Static caravan / lodge

Not for towing: a holiday home that sits on a pitch.

In short

A static caravan (a static holiday home in the UK), a lodge or a chalet is not an RV at all. It is a transportable building sited on a pitch for a season or a year. It has no tow bar and no coupling, and in most countries is regulated under building and planning rules rather than vehicle rules.

Typical value	Notes
Towing	None — it is never towed
Size	Often 2–12 bedrooms, roughly 10–40 ft
Regulation	Local planning and building codes apply
Power	Grid hookup, usually fixed

What these vehicles look like

ExteriorImages come from the internet — please judge them yourself; this site is not responsible for their accuracy.

InteriorImages come from the internet — please judge them yourself; this site is not responsible for their accuracy.

At the campsiteImages come from the internet — please judge them yourself; this site is not responsible for their accuracy.

DetailImages come from the internet — please judge them yourself; this site is not responsible for their accuracy.

Strengths

Spacious
No towing
Usually cheaper per square metre

Limitations

Not mobile
Ongoing pitch fees
Complex ownership rules

Best for

Seasonal holidaysPlot ownership

What it is

People confuse static caravans with touring caravans because they look like caravans. They are not travel vehicles: they are moved a couple of times a year at most, and in many European parks they are permanently sited.

Why people choose it

In the UK and Ireland, statics are governed by the Mobile Homes Act and sit on licensed sites under site licences. On the continent they are usually subject to construction standards and planning permission. Check local rules before buying.

What to check before you buy

For an RV traveller the practical point is simple: if you want to move once a week, this is the wrong category, and you should be looking at a touring caravan or a motorhome instead.

Also calledStatic holiday home · Mobilhome (FR)