Caravan, hybrid, pop-top or camper trailer? RV types explained
The four towable types most people choose between, what each is good at, and the US names for the same thing.
Guides
Practical explainers for people buying or owning a towable RV. Written for Australia and New Zealand first, with notes for US readers where the terms differ. Each guide lists its sources, and the resources page collects the official rules behind them.
Caravan weights explained: tare, ATM, GTM and ball weight
What the numbers on the compliance plate mean, how they fit with your tow vehicle, and how to check before you go.
12V basics for caravan owners
Volts, amps, watts and amp-hours in plain English, and what each box in your van’s 12V system actually does.
How to size batteries and solar for off-grid camping
A four-step method, typical appliance draws, and a worked example for a couple who want three nights off-grid.
NZ self-containment: what the green warrant needs
Since 7 June 2026 only the green warrant counts. What a van needs to pass, how to get certified, and where caravans trip up.
New caravan handover checklist: what to check before you sign
Most new vans have at least one problem. A checklist for delivery day, and what to do if you find something.