Top-5 small caravans

Caravans in Australia used to be reasonably light, but with the growth in popularity of dual-cab utes and other heavy-duty tow vehicles, new caravans are being built bigger and heavier.

But not all caravanners can afford to upgrade their tow vehicle, nor does the hassle and expense of towing a big, bulky van appeal to everyone.

For these alternative buyers, there’s an increasing number of lightweight, small caravans available in Australia – many imported but some locally built -- that deliver many big caravan benefits in a more compact, user-friendly package.

Adria Action

Imported by one of Australia’s biggest RV companies, the Adria Action 361LT is one of the latest micro light caravans to hit the Australian market.

While very Euro in both styling and construction, the the Action 361LT really impresses with how many features it manages to pack into its compact 3.6 metre length, including a dinette/lounge that converts to double bed, internal kitchen with sink, cooktop and fridge, and a combination shower/toilet.

The full-height van weighs very llttle, with an ATM of 1400kg and ball weight less than 100kg, so it can be towed by a Toyota Camry or many compact SUVs. A mid-$30K price tag for this funky 13ft van also adds to the appeal.

Roma Rookie

Part of the longstanding Melbourne manufacturer’s lightweight international range, the 3.5 metre long, Italian-built fiberglass Rookie defies belief by managing to provide accommodation, cooking and dining space for four inside its bright and surprisingly roomy interior.

Pitched at time-poor younger buyers, or those who wouldn’t otherwise consider a traditional caravan, the Rookie weighs just a shade over one tonne fully loaded, meaning it can be towed by most passenger cars on the market.

With an air conditioner, 70 litre fridge and cooker, about the only thing missing on this very light caravan is a shower and toilet.

Little Caravan X-scape

Spotting a gap in the market, the Little Caravan Company does exactly as the name suggests: delivers cut-down versions of traditional, full height Australian-built caravans, with few compromises in the way of creature comforts.

The Melbourne-built 12ft X-scape delivers most things you get on bigger Aussie vans but in a sub-2000kg package, including a sturdy galvanized chassis, internal and external kitchen, fixed double bed, dining table and internal shower and toilet. Not to mention enough headroom to avoid head banging at night!

Silversun Neptune

Borrowing a few tricks from the lightweight Euro brigade, Queensland’s Silversun is in the business of building compact, composite small caravans with ensuites, at affordable prices.

The 13ft Neptune is a good example, packing a lounge/dinette/double bed, internal/external kitchen, and combination shower/toilet into its compact 13ft long body. It’s sub-1500kg ATM makes it towable by smaller city runabouts and SUVs, and it’s mid-$30K pricing is very appealing too.

Euro Sunseeker

When it comes to micro light caravans, the Polish-built Euro Sunseeker takes the cake. The full-height composite caravan imported by a Sydney company, somehow manages to squeeze in a dinette/lounge that converts to a double bed, kitchen with sink, two-burner cooktop and fridge, and a combination shower/toilet in its diminutive 9ft long body.

Throw in a 20L water tank, air-conditioner and 80Ah battery for a price tag under $30K, while the ATM of 750kg barely requires electric brakes to tow it with any number of small vehicles.