Glossary
MRO (Mass in Running Order)
The empty, or unladen, weight of the caravan or motorhome plus allowances for:
- Caravans – one full gas bottle and one mains electric cable (14kg), fluids in ALDE heating system (10kg for a single axle and 12kg for a twin axle)
- Motorhomes – Driver (75kg), 90% fuel tank capacity (81kg), one full gas bottle (14kg), fluids in ALDE heating system (10kg)
MTPLM (Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass)
The legal maximum a caravan or motorhome can weigh once you’ve added all your luggage and equipment.
Payload
How much luggage and equipment the caravan or motorhome can carry.
Hitch
The bit at the very front of the caravan that connects to the towing vehicle.
Jockey Wheel
Located next to the hitch, the jockey wheel is lowered into position when the caravan is detached from your tow vehicle but raised and made secure when the caravan is being towed.
Noseweight
The weight, or downward force, of the caravan’s hitch on your vehicle’s tow ball.
Pitch peg
Usually marked with your pitch number, the peg indicates where the off-side rear of your caravan or motorhome needs to be when pitched to make sure everyone on the campsite is equally spaced out.
Corner Steadies
Fitted to each corner, the steadies wind down to keep your caravan level when it’s not attached to your tow vehicle.
Breakaway cable
Should your car and caravan become separated while towing, the breakaway cable is designed to apply the caravan brakes to stop it running away.
Aquaroll
A large roll along, fresh water carrier to supply your caravan or motorhome with running water. Usually around 40L in capacity.
Grey water collector
A container that sits under the drain pipe outside of your caravan or motorhome and collects the waste water from sinks, showers and basins.
EHU (Electric Hook Up)
A 240-volt electric point that connects to your caravan or motorhome via a heavy duty orange cable that provides mains electricity.
Stabiliser
A friction device inside the hitch that helps to stabilise the caravan whilst towing and increase safety.