Posted by Dave Thewlis on June 01, 2002 at 14:15:31 from 148.78.249.10 user dthewlis.
In Reply to: Re: Outdoor Pursuits - a-tenting we go --- posted by andy clayton on May 31, 2002 at 18:52:35:
Well, lessee. "Caravans" are definitely travel trailers. Furthermore they are generally much smaller than the monsters, such as what we call "five-wheelers" which require very large pickup trucks to tow them, which are often seen on the road today. These are the size of large motor homes (see below) and are mostly possessed by what are called "full timers" -- essentially retired folk (pensioners) who have abandoned a full-time residence in favor of a gypsy existence.
It has become unusual in the United States to see the smaller travel trailers such as the original Airstream trailers that were so prevalent 30 years ago or so. However, there is now a resurgence of interest in the small, teardrop-shaped aluminum trailers from the 40s and 50s and several firms are making them or offering plans and kits; these were and are again about 4x10 or 4x8 feet in floor plan.
We also use "trailer" to mean a towed, wheeled, platform or box for carrying goods, trash, or whatever. Originally the living sort were called "travel trailers" to distinguish them, but familiarly now they are all "trailers."
In the U.S. the terms "RV" and "motor home" are pretty much synonymous.