Caravan Length Explained: Why Your 20ft Caravan Is Actually Much Longer

If someone tells you they own a 2160 caravan, you could reasonably expect their caravan to be around 21ft 6in long. Grab a tape measure and measure it from end to end, however, and you could find it is closer to eight or even nine metres long.

But why is that?

Understanding caravan length can be surprisingly confusing because the Australian caravan industry commonly uses two different measurements. The familiar feet-and-inches figure generally describes the size of the caravan body or usable living space, while the overall travel length includes everything from the coupling at the front to the furthest point at the rear.

Why Is Caravan Length Measured in Feet?

When you hear someone describe a caravan as “18 foot 6”, “20 foot 6”, or “2160”, they are generally referring to the approximate length of the caravan body or internal living space.

Caravan Industry Association of Australia consumer guidance explains that caravan size is commonly discussed according to body length, and that there can be some variation between the internal living-space measurement and the external body measurement. This figure excludes components such as the A-frame and rear bumper.

That means the familiar feet-and-inches measurement is best thought of as an indication of how much caravan you are getting rather than its exact end-to-end dimensions.

For example, we put a tape measure through a 20ft 6in Supreme Territory. Its quoted size was very close to the usable internal space inside the caravan – from the bedhead to the rear-ensuite mirror. It gives buyers a useful reference point when comparing different layouts and models. This is why feet and inches remain so useful when shopping. If you walk through an 18ft 6in couples caravan and then a 21ft 6in family caravan, the numbers help you understand the relative amount of living space available.

Overall Caravan Length Is Different

The second measurement to understand is overall caravan length, sometimes referred to as travel length. This is the measurement that really matters when you need to know exactly how much physical space your caravan occupies.

Overall length is measured from the front of the coupling through to the rearmost point of the caravan, including equipment mounted behind the body such as bumper bars and spare wheels.

For example, the 20ft 6in Supreme Territory mentioned earlier has an overall travel length of approximately 8.65 metres in that particular configuration, so suddenly, our “20ft 6in caravan” is more than 28 feet long from end to end.

Why Are We Still Using Imperial Measurements?

So why does Australia, a metric country, still talk about caravan length in feet and inches?

Well, it’s largely based in tradition. Australia’s caravan industry was already established during the 1950s and 60s, when the imperial system was still used across the country. Caravans were commonly described and advertised by their length in feet, and those familiar sizes became part of the language of caravanning.

When Australia began transitioning to the metric system in the 1970s, precise dimensions and regulatory measurements moved to metres and millimetres, but the caravan industry largely retained feet and inches as a convenient way of describing and comparing caravan sizes.
That convention continues today and terms such as “18ft 6”, “20ft 6” and “21ft 6” give Australian caravanners an immediate sense of the relative size and living space of a van, while metric measurements are used when knowing its exact overall dimensions is important.

Why Overall Caravan Length Matters

If you’re comparing caravan layouts at a dealership, the feet-and-inches measurement is generally the easiest figure to work with. But if you’re at home trying to see if your new van will fit in the shed then use the metric measurement.

The same applies when considering driveways, carports, and caravan storage facilities. Overall dimensions can also become important when making certain ferry bookings or working out the total length of your tow vehicle and caravan combination.

It’s also worth checking the height and width at the same time. A caravan might fit comfortably into your shed lengthways but still have a problem with the air conditioner clearing the entrance.

Why Two Caravans of the Same Size Can Have Different Caravan Length

This is where caravan measurements become more complicated when ordering a new van, because two 21ft 6in caravans do not necessarily have the same overall travel length.

A front boot, for example, could add approximately 300–400mm depending on the design. Adding a toolbox to the A-frame could potentially add another 300–450mm depending on its size and how the caravan is configured.

At the rear, a spare wheel, bumper, and jerry can holders can also add significant length beyond the caravan body.

Longer A-frames provide more room for storage and accessories, but there can also be practical towing benefits. A longer distance between the coupling and caravan axle generally makes the caravan less reactive to steering inputs when reversing, whereas a shorter setup can respond more quickly.

All these factors can add to the total length of a caravan, but what if you need it shorter?

How Can You Reduce Your Overall Caravan Length?

If storage space is tight, there may be ways to configure a caravan to reduce its end-to-end measurement without necessarily sacrificing the internal layout you want. A rear-mounted spare wheel, for example, may be able to be relocated to the A-frame or mounted underneath the caravan on some designs. Different toolbox, front boot, and rear bumper configurations may also change the overall dimensions.

These decisions need to be considered alongside weight distribution, ball weight, accessibility, and the manufacturer’s design, so shortening a caravan shouldn’t simply be a case of moving equipment wherever it fits.

This is where discussing your storage limitations before ordering a caravan can make a big difference, so be sure to discuss these with your salesperson.

Which Caravan Length Should You Use?

The simplest way to think about caravan length is that the feet-and-inches figure helps you compare the ‘feel’ of the caravan’s living space, while the metric overall length tells you how much physical space the caravan will actually occupy.

If you’re deciding whether an 18ft 6in, 20ft 6in or 21ft 6in layout is right for your family, start with the imperial measurement.

If you’re wondering whether that caravan will fit under your carport or inside your nine-metre shed, forget the model number and check the exact overall dimensions in millimetres or metres.

But if you’re still not sure, bring your measurements with you when you visit Adelaide RV. We can work through the different layouts, A-frame configurations and storage options to find a caravan that gives you the space you want inside while still fitting where you need it to at home.

So remember, choosing the right caravan length isn’t just about finding enough room for your adventures, it’s about making sure your caravan works for you before, during and after every trip.