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Jul
If you’re new to caravanning, there can be a lot of jargon that’s difficult to understand, which can make buying a caravan a little overwhelming. To make the process easier, we put together this handy guide to help you understand caravan terminology, from technical terms to towing essentials.
A
A frame
Refers to the triangle-shaped section at the front of the caravan, where the hitch head attaches.
AL-KO ATC
Also known as Assistant Trailer Control, this is an electronic emergency control system that prevents the caravan from snaking when it is being towed.
Awning
A tented structure that fixes to the side of the caravan to create extra shelter or living space.
Axle
The central shaft between the wheels – caravans have either a single axle (typically for lighter caravans) or a twin axle (typically for heavier caravans).
B
B+E test
An additional driving test that will be needed if your vehicle and caravan have a total weight that exceeds 3,500kg and if you passed your standard driving test after January 1997.
Bed boxes
Refers to the storage space underneath the seats inside the caravan, typically where water tanks and heaters are installed.
Berth
The amount of people that can sleep in the caravan, i.e. a four-berth caravan can sleep four people.
Blown air
A type of heating system found in modern caravans that distributes warm air throughout the cabin.
Body length
The internal length of the caravan.
Breakaway cable
A safety device that will apply the brakes to the caravan if it becomes disconnected from the car whilst towing.
C
Caravan mover
Also known as a motor mover, this is an electronic device that remotely moves the caravan whilst it is not connected to a vehicle.
Cassette toilet
A type of toilet found in many modern caravans which can be emptied from the outside.
CRIS
Stands for Central Registration and Identification Scheme. It’s the national organisation in the UK that holds a register for UK manufactured caravans and their owners.
CRIS number
Also referred to as a serial number, VIN number, and chassis number, this is a unique series of 17 numbers and letters assigned to UK manufactured caravans as part of the national database. Usually found on the corner on the inside of the front window of the caravan.
Corner steadies
Also known as stabiliser legs, every caravan has one on each corner which wind up and down and keeps the caravan steady when it’s pitched.
D
Dinette
A dining table and seats inside the caravan that can be converted to a bed.
E
EHU
Stands for Electric Hook Up. Refers to the cable that will connect to an electric hook up post and generate power into the caravan.
Extra wide
When a caravan is near to the maximum allowed width of 2.55m.
F
French bed
A double bed that is permanently set up in the caravan, usually against a wall.
Front locker
The lockers that will be situated at the front of a caravan.
G
GTW
Grab handles
Handles positioned on each corner of the caravan, used to help maneuver it by hand to be pitched or stored.
H
Hitch head
Also referred to as hitch head coupling, refers to the mechanism on the front of the caravan that attaches the caravan to the car.
Hitch lock
A security device attached to a caravan to prevent theft.
I
Island bed
A double bed with space on three sides, away from the walls.
J
Jockey wheel
A small, height-adjustable wheel at the front of the car that helps to connect the hitch to the towball and vice versa by lifting the nose of the caravan up and down.
K
Kerb weight
The weight of the tow car without passengers or luggage.
L
Laden weight
The maximum weight of the caravan when fully loaded, also referred to as MTPLM – maximum technical permissible laden mass.
Leisure battery
Also known as an auxiliary battery, this provides 12V power to the caravan’s electrical systems and appliances.
M
MiRO
Stands for Mass in Running Order. Refers to the unladen weight of a caravan as per the manufacturer’s specification, i.e. before it has luggage, clothes etc.
MTPLM
The maximum weight of the caravan when fully loaded, also referred to as laden weight.
N
NCC
Stands for National Caravan Council, the UK trade body for caravans which represents the supply chain in the industry.
Nearside
Refers to the passenger side of the caravan, i.e. the side of the caravan nearest the pavement when travelling on the road in the UK. Where the entrance doors are typically positioned on UK caravans.
Noseweight
The weight exerted onto the towball by a loaded caravan – towing vehicles will have a maximum noseweight they can accommodate, and your caravan’s noseweight can be measured by a special tool called a noseweight gauge.
O
Outfit
Refers to the combination of your towing vehicle and the caravan.
P
Payload
The allowed weight for luggage in the caravan – it will amount to the difference between the MTPLM and the MiRO.
PDI
Stands for Pre Delivery Inspection. Refers to the safety checks undertaken by the manufacturer or dealership before a caravan leaves the premises to go to a new owner.
S
Shipping length
The total length of the caravan, including the A frame.
Stabiliser
A safety device attached to the hitch head that helps to prevent the caravan snaking (drifting from side to side) or pitching (going up and down) whilst being towed.
T
Towball
The ball-shape at the end of the towing mechanism to attach the caravan to a towing vehicle.
Towbar
The mechanism that attaches the caravan to the towing vehicle.
Towing limit
The maximum weight your vehicle can legally tow.
Transverse bed
A permanent bed that has the headboard end against a side wall but can be traversed around the other three sides.
U
Unladen weight
The weight of the caravan without luggage etc., also known as kerb weight or MiRO.
W
Waste water carrier
A container on the outside of the caravan that carries waste water from showers and sinks (also known as grey water) until it can be emptied.
Water pump
Moves the water from the tank to the taps, shower, etc., in the caravan.
Wet central heating
A type of heating system in a caravan that works similarly to radiators in a house.
Wet locker
An area specifically to store damp items, such as coats and boots, that can be accessed from outside the caravan.
Wheel locks
Similar to wheel locks found on a car, that help prevent theft.
Window stays
Poles used to keep the windows of the caravan open when pitched.
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