8 pop top caravans that will fit a family for under $60,000

We take a look at eight different pop top caravans you can buy in Australia for under $60,000 that have enough room to sleep a family.

I don’t know one person who hasn’t started looking at caravans only to be thwarted by their bank balance. When you have a family, it gets worse. Not only do you now have more financial responsibilities, but you also now need a larger caravan or camper that can sleep more than two. This, of course, costs a lot more money.

We often see a lot of media attention on luxury caravans that come with a luxury price tag and it can be a little disheartening. But when you look around, there are quite a few manufacturers quietly building solid, no-fuss pop top caravans with everything you need (and nothing that you don’t – hello heated towel racks) that will sleep four or more.

So let’s step back a little from the over-the-top luxury and take a look at some modern pop top offerings that redefine the notion that a family caravan must come at a hefty cost. Here are five family-friendly pop top caravans that clock in at under $60,000.

Mars RangerX Deluxe pop top caravan

Starting at $39,990

Sleeping up to five, the Mars RangerX Deluxe presents excellent value for money in a pop top caravan. Designed with family adventure in mind, this hybrid pop top is surprisingly off-road capable for the price, with independent suspension, a hot dipped galvanised drawbar and a D035 hitch. 

Being a fairly light and compact-sized pop top caravan, most of the interior is occupied by bedding and seating, so the fully functional stainless steel kitchen can be found outside. Coming standard with 2x100AH batteries, a 1000W inverter and a 3.4m fast roll-out awning, air conditioning can be fitted as an optional extra. 

Specs on the Mars RangerX Deluxe pop top caravan:

• Sleeps: 2 adults + 3 kids
• Dimensions closed: 5450mm (L) x 2200mm (W) x 2150mm (H)
• Open height: 2700mm 
• Interior height: 1950mm
• ATM: 2200kg
• Tare: 1600kg
• Payload: 600kg
• Tow ball weight: 150kg
• Water: 1 x 120L + 1 x 75L

Jayco Journey pop top 17ft-1

Starting at $50,190

One of Jayco’s best-selling models, this tandem axle pop top caravan easily sleeps a family in comfort. With euro-style furniture, a roll out awning, a 153L fridge, a 4-burner cooktop with grill and roof-mounted air-conditioning, this Jayco pop top caravan provides plenty of creature comforts. Coming standard is a 100Ah AGM battery and a built-in battery management system.

Safety hasn’t been forgotten either, with child restraints on the bunks, electric brakes, an external triple lock security door, sway command tow control and a tyre pressure monitor prep kit. 

Specs on the Jayco Journey 17ft-1 pop top caravan:

• Sleeps: 2 adults + 3 kids
• Dimensions closed: 5525mm (L) x 2470mm (W) x 2470mm (H)
• Travel length: 7075mm
• Interior height: 2115mm
• Tare: 1700kg
• Tow ball weight: 135kg
• Water: 1 x 80L

Fantasy pop top Caravan FD-13D

Starting at $52,990

The Fantasy FD-13D is a compact-sized 13ft pop top caravan that also features an ensuite. With a main queen-sized bed that slides out, the extra living space is a much appreciated luxury in a van this size. Like most compact caravans, the kitchen is external with an awning.

This pop top caravan features a surprising amount of ‘name brand’ inclusions, such as a REDARC Manager30 BMS with Redvision Display, REDARC DC DC charger, Sirocco fans, a Cruisemaster D035 coupling, an ARK jockey wheel, TRUMA gas/electric hot water system, Dometic 3-burner and PEDDERS shock absorbers. All brands that would traditionally be included in a higher-priced caravan.

Also coming standard in the Fantasy FD-13D pop top caravan are 2 x 135Ah Aussie supplied lithium batteries, 2 x 150w roof mounted solar panels, 2000w pure sine wave inverter, 22-inch HDTV and a rooftop reverse cycle air conditioner.

Specs on the Fantasy FD-13D pop top caravan:

• Sleeps: 2 adults + 2 kids
• Dimensions closed: 6000mm (L) x 2200mm (W) x 2680mm (H)
• ATM: 2850kg
• Tare: 2320kg
• Payload: 530kg
• Tow ball weight: 200kg
• Water: 200L

Ezytrail Parkes 15 MK3 Quad pop top caravan

Starting at $58,990

The Ezytrail Parkes 15 MK3 Quad has been designed with offroading families in mind. Fully loaded, there are not many extras you would need to ensure a comfortable holiday in this pop top caravan.  

Of note is the Ezy Rider independent suspension, paired with Pedders shocks and mud-terrain tyres. This ensures that adventurous families can still get to all the best campsites. The dual kitchen is also a bonus, providing the best of both worlds with both indoor and alfresco cooking. Inside, you’ll find a 2-burner gas stove with a sink and outside, you’ll find a slide-out stainless kitchen with a 4-burner gas stove. You’ll even find plumbed hot water in the outside kitchen.

The standard list on this pop top caravan is long with inbuilt hot water, large water capacity, Bluetooth stereo with waterproof speakers, a roll-out awning, lounge and dining table and an internal toilet and shower. To power everything off grid, you’ll find 2 x 120AH lithium batteries, a Projecta DC/DC charger, a Projecta 2000W pure sine wave inverter and 400W of solar. 

Specs on the Ezytrail Parkes 15 MK3 Quad pop top caravan:

• Sleeps: 2 adults + 2 kids
• Dimensions closed: 6700mm (L) x 2375mm (W) x 2700mm (H)
• ATM: 3000kg
• Tare: 2330kg
• Payload: 670kg
• Tow ball weight: from 180kg
• Water: 240L

Opus OP13 pop top caravan

Starting at $54,990

The Opus OP13 is also a good option for families looking for a capable off-road pop top caravan. Of particular interest is that the Opus OP13 not only has an ensuite but also boasts a king-sized bed. You rarely see anything larger than a queen in a caravan!

Coming standard with this pop top caravan is hot water on tap, easily accessible slide-out fridge space and pantry, stainless steel 4-burner stove with electric tap, 2 x 100aH lithium batteries and 500 watts of solar.

Specs on the Opus OP13:

• Sleeps: 2 adults + 2 kids
• Dimensions closed: 6250mm (L) x 2200mm (W) x 2685mm (H)
• ATM: 2700kg
• Tare: 2180kg
• Payload: 520kg
• Tow ball weight: 160kg
• Water: 240L

Altitude Ascent 15 pop top caravan

Starting at $54,990

Like many of the pop top caravans on this list, the Ascent 15 has combined off-road features with comfortable living. So basically, you get to feel comfortable regardless of how remote your campsite is. With bedding, seating, storage and an ensuite on the inside, cooking is alfresco in this pop top caravan.

Off-roading features include independent suspension with twin shocks, D035 coupling, ARK jockey wheel. Coming standard is 4m x 2.4m electric awning, 3 x 100AH batteries, 2000W inverter, 2 x 200W solar panels, Truma hot water and more.

Specs on the Altitude Ascent 15:

• Sleeps: 2 adults + 2 kids
• Dimensions closed: 6550mm (L) x 2240mm (W) x 2570mm (H – with aircon)
• Gross weight: 2800kg
• Tare: 2320kg
• Tow ball weight: 200kg
• Water: 240L

MDC Forbes 15+ pop top caravan

Starting at $54,990

Even though the MDC Forbes 15+ sleeps five, this pop top caravan manages to squeeze in an ensuite, an external shower tent, and decent storage for all your ‘stuff’. Coming standard is air conditioning, diesel heating, and off-road capability. To keep your pop top caravan powered off the grid, you’ll find 200Ah lithium battery and 400W of solar to keep things humming along.

The stainless steel kitchen is alfresco, with gas burners, pantry storage, a drop-down table and a large fridge slide.  

Specs on the MDC Forbes 15+:

• Sleeps: 2 adults + 3 kids
• Dimensions closed: 6410mm (L) x 2290mm (W) x 2623mm (H – with aircon)
• Open height: 3108mm 
• ATM: 3000kg
• Tare: 2180kg
• Payload: 820kg approximately
• Tow ball weight: 170kg
• Water: 120L

Starvision CX3 Pro pop top caravan

Starting at $57,990

This 15ft off-road pop top caravan boasts some comfortable standards, including an electric roof, 2 x 135Ah lithium batteries, Truma hot water system, reverse cycle air-conditioning, 400W of roof-mounted solar, a 2000W inverter and a built-in shower and toilet.

The kitchen is outdoors with a Thetford 3-burner cooktop and the usual slides and storage spaces associated with alfresco cooking.

Specs on the Starvision CX3 Pro:

• Sleeps: 2 adults + 2 kids
• Dimensions closed: 6250mm (L) x 2220mm (W) x 2350mm (H)
• ATM: 2800kg
• Tare: 2280kg
• Payload: 520kg
• Tow ball weight: 180kg
• Water: 200L