Caravan Glossary (A–Z)

A

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A-Frame

The triangular metal frame at the front of a caravan that connects to the tow car using the hitch.

AL-KO

A manufacturer of chassis, braking, stabilisation and security equipment commonly fitted to UK touring caravans.

Alde Heating

A wet central heating system found in many modern caravans. It uses fluid-filled pipes and radiators to heat the caravan evenly.

Aquaroll

A rolling fresh water container used to carry water from the campsite tap to the caravan.

ATC

ATC stands for Automatic Trailer Control. It is a safety system designed to help reduce caravan snaking while towing.

Awning

A fabric shelter that attaches to the side of a caravan, creating extra living, dining or storage space while on site.

Awning Rail

The channel fitted along the side of a caravan that allows an awning or canopy to be attached.

Axle

The component beneath a caravan that supports the wheels and carries the weight of the caravan.

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Battery Charger

A device that charges the caravan leisure battery when connected to mains electric hook-up.

Berth

The number of people a caravan can sleep. For example, a 4-berth caravan has sleeping space for four people.

Breakaway Cable

A safety cable that connects the caravan to the tow car. If the caravan becomes detached, the cable applies the caravan brakes.

Butane

A type of gas used in caravans, often stored in blue cylinders. It is commonly used for cooking, heating and hot water.

C

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Cassette Toilet

A caravan toilet with a removable waste container that can be emptied at a chemical disposal point.

CEE Plug

The blue electrical plug commonly used to connect a caravan to a campsite electric hook-up point.

Chassis

The main structural frame beneath the caravan body that supports the caravan and its major components.

Chemical Disposal Point

A designated campsite facility where toilet waste from a cassette toilet can be safely emptied.

CL Site

A Certificated Location. These are small caravan sites usually limited to five caravans or motorhomes and are often run through a caravan club.

Club Site

A campsite operated by a caravan or camping club, often with set standards and member benefits.

Corner Steady

A support leg fitted at each corner of a caravan. These are lowered once pitched to help stabilise the caravan.

CRiS

The Central Registration and Identification Scheme for UK touring caravans. It helps record caravan ownership and identification details.

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Damp

Moisture inside the caravan structure, often caused by leaks, condensation or failed seals.

Dealer Special

A caravan model created for a specific dealer, usually based on a standard model but with extra features or styling.

Delamination

Separation of the bonded layers within a caravan floor or body panel, which can cause affected areas to feel soft or spongy.

Dinette

A seating and table area inside a caravan that often converts into a bed.

Door Bin

A small storage compartment fitted to the inside of the caravan door.

E

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EHU

Short for Electric Hook-Up.

Electric Hook-Up

A campsite electricity connection that allows the caravan to use mains power while pitched.

End Bathroom

A caravan layout where the bathroom is positioned across the rear of the caravan.

End Bedroom

A caravan layout where the fixed bedroom is positioned at the rear of the caravan.

External Locker

An outside storage compartment built into the caravan.

F

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Fixed Bed

A permanent bed inside the caravan that does not need to be made up each night.

French Bed

A fixed double bed positioned lengthways against one side of the caravan, usually with a cutaway corner to improve access.

Fresh Water Container

A portable container used to supply fresh water to the caravan.

Front Lounge

The seating area at the front of a caravan that usually converts into beds.

Fully Serviced Pitch

A campsite pitch that normally includes electric hook-up, fresh water and waste water drainage.

G

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Gas Locker

The front storage compartment where caravan gas bottles are normally stored.

Gas Regulator

A device that controls the pressure of gas flowing from the gas cylinder into the caravan's gas system.

Grey Waste

Used water from the caravan sinks and shower.

Gross Train Weight (GTW)

The maximum permitted combined weight of the tow vehicle and caravan, as specified by the tow vehicle manufacturer.

H

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Habitation Check

An inspection of the caravan living area including gas, electric, water systems, damp testing and safety checks.

Hardstanding Pitch

A campsite pitch with a firm surface such as gravel or tarmac.

Hitch

The coupling at the front of the caravan that connects to the towball.

Hitch Lock

A security device fitted over the caravan hitch to help prevent theft.

Hook-Up Cable

The electrical cable used to connect a caravan to a campsite electric hook-up point.

Hot Water System

The system that heats water for the caravan taps and shower.

I

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Inboard Water Tank

A fresh water tank fitted inside the caravan.

Inverter

A device that converts 12V battery power into mains-style AC electricity for compatible appliances.

Island Bed

A fixed double bed that can usually be accessed from both sides.

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Jockey Wheel

The small wheel at the front of the caravan used when manoeuvring it by hand.

K

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Kerb Weight

The weight of a vehicle with fuel and fluids but without passengers or luggage.

L

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Leisure Battery

A battery that powers the caravan's 12V electrical systems.

Levelling Ramps

Ramps used beneath the caravan wheels to level the caravan.

LPG

Liquefied Petroleum Gas used for cooking, heating and hot water.

M

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Mains Electric

The 230V electrical supply available through electric hook-up.

Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass (MTPLM)

The maximum legal weight the caravan can weigh when fully loaded.

Microswitch Tap

A caravan tap that activates the water pump when opened.

MIRO

MIRO stands for Mass in Running Order. It is the weight of the caravan as supplied by the manufacturer with its standard equipment, before personal belongings and most additional payload are added.

Motor Mover

An electric system allowing a caravan to be manoeuvred using a remote control.

MTPLM

Short for Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass.

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Noseweight

The downward weight the caravan applies to the towball.

O

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Off-Grid

Caravanning without being connected to mains electric hook-up, usually relying on a leisure battery, gas, solar panels or other independent power sources.

Outfit

The combined tow car and caravan.

Overrun Brakes

A braking system where the caravan brakes are applied automatically during braking.

P

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Payload

The weight available for personal belongings, equipment and other permitted additions. It is generally calculated by subtracting the caravan's MIRO from its MTPLM.

Pitch

The allocated space where a caravan is positioned on a campsite.

Pitch Marker

A marker showing where the caravan should be positioned.

Porch Awning

A smaller awning covering only part of the caravan.

Propane

A type of caravan gas stored in red cylinders that performs well in colder weather.

Q

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Quick Release Connector

A fitting allowing hoses or gas connections to be quickly connected or disconnected.

R

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Rear Washroom

A caravan layout with the bathroom at the rear.

Reversing Camera

A camera that assists when reversing.

Rooflight

A window or vent fitted into the caravan roof that provides natural light and ventilation.

S

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Seasonal Pitch

A campsite pitch rented for an extended period, allowing the caravan to remain on the same pitch for part or all of a season.

Serviced Pitch

A campsite pitch with additional services, typically including electric hook-up and often fresh water or waste water drainage.

Single Axle

A caravan with one axle and two wheels.

Snaking

Dangerous side-to-side movement of a caravan while towing.

Solar Panel

A panel that converts sunlight into electricity to help charge the caravan's leisure battery.

Stabiliser

A device that helps reduce caravan movement while towing.

Super Pitch

A larger campsite pitch with additional services.

T

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Toilet Cassette

The removable waste-holding tank fitted beneath a caravan cassette toilet.

Towball

The ball attached to the tow vehicle that the caravan hitch connects to.

Towbar

The towing equipment fitted to the vehicle.

Towing Mirrors

Extended mirrors fitted to the tow vehicle to provide adequate rearward visibility around the caravan while towing.

Twin Axle

A caravan with two axles and four wheels.

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User Payload

The available weight allowance for personal belongings and accessories carried inside the caravan.

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Van

A common informal name for a caravan.

Ventilation

Airflow designed to reduce condensation and safely operate appliances.

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Wastemaster

A wheeled waste water container used to collect and transport grey waste water from a caravan.

Water Ingress

Water entering the caravan structure through failed seals, joints, windows, rooflights or other openings, potentially causing damp and structural damage.

Water Pump

A pump that supplies fresh water throughout the caravan.

Wet Room

A washroom where the shower area is not separated.

Wheel Clamp

A security device fitted to a caravan wheel to help prevent theft.

Wheel Lock

A security device fitted to a caravan wheel to prevent it from rotating and help deter theft.

Winterisation

The process of preparing a caravan for cold weather or winter storage, including draining the water system to help prevent frost damage.

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No glossary entries currently required.

Y

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Y Lead

An electrical splitter lead sometimes used in caravan and camping setups where appropriate.

Z

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No glossary entries currently required.

For further advice on caravanning and touring, visit the Caravan and Motorhome Club for additional guidance and resources.