Budget Lightweight Family Caravans: 10 of the Best

We’ve picked 10 of the best new family caravans to consider, no more than 1500kg MTPLM and starting at just £12,849

From the diminutive Xplore 304 to much more spacious options, the choice in the lightweight family sector is plentiful.

There is, of course, much more to picking the ideal caravan for your needs than price and weight, although suiting your budget and getting a caravan that’s a stable mate for your tow car are both pretty vital.

Which model suits you best depends not just on the figures but on the layout, and picking the ideal layout for you depends on how you use the caravan.

Factors to consider when choosing a family caravan include:

• Is a separate shower important to you? Or do you always use campsite showers?
• Are the kids of an age where a separate rear family area is preferred?
• Is a sizeable kitchen important to you?
• Do you prefer a caravan with a microwave?
• And is a full-sized oven with a separate grill your preference?

Just as important as all of the above is something that’s entirely subjective: Does the caravan suit your personal taste in décor and fabric style?

One more factor to consider: Don’t imagine that looking at lightweight caravans rules out getting one with the tow stability advantage of twin axles. If twins are your preference, look carefully at the Venus 620/6.

Your stories

If you’re in the process of picking your first – or next – caravan, get in touch with Caravan via email; we’d love to hear how you went through the process of selecting your ideal model.

Xplore 304 

£12,849

We’ll start with the smallest, lightest and cheapest in our selection. Most layouts conform to a familiar pattern but the 304 is unique.

It has an L-shaped lounge (which makes a double bed) and an offside rear two-person dining area that transforms into bunks.

The shower toilet compartment is in the nearside rear corner.

Our view

It’s a great little caravan to get you started if you’re looking for something diminutive that can be towed by a relatively small car. A masterpiece in layout ingenuity!

 

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Xplore 586 

£15,899

From the smallest Xplore to the biggest Xplore, we picked the 586 because it’s ideal if you re looking for plenty of space as well as something light and inexpensive.

The 586 has bunks, plus an offside dining area making two more bunks.

The shower room contains a separate step-in shower. Xplore caravans have combined oven-grill units.

Our view

One to look at if you’re looking for a lightweight caravan that offers plenty of storage space for the needs of six.

Bailey Pursuit 540-5 

£14,865

The Pursuit 540-5 also has bunks, this time in the offside rear corner, with a cleverly-designed washroom that contains a slightly wedge-shaped shower big enough for a parent to shower two little caravanners, making this an ideal choice for a very young family. There’s a nearside dining area which makes into two bunks.

Our view

Pursuit caravans have three-burner hobs, microwaves and combined oven-grills; all you need is here, and with enough space for five to have cracking holidays.

Bailey Pursuit 560-5 

£14,965

It’s the same dimension as the 540-5, it sleeps the same number of people – but the 560 is a totally different layout.

This model has two lounge-dining areas. The rear lounge is slightly longer than the front one.

This area makes a bedroom for three, with a double bed and a bunk, rising up from its stowed position against the rear wall.

Our view

Caravans with two lounges are a rarity, yet they work really well, giving each generation a separate area. This one is especially generous on rear lounge-play-dining-sleeping space.

Sprite Freedom 6 TD 

£14,620

Sprite Freedom caravans are lighter versions of Sprites. Like the Bailey Pursuit 560-5, this model also has two separate areas, but this time the rear sector has bunks and a dining area for three.

The offside central shower room contains a separate shower. Cooking equipment is a three-burner hob and mini grill.

Our view

Sprite Freedom caravans are specifically designed to appeal to first-time buyers, with less equipment than Sprites; one to look at if lack of weight is paramount over kit.

It’s worth noting that 2017 Freedoms are rather cosier in appearance than the 2016 models in that they have full curtains compared with the simple panels in the 2016 Freedoms.

Sprite Major 6 

£15,755

The Sprite Major 6 is a well-established mainstay of family budget caravanning. It’s been regarded as the iconic affordable family tourer for many years.

This model has bunks on the offside, a shower room with separate shower on the nearside and an offside two-person dining area to make into two more bunks.

Sprite caravans have three-burner hobs, ovens and separate grills.

Our view

More money and slightly heavier than the Sprite Freedom caravan we picked, the Major 6 has been a best-seller for many years. There has to be a good reason for that. We love it.

Venus 590/6 

£15,899

The new model in the Venus caravan range for 2017, this six-berth has a long kitchen and a rear area with bunks and a dining area.

The washroom is on the offside, opposite the kitchen, and contains a separate shower. All Venus caravans models have fully plastic-lined showers for 2017. Another new feature for 2017 is bed bases which slide out form under settees, replacing the slatted design which pulled out from beneath the front-central drawers.

Our view

Venus caravan models have three-burner hobs and combined oven grills. This model’s lengthy kitchen is going to make family meal prep an easy task. One for keen cooks, definitely.

Venus 620/6

£16,899

Longer and with the stability advantage of twin axles, the 620/6 gives mum and dad a permanent double bed, plus bunks to create from the dining area on the offside.

The shower and toilet share a compartment, in the offside rear corner, with a washbasin forward of it, in the bedroom.

Our view

Don’t be inhibited by the prospect of towing a twin-axle caravan – take it from us, they are easy to tow, plus they have increased stability characteristics compared with single-axle tourers.

One to consider if you like plenty of space.

Adria Altea Tamar 

£15,390

The Tamar has a side dining area, a nearside kitchen with an inline three-burner hob and an oven-grill above the fridge on the aft end of the kitchen.

Bunks are in the offside corner; there’s a wardrobe in the centre of the rear wall and a shower room with a separate shower in the nearside corner.

Our view

This caravan layout has a lovely open-plan aspect, created by the U-shaped lounge and central dining area. The attractively stark styling is just simply nice!

Adria Altea Eden 

£15,390

Like the Tamar, the Eden has a U-shaped lounge with a hinge-up coffee table. The Eden, though, is unusual; in common with the Bailey Pursuit 560 caravan we picked, it has two lounges.

It’s 91kg lighter than the Pursuit 560-5 and it’s slightly shorter. The shower-toilet room’s washbasin hinges down from within a mirrored cabinet unit; a neat design.

Our view

We love Altea caravans for their bright, fresh, no-frills approach to touring. And for 2017, Altea caravans get panoramic sunroofs, making them even lighter and brighter.

Compare the Caravans

To make it easier to compare, we've put all the details abut the ten best lightweight family caravans into a single table for you, including the prices.

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