In recent years, there’s been a growing trend towards taking to the road to explore Australia’s great outdoors. While some people simply pack a tent in the boot with a sleeping bag and other camping essentials, others choose the more luxurious option of travelling in either a camper trailer or a caravan. Caravans have long been a popular choice for outdoor adventurers, and their popularity doesn’t look to be going anywhere anytime soon. However, pop top caravans have emerged as a more compact alternative to standard caravans. If you’re considering purchasing a pop top caravan for your travels, here’s everything you need to know before you buy, including advantages, disadvantages and common included features.
What are Pop Top Caravans?
Before delving into the advantages and disadvantages of pop top caravans, it can be beneficial to first gain an understanding of exactly what a pop top caravan is. Essentially, this type of caravan is just like a standard caravan, except for one difference: the roof. As the name suggests, the roof of a pop top caravan pops up and down in order to increase headroom and make the caravan easier to transport. There are various types of pop top caravans available to choose from, including options with rigid pop top roofs and canvas fabric pop top roofs.
The Advantages
The advantages of pop top caravans are numerous, making them a popular choice for travellers across Australia. These advantages include:
- Pop top caravans are more compact than traditional caravans, allowing them to be towed by a smaller and less powerful vehicles
- They’re able to fit in a garage for secure storage
- The low roof height results in less wind resistance, helping to improve stability while towing as well as saving on fuel costs
- A pop top caravan maintains its value well and can fetch good money even when selling years down the track
- Pop top caravans come with all the features of traditional caravans, including beds, toilets and cooking facilities
The Disadvantages
While it can be easy to only want to focus on the advantages, it’s also important to consider the disadvantages of pop top caravans when compared to other options such as standard caravans, ensuring you make the best choice for your specific needs and preferences. Disadvantages of pop top caravans can include:
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- Pop top caravans can cost more than traditional caravans
- Fabric sides on a pop top caravan can become torn or susceptible to water leakage if care isn’t taken over time
- The headroom of a pop top caravan can be inconsistent, increasing the risk of banging your head when walking through
Common Features of Pop Top Caravans
While they might be more compact, pop top caravans still boast most of the features and amenities found in a standard caravan. In a typical pop top caravan, you can expect to find the following features for your comfort and enjoyment:
- Toilet
- Sink and kitchen facilities
- Fridge
- Air conditioner
- Entertainment system and TV
- One or more beds