Static Caravans Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions - General Questions

This section deals with general questions about static caravans and static caravan sales. To find an answer to a question listed below just click on the question and you will be taken to it.

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What is a static caravan?
What is a mobile home?
What is a tourer (touring caravan)?
How big is a static caravan?
How many bedrooms are in a static caravan?
What facilities does a static caravan have?
How do i site a static caravan?
Are static caravans mobile like tourers?
Can i live in a static caravan all year round?
How long can i live in a static caravan?
What does 6 or 8 berth mean?
What current in amps does a static caravan have connected to it for electricity?
What type of gas do static caravans use?
Do static caravans used piped or bottled gas?
Do static caravans have full sized fridges?
Do static caravans have central heating?
Can I get a static caravan with double glazing?
Are there static caravans with disabled facilities?
Do static caravans come with shower / bathrooms?
Can i get a static caravan with lino throughout instead of carpet?
Are static caravans plumbed into mains water and waste water supply or do you need a chemical toilet?
Are there special caravan shops for spares?
Is Furniture in caravans always fixed or loose?
What does drain down mean?
How do i change the gas bottle when it runs out?
Can i have a telephone in my caravan?
Can i get onto the internet from my static caravan?
Do static caravans all have the same layouts?

What is a static caravan?

A static caravan is a home or holiday home that is on a single or double axis with a set of 2 or 4 wheels for transporting it to and from sites. They can be lived in and often include lots of modern conveniences that you would expect from a modern house.

What is a mobile home?

A mobile home is another word for static caravan. The term mobile home is often linked with camper vans which are like touring caravans but with its own drive unit(engine) so instead of it being towed around it has its own ability to be driven.

What is a tourer (touring caravan)?

A tourer is a smaller type of caravan thats is built on a trailer chassis so is allowed to be towed by any regular 4+ wheeled vehicle. Tourers (touring caravans) arent often lived in for more than a holiday like static caravans but can sometimes have similar luxuries as static caravans.

How big is a static caravan?

Static caravans, like tourers and camper caravans, come in many different sizes from just under 20ft to 50ft in length and 7ft to 24ft in width. Prices for the larger vans are generally higher than the smaller ones. Heights of static caravans generally ranges from 8ft to about 16ft from the ground to the roof of the caravan.

How many bedrooms are in a static caravan?

Every static caravan has its own floor plan which is often uniwue to that caravan even when compared to other variations of that model. Most caravans do however have a double bed a twin single bed bedroom and a pull out bed in the lounger area. However some just have a double bed bedroom and others will have three double beds and two single beds.

What facilities does a static caravan have?

All static caravans have a different number of facilities which generally will include a kitchen(with cooker, fridge, washing), a toilet(a shower, toilet and sink and sometimes a bath) bedrooms, lounge with seating and often a dining table. Some of th more luxury models will have central heating, double glazing, better insulation, patio doors, freezer.

How do i site a static caravan?

Often a site will not allow you to site a static caravan as it has to be done to certain standards to ensure it doesnt slide or move in bad weather. If you have a static caravan you wish to site on your own land you can do so by jacking up one side and supporting the main axle with a breeze block such that the wheel is off the ground. Repeat for the other side and then ensure teh caravan is balanced using the legs.

Are static caravans mobile like tourers?

No. Static caravans by nature are meant to be transported on the back of a lorry or by crane(in very rare cases). It is actually illegal to tow a static caravan by anything on any public road, it is fine to transport them short distances on private property by towing though.

Can i live in a static caravan all year round?

Static caravans can be habitable for 12months of the year. You are however subject to certain rules ad regulations set by te council. Caravan sites cost much more for ground rent if they are open 12months and you are liable to pay council tax for such plots also. Central heating, double glazing and winter insulation(and under panel insulation) are a must if you wish to live in a static caravan 12months of the year however as electric costs can be high otherwise.

How long can i live in a static caravan?

Static caravans can be lived in 12months a year providing you have the council/site permission to live in it as a permanent home. You will have to pay council tax if you plan to live in your static caravan all year round. If you have your caravan on a private site you will only be allowd to stay in the caravan for their permitted season as they have to follow licencing regulations about opening seasons.

What does 6 or 8 berth mean?

The berth of a static caravan is how many people that can sleep in the caravan at any one time. If a caravan is stated to be a 6 berth it will usually have 1 double bed and 2 twin single bedrooms. It can also mean that there is any number of single or double beds depending on the berth. A double bed adds 2 berth and a single bed 1berth.

What current in amps does a static caravan have connected to it for electricity?

Different caravan sites have different allowances on the current for each caravan. Most sites will allow for 8-16Amps for a seasonal holiday site whereas a full year caravan park will more likely have 16-30Amp depending on the size of caravans and size of th site. You should contact your specific site for more information on this.

What type of gas do static caravans use?

Static caravans can actually use Butane, Propane in bottles and/or piped gas. A caravan that uses one type of gas can be converted to any other gas type by simply changing the pipes and the devices taht run off the gas hook-up, such as cooker, gas heater, boiler and fridge.

Do static caravans used piped or bottled gas?

Static caravans can use either piped or bottled gas providing it is certified for use by a corgi registered plumber. If you wish to use piped gas in a caravan designed to use bottled gas you must first get the pipes and gas dirven appliances, of the caravan, converted and certified before using.

Do static caravans have full sized fridges?

Some static caravans do have full sized fridges but it is really dependant on the type of caravan you have. Some caravans dont even have fridges, always make sure you know if teh caravan you are buying / renting has the facilities that are most important to you before handing over any money

Do static caravans have central heating?

Often static caravans dont have central heating though it is becoming a more common optional extra for most models of caravan.

Can I get a static caravan with double glazing?

Some static caravans do have double glazing and it can be an optional extra on most new caravans today. However if your desired caravan doesnt have double glazing it can always be added by a qualified glazer.

Are there static caravans with disabled facilities?

Some caravans are made intentionally to accomodate physically disabled people. Such caravans often have much larger door ways, ramp to the caravan, more room in bedrooms and bathrooms. These caravans come with all extras you would expect from any other static caravan but with the added benefit of being built for the disabled person.

Do static caravans come with shower / bathrooms?

New Static caravans will always have a toilet and generally all have a shower. Some are now coming equipped with baths and en-suite bathrooms. One manufacturer even has a steam room with piped in radio in one of the bathrooms!

Can i get a static caravan with lino throughout instead of carpet?

For pre-owned caravans you will need to have lino retro-fitted, if it isnt already available. However most new caravans come with the option of havig completely lino throughout the caravan.

Are static caravans plumbed into mains water and waste water supply or do you need a chemical toilet?

Chemical toilets are not used in new caravans and have been very rare for t past 20 years or so in the static caravan world. The majority of caravan sites will have full drainage and water plumbed into every plot.

Are there special caravan shops for spares?

There are companies that specialise in spares for caravans of all sorts, BEC is one such company that has buit its business around caravan spares. There spares include but are not limited to doors, plumbing, furniture, fixtures and fittings and boilers and parts.

Is Furniture in caravans always fixed or loose?

Most static caravans have fixed furniture as this helps to save space and can be cheaper and lighter if its built into the walls. However loose furniture is often more comfortable and desirable by more consumers and as such is becoming a more common optional extra (and standard feature in some prestige caravans).

What does drain down mean?

At the end of a season of a non-residential caravan site the owners may try to convince you to do a drain down. This is where all the water is drained from the caravan. This ensures that your pipes will not burst in the winter frosts due to water expanding when it freezes. Most holiday sites will perform a drain down for a cost, this is advised as if it is done wrong then the park will be responsible for fixing any leaks found.

How do i change the gas bottle when it runs out?

First the empty bottle should still be turned off, in case tehre is stil some gas left in teh bottle, then the regulator can be unscrewed from the top of the bottle. Then the regulator just needs to be screwed onto a new full gas bottle and then turned on. If you are not confident with this process it should be performed by site staff or a qualified plumber.