Snowy River SRP-19F 2024 Review

After teasing showgoers with some prototypes over the past couple of years, big-selling Aussie RV brand Snowy River has finally launched its first range of pop-top caravans. Boasting a similar look and all composite 'Alopex' construction as Snowy River's SRC touring and SRT off-road hardtop caravans, the new four-model SRP Pop Top touring range is available with both couple and family layouts, in either single axle 18ft or 19ft tandem axle set-ups, and all sharply priced at around $60,000 tow-away. Not to mention they all come complete with a remote-controlled powered pop-top mechanism that raises or lowers the roof in seconds...

Related: All-new Snowy River Pop Top caravans break cover

There are four variants currently available in the new Snowy River SRP Pop Top range -- all priced competitively, from $58,490 (tow-away) for the single axle 18ft couple's model to $62,990 for the tandem axle 19ft twin-bunk family variant we're reviewing here.

Designed primarily for on-road touring, they all come with a 50mm ball coupling, rubber torsion suspension, 12in electric brakes and 15in wheels. Loaded up with features including a big fridge/freezer, rooftop air-conditioner, microwave, instant hot water and a separate shower and toilet, they also present as a more affordable option than a similar-size hardtop caravan from Snowy's SRC range which might cost as much as $10,000 more.

Targetting entry-level buyers, the new Snowy River pop-tops do miss out on a few desirable features like a front toolbox, electronic stability control, grey water tank and a 12V fan, while an external shower and washing machine are available as options.

However, Snowy River has added extra value in the form of a 'one-touch' power-operated pop-top roof, as well as a decent lithium battery and rooftop solar panel system -- features you don't normally expect to find fitted as standard on a large $60K touring van.

It's also worth noting that not only do the new Snowy River models compare favourably on price with other on-road pop-tops on the market, they also come in a larger (19ft) option that's not always available from rivals.

Like all Snowy River vans, the new pop-tops are built in China with final fit-out and assembly at Snowy's Melbourne facility, and are backed by a five year structural warranty and a two year manufacturer warranty.

The new pop-top models largely stick to the full-composite construction formula that has made the Snowy River brand so popular with Aussie caravan buyers. This includes the use of fibreglass composite body panels with a box section welded aluminium frame and XPS foam insulation (32mm thick for the side walls and 42mm for the floor).

There's also some black checker plate across the front and sides and a strut-assisted cover for the front window, while the Duragal steel chassis boasts a six-inch A-frame with four-inch chassis rails.

The pop-top roof is also a composite unit, and relies on some sturdy-looking, strut-assisted supports along with electric actuators in each corner, to do the heavy lifting. There's a bit of weight on the roof too, including a large skylight, TV antenna, air-conditioner and solar panels (although these are the lighter flexible type).

For something different Snowy River has also added some stylish, double-padded insulation material across the inside of the pop-top gusset. While this adds an extra layer of unzipping when you go to open the screened flaps, the upside is when they're all zipped up the van should be almost as thermally efficient as a hardtop version.

As far as the exterior look goes, there are four exterior colours and seven decal options to choose from.

Like the other three variants in the range, the 19ft family pop-top with its standard ball coupling and torsion bar suspension, is set up primarily for bitumen touring and caravan park stays.

That said, ground clearance is decent for an on-road van, and the side (and underbody) checker plate protection and all-terrain tyres provide some confidence if you do decide to venture onto the dirt. The biggest concern would be the low-hanging, chassis-mounted battery box and some exposed underbody plumbing when venturing too far off the beaten track.

The Snowy River SRP-19F also comes with an above-average (for the price) off-grid 12V battery set-up, if you want to spend some time away from caravan parks and keep the power running. This includes a total of 360W rooftop solar that feeds a 100Ah lithium battery; all controlled by a Projecta PM200 manager. There's also 190 litres of fresh water storage.

Twin 9kg gas bottles are located on the drawbar, together with a centrally-mounted removable jockey wheel, drawbar tap and mains pressure inlet. Moving to the entry-side wall, you'll find a gas bayonet, a 13ft roll-out awning and LED annexe light, a drop-down picnic table, external speakers and outside TV connections.

For external storage, there's just the forward tunnel boot with a bright LED strip light that's big enough to hold a few larger items like camp chairs and fishing rods. However, you might have to load and unload some items from the awning side as the locker door on the offside is much smaller due to the location of the water heater.

While along the back wall you'll find an extended two-arm bumper bar, along with a wall-mounted spare tyre and wireless rear camera.

With a travel height of just over 2.6m, the 19ft Pop Top is obviously easier to store at home under cover than a taller hard-top van. Its sleeker stance also makes it more aerodynamic when towing, and potentially more stable and fuel-efficient and less susceptible to cross-winds than a fixed roof van that's closer to 3.0m high.

With a Tare of 2164kg Tare and a 3000kg ATM, it's suitable for towing behind a range of medium-duty tow vehicles, or any 3500kg-rated 4WD wagon or dual-cab ute, like the Ford Ranger used during our photo-shoot.

As we've already mentioned, the SRP-19F is on the large side for a family pop-top, and the upside is an airy and inviting interior living space with adequate floorspace throughout the van to move around. That's despite a busy layout that includes a front east-west parents' bed, a central kitchen and L-shaped lounge-dinette, and twin bunks and a separate shower and toilet down back.

The kitchen comes well equipped with a large stainless sink with drainer and mixer tap, a four hob (one electric, three gas) cooktop and grille, a rangehood, microwave and 174 litre fridge/freezer.

The foam padding on the L-shape dinette is covered in a soft cloth upholstery and the large, sturdily-mounted table is fully adjustable. The review van's light grey colour scheme is a nice neutral choice, but there are eight other interior colour schemes to choose from, along with the option of leather upholstery.

The ensuite in the rear onside corner gets a fibreglass shower cubicle with chrome tapware, along with a cassette toilet, a vanity with ceramic bowl and mixer tap, towel rails, a toilet roll holder and a large mirror.

There's also a Bluetooth audio unit with internal speakers, a rooftop air conditioner, and a 24in TV with an adjustable arm located near the front bed. The control panel for the hot water unit is conveniently located in one of the overhead cupboards; not far from the Projecta display that monitors battery and water usage.

All the sleeping and dining areas get reading lights along with various electrical sockets for plugging in or charging devices, and there's a full-height privacy curtain for the bathroom (but no screen for the bunks). There's also a removable step ladder and safety rail for the top bunk.

It's also worth mentioning that Snowy River is planning some minor, mainly cosmetic changes for the final production versions, including different ceiling lights and towel rails, and a better location for the extendable TV arm.

The powered mechanism certainly makes it much easier and quicker to raise and lower the roof than a manual-lift pop-top. While you still have to reach up and unclasp the four corner roof latches and flick the awning switch to ‘Open’, there's no need to get inside and push the roof up at each end, with the small remote control unit (housed in a dedicated slot just inside the entry door) doing all the work for you.

It only takes a few seconds to raise (or lower) the roof, and there's a manual over-ride as back-up which includes some ceiling mounted pull-down handles. The main control unit for the pop-top roof is located under the dinette seats if you need to access it for any reason.

It's an easy step up to get inside the van too, despite no pull-out entry step. Once inside, there are large opening windows with screens and blinds on three side walls, plus twin-layer pop-top vents (also with insect screens) on all four sides. All the windows and flaps are quick and easy to open and allow plenty of natural light and ventilation into the van.

The extra headroom and floorspace means you don't get the claustrophobic feel you often find in more cramped family pop-top layouts, while also allowing family members to move around more freely without constantly banging into each other.

The east-west orientation of the (2040mm x 1320mm) double bed is not as convenient for two people to get in and out of as a north-south bed, but it's a pleasant place to hang out with a comfy innerspring mattress and opening windows on three sides, plus a large roof hatch overhead and the TV arm nearby.

The dinette seat cushions are reasonably comfortable too, and there's decent benchspace in the kitchen for food preparation.

The large (1820mm x 650mm) bunks at the back also get a nice innerspring mattress, along with opening windows, reading lights and charging points. The bunk ladder and top rails tick the safety box, but we would have liked a privacy curtain for the bunk area to go with the wrap-around curtain for the ensuite directly opposite.

There are no complaints about the size of the caravan-like shower cubicle with its smokey door though, which should accommodate a large adult.

Internal storage options are pretty good as far as pop-tops go, largely thanks to the high-sided hard walls which allow for a bank of overhead cupboards that run across three sides of the van. There's also a big cupboard above the fridge, and some slide-out drawers under the main bed and lower bunk, along with a robe and more drawers along the rear wall. The kitchen also gets a set of drawers and a large underbench cupboard.

It's clear that Snowy River has put a lot of thought and effort into the design and features for its first range of on-road pop-tops, including the top-spec 19ft twin-bunk model which stacks up as a well-equipped, user-friendly and comfortable van at an affordable price for young families.

While the electric-roof and above-average lithium battery system are icing on the cake at this price-point, and make the SRP-19F worth putting towards the top of your pop-top shopping list...

Price (RRP): $62,990
Travel length: 7302mm
Body length: 5714mm
Travel width: 2390mm
Travel height: 2658mm
Tare weight: 2164kg
ATM: 3000kg
Ball weight (Tare): 121kg
Body: Fibreglass composite walls, roof, walls
Chassis: Duragal steel 150mm x 50mm A-frame and 100mm chassis
Suspension: Rubber torsion independent with 50mm ball coupling
Brakes: 12in electric drums
Wheels: 15in alloy with all-terrain tyres
ESC: NA
Water: 2 x 95L (fresh)
Battery: 100Ah lithium
Solar: 2 x 180W rooftop panels
Air-conditioner: Houghton Belaire roof-mounted
Gas: 2 x 9kg
Hot water: Fogatti instant
Cooking: Dometic MiniGrill gas/electric cooktop with grille
Fridge: Thetford 174L compressor
Microwave: Captivating 20L
Toilet: Dometic cassette
Shower: Separate fibreglass cubicle
Lighting: 12V LED
TV: 24in Smart
Audio: Captivating Bluetooth radio with internal/external speakers
Supplied by: Snowy River Caravans, Somerton, Victoria