"Travel Trailer" or "Mobile Home"

Question

A "travel trailer" is a mobile home used for vacations, etc. Or, simply, "trailer". I speak Midwest American English. A "mobile home" to me is mobile also, but is much larger and tends to be set in a more permanent environment. It isn't towed by an automobile or a pickup truck, as in the former case. In Espanish, I've heard/read the term "caravana" used for both, even though they are not the same thing. It seems that "caravana" refers mostly to the travel trailer, but it's not always clear to me when I'm reading. I tried looking up "casa móvil" here, in the DRAE, Word Reference, Lingúe, etc. without success. Are there two different terms in Spain/Latin America? Come to think of it, I've never seen a mobile home (not a travel trailer) outside the USA, except in Canada.

Yes, mobile homes, that do not move, but stay on site also exist in England. - annierats, Dec 11, 2015

Are they called "mobile homes" in England? Any other terms? - DonBigoteDeLaLancha, Dec 11, 2015

Answer 1

I have seen people living in them permanently but not staying in the same place. If it helps at all, I call them casas rodantes (regardless of their size)

Yes, I'm from Argentina (and also, I'm a girl Rey_Misterio ) I don't think there is a difference. Maybe there is, but I am not aware of it. I call this things trailer:

It is not a place where you can live, but a container you can attach to your vehicle when you're travelling to carry your luggage.

i hadn't thought about "rodante" so I didn't search for it. Good thought! Is there a distinction where you live between a "travel trailer" and a "mobile home" as I defined it? ¿De dónde es usted, si se puede saber? - DonBigoteDeLaLancha, Dec 11, 2015

hes from argentina - Rey_Mysterio, Dec 11, 2015

I'm sorry for the late reply, I'll edit my post to answer - aileribel, Dec 14, 2015

Answer 2

Casa rodante

Answer 3

Esta es una casita móvil o un mobil home. Mucha gente compran un terreno para poner una casita de madera o un móvil home, porque piensan que no necesitan permisión para la construcción. Esto no es verdad. Los caravanas para viajar son caravanas. Son remolques para un coche fuerte ( 4x4), pero normal. Los móvil homes no se puede sacar del sitio sin grua. foro discussion

Las dos fotos me parecen de "mobile home", no de caravana. Una casa prefabricada no es móvil, sino una instalación permanente. La casa se fabrica en módulos y luego estos módulos se combinan según los gustos de los compradores , - DonBigoteDeLaLancha, Dec 11, 2015

Annie, very interesting! :) Shouldn't it be Mucha gente comprA (not compran) because gente is singular? Perhaps I am mistaken! - FELIZ77, Dec 12, 2015

Answer 4

I have seen terms casa móvil, casa móvil prefabricada, and casa prefabricada.

Here is a picture with a .es ending using casa móvil for what I think you are talking about.

I have seen the term manufactured homes in English.

I have no idea what the regional variation is, so I cannot truly answer your question.

Casa prefabricada can actually be a proper house, such as we build in Sweden, but eady to put up , like a gigant puzzle. However, good summary, And illegal, without planning permission everywhere! - annierats, Dec 11, 2015

Answer 5

What I see on the other posts is what we down here in the south call a mobile home, trailer home, or "tornado magnet."

The other thing we see a lot of is what we call an RV (Recreational Vehicle) or a motor home. Sometimes they are called generically by certain well-known brand names, like a caravan, or a winnebago. They are self-propelled - no need to tow them (unless they break down!).

They can actually be quite luxurious inside.

People use these to go on long trips to many places. They just drive from camp-ground to camp-ground. Sometimes they tow a small car behind so they can more easily go touring when they get to a destination.

Now, that's what I would call a luxury one! ;) - FELIZ77, Dec 12, 2015

Answer 6

Gee, I hope I'm putting this is the right place. "Comments" don't leave enough room for extended loquacity. Yes, in the north we call them "motor-homes" or "RV's", also. I love the term "tornado magnet". But I wasn't referring to that in my original question. It was between a trailer (travel trailer) and a mobile home. I just found out yesterday that the boys in the trade (shop talk) call mobile homes "Tubes". "Casa rodante", to me, sounds like an "RV". "Caravana", to me, sounds like a travel trailer (towed behind a car or pickup). I'm still vexed by "mobile home". None of the former have basements (sótanos). Some prefabricated homes do. My Gosh! They don't even have wheels. I had a trailer. Now I have an RV. I've never had a mobile home. ¡Ah, semantics!

I think what you call a "travel trailer" is a fairly small thing, easily towed behind a car. - Winkfish, Dec 13, 2015