Modern, distinctive and well regarded, A'van makes a wide range of campers, pop-tops, caravans and even motorhomes. One of the few truly progressive manufacturers, A'van uses techniques like insulated sandwich-panel wall construction with your choice of aluminium or fibreglass exterior sheeting. A'vans also have stylish, modern interiors that don't make you feel like you're staying in a 1960s two-star motel...

The main A'vans suited to family travel are available as either a pop-top or full caravan, each in two sizes and layouts. There's also a pop-top with a rear slide-out bedroom, just to complicate things.

Excellent standard equipment in all includes a 100-A/h battery pack; LED reading & clearance lights; a gas hot water system and electric water pump; double-glazed & tinted side windows with in-built blinds and fly-screens; a gas/electric fridge; a gas and electric cook-top; microwave; TV aerial point; an awning and step light; a hot-dipped galvanised chassis & more. Considering the modern construction & extensive equipment list these family 'vans appear to be excellent value.

Pop-Top Charlotte & Lily

While the Charlotte & Lily will sleep six and seven, respectively, a couple of kids will find themselves sleeping on the dreaded converted lounge. So in reality, think of them as four and five-people 'vans. The Charlotte has two bunks at the front and a double bed at the rear, while the Lily has triple bunks at the front and double bunks at the rear.

Like all pop-tops, the screened side and end windows in the vinyl sleeve provide lots of light and fresh air; the latter being ideal in a 'van full of kids! Also, the reduced towing height brings fuel consumption advantages and allows for easier storage at home.

Caravan Charlotte & Lily

The caravan versions of the Charlotte & Lily both sleep six (maximum) with two slumbering on the converted lounge. While the caravan & pop-top Charlottes share the same floorplan, the caravan Lily appears to have a double bed at the front and double bunks at the rear, reducing its snooze capacity by one. Apart from that they appear to be identically equipped. The caravan has the advantage of better insulation and more interior space but sacrifices fuel economy and ease of storage. Take your pick!

Slideout Series The Ray

Think of the Ray as a pop-top with a retractable bottom. When camping, the rear end-panel hinges upwards, the bedroom slides out and the double mattress drops into place. Being solid walled, the extended end doesn't suffer from wet canvas problems and it's quick and simple to set up.The model 461 Ray has double bunks up front, making it a four sleeper, although the floorplan only shows three brightly coloured people sitting stiffly inside. A saving of about a metre overall is the Ray's strong point, which, coupled with the pop-top's height saving makes for a very compact caravan for anyone terminally short of storage space or just unhappy towing bigger things.

Australian Caravan+RV magazine, issue 7, Spring 2008.