| Terminology | Description |
| Alu-tech 5 part construction |
Impact resistant fiberglass body panels, bonded and bolted to a unique interlocking Aluminium external frame and fixed to a 44mm thick floor. Benefit is that it has unrivalled strength yet it's light weight. Weighs up to 500kg less than other similar comparisons.
|
| ATC | An electronic stability device that can be fitted to caravans to help prevent snaking (Assisted Trailer Control). |
| Awning | A structure that fits to the side of a caravan so to extend the living space of the caravan. This can be a fully removable room or a permanent shade awning attached to the caravan. |
| Awning rail | The rail on the side of the caravan onto which the full awning slides. |
| Awning skirt | A long piece of plastic/material that is used as a draft protector between the base of the caravan and the awning. |
| Berth | This refers to the amount of people that a caravan can sleep. |
| Body length | The inside length of the caravan. Also referred to as internal length. |
| Breakaway cable |
A thin steel wire normally coated in a coloured plastic that attaches to the caravan and then to the car. It helps in the event of the caravan detaching from a car as towing the breakaway cable will apply the caravan's brakes. This piece of equipment is a legal requirement.
|
| Caravan mover | A remotely controlled device used to manoeuvre caravans while not attached to a vehicle, also know as a motor mover. |
| Caravan Needs Assessment |
A free, no obligation service offered by specialists in the industry to assist in getting you clear on your non-negotiables. Ensures you buy once and buy right by focusing on your needs rather than features and benefits of a product.
|
| Cassette toilet | A toilet built into a caravan that has a separate cassette in which holds the toilet waste. A spare cassette can be a worthwhile investment. |
| Control panels | Panels of switches that control various features within the caravan such as; mains power, 12V power, water pump, water heater and heater etc. |
| Dinette | A combination of seats that allow people to dine in the caravan, these can normally be converted into a bed. |
| Fresh water roll away tank | A container positioned outside the caravan from which fresh water is drawn to supply a caravan’s taps and shower. |
| Fresh water fitted water tank with monitoring | Fresh water storage attached under the caravan with a display to see volume held. |
| Front locker | Refers to the locker outside at the very front. |
| Gas BBQ point | An externally mounted point of a caravan into which you can connect a gas BBQ that will run off of the caravan’s gas supply. |
| Grab handles | Located on all four corners of a caravan and used to manually manoeuvre it. |
| Hitch head | The device on the front of a caravan that attaches to the towball of a car, also referred to as hitch head coupling. |
| Hitch lock | A security device that is used to lock onto the hitch head of a caravan to help prevent theft. |
| Hookup | This refers to being “hooked up” to the mains electricity supply. |
| Jockey wheel | The small pivoting wheel located through the A frame of a caravan. |
| Laden weight | The maximum loaded weight of a caravan, also referred to as the Gross Vehicle Mass. |
| Leisure battery | 12V supply battery. Battery capacity can vary so an important discussion point. |
| NZMCA | New Zealand Motorhome and Caravan Association - a body that will represent you and support you with information, publications, discounts and subsidised camping areas. |
| Noseweight (caravan) | The weight of the caravan on the tow bar. |
| Payload | The weight allowance the user has to work with when packing a caravan. The weight difference between the unladen (unloaded without water) and GVM of the caravan. |
| Pitch | The space in which you park your caravan on a site. |
| Porch awning | A tent like structure that attaches to the side of a caravan. Unlike a standard awning, a porch awning covers only part of the caravan. |
| Shipping length | The maximum external length of the caravan, also referred to as external overall length. |
| Stabiliser | A device fitted either to the hitch head of a caravan or to the A frame cover that helps to minimise snaking while towing. |
| Stabiliser legs | Each caravan is fitted with 4 stabiliser legs, one on each corner, they wind down to steady the caravan when pitched up and are also referred to as corner steadies. |
| Satellite dishes | Can be portable, manual or automatic - allows you to watch free to air TV. |
| Solar panels | Allow you to change your batteries when self-contained freedom camping. |
| Unladen weight | The empty weight of a caravan. |
| Vehicles towing capacity | The maximum recommended tow weight the vehicle manufacturer has set for the vehicle. |
| Waste Grey water roll away tank | A container positioned outside of a caravan that stores all waste water (or grey water as it’s also known). |
| Waste water fitted tank | A fitted tank under the caravan to store waste water. |
| Waste water hose | To transfer waste water into a dump station. |
| Water ingress | Refers to water infiltrating the body of a caravan. |
| Wheel lock | A security device that is used to lock onto the wheel of a caravan to help prevent theft. |
| Window stays | Catches or telescopic poles that are used to hold a caravan window open. |