The title pretty much says it all. If you don’t hate your family, then you likely want to have them by your side on your next adventure. The only problem with that can be finding somewhere to stash them all when bedtime rolls around.
Having six swags on the roof is a punish, not to mention setting them up in the pouring rain is about as fun as a sandpaper singlet. Then you need some extra shelter, somewhere to cook, somewhere to store the kids’ bikes, boards and all the other stuff they magically seem to pull out of nowhere… yep, you need to start looking at family camper trailers, amigo.
We got you though, no matter what style of camper you’re into or the budget you’re working with, here are ten family camper trailers that will have you, your partner and the little-to-not-so-little humans kept comfier than an influencer’s sense of self-importance.
Best family camper trailers at a glance
Best for
Camper trailer
Best overall family camper
Cub Drifter
Best budget family camper
Austrack Telegraph X
Best luxury hybrid
Exodus 14
Best lightweight option
Patriot Campers X1 Gen2
Best quick set-up
Blue Water Xtraveller
Best for large families
OPUS OP4 TLX
Best off-grid setup
Blue Water Xtraveller
Best value dual-fold
MDC Robson XTT
Best compact family camper
Signature Elite X
Best anti-canvas option
XSeries RV X-Surge
What makes a good family camper trailer?
Choosing the best family camper trailer isn’t just about finding the biggest bed or the fanciest kitchen setup. Once you start travelling with kids, there’s a whole bunch of practical stuff that suddenly matters a lot more than how good the camper looks parked on the beach at sunset.
Sleeping space is obviously one of the biggest considerations. Some camper trailers are perfectly suited to families of four, while others can comfortably sleep six or more once annexes and extra rooms are added. If you’ve got older kids or teenagers, it’s also worth thinking about privacy and separate sleeping zones before buying.
Set-up time is another biggie. A camper trailer that takes 45 minutes to set up might not seem like a drama during a sunny weekend away, but after a full day driving or arriving in the rain with tired kids, quick and easy starts becoming a very attractive feature.
Weight also matters more than many people realise. Larger family camper trailers often come with bigger water tanks, batteries, kitchens and storage areas, but all of that adds kilos. Before buying, make sure your tow vehicle can comfortably handle the camper’s loaded weight, not just the tare figure on the brochure.
Off-grid capability is another important consideration for families wanting to get away from crowded caravan parks. Lithium batteries, solar panels, large water tanks and decent fridge setups can make a massive difference when travelling remotely or free camping for several days at a time.
Finally, think carefully about how you actually plan to travel. Some families want a lightweight camper for quick weekend getaways, while others are chasing a full off-road setup capable of tackling long trips around Australia. There’s no single “best” family camper trailer – only the one that best suits the way your family likes to travel.
Dual-fold family camper trailers
If maximising internal space is your jam, then dual-folds are where the cool kids play. By their very design, these bad boys offer a huge footprint while still folding down to a small and towable package. There’s a good reason they’re the most popular choice when it comes to family camper trailers.
The only twin-fold camper built in Australia, the Cub Drifter has the space of a caravan with the convenience of a camper trailer. It’s also arguably one of the quickest dual-folds to set up, plus it has up to 300Ah of lithium and up to 180L of water onboard. If you’re taking the household camping, either off the beaten track or sticking to the blacktop, the Drifter offers one of the best space-to-tow-weight ratios in the game.
The twin beds have privacy curtains and are separate from the family dinette, which can convert into a third bed, making this one of the most family friendly camper trailers with legit off-road pedigree on the market.
If your idea of setting up camp is ideally pressing a button, turning around to admire the scenery, then turning back and your trailer is ready to sleep in, then the Opus OP4 is playing your tune. This dual-fold Tardis is put up by the magic of air poles, the same used by the US Military, which do all the heavy lifting for you. Pretty ingenious, we reckon.
The OP4 also has an inflatable annexe, which can sleep a whole gaggle of kids (or adults), so the family is well and truly catered for accommodation-wise with these camper trailers. Opus have also recently updated the OP4 with double the capacity lithium batteries, Renogy 12V gear and heavy-duty furniture to withstand whatever you can throw at it.
It’s no lightweight, but given you can fit the whole tribe inside, it’s a small price to pay when you’re off on your next trip. If you’re liking the music Opus has got on the stereo, click the button below to find out more.
Australia’s best-selling dual-fold, the Robson XTT offers some tops value without cutting corners on the quality. The composite construction means it’s immune to water damage, the stove is a three-burner, and there’s even diesel heating included for those winter nights that have you checking you haven’t accidentally found yourself in Narnia.
These camper trailers comfortably accommodate a family of six and have some of the best 12V appointments on the market, along with an impressive 200L of onboard water for cooking, cleaning, drinking and showering. It’s not the fastest set-up, nor the best at everything, but the inclusions and overall quality make it well worth the inspection time.
Single (rear, side or front) folding family camper trailers may not have the footprint of their larger (and heavier) dual-fold cousins, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have some great options when shopping for this style camper.
The Austrack Telegraph X is a forward-fold camper trailer aimed squarely at families who want plenty of features without needing to remortgage the house to go camping. With a queen bed up front and a club lounge that converts into another double bed, there’s enough room for a family of four to stretch out comfortably, while the huge full annex adds even more usable living space when you’re parked up for longer stays.
Despite the family-friendly setup, it’s still built with proper touring in mind. Independent coil suspension, twin shocks, a galvanised chassis and McHitch coupling mean it’s designed to handle rougher tracks than your average holiday park run. Add in the rooftop boat and storage rack, external hot shower and ensuite setup, and you’ve got a camper that’s equally at home doing a lap of Australia or a long weekend up the beach.
The Elite X forward-fold is perfect for couples looking for a lot of trailer. In fact, with the annexe attached, which comes with an enclosed ensuite room, the kids can even come along for the ride too.
It’s built as a go-anywhere trailer with Aussie-engineered shocks, AT rubber, and plenty of strength to handle remote road corrugations. It also has all the comfort you’d expect, with a stainless 4-burner kitchen with hot and cold pressurised water and a pull-out pantry, plus a queen bed and wraparound lounge that converts to a second bed.
We may be blurring the lines a bit between camper trailers and caravans, but it’d be remiss of us not to include hybrids on this list of family campers. Yeah, they’re a lot larger than a normal camper, but their hard sides and extensive internal features make them a solid choice for family explorers.
Look, we hear you; it’s the most expensive camper on our list, but Exodus 14 is for people who want the best and don’t mind paying for it. Built with a monocoque, single-piece moulded construction, it’s essentially take-anywhere-able and has the comfort levels of a hotel frequented by people with surnames like Musk and Bezos.
As you may expect at this price point, these camper trailers are largely built to order, so the inclusions list for your family can be longer than your arm or shorter than your pinkie. But if you’re taking the fam along for the journey then the annexe is a no-brainer.
Quick and straightforward to set up, it increases the footprint by nearly 200% and has plenty of space for the entire crew to stretch out. Set-up is as easy as lifting the gas-strut-assisted roof and you’re done. The kitchen is genius, pulled out and swung back to the side of the van, while there’s easy access to the 85L fridge and enough storage to make a B-double envious.
Hybrids are definitely not for everyone, but for under $50K, you can’t argue that the Blue Water Xtraveller doesn’t offer a hell of a lot of comfort and convenience bang for the buck. Unlike several of the campers on our list, everybody sleeps inside thanks to the innovative internal dinette lounge that turns into bunk beds for the littlies. This is somewhat of a rarity when it comes to hybrid camper trailers that will fit a family.
It’s not short on cool points either, with an electric awning, external hot water shower, three-burner stove and a positive pressure fan for driving through dusty conditions. Plus, let’s not lose sight of the fact that the from-driving-to-being-in-bed times is measured more in seconds than minutes. And that’s including the kids too.
So yeah, nah. Hybrids definitely are not for everyone, but that doesn’t mean they don’t bring a lot to the table.
Pod camper trailers, also known as teardrop campers, aren’t usually associated with family touring, but there are a few on the market that are more than up to the task of keeping a pair of adults and a kid or two well-rested and out of the elements.
The X-Surge pod trailer sure does do a lot for a sub-$50K camper. You have a double bed, twin bunks, and the option to run a rooftop tent on the rack to accommodate an extra two people. Diesel heating, lithium battery and a 270-degree awning are all included, and if there’s one thing pod trailers are great for, it’s minimal set-up and pack-down times.
If you’re in the anti-canvas brigade and want to be able to hit the sack minutes after arriving at camp, then jump onto the XSeries RV website and see if X-Surge camper trailers fit the bill for your family.
The Stockmanis a more traditional teardrop-style trailer, with the interior being made up almost exclusively of the 160mm inner-spring mattress. However, there’s still a bunch of storage, a large kitchen including a Bushman 130L upright fridge and a 30-second 270-degree wraparound awning.
Plus, the trailer is a lightweight at only 1600kg or so. Not bad for a family rig, we reckon. Speaking of family, the optional 30-second tent provides shelter and a place to sleep for the kids in these camper trailers, and there’s even a shower tent and a gas hot-water shower on the driver’s side for plenty of bush comfort.
Set–up Time (reported): 5min (with tent), 1min (without tent)
Pack Down Time (reported): 3min
Dimensions closed (mm): 5400L x 2200W x 2150H
ATM: 1800kg
Tare: 1260kg
Tow ball weight: 120kg
Water: 150L
12V: 100-400Ah Lithium
Adventure camper trailers for families
A bit of an oddball final entry on a family camper trailers list – adventure campers. Which, when boiled right down, are essentially a rooftop tent on a utility trailer. They’re usually set up for solo travellers or couples who like doing a bit of extreme sports, living fast or tomb raiding (or whatever go-getters do, I dunno), but if your idea of a fun holiday is taking the tribe off-road to tackle some hostile terrain, then you still have some great choices.
Patriot really needs no introduction. The Aussie-built trailers have been on the scene for ages and largely set the benchmark for what a camper is capable of and how to stuff 10lb of inclusions into a 5lb package. If you want to make your Insta-followers jelly or just really enjoy Australian ingenuity, then look no further, Captain.
Tipping the scales at under 1.2T and being a fair chunk under 4M in length, X1 camper trailers can be towed easily and almost without notice by most mid-sized dual-cabs and SUVs, yet still expand out to facilitate a large family and their gear.
The X1 is more capable than your tow rig, as versatile as a turbo-diesel-powered Leatherman, and is pretty much a physical manifestation of the spirit of adventure. If your hair is blown back by that, give the button below a click and fill your boots my friend.
12V: 2x AGM or Gel batteries + Redarc BMS +200W solar
What size camper trailer does a family need?
The ideal camper trailer size depends heavily on how many people you’re travelling with, how long your trips are and how much comfort your family expects while camping.
For families of three or four, many forward-fold and dual-fold campers provide more than enough space, especially when paired with an annex or kids’ room. These setups usually strike a good balance between towing ease, storage space and liveability.
Larger families often lean towards dual-fold campers or hybrids because they offer bigger internal living areas and more sleeping flexibility. Some can sleep six or more people comfortably, while others allow kids to sleep in annex rooms rather than squeezing everybody into the main tent area.
It’s also worth thinking beyond sleeping capacity alone. Families tend to travel with a surprising amount of gear – bikes, scooters, fishing gear, food, clothing and recovery equipment all take up space quickly. A camper trailer with decent storage and easy kitchen access can make a huge difference on longer trips.
Tow vehicle size also plays a role. Some lightweight pod trailers and compact forward-folds can be comfortably towed by many SUVs and dual-cab utes, while larger hybrids may require a more capable towing setup once fully loaded.
Ultimately, the best family camper trailer is one that gives you enough space to stay comfortable without becoming so large or heavy that towing and setting up camp becomes a chore.
FAQs on camper trailers for families
What is the best family camper trailer in Australia?
The best family camper trailer depends on your budget, tow vehicle and travel style. Dual-fold campers like the Cub Drifter and OPUS OP4 TLX offer huge living space for larger families, while hybrids such as the Blue Water Xtraveller provide faster setup times and more hard-sided comfort.
Are camper trailers good for families?
Yes – camper trailers can be a great option for families wanting more flexibility and off-road capability than a caravan. Many modern family camper trailers include large beds, annexes, kitchens, showers and off-grid power systems suitable for extended trips.
What is the easiest family camper trailer to set up?
Hybrid campers and air-pole campers are generally the quickest to set up. Models like the Blue Water Xtraveller and OPUS OP4 TLX can often be ready for camping within just a few minutes.
What size camper trailer do I need for a family of four?
Most forward-fold and dual-fold camper trailers comfortably suit families of four. It’s worth considering not just sleeping capacity, but also storage, kitchen space and whether you’ll need an annex or kids’ room for longer trips.
Are dual-fold camper trailers worth it?
For many families, yes. Dual-fold camper trailers provide significantly more internal living space than many compact campers while still remaining easier to tow and store than a full caravan.
What is better for families: a hybrid camper or camper trailer?
Hybrid campers are usually faster to set up and offer more hard-sided comfort, while traditional camper trailers are often lighter, cheaper and better suited to rough off-road touring. The best option depends on how and where your family likes to travel.
Read our other articles in this Camper Trailer series:
