How to choose the perfect caravan

A caravan is a caravan is a caravan… right? Not even close. 

Once you start looking, you realise people have very strong opinions about layouts, bed orientation, where the door goes, whether you need an oven, how much solar is ‘enough’ and where the bathroom should sit.  

Add suspension types, wall construction, batteries, water tanks and resale value into the mix, and suddenly choosing a caravan feels more complicated than booking the trip itself. 

If you’re new to this – or upgrading from something simpler – here’s how I’d cut through the noise and work out what actually matters, without ruffling your feathers in the process. 

Size matters when your home on wheels is smaller than most tiny homes. 

For couples touring Australia, one of the most popular sweet spots is around 19ft 6in to 20ft 6in internally. That size gives you room to move, space for proper amenities and a layout that doesn’t feel cramped after a few rainy days. 

Off-road caravans are often shorter – usually about 600mm less – to improve manoeuvrability on tighter tracks. Just remember: shorter often means compromises elsewhere. 

Weight matters too. A caravan in this size range typically has a tare of around 2000–2500kg, which means you’ll need a tow vehicle rated for at least 3000kg once you factor in payload. 

If most of your trips stick to sealed roads, traditional leaf-spring suspension is perfectly fine and often more stable in crosswinds. 

But if you’re like me and tend to push a little further – dirt roads, corrugations, longer remote stretches – independent trailing-arm suspension is worth considering. It rides better, handles rough surfaces more comfortably and is now common across many Australian vans. 

Air suspension is the premium option. It smooths out bumps beautifully, but it costs more and isn’t essential unless you’re regularly heading off the beaten track. 

This is where opinions really split. 

Traditional ribbed aluminium walls are lighter and cheaper, and some people like the idea that dents are easier to repair. Smooth composite fibreglass walls, on the other hand, resist hail better, look cleaner and are increasingly common – even on entry-level vans. 

Manufacturers argue about timber vs aluminium framing too. Timber advocates say it absorbs shock better; aluminium fans point to rot resistance in tropical climates. The reality? Build quality matters more than the material label. 

One interesting tip: some insurers even offer discounts on fibreglass-clad vans. 

Dark colours look great in photos. White is far more comfortable in real Australian heat. 

White fibreglass walls stay noticeably cooler than darker aluminium panels, especially in full sun. Silver and grey sit somewhere in the middle. Black or deep red? Stylish, but you’ll feel the heat fast unless the roof is heavily insulated. 

If you plan to travel north or camp in summer, this one matters more than you think. 

Most travellers overestimate how extreme their trips will be. 

Off-road packages add stronger suspension, larger wheels, more clearance and better stone protection – and they’re worth it if you’ll genuinely use them. If most of your trips are sealed roads with the odd gravel stretch, you might be better off saving the weight and cost. 

Adventure is great. Over-spec’ing ‘just in case’ is expensive. 

Pop-tops offer better ventilation, lower towing height and easier storage – especially useful in warmer climates. 

Hard-tops give you more cupboard space, faster setup and better insulation in cooler weather. Resale tends to be similar for both, so it really comes down to climate and how you travel. 

If you want the freedom to free-camp, aim for: 

Lithium batteries save weight and charge faster, but cost more. Worth it if off-grid time is a priority. 

Some choices affect daily comfort more than others. 

Rear entry doors are still popular, especially with rear ensuites, but front doors can improve weight balance on shorter vans. Most Australians prefer a north–south walk-around bed; east–west beds save space but require more gymnastics. 

A separate shower and toilet is now close to a resale must-have, and lounges matter more than you think – L-shaped lounges often feel roomier than café dinettes and work better around wheel boxes. 

Small details like microwave height, solid bathroom doors and bench space make a big difference once you’re living in the van. 

Slide-outs add space without increasing towing length, especially for bedrooms. They cost more and add weight, but can improve resale on touring vans. 

They’re less common on off-road caravans due to dust-sealing and rigidity concerns. If you’re mostly on sealed roads, they’re a solid option. 

Tastes change, and so do life stages. If you want an easier resale later, look for caravans that tick most of these boxes: 

You don’t need everything – but the more of these boxes you tick, the broader your future buyer pool.

The perfect caravan isn’t the one with the longest options list. It’s the one that suits how you travel now, with just enough flexibility for where you might head next.

Choose something that makes trips easier, quicker to set up and more comfortable day-to-day – not something that looks impressive in a brochure but leaves you feeling grounded when you’d rather be ready to take off.

Because the right caravan doesn’t just get you there. It helps you enjoy being there.