Caravan vs campervan vs motorhome
A caravan for a car that tows well, a campervan or motorhome for moving most days, a camper trailer for a light tow rating.
Answer three questions to see which type to start with.
Then compare what each one asks of your car, your licence and your driveway.
Updated . 5 min read • Buying Guide
- A caravan is towed by your car, and you unhitch it to explore.
- A campervan or motorhome is one vehicle, so there is no hitching and no car at camp.
- A camper trailer is light to tow and slower to set up.
Which type should you start with?
Tap one answer in each row.
Not sure what a hybrid or a pop-top is? The types guide defines each one.
Caravan or campervan?
Pick a caravan if your car tows well and you like to set up base. Pick a campervan if you would rather not tow and you move most days.
A campervan is a van you drive, with a bed and a small kitchen fitted inside a standard van body. It is smaller than a motorhome. The types guide explains how a campervan differs from a motorhome. A caravan is towed by your car, and you unhitch it at camp.
How it moves
- Caravan: Towed by your car
- Campervan: You drive it
A car at camp
- Caravan: Yours, once you unhitch
- Campervan: None, unless you bring one
Room inside
- Caravan: Usually more living space
- Campervan: Cooking, sleeping and storage share one small room
What decides if you can tow or drive it
- Caravan: Your car's tow rating against the van's ATM
- Campervan: Your licence. A car licence covers up to 4.5 tonnes GVM.
Vehicles you travel with
- Caravan: Your car and the van
- Campervan: Just the campervan
To see what a caravan costs to own each year, read caravan running costs.
How the three compare
How it moves
- Caravan: Towed by your car
- Motorhome: You drive it
- Camper trailer: Towed by your car
Your car at camp
- Caravan: Free once you unhitch
- Motorhome: None, unless you bring one
- Camper trailer: Free once you unhitch
Set-up at each stop
- Caravan: Unhitch, level, plug in
- Motorhome: Park, level, plug in
- Camper trailer: Unhitch, then fold out the tent or bed
What decides if you can tow or drive it
- Caravan: Your car's tow rating against the van's ATM
- Motorhome: Your licence against its GVM
- Camper trailer: Your car's tow rating against its ATM
Engines to service
- Caravan: One, in the car
- Motorhome: One, in the motorhome
- Camper trailer: One, in the car
Storing it at home
- Caravan: A long trailer to park
- Motorhome: A tall vehicle to park
- Camper trailer: The smallest of the three
A caravan fits when your car tows well
Choose a caravan when:
- You already own a 4WD, ute or large SUV rated to tow.
- You like to set up base for a few days and explore.
- You want a bed and kitchen ready the moment you stop.
Check before you buy
- ATM (aggregate trailer mass) is the van's loaded limit. Your car's braked tow rating has to cover it.
- Ball weight comes off your car's payload, and has to fit under its towball limit.
Check your car with the tow calculator, or read caravan weights explained.
A motorhome fits when you move most days
Choose a motorhome or campervan when:
- You don't own a tow car, or don't want to tow.
- You move camp most days and want to skip hitching.
- You want one vehicle to register, insure and service.
Check before you buy
- Licence: a car licence covers up to 4.5 tonnes GVM. Heavier needs a light rigid (LR) licence.
- At camp the motorhome is your only vehicle, so a trip to the shops means packing up.
- Storage: check the height against your carport or garage door.
A camper trailer fits a lighter tow rating
Choose a camper trailer when:
- Your car's tow rating is modest.
- You want the smallest thing to store at home.
- You don't mind setting up at each stop.
Check before you buy
- Set-up time: it folds or winds out at every stop, and packs away before you leave.
- Canvas packed away wet needs drying out at home before you store it.
- ATM still has to fit your car's tow rating, the same as a caravan.
In between: hybrids and pop-tops
A hybrid keeps hard walls in a smaller, tougher shell. A pop-top is a caravan whose roof lowers for towing and storage. Both sit between a camper trailer and a full-height caravan.
Common questions
Is a caravan or campervan better?
Neither is better for everyone. A caravan suits you if your car tows well and you like to set up base and explore. A campervan suits you if you don't want to tow, move most days, and are happy in one small room.
Caravan vs motorhome in Australia: which costs more to run?
It depends on the vehicles, so there is no single answer. A caravan is a second vehicle to register, insure and maintain behind your car. A motorhome is one vehicle to register and insure, but it has its own engine to service.