New Age Caravans Manta Ray Expedition vs Road Owl Expedition
Both sit in the New Age Caravans full off-road line-up. On the numbers, the Manta Ray Expedition is lighter empty, has the lower ATM to check against your car, costs less to buy and puts less weight on the towbar; the Road Owl Expedition carries more gear and sleeps more people.
What the numbers say
Every point below is taken straight from the published specs - no ratings, no opinions.
Manta Ray Expedition
- Lighter empty (tare)2,140 kg vs 2,650 kg
- Lower maximum loaded weight (ATM)2,640 kg vs 3,350 kg
- Lower starting price$90,990 vs $98,490
- Less weight on the towbar174 kg vs 210 kg
Road Owl Expedition
- More payload capacity700 kg vs 500 kg
- Sleeps more people4 vs 2
Side-by-side specs
| Spec | Manta Ray Expedition | Road Owl Expedition |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Full Off-Road | Full Off-Road |
| Price from | $90,990 | $98,490 |
| 2% more on the loan rate | about $6,200 over seven years | about $6,700 over seven years |
| ATM (loaded weight) | 2,640 kg | 3,350 kg |
| Tare (empty weight) | 2,140 kg | 2,650 kg |
| Payload (ATM minus tare) | 500 kg | 700 kg |
| Ball weight | 174 kg | 210 kg |
| Sleeps | 2 | 2-4 |
| Travel length | 6.787 m | 7.985 m |
| Width | 2.5 m | 2.5 m |
| Internal height | 2.03 m | 2.03 m |
| Fresh water | 220 L | 220 L |
| Grey water | 110 L | 110 L |
| Solar | 600 W | 600 W |
| Battery | 315 Ah | 315 Ah |
| Battery type | Lithium | Lithium |
| Fridge | Compressor | Compressor |
| Construction | Aluminium | Aluminium |
Figures in green mark the van with the lighter weight, lower price or greater capacity on that row.A dash means that figure isn't shown, not that the van goes without it.Weights are manufacturer specs - confirm against the compliance plate.
Two people buy the same van at the same price. One gets a loan rate 2% higher than the other.
Over seven years, the one with the higher rate pays about $6,200 more on the Manta Ray Expedition and about $6,700 more on the Road Owl Expedition.
Different lenders will offer you different rates.
Jade's loan specialists compare offers from major banks and other lenders, and negotiate on your behalf.
A free two-minute finance quote from Jade tells you what your loan would cost on either van.
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Example figures: 20% deposit, seven years, change them in the calculator.
Verified features
These are the features we have confirmed from the published specs.A feature missing from one list has not been verified for that van, which is not the same as the van going without it.
Manta Ray Expedition
- Ensuite bathroom
- Solar panels
Road Owl Expedition
- Ensuite bathroom
- Solar panels
- Bunk bedsverified here only
Not sure either fits your car?
Check whether your vehicle can legally tow either van - ball weight, GCM and payload headroom - or take the 2-minute quiz to shortlist by how you camp.
New Age Caravans Manta Ray Expedition vs Road Owl Expedition: common questions
What is the difference between the Manta Ray Expedition and the Road Owl Expedition from New Age Caravans?
Both are full off-road vans in the same New Age Caravans line-up, so the differences are in the published figures rather than in the category. On the specs New Age Caravans publishes, the Manta Ray Expedition starts at $90,990 and the Road Owl Expedition at $98,490, their ATMs are 2,640 kg and 3,350 kg and payload works out at 500 kg and 700 kg. The full side-by-side table below covers every figure both ranges publish, and a gap stays a dash rather than a guess. Floorplan choice within each range changes the layout and the sleeping capacity, so confirm the exact build against the compliance plate before you commit.
Which is lighter, the Manta Ray Expedition or the Road Owl Expedition?
Empty, the Manta Ray Expedition is lighter, with a tare weight of 2,140 kg versus 2,650 kg. For towing, the number that matters is each van's maximum loaded weight: the Manta Ray Expedition has an ATM of 2,640 kg and the Road Owl Expedition 3,350 kg - check that figure against your car's braked towing limit.
Which caravan can carry more, the Manta Ray Expedition or the Road Owl Expedition?
The Road Owl Expedition has the larger payload: 700 kg of carrying capacity (ATM minus tare) versus 500 kg. That is the weight of water, gear, food and accessories you can legally load before hitting the van's ATM.
Is the Manta Ray Expedition or the Road Owl Expedition cheaper?
The Manta Ray Expedition has the lower starting price at $90,990, compared with $98,490 for the Road Owl Expedition. Both are published "from" prices - options and on-road costs move the final figure, so confirm the drive-away price with the dealer.
How many people can the Manta Ray Expedition and Road Owl Expedition sleep?
The Manta Ray Expedition sleeps 2 and the Road Owl Expedition sleeps 2-4. Sleeping capacity depends on the floorplan you choose within each range.