Not everyone has the storage capacity, tow vehicle or desire to drag a big, heavy caravan around the country. But what if you want the comfort and features of full-size van in a more compact, readily towable unit? Introducing pop-top and expandable RVs – the ultimate ‘transformer’ vans that deliver big living for a smaller footprint. In this third article in our caravan styles series we explore the benefits of pop-tops and expandables and why they could be the perfect fit for your vanning adventures.
The humble pop-top became popular in the 1970s as an alternative to the full-height caravan. Pop-tops feature a lifting hard-roof section enclosed with a material (usually vinyl) skirt when raised, to allow full interior height at camp. The advantages of a pop-top over a full-height caravan are they are lighter, have a lower towing profile – meaning improved fuel economy – and are more compact for home storage.
The expanding caravan also arrived in the 1970s but became increasingly popular in the 2000s. These are typically hard-walled caravans with hard-shell or part-material fold-out bed sections, providing a small towing footprint but with a large family-accommodating setup when at camp.
There are countless pop-tops and expandables on the market, and many cross over into the hybrid category. And if you can’t find all the features you want, you’ll usually get what you’re after on an extensive options list.
Here are 10 of the best pop-top and expandable caravans to help with your purchasing journey
The Austrack Canning X19 is a relatively compact full-height off-road caravan with a unique layout comprising an island bench, expandable (slide-out) dinette and an expandable kitchen. It comes as a fully equipped, premium off-road, off-grid capable caravan, with features such as air-conditioning, a smart TV, reversing camera, front-loader washing machine, internal and external fridges/freezers,
internal and external kitchen and rear ensuite.
Austrack Canning X19
Price – From $92,900
Sleeps – 2
Construction – Aluminium composite panel, aluminium frame body
Chassis – Hot dipped galvanised steel chassis, independent trailing arm suspension, coil springs, foam cell shocks, electric drum brakes
Power – 900W solar, 690Ah lithium battery, 3000W inverter
Water – 240L fresh, 80L grey
Length – 7600mm Weight – 2660kg tare, 3500kg ATM
The 402 Double is one of eight in the Aspire pop-top range, which offers a multitude of features, layouts and options, with light towing weight a key advantage. At $43,000, the 402 is great value for money for an entry-level touring van, and is relatively simple in layout and features. It has air-conditioning, a rear east-west double bed, internal kitchen with four-burner stove, microwave, three-way fridge and gas and electric power supplies, but lacks an ensuite and off-grid capability (although these are available with other Aspire models).
Avan Aspire 402 Double Pop-top
Price – From $42,971
Sleeps – 2
Construction – Aluminium skin sandwich panel, pop-top body
Chassis – Hot-dipped galvanised steel chassis, leaf spring suspension, electric drum brakes
Power – 95Ah AGM battery
Water – 95L
Length – 5330mm
Weight – 1150kg tare, 1500kg ATM
The Goldstream RV 1760 is a traditional pop-top with all the bells-and-whistles, and is one of seven pop-tops in the Goldstream range. The roof has strut assistance, a north-south queen-size bed up front, an internal rear ensuite, large 171L fridge/freezer, four-burner cooktop with grill, microwave and front-loader washing machine. Among the many layout, size and option packages, there’s the unique Low-Rider option, which reduces the overall van height, allowing for easier
home storage and less drag.
Goldstream RV 1760 Series
Price – From $86,990
Sleeps – 2
Construction – 3mm composite aluminium shell, aluminium frame
Chassis – Hot-dipped galvanised steel chassis, independent trailing arm suspension, coil springs, electric drum brakes
Power – 120Ah lithium battery
Water – 190L
Length – 7200mm
Weight – 2100kg tare, 2530kg ATM
Described as a mid-weight large hybrid, the JAWA is a caravan with a pop-top, slide-out combo that boosts the interior space at camp. With off-road, off-grid capable camping the emphasis here, the Infinity is a premium model with loads of features such as air-conditioning, a diesel heater, dust reduction system, TV and audio system, internal ensuite, internal and external kitchen and more.
JAWA Infinity 15 Escape
Price – $78,500
Sleeps – 2
Construction – Aluminium composite, aluminium framed body
Chassis – Hot-dipped galvanised steel chassis, independent trailing arm suspension, coil springs, dual shocks, electric drum brakes
Power – 600W solar, 460Ah lithium battery, 3000W inverter
Water – 240L fresh, 80L grey
Length – 6750mm
Weight – 2470kg Tare, 2990kg ATM
Billed as Australia’s best-value pop top, the Starcraft is one of four pop-top ranges in the Jayco stable. This 13ft 2inch model is a lightweight, compact caravan to tow that provides the basics of camping comfort. With nice-to-have features such as Electronic Sway Control, a microwave, four-burner cooktop, three-way 95L fridge and pre-wired for (optional) solar, the Starcraft is an entry level pop-top you can improve on with pick-and-choose options now, or as you can afford them.
Jayco Starcraft
Price – From $42,976
Sleeps – 2
Construction – Fibreglass pop-top body
Chassis – Hot-dipped galvanised steel chassis, leaf spring suspension, electric drum brakes
Power – 100Ah AGM battery
Water – 80L
Length – 5940mm
Weight –1390kg tare, 1690kg ATM
Australia’s largest RV manufacturer isn’t short of pop-tops. Another option for the budget-conscious caravanner is the Jayco Discovery Touring – an entry-level, on-road van. This 16ft 5in caravan comes with a north-south double bed and rear ensuite in the hard body of the van, with a soft pop-up roof. There are plenty of inclusions here for a powered campsite or short off-grid stay, with a four-burner stove and grill, 150L fridge, continuous gas hot water and wireless rearview
camera.
Jayco Discovery Pop Top Touring
Price – From $57,879
Sleeps – 2 + 1
Construction – Fibreglass composite pop-top body
Chassis – Hot-dipped galvanised steel chassis, leaf spring suspension, electric drum brakes
Power – 200W solar, 100Ah lithium battery
Water – 190L
Length – 6710mm
Weight – 1650kg tare, 1950kg ATM
This compact, off-road pop-top has a lot of standard equipment such as an electric pop-top roof, internal cooking, fridge, microwave and an outside kitchen with a pantry accessible from both inside and outside the caravan. The piece de resistance is the club lounge. Diesel heating and reverse-cycle air conditioning are also standard fare in this premium, three-berth off-grid caravan.
MDC AUSRV XL15E MKIII
Price – From $69,990
Sleeps – 3
Construction – Aluminium clad, timber-frame pop-top body
Chassis – Supergal painted steel chassis, independent trailing arm suspension, torsion bar springs, electric drum brakes
Power – 745W solar, 600Ah lithium battery, 2000W inverter
Water – 200L fresh, 80L grey
Length – 7500mm
Weight – 2540kg tare, 3000kg ATM
While externally a compact 18ft van, the SRP-18 pop-top provides a generous living space. The layout offers the simplicity and space efficiency of a north-south island queen bed, a galley kitchen, L-shaped lounge and rear ensuite. There’s an electric roof with an override capability, and a moderate amount of solar, battery and water capacity for off-grid camping.
Snowy River Caravans SRP-18
Price – From $58,490
Sleeps – 2
Construction – Fibreglass-clad pop-top body
Chassis – Hot dipped galvanised steel chassis, beam axle leaf springs, electric drum brakes
Power – 360W solar, 100Ah lithium battery
Water – 190L fresh
Length – 7052mm
Weight – 1893kg tare, 2500kg ATM
This compact 13ft caravan has a rear slide-out box that encompasses a walk-around island queen-sized bed. There is also a shower/toilet, internal and external cooking, large fridge and enough power and water for off-grid camping. Additional features include an internal and external kitchen and shower, L-shaped dinette, air-conditioning, electric awning and a 24in smart TV.
The Little Caravan Company X-Scape
Price – $55,990
Sleeps – 2. Construction – Fibreglass pop-top body
Chassis – Hot-dipped galvanised steel chassis, independent trailing arm suspension, coil springs, dual shocks, electric drum brakes
Power – N/A
Water – 200L fresh, 65 grey
Length – 6730mm
Weight – 2100kg Tare, 2800kg ATM
The X-Series RV X-Voyager is a well-specced, mid-priced pop-top/expandable off-road, off-grid caravan. Features include an actuator-raised pop-top roof, a fold out main bed, built-in internal fridge and Thetford three burner cookers, both internal and external. The awning is also power-assisted, and there’s climate control in the form of air-conditioning and diesel heating, plus an
internal ensuite and external shower.
X-Series RV X-Voyager
Price – From $71,990
Sleeps – 4
Construction – Fibreglass pop-top body, aluminium frame
Chassis – Hot-dipped galvanised steel chassis, independent trailing arm suspension, coil springs, dual shocks, electric drum brakes
Power – 400W solar, 300Ah lithium batteries, 3000W inverter
Water – 190L fresh, 125L grey
Length – 7200mm
Weight – 2300kg tare, 2850kg ATM
