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Caravan Terminology - Guide For Buyers

 A Frame - This can be a triangular frame that is at the front end of the caravan. It is almost always covered by a bit of moulded plastic. In addition, it houses the handbrake and the electrical leads. ABS - Most caravans are now built using ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) since it is light, shiny and repairable. Aquaroll - A roll-along container for fresh water which connects to your caravan water inlet utilizing a submersible pump. Awning - Much like a three-sided tent which attaches to your caravan through the awning rail, located on the side of the caravan. Awnings range between either a full awning, which runs the complete length of the caravan, to a porch awning which fits on the caravan door. Awning Rail - The rail which the awning threads into which runs across the sides and the surface of the caravan. Berths - The amount of people the caravan will sleep. Breakaway Cable - A steel cable that is permanently fixed to the lower end of the handbrake lever with a clip on another end which attaches to your towbar. This cable would apply the caravan brakes if, for example, the caravan became unattached from the automobile. Butane Gas - The gas sold in blue cylinders. It burns at a slightly slower rate so it's a far more efficient heat provider, which usually makes it the most well-liked choice of Caravanners. It can't be used in freezing temperatures and is heavier than propane. If you switch from propane to butane you will have to switch regulators. CaSSOA - Caravan Storage Site Owners Association - using a CaSSOA recognised site will often get you discounts on your caravan insurance policy. Corner Steadies - The legs which wind down from the corners of the caravan which ensure the stability of the caravan when pitched. Coupling Head - Also referred to as the hitch - the area of the caravan which couples to the towball on your car and locks on. CRIS - Means Caravan Registration and Identification Scheme and may be the national register for touring caravans in the united kingdom. Delamination - Once the adhesive bonding the caravan floor layers become unstuck, allowing the ground layers to start out to creak and become spongy. Full Service Pitch - A pitch which has water and electricity supply, in addition to a link with the waste system. You may even have a primary TV aerial connection. Can be known as a multi-service pitch. Garage - The main caravan, usually bunks which fold up when not in use, that opens from the exterior so that you can devote large items for storage, e.g. bikes. Gross Train Weight - The combined maximum allowable weight of the loaded caravan and car, which the law states should not be exceeded. GRP - Glass Reinforced Plastic useful for the construction of the caravan panels (not used on newer caravans). Hitch Head Stabiliser - Functions by applying friction to the tow ball, therefore stabilising the caravan. Hitch Lock - The hitch lock is really a metal lock which fits over the caravan coupling head, therefore preventing the caravan from being stolen. Sited Caravans Ennerdale Bridge is essential to most plans. Hook-Up Lead - The lead which connects the caravan to the website mains electrical supply. Jockey Wheel - The tiny wheel at the front end of the caravan 'A' frame used for maneuvering the caravan and which supports the front end. Maximum Towing Weight - The maximum weight that the manufacturer will allow the car to tow under any circumstances and which must NEVER be exceeded. MIRO - Means Mass in Running Order - It is the weight of the caravan when equipped to the manufacturer's standard specification (before being loaded with all your equipment). MTPLM - Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass - This is actually the manufacturer's top limit for what a caravan can weigh when it's fully loaded with all of your caravanning gear. Motor Mover - A power device which is fixed to the caravan that allows the caravan to be moved you should definitely hitched up. It runs on the remote control to go the caravan and works using the caravan battery. Noseweight - The maximum amount of downward force which the car manufacturer will allow to be exerted on the towball. Outfit - The automobile and caravan are known together being an outfit. Roof Light - A window in the roof which can be opened. Single Axle - A caravan with just one set of wheels, usually an inferior caravan. Stabiliser - A stabiliser helps to keep the caravan stable when being towed. It uses friction to damp down movement round the tow ball and can help to correct any excess movement. Usually do not rely on a stabiliser alone to keep the caravan stable - you must still load the caravan correctly and keep carefully the caravan tyres in good condition. Steady Locks - These lock the caravan steadies (legs) in the down position, that makes it difficult to tow the caravan away. Supermule - A safety device which is wound down from the caravan's floor while you are parked which will avoid the caravan being towed away, because the more the caravan is pulled the more the Supermule digs into the ground. Twin Axle - A caravan which has two sets of wheels. User Payload - The full total weight of the accessories you can carry in the caravan. Wastemaster (or Waste Carrier) - A container with wheels which holds your waste water and soon you have to empty it at a service point on site. It connects to your caravan's waste water outlet, and will slide under your caravan. Wheel clamps - They can fit round the caravan tyres and wheels to prevent the wheel rotating, which therefore prevents the caravan being stolen.

Sited Caravans Ennerdale Bridge