13Plus

The SUV Caravans 13Plus is a 6.1 metre pop-top hybrid for two, with an electric roof, a queen island bed and an internal ensuite. SUV Caravans says it suits 4WDs with lower towing capacity, such as the Pajero or Prado. It comes at two ATM (aggregate trailer mass) ratings, 2,500kg or 2,800kg.

Setting up

The roof lifts on electric roof lifters, and the full-length awning rolls out electrically, with a manual override. With the roof down it stands 2.7 metres high, and 3.2 metres with the roof up.

Who does it sleep?

Two, on a queen island bed with an innerspring mattress. It has bedside tables with storage drawers, reading lamps, and internal seating with a removable table.

Bathroom and kitchen

The internal ensuite has a flush cartridge toilet and a separate shower cubicle. You can cook inside on an induction cooktop, with a kitchen sink and a microwave. Outside, a kitchen swings around 90 degrees, with a four-burner gas stove, a windguard and a separate drying rack. Pantry drawers and a stainless steel fold-down bench sit beside it, with a slide to suit a 95 litre Trakmate fridge freezer.

Inside

• Air conditioning: a roof-mounted reverse-cycle unit.
• Dust: a positive pressure system and a double lid seal.
• Storage: internal storage, plus external compartments and generator storage.
• Windows: privacy windows with midge-proof fly screens.
• Door: a lockable security screen door with midge protection.
• Build: XPS high-density foam walls and honeycomb flooring.

Chassis and running gear

• Chassis: fully galvanised, with an Australian engineer approved chassis, drawbar and suspension.
• Suspension: Series 4 recovery suspension with galvanised swing arms, twin shocks and heavy-duty springs.
• Brakes: 12 inch electric brakes and a breakaway system.
• Wheels: 16 or 17 inch alloy rims on all-terrain tyres, with a spare underneath.
• Hitch: an Alko hitch for a 50mm ball.
• Recovery: two rear recovery points and a spare bolt-on stub axle.

Power, water and gas

• Solar: 400 watts on the roof.
• Batteries: 600 amp hours of lithium batteries.
• Inverter: a 3000 watt Renogy inverter, feeding 240 volt outlets inside and out.
• Charging: a smart charger and a Renogy dual input DC-DC charger with a solar charge controller.
• Water: two fresh tanks of about 180 litres in total, and a 70 litre grey tank, both monitored.
• Gas: holders for two 4kg bottles, plus an integrated gas hot water system.

Optional extras

• Annexe: enclosable, with a floor, walls, skirt and anti-flapper kit.
• Hitch: a DO35 hitch.
• Toilet: a composting toilet.
• Fridge: a 95 litre Trakmate fridge freezer.
• Starter kit: a caravan starter kit.
• TV: a smart TV.

What will tow it?

GTM and payload change with the ATM rating you choose.

• ATM: 2,500kg or 2,800kg, the most it can weigh fully loaded.
• Tare: 2,150kg, its empty weight.
• GTM (gross trailer mass): 2,334kg to 2,634kg, the most it can put on its own wheels.
• Payload: 350kg up to 650kg for water, gas and gear. Full fresh water tanks use about 180kg of it.

To tow it fully loaded, your vehicle needs a braked towing capacity of at least 2,500kg, or 2,800kg at the higher rating. SUV Caravans gives all weights as approximate.

Warranty and buying

SUV Caravans covers new vans for 12 months from delivery against defects in material and workmanship. From 2025 onwards, the chassis also carries a 5-year fatigue warranty. The warranty applies to new units only and is non-transferable. Showrooms are in Caboolture, Cairns, Coffs Harbour, Rockhampton and Townsville, and freight delivery is available on request.