If you’re thinking a lightweight offroad caravan is a low-quality model or one with fewer features, think again! With the rollout of the lightweight hybrid, it has never been easier to explore the most rugged and remote parts of Australia. Hybrid caravans can give you the glamping lifestyle without the high fuel bills – and you won’t need to upgrade your car just to tow it.
Let’s look at the benefits of a lightweight hybrid caravan and explore the best models on the market.
Benefits of a lightweight offroad caravan
There are so many benefits to owning a lightweight offroad caravan including:
- Manoeuvrability: When you’re off-road in outback Australia, manoeuvrability is essential for navigating diverse terrain and wildlife. Lightweight offroad caravans outclass their heavier counterparts in challenging terrain and reduce the likelihood of getting bogged.
- Safety: Lighter caravans are easier to tow with reduced drag. The less strenuous handling provides a safer driving experience. If you have an older towing vehicle with less advanced safety features, a lighter van can give you a greater margin for error. This is because lighter vans take less time to stop and are easier to control in a sway event.
- Saves You Money: When you’re towing, every extra bit of weight increases your fuel bill – not to mention the wear and tear on your vehicle. In addition, if the towing requirements of a heavy caravan exceed the limits of your car, you’ll need to upgrade. Lightweight hybrid models can often be towed by medium SUVs.
- Easier To Store: Generally, lightweight offroad caravans take up less room in garages and carports.
- Better For The Environment: While you are out enjoying the natural world, it’s nice to know that by going with a lightweight offroad caravan, you’ve made a more environmentally friendly choice.
To learn more about towing limits so you can estimate what your car can tow, read our towing explanation guide.
What are the best lightweight hybrid caravans?
100% Australian-owned and operated, JAWA designs off road campers to suit Aussie travellers and Aussie conditions! We have an extensive range of lightweight offroad caravans that come with a 5-year structural warranty.
When shopping for a lightweight offroad caravan, it is important to understand the Aggregated Trailer Mass (ATM). The ATM of your chosen caravan cannot exceed the specified towing capacity of your vehicle. The ATM is the maximum weight of the loaded caravan when it is carrying the maximum allowed payload (the total combined weight of all items loaded into the van – food, clothes, water, fuel, and tarps).
Here is an overview of our most popular lightweight models that can be towed by most medium SUVs.
- Stealth 10: Designed to cater to adventures of all kinds, this rugged offroad camper extends to an impressive 13FT, providing ample space in a compact hybrid design. It comes with an internal ensuite, innerspring queen-size bed, gas/electric hot water system, internal storage, and a single sofa plus a removable table.
ATM: 2500kg
- Stealth 12: Step up the luxury in this lightweight hybrid caravan that comes with so many upgrades including a diesel heater, air conditioner, full Enerdrive 12Volt setup (including Enerdrive 300AH lithium battery), Dometic Dust Reduction System, electric roof actuators and so much more.
ATM: 2650kg
- Lowdown 13 Escape: This offroad camper has been designed and engineered with height in mind. When not on the road, you can keep your van safely secured in a standard-size garage. The Lowdown tows with ease and pops out to 16FT of comfort. This fully offroad caravan features a queen bed, internal ensuite and reverse cycle under-floor air conditioning.
ATM: 2500kg
- Lowdown 13 Bunk: Like the Lowdown Escape, you can keep it light and low with this offroad caravan. While not in use, its low-height design allows it to be stored in most carports and garages. Fully off-road, this camper lets you bring the kids along with a queen-sized bed plus a permanent oversize bunk.
ATM: 2500kg
Lightweight offroad caravans make exploring easy
When you consider that weight is generally your enemy offroad, a lightweight offroad caravan simply makes sense. A light van is less likely to cause traction problems for your tow vehicle in steep or slippery environments. So if you’re dreaming of exploring Australia’s most remote locations and tackling the terrain with confidence, a lightweight hybrid caravan is the perfect choice.
