Lightweight Off Road Caravans Under 2 Tonnes

If you love the idea of exploring Australia’s backroads but don’t want to tow a massive van behind you — this post is for you.

Today, we’re looking at off-road caravans that are light enough to tow behind many mid-sized SUVs and utes — starting with those that come in under 2 tonnes.

There actually aren’t many true off-road caravans that light — I only found seven models, and a few of those were just variations of the same design — so we’ll also look at a few more that stay pretty lightweight, up to about 2,200 kilograms.

All ten of these caravans are built for adventure, with features like higher ground clearance, all-terrain tyres, and heavy-duty suspension — but they’ve managed to keep the weight impressively low.

So whether you’re planning to tackle corrugated tracks or just want something easier to tow and park, these are some of the lightest true off-road caravans you can buy in Australia right now.

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I found all these caravans using the Australian RV Directory, which lists every new caravan, campervan, and motorhome currently available in Australia — along with all their specs, weights, and layouts.

It makes it so much easier to filter by things like off-road capability and towing weight, and it’s how I narrowed this list down to the ten lightest off-road caravans under 2,200 kilograms.

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Alright, let’s start with the lightest one on the list…

Golf Caravans Maxxi 390 PT

This one’s a clever little van that feels way bigger on the inside than it looks on the outside. The Golf Maxxi 390 PT weighs just 1,350 kg tare, but still squeezes in a full ensuite.

You’ve got a fold-out double bed extension at the front, a compact but proper bathroom with a separate shower and toilet, and even air con.

It’s a pop-top design, so you get that lower towing height, but it still feels nice and open once you’re set up. Two 95-litre water tanks and a full off-road setup mean it’s happy on rougher tracks, too.

If you want something light enough for a mid-size SUV but don’t want to give up those indoor comforts, this little Golf might be the sweet spot.

Stoney Creek Campers Scout-X

The Scout-X is a seriously capable hybrid that keeps things simple and tough. It’s got 1,410 kg tare and 1,850 kg ATM, so it’s solidly under that 2-tonne mark, but still packs in plenty: twin lithium batteries, 300 watts of solar, and even air con.

There’s a north-south queen bed, optional bunks for the kids, and an external slide-out kitchen that’s easy to set up when you roll into camp. There’s no internal bathroom but an external Shower Tent ensuite is an option. The pop-top roof keeps towing height low, and the DO35 hitch and Cruisemaster suspension show it’s built for off-road travel.

It’s not a luxury van — more of a rugged all-rounder — but if you want something affordable, practical, and genuinely off-road ready, the Scout-X really punches above its price tag.

Vista RV Crossover XLI

Now the Vista RV Crossover XLI presents a little differently to the others, because from it’s size and shape, you’d think this was a teardrop camper… but once you’re at camp and extend the pop-up roof, you’ve got standing room inside.

With a tare of just 1,300 kg, it’s the lightest in this lineup, yet it’s built tough as nails. The body’s narrow, the clearance is high, and that independent suspension means you can actually take it where bigger vans can’t go.

Inside, it’s simple but super functional — the dinette and bed share space, and you get a neat internal kitchen plus an external slide-out one for cooking outside. No bathroom in this one, but that’s the trade-off for keeping the weight so low.

It’s the kind of van that feels happiest covered in red dust rather than parked at a caravan park.

Austrack Campers Talawana 11LT

Austrack calls this a “Lite” version of hybrid — but there’s nothing light about the feature list.

The Talawana 11LT weighs in at 1,530 kg tare, right on that 2-tonne limit when loaded, and it’s ready to head off the beaten track.

You’ve got a combined internal shower and toilet, a pop-top roof, and both internal and external kitchens — so you can cook wherever the weather suits.

Power-wise, it’s got a 230 Ah lithium battery and a massive 600 watts of solar, so you’re well set up for longer stays off-grid.

Inside, the dinette converts to a double bed, and the finish feels more “tiny home” than “camper.”

It’s a great option for couples who want real comfort but still want to explore the dusty tracks most caravans avoid.

Australian Off Road (AOR) Odyssey

Here’s a name that carries some serious reputation — Australian Off Road. Their Odyssey Series 3 model is one of the toughest little hybrids around, and it’s proof that you don’t need size to get capability.

With a tare of 1,440 kg and a 2000 kg ATM, it’s light for an AOR, but still has that same military-grade build quality they’re known for. You get a pop-top roof, full off road chassis and suspension, 140 litres of fresh water, and a 300 Ah lithium battery backed by two 175 W solar panels.

There’s no internal bathroom here — but there is an external ensuite tent. There’s a clever internal and external kitchen setup, and the layout feels open and airy. It’s built for the kind of touring where the tracks get rough and the phone reception disappears.

EzyTrail Campers Arlie 11LR Twin

The Airlie 11 LR Twin from EzyTrail is a solid all-rounder if you’re after good value in a lightweight off-road hybrid.

With a tare of 1,438 kg and ATM of 2,000 kg, it’s right on the cutoff, but still gives you a full ensuite, internal kitchen, and all the usual off-road gear — like all-terrain tyres, independent suspension, and a pop-top roof.

Power setup is decent too: 120 Ah lithium battery, 100 W solar, and a 120 litre fresh water tank, and 80 litre grey. Inside, the dinette converts to an east-west queen, and it feels surprisingly roomy for something this compact.

EzyTrail has done a good job balancing comfort and cost here — it’s not a luxury van, but for mid thirty five thousand, you’re getting a capable hybrid that’s happy to follow your ute just about anywhere.

Market Direct Campers (MDC) XT10E – LP

Market Direct’s XT10E has become one of the best-selling small hybrids in Australia, and it’s easy to see why. The 15-Year Edition keeps all the ruggedness MDC’s known for, but adds a heap of off-grid gear as standard.

We’re talking 200 Ah of lithium, 745 watts of solar, an external kitchen, and that familiar pop-top roof. Tare weight is 1,575 kg and the ATM is right on 2 tonnes.

The low profile makes this ideal for storing in the garage or carport when not in use.

It’s designed for couples, with an east-west queen bed and no internal bathroom — just an external shower setup — but it feels bright and functional inside. The XT10E is the kind of hybrid that’s simple, tough, and ready to camp straight off the showroom floor without adding a single extra.

Under 2,200kg

FSC Off Road DN5

Now into the “under 2,200 kg” group — and the FSC DN5 is a serious bit of engineering. Despite a tare of only 1,340 kg, it can pack in up to 630 Ah of lithium and 800 watts of solar — that’s better than some off-grid houses!

You get a north-south queen bed, internal kitchen and external kitchen with a fridge that can be accessed from either inside or outside, and even up to 250 litres of water capacity. 

The internal ensuite is unique in that it is hidden away beneath the bench seating. A novel compromise on space.

The finish is premium too — clean, modern, and beautifully built in Queensland.

This one’s definitely aimed at buyers who want high quality and high capability in a compact footprint. It’s not the cheapest option on the list, but the tech inside makes it one of the most self-sufficient small off-road vans in Australia.

Mars Campers Ranger X Deluxe MKII

If you’re after space for the whole family but don’t want to tow a tank, the Ranger X Deluxe MKII might be your pick.

It’s got a tare of 1,600 kg and sleeps up to five — with a queen bed, bunks, and a single bunk tucked in under the queen bed..

There’s no internal bathroom, but you do get twin water tanks, an external shower, and a huge slide-out kitchen. The solar and battery setup is generous too: 600 W solar and twin 100 Ah lithium batteries.

It’s rugged, affordable, and versatile — perfect if you want something that can keep up with your adventures and still fit the whole crew. And at around $45k, it’s a lot of van for the money.

Mobi Nomad Continental

Finishing strong with something that looks a bit different — the Mobi Nomad Continental. This South African-designed van has a striking full-height body instead of a pop-top, but still keeps its tare to 1,650 kg.

It’s got a roomy interior with an island bed on slide out, a proper ensuite with a shower and toilet, and that signature slide-out rear section that opens up into a big external kitchen.

Build quality is excellent — you can tell it’s designed for rough touring. There’s 150 litres of fresh water, 65 litres grey, and a 100 Ah lithium battery. It’s more expensive than most in this lineup, but it feels solid, modern, and ready for long-term off-grid travel.

It’s a great example of how lightweight off-road vans don’t have to feel cramped or stripped back.

And that’s our roundup of the ten lightest off-road caravans under 2,200 kilograms currently available in Australia. From compact caravans like the Golf Maxxi 390PT to more feature-packed beasts like the Mobi Nomad Continental, there’s a lot of choice for anyone wanting to explore the backroads without towing a massive van.

I’d love to hear from you: which of these lightweight off-roaders would you hitch up first? Drop a comment below.