In this ‘complete guide to caravan widths’, John Sootheran explores whether ‘bigger really is better’ or if ‘small ones are more, ermmm… juicy’!
How wide is a caravan?
It’s a sad fact that the only thing that is bigger on the inside than it is on the outside is Dr Who’s T.A.R.D.I.S. For those of us that aren’t Time Lords, we always have to compromise in our caravan choice, when it comes to having a larger living area, versus a caravan that is easy to tow, manoeuvre, and store.
Of the ‘proper’ caravans, i.e.: ones with a kitchen and lounge inside, the Go-Pod micro caravan is the smallest, measuring an impressively compact 4.2m (13ft 10in) long by 1.85m (six-feet) wide.
At the other end of the scale is the gargantuan Kabe Imperial 1000, from the Swedish brand that now owns Coachman, which measures an astonishing 11.6m in length and 2.5 m across! Of course, that makes it too wide for use in Britain.
Of course, there is every caravan dimension in between, so let’s check out the pros and cons, to help you make the best size choice for you.
Caravan Widths
In 2018, new UK caravanning legislation threw an eight-foot wide cat amongst the seven-foot-six-and-a-half-inch pigeons. It was that year when the maximum width of a touring caravan was increased from 230cm to 244cm.
Now, five-and-a-half inches doesn’t sound like a lot. It’s just 14cm, which is shorter than a standard Biro pen, but it seems to make a huge difference to the sense of spaciousness in a touring caravan.
That extra width imbues the tourer with the feel of a roomy apartment, rather than a compact box on wheels.
For caravans with standard parallel front lounges, the extra width means more legroom for all, while extra-wide aisles make caravan living easier and (arguably) safer for all, especially around the kitchen area.
The traditional 230cm-wide tourer is hugely popular, and big enough for most of us, but if you spend extended periods living in your caravan, you’ll find the extra width of an eight-footer is a boon.
Towing an extra-wide caravan
Of course, the payback comes when you want to tow and manoeuvre your extra-wide van. Your towing mirrors will need to be moved to the outside of the wing-mirror, or replaced altogether with wider models, to see around your huge tourer.
Likewise, towing down narrow country lanes, I’m thinking of the South-West here, or through the stone arches, that seem to proliferate in North Yorkshire, may become problematic.
My sat-nav once sent me through the middle of an ancient French town with an eight-foot-wide Adria in tow. It was the stuff of nightmares, but despite the ‘squeaky bum time’, we came out unscathed.
If you store at home and can fit your standard caravan on your drive, the only reason not to go for the extra-wide tourer is the perceived issues with towing.
That said, the confident and experienced tow vehicle driver should have no major issues, as long as they route-plan ahead. For on-site manoeuvring, a motormover would take any stress away from the situation.
Caravan storage and servicing may also cost more for wider, twin-axle caravans, so bear that in mind.
While ‘big’ is great, standard-width caravans are perfectly spacious enough for most situations and most family dynamics, so you shouldn’t feel any pressure to ‘go big’!
“The reason for us buying an eight-foot-wide caravan is that the extra width changes the quality of the caravanning experience. Those extra centimetres deliver many advantages in terms of the layout, and having bigger beds is just one example. Also, not having to have one of you sitting down so the other one can move about is a big bonus. “I’d recommend an eight-footer to all that have a vehicle that can safely tow one.”
How long is a caravan?
Caravan lengths vary hugely, depending on the number of berths and layout.
Usually, in caravan adverts and specs, you’ll see two lengths mentioned, internal length and shipping length.
The former is the length of the living area, measured inside the caravan, whereas the second is the total external length, including the A-Frame and any body-styling protrusions. In this blog, we’re talking about the total shipping length, which is the one that affects storage and manoeuvring, etc.
Small and micro caravans are typically around 5m or shorter.
Two-berth standard tourers are usually 5.5m to 6.5m, including A-frame. Family four-berth tourers measure 6.0m to 7.5m on average, while bigger five and six-berths often extend beyond 8m.
Summary
The longer, and therefore larger, the caravan, the fewer compromises you’ll need to make inside, as you’ll have the option of fixed beds, spacious washrooms and sometimes a separate dining or kids’ area. The width of a van has less of an effect on its layout.
Interior space seems less important if you only tour in warm weather (or warm places), and can spend most of your time outside the van – even for cooking on the BBQ.
However, if you tour in Britain, and especially if you caravan in all four seasons, interior space is crucial. Of course, you can pitch an awning, for added storage, pet, eating or living space, but in the autumn or winter, you really want to be inside your cosy van most of the time.
That extra space also has to be heated, which is why the majority of ‘big’ tourers feature Alde’s wet central heating. Many people believe that wet heating with radiators creates more-even warmth than blown-air heating, in a caravan.
Only you can decide which size of tourer works best for you. Remember, you may have to factor your tow car choice in, too. Bigger and wider means the weight of your caravan will be heavier, so you may require a heavier tow car.
The 12 Caravan Size Guide
- Year: 2024
- Berths: 6
- MiRO: 1456kg
- MTPLM: 1,636kg
- Shipping length: 7.86m
- Width: 2.21m
- Year: 2023
- Berths: 6
- MiRO: 1408kg
- MTPLM: 1,650kg
- Shipping length: 8.25m
- Width: 2.29m
- Year: 2024
- Berths: 4
- MiRO: 1487kg
- MTPLM: 1,640kg
- Shipping length: 6.26m
- Width: 2.44m
- Year: 2024
- Berths: 2
- MiRO: 887kg
- MTPLM: 998kg
- Shipping length: 5.62m
- Width: 2.29m
- Year: 2023
- Berths: 4
- MiRO: 1423kg
- MTPLM: 1600kg
- Shipping length: 7.34m
- Width: 2.26m
Choosing the Right Caravan Size for Your Needs
Selecting the right caravan size is essential for maximising comfort and ensuring a smooth travel experience. At Raymond James Caravans, we understand that finding the perfect balance between spaciousness and manoeuvrability can be challenging.
Whether you’re considering a compact model for ease of towing or a larger caravan for extended stays, our friendly team is here to help you navigate through the various options and find a tourer that suits your lifestyle and towing capabilities.
Visit us at Raymond James Caravans for personalised advice and to explore our wide range of caravans. Let us help you in making an informed decision so you can enjoy the freedom and joy of caravanning without compromise.