Thinking about living life on the road, or perhaps just escaping the city for the weekend? Then an RV could be for you. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed with the amount of choices for RV’s, but that’s okay! Below we’ll list the main types of RV’s and their advantages and disadvantages, so you can find your perfect match.

 

Caravans

Caravans are portable homes secured to a chassis that are towed behind a vehicle. They are made from fibreglass/plastic composites, timber or aluminium and can be anywhere between 6 and 9 metres in overall length. Some popular brands include Coromal, Windsor and Adria.

Pictured: Coromal Seeker Range Caravans.

 

Advantages

• Not as expensive as other RV types. New caravans can cost between $32,000 and $157,000. In comparison, new motorhomes can cost between $130,000 and $250,000. 

• Caravans can be used as a base camp while you thoroughly explore the local area. You can also set-up your site and leave without having to secure your belongings for transit every time you need to go out. Other RV types that are motorised would need to be packed up and driven, unless they tow a separate vehicle at the back. They may also be too large to drive to some locations to explore, and difficult to park (i.e: in a shopping centre car park).

• More spacious than other RV types due to not having the driver’s cabin taking space inside the vehicle.

• They are usually cheaper to run and maintain than motorhomes in terms of insurance, registration and fuel consumption.

 

Disadvantages

• They must be towed by a capable vehicle. As most small cars are incapable of towing a caravan a 4WD is often needed. This can be an extra cost for those who want a caravan but need to buy a vehicle capable of towing it.

• Towing requires experience and focus. Some people find it difficult, however towing classes are available to increase knowledge and confidence. 

• Accessories such as weight distribution hitches, towing mirrors and wind deflectors may need to be purchased for your vehicle. These greatly assist towing but are an additional cost if you don’t have them.

• Most are not self-sufficient unless they are full off-road vans or they have power, water and waste accessories added. These accessories are solar panels and fresh, grey and black water tanks, which come at an additional cost.

• It takes longer to set-up and pack-up than a motorhome.

• It is not as secure as a motorhome or campervan. If a threat or issue arises you have to get out of your caravan to your towing vehicle to drive away. Campervan and motorhome owners can simply walk into the cabin and drive away.

 

Campervans

Campervans are portable homes built into a motorised van chassis. They are usually between 4.7 and 7.4 metres in length. An example of popular campervans includes Winnebago and Talvor.

Pictured (left to right): Winnebago 2S FB Campervan, Talvor Hitop Camper

 

Advantages

• Driven from the front of the van. This is beneficial as it is one unit and doesn’t need to be towed. As mentioned previously, some people find towing difficult or daunting and this can be an alternative option for them. It is also easier to drive for this reason.

• Not as heavy as a motorhome. Campervans can have an ATM between 3,000kg and 4,000kg depending on their size and accessories. Comparatively, motorhomes can have a GVM between 3,800kg and 4,500kg. Lighter RVs consume less fuel, and can be driven on a car licence. Heavier RV’s that are over 4,500kg need to be driven on a truck licence. This can be daunting and an additional expense.

• Not as expensive as a motorhome. New campervans can cost between $78,000 and $156,000. In comparison, new motorhomes can cost between $130,000 and $250,000.

• Quick to set-up and pack-up, unlike a caravan.

• It is more secure than a caravan. If a threat or issue arises you have to get out of your caravan to your towing vehicle to drive away. Campervan owners can simply walk into the cabin and drive away.

• Great for life on the road and enjoying an exciting location then moving onto the next.  If you discover an amazing location, you don’t have to back track to base camp each afternoon.

 

Disadvantages

• Campervans are not as big as caravans or motorhomes so they don't have as much room. Campervans can be between 4.7m and 7.4m in length while motorhomes can be between 6m and 8m in length. Caravans can be between 6m and 9m in length but they don’t have the drivers cabin inside. This allows extra space that a campervan doesn’t have.

• Due to the length of the campervan being smaller than other RV types, layout options are restricted. With more room, more options are available. This can include extra beds, a larger kitchen or a separate toilet and shower.

• Not all campervans are self-sufficient. This can be changed for an additional cost by installing accessories such as solar panels, and fresh, grey and black water tanks.

• Not as cheap as a caravan. As mentioned previously, new campervans can cost between $78,000 and $156,000. In comparison, new caravans can cost between $32,000 and $157,000.

 

Motorhomes

Motorhomes are portable homes fitted to the back of a motorised truck chassis. They can range between 6 and 8 metres in overall length. Popular brands are Windsor and Winnebago.

Pictured (left to right): Windsor Daintree Motorhome, Winnebago Coogee Motorhome, Talvor 6 Berth Motorhome.

 

Advantages

• Motorhomes can be between 6m and 8m in length. This large size allows for a range of layout options, compared to smaller RV’s such as campervans. This can include extra beds, a larger kitchen or a separate toilet and shower.

• Driven from the front of the chassis. This is beneficial, as similar to a campervan it is one unit and doesn’t need to be towed. As mentioned previously, some people find towing difficult or daunting and this can be an alternative option for them. It is also generally easier to drive for this reason.

• Allows you to be completely self-sufficient by having your own power, waste collection and water storage and collection. This enables the option to free camp which requires self-sufficiency. 

• Quick to set-up and pack-up, unlike a caravan.

• It is more secure than a caravan. If a threat or issue arises you have to get out of your caravan to your towing vehicle to drive away. Motorhome owners can simply walk into the cabin and drive away.

• Great for life on the road and enjoying an exciting location then moving onto the next.  If you discover an amazing location, you don’t have to back track to base camp each afternoon.

 

Disadvantages

• The large size can make them more difficult to manoeuvre when driving or parking than smaller RV’s.

• They are heavier than other RV types. As mentioned previously, motorhomes can have a GVM between 3,800kg and 4,500kg depending on their size and accessories. In comparison, campervans can have an ATM between 3,000kg and 4,000kg. Lighter RVs consume less fuel, and can be driven on a car licence. Heavier RV’s that are over 4,500kg need to be driven on a truck licence. This can be daunting and an additional expense.

• They are more expensive than other RV types. New motorhomes can cost between $130,000 and $250,000, while new caravans can cost between $32,000 and $157,000. 

• They are more expensive to run and maintain than a caravan in terms of insurance, registration and fuel consumption.

 

 

Overall, the RV you choose largely depends on what you want to do with it and where you want to go. One thing is certain though - no matter what RV you choose, van life is amazing! You’ll get a chance to explore, make memories and have great experiences that will last a lifetime!

 

Click the link below to see our range of caravans, campervans and motorhomes for sale. 

https://www.apollorvsales.com.au/vehicle-search-results