Today, we’re looking at 12 hybrid caravans from Australian manufacturers, with a few interesting differences in how they’ve approached the hybrid concept.
Now, there’s no official definition of what makes a caravan a hybrid. But generally, I’ve found that they’re designed for off-road travel, are narrower than conventional caravans, and usually have external cooking facilities.
But there’s quite a bit of variation within the category.
For this post, I’ve included caravans that their manufacturers describe as hybrids. And where a manufacturer says their caravan is Australian made, I’ve included that too. I’m going by the manufacturer’s description rather than trying to distinguish between different levels of local manufacturing and assembly.
These aren’t a top 12 or a ranking. They’re simply 12 examples I found while researching the Australian RV Directory.
Let’s have a look.
- Alpine Campers Alpine 16 Single Axle Pop Top
- Bruder EXP-7 PT
- Cub Campers C18 (Bunks layout)
- FSC Off Road DN5
- Jayco Crosstrak Hybrid 16.48-6
- JB Caravans Gator Hybrid 16' RD Cafe
- Kimberley Kampers Karavan Classic
- Lifestyle Campers Iconn E4 XK High Top
- Tekton Expedition Vehicles SVX-4 Series
- Track Trailer Trakmaster Explorer PT
- Vision RV Nirvana 16C Hardtop
- Legend Caravans Trackline Hybrid Off Road 16ft
Alpine Campers Alpine 16 Single Axle Pop Top
First up is the Alpine Campers Alpine 16.
This one has a pop-top roof and a separate shower and toilet, which isn’t something you’ll find in every hybrid caravan.
You can also choose between a queen bed and single beds, as well as a café or L-shaped lounge.
The kitchen is outside, but there’s also an internal sink and benchtop, giving you some flexibility if you’d prefer to prepare food inside.
And if a single axle isn’t what you’re after, there’s a dual-axle option too.
So there’s quite a bit of choice in how you configure this one.
Alpine Campers Alpine 16 Single Axle Pop Top
Tare: 2200kg
ATM: 3000kg
Total Length: 7.25m
Price: from $118,990
https://www.alpinecampers.com.au/pages/alpine-16
Bruder EXP-7 PT
Next is the Bruder EXP-7 PT, which is at the other end of the price range from some of the more affordable models in this video.
This is a pop-top with a dual-axle setup and an interesting indoor-outdoor kitchen arrangement.
One great feature, in my opinion, is the bathroom, which has external access as well as access from inside.
That would be really handy after a wet or muddy day outdoors, because you can step straight into the bathroom without walking through the living area.
The EXP-7 is also designed with off-grid travel in mind, including a substantial battery and solar system.
It’s a different approach to hybrid caravanning, with a strong emphasis on self-sufficiency and getting away from powered sites.
Bruder EXP-7 PT
Tare: 2700kg
ATM: 3500kg
Total Length: 6.995m
Price: from $278,900
https://bruderrv.com/exp-7/
Cub Campers C18 (Bunks layout)
The CUB C18 is a full-height, dual axle hybrid caravan.
Inside, you’ve got a north/south queen bed, bunks and a combined shower and toilet in this configuration.
There’s also a kitchen inside, as well as a slide-out kitchen outside, so you have options depending on the weather and how you like to cook.
At just over eight metres overall, this is the longest caravan on our list.
So although it’s described as a hybrid, it’s worth remembering that hybrid caravans aren’t necessarily small or particularly compact. There’s quite a range of sizes and layouts within the category.
Cub Campers C18 (Bunks layout)
Tare: 2743kg
ATM: 3500kg
Total Length: 8.05m
Price: from $164,990
https://www.cubcampers.com.au/pages/cub-c18-off-grid-hybrid-caravan
FSC Off Road DN5
The FSC Off Road DN5 takes a rather different approach to the bathroom.
It’s a pop-top, and the shower and toilet are stored beneath the seating.
When you want to use the bathroom, you set up the shower curtain to create an enclosed space.
It’s a clever way of making use of the available room, particularly in a caravan of this size.
Another feature I like is that the kitchen drawers and fridge can be accessed from both inside and outside.
That gives you the option of preparing food outdoors or reaching the kitchen from inside when the weather isn’t cooperating.
And at around 5.3 metres overall, this is the shortest caravan on our list.
So if you’re looking for something more compact without giving up an internal bathroom, this is an interesting design to investigate.
FSC Off Road DN5
Tare: 1340kg
ATM: 2200kg
Total Length: 5.3m
Price: from $122,400
https://www.fscoffroad.com.au/
Jayco Crosstrak Hybrid 16.48-6
Next is the Jayco Crosstrak Hybrid 16.48-6.
This is a pop-top with bunks, a queen bed and a combined shower and toilet.
The layout makes it another option for people who want sleeping space for the family without moving into a much larger caravan.
Like several of the hybrids we’ve looked at, it has an external kitchen.
Jayco has also included an internal cooking option in the range, although the precise equipment and configuration depend on the model and options selected.
It’s a useful example of how hybrid caravans can combine a pop-top design and an outdoor-focused setup with the familiar layout of a conventional caravan.
Jayco Crosstrak Hybrid 16.48-6
Tare: 2178kg
Total Length: 7.405m
Price: from $70,487
https://www.jayco.com.au/range/jayco-hybrids/jayco-crosstrak-hybrid-pop-top
JB Caravans Gator Hybrid 16′ RD Cafe
The JB Caravans Gator Hybrid is a full-height model with a queen bed and a combined shower and toilet.
This particular version has a café dinette, although other configurations are available in the Gator range.
One thing to note is that the kitchen is external only.
That might suit you perfectly if you enjoy cooking outdoors, but it’s worth considering if you prefer to have an indoor cooking facility available when the weather turns.
The Gator also has a lithium power system designed to support off-grid camping.
So, as with many hybrids, the idea is to give you the ability to spend time away from powered caravan parks while still having the conveniences you want when you settle in for the night.
JB Caravans Gator Hybrid 16′ RD Cafe
Tare: 2070kg
ATM: 2800kg
Body Length: 4.877m
Price: from $123,100
https://jbcaravans.com.au/range/gator-hybrid-16
Kimberley Kampers Karavan Classic
The Kimberley Kampers Karavan Classic has one of the more unusual roof designs in this selection.
When you’re travelling, it’s a low-profile hard-shell design. Once you’re set up, the solid walls rise to create a full-height interior.
There’s also a fold-out bed section that increases the available internal space.
So you’re not simply lifting a fabric roof like you would on a conventional pop-top. The design changes the shape of the living space itself.
The bathroom is another interesting feature.
The shower and toilet share a small space, but the toilet swings out of the way when you want to shower.
It’s a compact arrangement that makes use of the available room.
If you want something that sits somewhere between a traditional camper trailer and a full-height caravan, this is certainly one to look at more closely.
Kimberley Kampers Karavan Classic
Tare: 1580kg
ATM: 2495kg
Total Length: 5.53m
Price: from $125,855
https://kimberleykampers.com.au/hybrid-caravans/
Lifestyle Campers Iconn E4 XK High Top
The Lifestyle Campers Iconn E4 XK High Top is another full-height design.
Inside, there’s a combined ensuite, and you can choose between different lounge and dining arrangements.
There’s also an optional fold-down bunk above the dinette, which can provide an extra sleeping space without permanently taking up floor area.
The High Top version also provides overhead cabinetry, taking advantage of the fixed roof.
So if you like the idea of a hybrid caravan but don’t want to deal with a pop-top, this is an alternative worth considering.
Lifestyle Campers Iconn E4 XK High Top
Tare: 2300kg
ATM: 3000kg
Total Length: 7.155m
Price: from $95,950
https://www.lifestylecampers.com.au/our-range/iconn-e4-xk-high-top/
Tekton Expedition Vehicles SVX-4 Series
The Tekton SVX-4 Series has a different roof design again.
Rather than raising the entire roof, the roof is hinged at the front above the bed, so the roof pops up at the rear only where you need the headroom at the entryway, kitchen area and the ensuite.
The SVX-4 is designed around off-road and expedition-style travel, with a compact overall length and a layout intended to make efficient use of the available space.
It also has a relatively low tare weight compared with several of the larger caravans in this selection, although the payload available will depend on the particular build.
It’s another example of how varied hybrid designs can be, even when the caravans are aimed at people with similar travel plans.
Tekton Expedition Vehicles SVX-4 Series
Tare: 1450kg
ATM: 2800kg
Total Length: 5.36m
Price: from $168,990
https://www.tektonev.com.au/svx-4-series
Track Trailer Trakmaster Explorer PT
Next is the Track Trailer Trakmaster Explorer PT.
This is a pop-top with a queen bed and a combined shower and toilet.
One of the features that stood out to me is the entry door design.
Track Trailer has designed a folding, full-height entry door so you can stand upright when entering the caravan, rather than having to duck down through a low doorway.
The shower enclosure is also worth a look.
Instead of relying entirely on a shower curtain, it uses a sliding arrangement with rigid barriers along the upper section to help contain splashing.
They’re small details, but they’re the sort of things that can make a difference when you’re using a compact caravan regularly.
Track Trailer Trakmaster Explorer PT
Tare: 2060kg
ATM: 2850kg
Total Length: 6.35m
Price: from $139,990
https://tracktrailer.com.au/caravan/explorer-pt/
Vision RV Nirvana 16C Hardtop
The Vision RV Nirvana 16C Hardtop is another full-height caravan, but it has a narrow-track design intended for off-road touring.
The manufacturer offers different layouts in the Nirvana range, and this one is the 16C.
For the bathroom in this layout, the shower and toilet are completely separate, rather than being combined into one space.
That’s not something you see in every hybrid caravan, particularly in the smaller models.
Vision RV also offers the Nirvana in pop-top and hardtop configurations, so it’s worth checking the different versions if the overall design appeals to you.
One thing to keep in mind is that this model has a 3,500-kilogram ATM, so you’ll need to check your tow vehicle’s ratings and the available payload carefully before considering it.
Vision RV Nirvana 16C Hardtop
ATM: 3500kg
Body Length: 4.88m
Price: from $139,990
https://visionrv.com.au/models/nirvana-16c-hardtop
Legend Caravans Trackline Hybrid Off Road 16ft
And finally, we have the Legend Caravans Trackline Hybrid Off Road.
This is a full-height, single-axle hybrid with a separate shower and toilet, which is a nice feature in a caravan of this size.
The Trackline range also offers a few different layouts, with lengths ranging from 15 feet up to 17 and a half feet, so there’s some flexibility depending on how much space you’re after.
This particular model has an ATM of 2,800 kilograms, and its full-height design means you don’t have to worry about raising a roof when you arrive at your campsite.
It’s another example of how hybrid caravans don’t all follow the same formula, with manufacturers taking quite different approaches to layout, size and features.
Legend Caravans Trackline Hybrid Off Road 16ft
ATM: 2800kg
Total Length: 7.315m
https://www.legendcaravans.com.au/new-trackline-48v-hybrid-standard
So, that’s 12 hybrid caravans from Australian manufacturers, with a pretty wide range of layouts, roof designs and approaches to making the most of the available space.
Some have pop-top roofs, some are full-height, and others use more unusual designs to balance travelling height with internal living space.
If you’re researching a caravan, remember to look beyond the advertised price and tare weight. Check the ATM, available payload, ball weight and your tow vehicle’s limits, and make sure the layout suits the way you actually plan to travel.
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