Big Lap Setup: Know Your Options (Caravans, Camper Trailers & More)

Before you start comparing brands and models, you need to decide what type of rig you’re taking around Australia. A conventional caravan is the most popular choice, but it’s not the only one. Camper trailers, pop-tops, motorhomes, fifth wheelers, and hybrid setups all have their place. Each suits different travel styles, budgets, route ambitions, and comfort expectations. Understanding the trade-offs helps you pick the right platform before you get distracted by individual vans.

Caravans, campers, motorhomes, and hybrids. Each has strengths. None is perfect for everyone.

Conventional Caravan

What it is: A fully enclosed, hard-walled trailer towed behind your vehicle. Ranges from compact 14-foot pop-tops to 24-foot full-size vans with slide-outs.

Why it’s the most popular: Best balance of comfort, space, and practicality for extended travel. A caravan gives you a full kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and living area in a structure that’s weatherproof, secure, and insulated. You unhitch at camp and drive the car independently for day trips, shopping, and exploring, which is a massive practical advantage over motorhomes.

The trade-off: Size and weight. A conventional caravan requires a capable tow vehicle, limits your access to some narrow tracks and tight campgrounds, and adds fuel consumption. Towing takes practice and can feel daunting for beginners.

Best for: Couples and families doing 6+ months on a mix of sealed roads and good gravel. The default choice for most Big Lappers.

Price range: $30,000 to $150,000+ new. $15,000 to $80,000 used.

Camper Trailer

What it is: A towable trailer that unfolds or pops up to create a tent-based living and sleeping area. Ranges from basic tent-on-a-trailer to luxury hard-floor campers with full kitchens and annexes.

Why people choose it: Lighter, more compact, and significantly cheaper than a conventional caravan. A good camper trailer can go places a caravan can’t: tighter tracks, steeper terrain, softer sand. Setup is more involved (unfolding, pegging, attaching annexes) but the towing experience is easier because of the lighter weight.

The trade-off: Less comfortable for long-term living. Canvas walls mean less insulation (hot in summer, cold in winter, noisy in rain). No permanent bathroom in most designs. Setup and packdown takes 15 to 45 minutes versus 5 minutes for a caravan. Extended wet weather in a camper trailer is genuinely unpleasant.

Best for: Adventurous couples or small families who prioritise access over comfort. Budget-conscious travellers. People whose route includes significant off-road sections.

Price range: $8,000 to $80,000 new. $5,000 to $40,000 used.

Pop-Top Caravan

What it is: A caravan with a roof section that lifts up for headroom when stationary and lowers for a more aerodynamic profile when towing. A hybrid between a full caravan and a camper trailer.

Why people choose it: Lower towing height means better fuel economy and less wind resistance than a full-height caravan. When the roof is up, interior space is comparable to a conventional caravan. When down, it’s more compact for storage and towing.

The trade-off: The canvas section between the raised roof and the walls is an insulation weakness: cold air, hot air, and rain noise all penetrate more than solid walls. The lifting mechanism adds a point of potential failure. Less headroom when the roof is down (can’t stand up inside during transit stops).

Best for: Couples who want caravan comfort with a lighter, more aerodynamic towing experience. Popular with grey nomads who tow frequently and value fuel economy.

Price range: $25,000 to $120,000 new.

Motorhome / Campervan

What it is: A self-contained vehicle where the living area is built into the vehicle itself. Ranges from compact campervans (converted vans like HiAce or Sprinter) to large cab-chassis motorhomes.

Why people choose it: No towing. Driving a motorhome is simpler than towing a caravan for many people. Pull up, park, and you’re home. The vehicle and accommodation are one unit, which simplifies logistics.

The trade-off: No independent vehicle at camp. Once parked, you need a separate car (tow a small car behind, or use a scooter/bicycle) for local exploring, or you pack up and drive the entire motorhome to the shops. This is the biggest practical downside for long-term travel. Motorhomes also tend to be more expensive than equivalent caravans, and maintenance is costlier because the vehicle and living area are integrated.

Best for: Solo travellers, couples who dislike towing, and people doing shorter Big Laps (3 to 6 months) where the no-towing convenience outweighs the no-car limitation.

Price range: $60,000 to $300,000+ new. $30,000 to $150,000 used.

Fifth Wheeler

What it is: A large caravan that hitches in the tray of a ute via a specialised coupling (rather than a conventional tow ball). The front of the caravan sits over the ute tray, creating a distinctive raised bedroom area.

Why people choose it: More stable towing due to the hitch point over the rear axle. More interior space, often with a separate upstairs bedroom. Premium build quality in most fifth wheelers.

The trade-off: Requires a ute (typically a dual-cab) with a fifth wheel hitch installed. Expensive. Large. Limited to good roads due to size. Niche market in Australia means fewer options and higher prices.

Best for: Couples who already own a suitable ute and want maximum space and towing stability. A luxury option.

Price range: $80,000 to $200,000+ new.

The Verdict

For most Big Lappers, a conventional caravan is the right answer. It offers the best combination of comfort, practicality, independent vehicle access, and value for money over a long trip. Camper trailers suit those who prioritise access and adventure over comfort. Motorhomes suit those who prioritise simplicity over flexibility. Pop-tops and fifth wheelers are niche options that suit specific needs.