New Age Caravans Manta Ray vs Road Owl
Both sit in the New Age Caravans on-road line-up. On the numbers, the Manta Ray 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 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
- Lighter empty (tare)1,900 kg vs 2,250 kg
- Lower maximum loaded weight (ATM)2,400 kg vs 2,950 kg
- Lower starting price$74,490 vs $83,490
- Less weight on the towbar110 kg vs 153 kg
Road Owl
- More payload capacity700 kg vs 500 kg
- Sleeps more people4 vs 2
Side-by-side specs
| Spec | Manta Ray | Road Owl |
|---|---|---|
| Type | On-Road | On-Road |
| Price from | $74,490 | $83,490 |
| 2% more on the loan rate | about $5,100 over seven years | about $5,700 over seven years |
| ATM (loaded weight) | 2,400 kg | 2,950 kg |
| Tare (empty weight) | 1,900 kg | 2,250 kg |
| Payload (ATM minus tare) | 500 kg | 700 kg |
| Ball weight | 110 kg | 153 kg |
| Sleeps | 2 | 2-4 |
| Travel length | - | 7.985 m |
| Width | 2.5 m | 2.5 m |
| Internal height | 2.03 m | 2.03 m |
| Fresh water | 110 L | 110 L |
| Grey water | 110 L | 110 L |
| Solar | 400 W | 400 W |
| Battery | 135 Ah | 135 Ah |
| Battery type | Lithium | Lithium |
| Fridge | Compressor | Compressor |
| Construction | Sandwich panel | Sandwich panel |
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 $5,100 more on the Manta Ray and about $5,700 more on the Road Owl.
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.
Get a free finance quote from JadeAsking commits you to nothing. You can say no thanks at any point. Jade runs no credit check to give you the quote.
Jade arranges the loan. The dealer sells you the van.
Jade Finance pays us a commission if you finance through them. About Jade
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
- Ensuite bathroom
- Solar panels
Road Owl
- 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 vs Road Owl: common questions
What is the difference between the Manta Ray and the Road Owl from New Age Caravans?
Both are on-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 starts at $74,490 and the Road Owl at $83,490, their ATMs are 2,400 kg and 2,950 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 or the Road Owl?
Empty, the Manta Ray is lighter, with a tare weight of 1,900 kg versus 2,250 kg. For towing, the number that matters is each van's maximum loaded weight: the Manta Ray has an ATM of 2,400 kg and the Road Owl 2,950 kg - check that figure against your car's braked towing limit.
Which caravan can carry more, the Manta Ray or the Road Owl?
The Road Owl 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 or the Road Owl cheaper?
The Manta Ray has the lower starting price at $74,490, compared with $83,490 for the Road Owl. 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 and Road Owl sleep?
The Manta Ray sleeps 2 and the Road Owl sleeps 2-4. Sleeping capacity depends on the floorplan you choose within each range.