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, rooftop tents, and hybrid setups all have their place. Each suits different travel styles, budgets, route ambitions, and comfort expectations. The chassis underneath your rig also affects where you can go and how it performs. 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.

Caravans

Caravans remain the most popular choice for Big Lappers. They offer a fully enclosed, hard-walled living space that you tow behind your vehicle. Once parked, you unhitch and have independent vehicle access for day trips, shopping, and exploring. This flexibility is a massive practical advantage over motorhomes.

Full-Size Caravan

What it is: A conventional caravan with fixed roof height, typically 18 to 24 feet long. These are the workhorses of the caravan world.

Why it’s popular: Best balance of comfort, space, and practicality for extended travel. A full-size caravan gives you a proper kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and living area in a structure that’s weatherproof, secure, and well-insulated. Interior height is typically 6’3″ to 6’6″, so most people can stand comfortably.

The trade-off: Size and weight. Typically weighs 2,000 to 3,500kg, requiring a capable tow vehicle. The height creates wind resistance, affecting fuel economy and stability in crosswinds. Limited access to some narrow tracks and tight campgrounds.

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

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.

Why it’s chosen: Lower towing height (typically 2.1m) 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. Easier to store at home due to lower height.

The trade-off: The canvas section between the raised roof and 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. Can’t stand up inside during transit stops.

Best for: Couples who want caravan comfort with better fuel economy and easier towing. Popular with grey nomads who tow frequently.

Slide-Out Caravan

What it is: A caravan with one or more sections that extend outward when parked, creating additional interior space.

Why it’s chosen: More living space when parked without increasing towing width. The slide-out typically houses a dinette, bedroom, or kitchen extension, making a compact caravan feel much more spacious.

The trade-off: Added complexity and potential failure points. Slide-out mechanisms require maintenance and can jam. Heavier than equivalent fixed-wall caravans. More expensive to purchase and repair.

Best for: Couples who need maximum space but want to tow a shorter caravan. Popular with full-time travellers who prioritise interior comfort.

Hybrid Caravan

What it is: A caravan that combines hard walls with fold-out tent sections, typically for beds or dining areas.

Why it’s chosen: More space than a pure camper trailer with some of the convenience of a caravan. Often includes a hard-walled kitchen and bathroom with tent beds that fold out from the sides.

The trade-off: Setup time between a camper trailer and caravan (10-20 minutes). Canvas sleeping areas are less comfortable in extreme weather. More complex than a straight caravan.

Best for: Families who want more space than a camper trailer but lighter weight than a full caravan. A compromise option.

Fifth Wheeler

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

Why it’s chosen: 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 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 for those staying on sealed roads.

Pop-tops look great with the roof up, but that canvas section is where heat, cold, and noise get through. Trade-offs everywhere.

Camper Trailers

Camper trailers offer a lighter, more affordable way to travel with accommodation. They’re significantly more capable off-road than caravans but require more setup time and offer less weather protection.

Hard Floor Camper Trailer

What it is: A camper trailer with a solid floor that unfolds to create the base of your accommodation. The floor typically hinges in the middle or slides out telescopically.

Why it’s popular: Faster setup than soft floor campers (typically 10-15 minutes). The hard floor provides insulation from cold ground and a stable platform for your mattress. Often includes more storage and a proper kitchen setup.

The trade-off: Heavier than soft floor campers, typically 800-1,500kg. More expensive due to the complex folding floor mechanism. Still requires pegging and guy ropes for the tent section.

Best for: Couples who want camper trailer capability with quicker setup. Popular with weekend warriors who set up frequently.

Soft Floor Camper Trailer

What it is: A basic camper trailer where the tent floor is canvas or vinyl that sits on the ground. The simplest and lightest camper trailer design.

Why it’s chosen: Lightest option, typically 400-800kg. Cheapest entry point to camper trailer travel. Simple design means fewer things to break. Excellent off-road capability due to low weight and centre of gravity.

The trade-off: Longest setup time (20-45 minutes). Canvas floor offers no insulation from cold or damp ground. Less comfortable for extended stays. Limited internal storage.

Best for: Budget-conscious adventurers who prioritise access over comfort. Ideal for serious off-road touring where weight and ground clearance matter most.

Forward Fold Camper Trailer

What it is: A camper trailer where the tent section folds forward over the drawbar when packed, creating a more compact towing profile.

Why it’s chosen: Compact when packed but opens to a large living area. Often includes a full kitchen that remains accessible even when the tent isn’t set up. Good for short stops.

The trade-off: More complex folding mechanism than traditional rear-fold designs. Can be harder to access gear when packed. Setup still requires 15-30 minutes.

Best for: Travellers who want a large living space but need compact storage. Popular with those who have limited home storage space.

RVs (Motorhomes & Campervans)

RVs combine transport and accommodation in a single vehicle. No towing required, but once parked, you lose independent vehicle access unless you tow a car behind or use alternative transport.

Campervan

What it is: A van (typically Sprinter, Crafter, or similar) converted for living. Compact but self-contained with basic facilities.

Why it’s popular: Easy to drive and park. Fits into regular parking spaces. Can access places larger RVs can’t. Lower running costs than big motorhomes. Stealth camping ability in urban areas.

The trade-off: Limited living space. Usually no separate bedroom or bathroom. Low headroom (typically can’t stand up fully). Limited storage and tank capacity.

Best for: Solo travellers or couples who value mobility over space. Ideal for shorter trips or those who spend most time outdoors.

Class B Motorhome

What it is: A purpose-built motorhome on a van chassis (Sprinter, Crafter) with a high roof for standing room.

Why it’s chosen: Better interior space than a campervan with full standing headroom. Still manageable to drive and park. Often includes a proper bathroom and separate bedroom.

The trade-off: More expensive than campervans. Larger than a standard van but smaller than Class C motorhomes. Limited off-road capability on most van chassis.

Best for: Couples who want motorhome comfort in a more manageable size. Popular with those doing highway-focused trips.

Class C Motorhome

What it is: A large motorhome built on a truck chassis with a separate cab and living area. The largest practical motorhome for Australian conditions.

Why it’s chosen: Maximum space and comfort. Full kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and living area. Often includes slide-outs for extra room. Built-in storage throughout.

The trade-off: Expensive to buy and maintain. Poor fuel economy. Difficult to park and manoeuvre. Limited to good roads. Requires towing a car for practicality.

Best for: Couples or small families who want maximum comfort and stay primarily in caravan parks. A luxury option for those with substantial budgets.

Bus Conversion

What it is: A former school bus, coach, or commercial bus converted for living. Custom builds with huge interior space.

Why it’s chosen: Massive interior space. Often cheaper than equivalent motorhomes. Unique living layouts possible. Strong chassis suitable for modifications.

The trade-off: DIY conversion required in most cases. Older vehicle reliability issues. Poor fuel economy. Very large and difficult to manoeuvre. Limited resale market.

Best for: Handy couples or families who want maximum space and don’t mind a project. Popular with full-time nomads on tight budgets.

Rooftop Tents

Rooftop tents mount on your vehicle’s roof or roof rack system. They’re the lightest accommodation option and allow you to keep your vehicle’s interior free for gear storage.

Soft Shell Rooftop Tent

What it is: A traditional canvas tent that unfolds from a base mounted on your roof. Usually includes a ladder for access.

Why it’s chosen: Lightest rooftop tent option. Compact when packed. Cheaper than hard shell options. Can often fit multiple people.

The trade-off: Longer setup time (10-20 minutes). Canvas offers less insulation and weather protection. Must be packed away dry to prevent mould. Takes up roof rack space when mounted.

Best for: Adventure travellers who want minimal impact on their vehicle’s handling. Popular with 4WD enthusiasts who prioritise capability over comfort.

Hard Shell Rooftop Tent

What it is: A rooftop tent with rigid walls that pop up or fold out from a hard shell base. Premium option in the rooftop tent market.

Why it’s chosen: Quick setup (2-5 minutes). Better insulation and weather protection than soft shell. More aerodynamic when closed. Often includes integrated mattress and lighting.

The trade-off: Much more expensive than soft shell tents. Heavier load on your roof. Usually sleeps fewer people than equivalent soft shell tent. Complex mechanisms can fail.

Best for: Frequent campers who value quick setup and comfort. Popular with couples doing extended 4WD tours with regular camping.

Hybrid Rooftop Tent

What it is: A rooftop tent that combines hard shell base with soft walls, often with an annex that extends to ground level.

Why it’s chosen: Compromise between hard and soft shell benefits. Often includes ground-level annex for extra space. Faster setup than pure soft shell.

The trade-off: More complex than pure designs. Heavier than soft shell, more expensive than basic models. Annex setup takes additional time.

Best for: Families or couples who want rooftop tent benefits with extra space. Good for those who spend extended time in each location.

Hard shell rooftop tents pop up in minutes and handle weather better than soft shells. Premium option for serious adventurers.

Chassis Considerations

The chassis underneath your caravan or camper trailer significantly affects where you can go and how it performs. Understanding these options helps you match your rig to your intended routes.

Single Axle vs Dual Axle

Single axle: Lighter, cheaper, easier to manoeuvre, but limited weight capacity and less stability at highway speeds. Best for shorter caravans (under 20 feet) and lighter loads.

Dual axle: Higher weight capacity, better stability, redundancy if one tyre fails, but heavier, more expensive, and harder to manoeuvre in tight spaces. Standard for caravans over 20 feet.

On-Road vs Off-Road Chassis

On-road chassis: Lower, lighter suspension designed for sealed roads and caravan parks. Smoother ride on highways but limited clearance and durability on rough surfaces.

Off-road chassis: Higher ground clearance, heavy-duty suspension, stronger axles, and better approach/departure angles. Handles corrugations, rocks, and rough tracks but rides rougher on sealed roads and costs more.

Independent Suspension vs Leaf Springs

Independent suspension: Better ride quality, improved tyre contact on uneven surfaces, and reduced body roll. More expensive but worthwhile for extended travel.

Leaf springs: Cheaper, simpler, easier to repair in remote areas, but harsher ride quality and less precise wheel control. Still common on budget and off-road focused rigs.

Which Should You Choose?

See how the rigs actually live in the real world. Caravans dominate because the setup-to-comfort ratio works for most people.

For Most Big Lappers: Full-Size Caravan

A conventional caravan remains the best choice for most people doing extended trips around Australia. It offers the optimal balance of comfort, practicality, independent vehicle access, and value for money. The ability to unhitch and drive your car independently is invaluable for daily life on the road.

For Adventure Seekers: Hard Floor Camper Trailer

If your route includes significant off-road sections or you prioritise access over comfort, a hard floor camper trailer is the sweet spot. Better setup time than soft floor, better capability than caravans, and reasonable comfort for extended travel.

For Highway Travellers: Pop-Top Caravan

Couples focusing on highways and major roads who want better fuel economy should consider a pop-top. You get most of the space and comfort of a full caravan with significantly better aerodynamics and towing characteristics.

For Solo Travellers: Campervan

Solo travellers often prefer the simplicity of a campervan. No towing to learn, easy to drive, and sufficient space for one person. The lack of independent transport is less limiting when you’re travelling alone.

For Serious Off-Road: Soft Floor Camper or Rooftop Tent

If your Big Lap includes serious 4WD tracks and remote camping, go as light as possible. A quality soft floor camper trailer or rooftop tent setup will take you anywhere your vehicle can go.