The Caravan Database
How wide is a caravan? The short answer: almost every full-size Australian caravan is built to just under 2.5 metres external width, because 2.5m is the maximum legal width for a trailer on Australian roads. Length and height vary far more — among the caravans in The Caravan Database with published lengths, bodies run from under 4 metres to almost 9.5 metres. This guide covers the legal limits, the typical real-world dimensions, and how to work out what fits your tow vehicle, your storage and your favourite campsites.
The Legal Maximum Dimensions in Australia
Trailer dimension limits are set nationally and apply in every state and territory:
| Dimension | Legal maximum |
|---|---|
| Width | 2.5m |
| Height | 4.3m |
| Trailer length (including drawbar) | 12.5m |
| Combined length (tow vehicle + caravan) | 19.0m |
A few practical notes on those numbers. Width is measured on the body — standard rear-view mirrors and lights don't count, but a wide load of any kind does. The 19-metre combination limit sounds generous, but a large American pickup towing a 9-metre van gets closer to it than you'd think. And while 4.3m is the legal height ceiling, no production caravan gets near it; the number that actually matters is your van's real travel height versus the bridges, awnings and service-station canopies on your route.
How Wide Is a Caravan?
Across the vans in The Caravan Database with manufacturer-published widths, external bodies run from 1.8m right up to the full legal 2.5m, averaging 2.27m. Full-size tourers cluster between 2.3m and 2.5m — manufacturers use as much of the legal limit as they can — while internal width is usually 150–250mm less once wall thickness is accounted for. Compact off-road hybrids run much narrower: the Offline Campers Solitaire measures just 1.8m across, and the Australian Off Road Matrix 1.95m — a slimmer profile that earns its keep on tight bush tracks.
Two width traps to check before you buy:
- Awnings and toolboxes: a rolled awning adds to your travelling width. If the body is already at 2.5m, accessories can push you over the legal limit.
- Towing mirrors: if the caravan is wider than your car, most states require extended towing mirrors so you can see down both sides.
How Long Is a Caravan?
Length is where the real choice lives. Across the 147 models in The Caravan Database with a published length, bodies range from 3.91m to 9.47m, with an average of 6.69m — right in the middle of the popular 18–22ft family-van territory.
At the compact end, the Crusader CRV Esperance 12'10 squeezes a tourer into a 3.91m body, and the Cub Campers Explorer is 4.35m. At the other extreme, the Newlands Family Tourister 720 stretches to 9.47m and the Salute Barracks to 9.3m — vans that need a serious tow vehicle and a long driveway.
One trap: manufacturers usually quote body length (the living space), while the overall length including the drawbar is typically 1–1.5m longer. Storage yards, ferries and some caravan parks charge or restrict by overall length, so know both numbers.
Feet to Metres: Caravan Length Conversion
Australian caravan lengths are still commonly quoted in feet. The conversions:
| Feet | Metres | Feet | Metres |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12ft | 3.66m | 19ft | 5.79m |
| 13ft | 3.96m | 20ft | 6.10m |
| 14ft | 4.27m | 21ft | 6.40m |
| 15ft | 4.57m | 22ft | 6.71m |
| 16ft | 4.88m | 23ft | 7.01m |
| 17ft | 5.18m | 24ft | 7.32m |
| 18ft | 5.49m | 25ft | 7.62m |
So a "22ft caravan" is about 6.7 metres of body — add the drawbar and you're parking roughly 8 metres of trailer.
How High Is a Caravan?
Most full-height Australian caravans travel at around 2.7m to 3.0m once you include roof-mounted air conditioners, antennas and solar panels. Pop-tops drop that to roughly 2.2–2.5m when lowered, which is often the difference between fitting in a suburban garage or not.
Know your van's true travel height — measured, not brochure — and write it on a note in the cab. The clearances that catch people are service station canopies, shopping centre car parks, tree-lined caravan park sites and older country bridges.
Will It Fit? Three Checks Before You Buy
- Your tow vehicle. Longer generally means heavier, and weight is governed by its own set of limits (tare, ATM, tow rating, GCM). Use our free rig loading simulator to check a specific van against a specific car with real numbers.
- Your storage. Measure the space at home against the van's overall length and travel height, not the body length in the brochure. Factor the drawbar and any rear-mounted spare wheels or bike racks.
- Your destinations. National park sites and older caravan parks often cap sites at around 20–24ft. If remote tracks are the plan, shorter and narrower is the reliable trade for capability.
Compare Dimensions Side by Side
Every listing in The Caravan Database shows the published length for each van — where a manufacturer hasn't published a figure, we show an em dash rather than a guess. Browse the database and filter by size, or compare any models side by side to see exactly how their dimensions stack up.
