoth? Small caravans can offer a winning combination of comfort, style and lightweight manoeuvrability to suit a range of holiday needs.
You can learn all about five of the best small caravans on the market in Australia right now with Savvy. From hybrid models to off-roaders and those with attractive features like showers, toilets and ensuites, find out all you need to know about small caravans under 2,000kg with us today!
Adria Altea 402 PH Sport
The Adria Altea 402 PH Sport is a lightweight caravan designed for Australian conditions, making it a great choice for those who love to explore off the beaten path. Some of its key features include:
- Lightweight and towable: coming in at a tare weight of around 1280kg and an ATM (Aggregate Trailer Mass) of 1600kg, the Altea 402 PH Sport is comfortably towable with a smaller vehicle.
- Sleeping for four: unlike the other models on this list, this compact caravan sleeps up to four people, making it a suitable choice for small families (or a more luxurious one for couples).
- Kitchen and amenities: despite its size, the Altea 402 PH Sport packs a punch when it comes to amenities. It features a 3-way fridge, a microwave for quick meals and a 3-burner cooktop. The lightweight caravan also includes a combo shower and toilet with a fold-away basin for a compact bathroom solution.
- Technology and entertainment: it also comes equipped with a radio, Bluetooth connectivity and a 19-inch LED TV, ensuring you can stay entertained during your camping adventures.
- Awning: the Altea 402 PH Sport features an 8-foot (2.6m x 2.0m) wind-out awning, which provides valuable shade and outdoor living space.
Century Trailers Venus11
The Venus11 from Century Trailers is another compact, lightweight caravan that can serve as an attractive option for adventurous couples. It’s a smaller and lighter option than the Altea 402 PH Sport, as well as being close to half the price. Here are some of its most important features:
- Compact and towable: with a body just 11ft long, a tare weight of 1,080kg and an ATM of 1,500kg, the Venus11 is an excellent choice for those with smaller tow vehicles or who prioritise manoeuvrability.
- Sleeping for two: as a smaller caravan, the Venus11 offers comfortable sleeping arrangements for two adults with a convertible lounge/bed configuration. This versatile layout allows for a spacious lounging area during the day and cozy sleeping space at night.
- Kitchen and amenities: despite its compact size, the Venus11 packs a functional kitchen. It features a modern induction cooktop, a 50L fridge and ample storage space for cookware and essentials. It incorporates a well-equipped ensuite, featuring a multi-functional pull-out shower tap for convenience. The hot water is powered by a 14L hybrid Truma Ultrarapid LPG/Electric system.
- Technology and entertainment: you can stay entertained on your trip with the Venus11's entertainment system, including an optional 24-inch television, a multimedia player with Bluetooth connectivity and a stereo system.
- Lightweight awning: you can also expand your living space with the wind-out SolFlex awning, which comes as standard on all Venus11 models to provide valuable shade and shelter outdoors.
Crusader CRV Esperance
Crusader’s CRV Esperance sits almost exactly between the Venus11 and Altea 402 PH Sport in terms of price and length. It’s another popular small caravan option in Australia, and here’s why:
- Easy towing and manoeuvring: the Esperance is another comfortable option for those towing with a smaller vehicle, such as a medium-sized SUV. Its compact size of under 6m ensures simpler manoeuvrability on campsites and through traffic.
- Sleeping for two: the Esperance offers comfortable sleeping arrangements for two adults with a queen-size bed that can be split into singles if needed. This provides flexibility depending on your preference and travel partner (if you aren’t travelling solo).
- Kitchen and amenities: the well-equipped kitchen features a four-burner gas cooktop with a grill, a microwave, and a 95L freshwater tank. It also features a convenient ensuite with a shower, toilet, and vanity basin, providing a touch of luxury and privacy during your travels. Alongside its sleeping arrangements, it offers luxury features at a more affordable price.
- Technology and entertainment: the Esperance's multimedia system includes a 24-inch TV, dual Sirocco fan for climate control and a remote-controlled lighting system, enhancing your overall comfort.
- Creature comforts: several features are included as standard that elevate your camping experience. These include a 3m wind-out awning for outdoor living space and a picnic table for alfresco dining.
The Little Caravan Company X-Scape
Information listed above is correct for the X-Scape Pop Top variant.
The Little Caravan Company’s 13ft X-Scape is a popular choice for adventurers seeking a compact, off-road capable caravan that doesn't compromise on comfort. With both hard top and pop top variants available, it’s popular among couples or solo travellers who want to explore remote locations without the hassle of towing a behemoth. Some of its key features include:
- Compact and all-terrain ready: the X-Scape can be easily towed by most SUVs and utes (although it’s an outlier on this list at a comparatively hefty 2,800kg ATM). This, combined with its independent off-road suspension, makes it adept at tackling rough roads and uneven terrain.
- Comfortable sleeping: it offers a comfortable sleeping solution for two adults with a queen-size island bed located in a slide-out compartment at the rear. This innovative design maximises interior efficiency and provides a comfortable sleeping area.
- Kitchen and amenities: the X-Scape incorporates a functional kitchen equipped with a two-burner and sink combo unit, a 135L, two-door fridge/freezer (compressor) and ample storage space. It also boasts a compact but well-equipped ensuite featuring a shower, toilet and hand basin, with a 27L hybrid Swift gas/electric hot water unit. When it comes to entertainment, a 24-inch smart TV, as well as two interior and two exterior Bluetooth speakers.
- Off-grid capabilities: it caters to off-grid adventures by including two solar panels and dual 100AGM batteries, allowing you to generate and store your own electricity. Its status as a true hybrid small caravan makes it ideal for camping in remote locations where access to power outlets might be limited.
- Outdoor living: The X-Scape features an electric awning that provides valuable shade and expands your outdoor living space. This allows you to relax and enjoy the fresh air in comfort.
Silversun Caravans Pluto
The final small caravan on our list is the Pluto from Silversun Caravans. The Pluto brings lightweight to another level, with a tare weight below 1,000kg and an ATM of just over 1,200kg. However, that doesn’t mean you’ll miss out on attractive features:
- Super lightweight: weighing in at a mere 990kg tare and with an ATM starting at just 1300kg, the Pluto is one of the lightest caravans on the market. This makes it an excellent choice for those with small or micro tow vehicles.
- Sleeping for two: the Pluto provides sleeping for two adults with a permanent double bed. However, you can also choose to have a dinette which converts into a double bed or a permanent single bed with an innerspring mattress and a dinette.
- Kitchen and amenities: it features a compact yet functional kitchen equipped with a 2-burner cooktop and stainless steel sink, 80L fridge/freezer (compressor), microwave, 100L fresh water tank and generous pantry. It also comes with a separate shower and electric flushing cassette toilet with a 12/240V hot water system, alongside a TV package.
- Durable fibreglass construction: despite its lightweight design, the Pluto boasts a durable fibreglass composite body with insulation. This material offers good thermal performance and ensures the caravan can withstand Australian conditions.
- Off-grid capabilities: like the X-Scape, it’s a small caravan with hybrid elements, with a 200W roof-mounted solar panel with a 30A MPPT solar regulator, as well as a 120AGM deep cycle battery with a charger.
If you’re looking to purchase a caravan for yourself or your family, you can consider a range of caravan finance options with Savvy.
