Before you can move a static caravan, someone needs to answer a deceptively simple question: exactly how big – and how heavy – is it? The answer determines whether your unit counts as an abnormal load, what permits are needed, whether an escort vehicle is legally required, and ultimately what the transport will cost. This guide sets out the typical dimensions and weights of UK static caravans, explains what they mean in practice on the road, and helps you understand what to expect before you book a move.
Typical Static Caravan Widths
Width is the single most important dimension from a transport point of view, because UK road law draws its permit thresholds on width rather than length or weight. Most static caravans fall into one of three width bands:
| Width band | Typical use | Road law status |
|---|---|---|
| 10 ft (approx. 3.0 m) | Compact holiday units, older models | Abnormal load – ESDAL notification required |
| 12 ft (approx. 3.7 m) | Most common single-unit size | Abnormal load – escort may be required |
| 13–15 ft (approx. 4.0–4.6 m) | Larger single units, residential park homes | Abnormal load – escort likely required; National Highways consent may apply above 5 m wide |
| Each half of a twin-unit | Split at 10–12 ft per half | Moved as two separate abnormal loads |
Under UK Construction & Use Regulations, any load wider than 2.9 m is formally classed as an abnormal load. As virtually all static caravans exceed this threshold, every static caravan transport job requires ESDAL notification and at least two clear working days’ notice to the relevant highways authorities. Units wider than approximately 3.5 m will usually need a dedicated escort vehicle. For the full legal picture, see our guide to Static Caravan Abnormal Load Permits & Escorts Explained.
Typical Static Caravan Lengths
Standard single-unit lengths run from around 28 ft at the compact end to 43–45 ft for the largest models, with the 35–40 ft range being most common. Twin-unit residential park homes can run to 55–65 ft overall once joined on site – but each half is measured and permitted individually. For the full process, see Moving a Twin-Unit Static Caravan: How It Works.
How Much Does a Static Caravan Weigh?
A typical single-unit static caravan weighs between 5 and 8 tonnes with fittings included. Lighter holiday units can come in below 5 tonnes; larger residential park homes built to BS 3632 can push toward 10 tonnes. A standard low-loader handles this comfortably – width, not weight, is the binding transport constraint. Weight matters mainly at site access level: soft ground or weak culverts may require ground protection or a shorter rigid vehicle rather than a full artic.
Why Dimensions Matter for Your Move
Knowing your caravan’s width and length before you request quotes is genuinely useful. Here is why each measurement feeds into the practical planning:
Permit notifications and lead time
ESDAL notifications require at least two clear working days before movement. For units wider than approximately 3.5 m, route planning must also confirm that no bridges, junctions, or overhead cables will be obstructed. Wider or heavier loads may need National Highways consent, which can require longer lead times. We handle all of this as part of the job – you do not need to file anything yourself.
Escort vehicle requirements
Units wider than roughly 3.5 m usually require at least one escort vehicle travelling with the load. Above 5 m, police involvement may be required. Escort costs are factored into the transport price rather than added as a surprise line item. For more detail, see Do You Need an Escort Vehicle to Move a Static Caravan?
Site access and pitch approach
One of the most common anxieties for people planning a move is whether the transport vehicle can actually reach the pitch. A large low-loader needs a clear turning radius, solid ground, and a road or track wide enough for the unit plus safety clearance. If your site has a tight entrance, a low bridge, or overhead utilities, tell us at quote stage – we would rather plan around it in advance than discover a problem on the day. Our experience across UK parks means most obstacles have a workable solution.
Twin-unit: two movements, not one
A twin-unit home is transported as two separate loads – it must be de-joined on the origin pitch and rejoined, resealed, and made watertight on the destination pitch. Dimensions for each half are measured and permitted independently. This affects both price and scheduling. Our twin-unit transport guide covers the full process.
What We Handle – and What You Arrange
Static Caravan Movers takes care of:
- All ESDAL notifications, abnormal load permits and route planning
- Marker boards, side and rear markers required by law
- Sourcing and travelling with any required escort vehicle
- De-siting: jacking, lifting and loading the unit onto the low-loader
- Re-siting: positioning, levelling on stands or axles, rejoining and resealing twin-units, and making the unit watertight
- Refitting skirting and steps on request
You (or a suitably qualified tradesperson) arrange:
- Certified disconnection of gas, water and electricity before loading – this must be done by a qualified professional, and some parks insist their own contractors carry it out
- Certified reconnection at the destination, signed off by a qualified professional
- Removal of skirting and decking if it is not part of our scope (we can price this, but it adds time and cost)
- Confirming the destination park accepts the unit’s age and dimensions – many parks impose age limits of 10–20 years, and pitch sizes vary
For a full pre-move checklist, see How to Prepare a Static Caravan for Transport.
How Dimensions Affect Transport Cost
Transport for most single-unit static caravans starts from £950. Several dimension-related factors can move the price upward:
- Width above 3.5 m – adds an escort vehicle to the job
- Length above 45 ft – may limit which vehicle configurations are suitable
- Twin-unit – priced as two movements with two sets of permits
- Distance – we cover all of mainland UK through our national transport network, so long-distance moves are competitively priced rather than one-off premiums
- Difficult site access – may require a shorter or specialist vehicle
De-siting and re-siting (jacking, positioning, levelling and making watertight) typically costs £300–£1,200 for a standard unit, rising to £4,000–£5,000 for larger, twin-unit or particularly complex homes. For a full breakdown, see How Much Does It Cost to Move a Static Caravan? UK Price Guide 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the standard width of a static caravan?
The most common single-unit static caravans sold in the UK are either 10 ft (approximately 3.0 m) or 12 ft (approximately 3.7 m) wide. Some larger residential park homes and modern holiday lodges reach 13–15 ft (4.0–4.6 m). All of these exceed the 2.9 m Construction & Use threshold, so every static caravan move is legally an abnormal load.
How long is a typical static caravan?
Single-unit lengths typically run from 28 ft at the compact end to around 43–45 ft for the largest models. The most frequently seen sizes on UK holiday and residential parks are in the 35–40 ft range. Twin-unit homes are longer overall but are moved as two halves, each measured individually.
How much does a static caravan weigh?
A typical static caravan weighs between 5 and 8 tonnes with fittings included. Compact holiday units can be lighter; larger, well-fitted residential homes can exceed this range. Weight is rarely the binding constraint for transport – low-loaders handle it comfortably – but it is a factor in assessing pitch access and ground conditions at both ends of the journey.
At what width does a static caravan need an escort vehicle?
An escort vehicle is usually required for loads wider than approximately 3.5 m, which covers most 12 ft and wider static caravans. Above 5 m, police involvement may also be required. We confirm the exact requirement during route planning for every job. See Do You Need an Escort Vehicle to Move a Static Caravan? for more.
Can a static caravan be towed on a normal trailer?
No. Static caravans are carried on specialist low-loaders as abnormal loads – they are lifted and secured on the flatbed, not towed. They cannot legally travel on the road the way a touring caravan can. See Can You Tow a Static Caravan? Why Statics Need Specialist Transport for more.
Does the size of my caravan affect how long the move takes?
Yes, in several ways. Wider units require more complex route planning and longer permit lead times. Twin-unit homes require two separate transport runs plus rejoining time on site, which extends the overall project. Access difficulties at either end also add time. Our guide How Long Does It Take to Move a Static Caravan? covers typical timescales in detail.
Where can I find my caravan’s exact dimensions?
The manufacturer’s data plate, usually inside a door frame or under a cupboard, is the most reliable source – it lists the external width and overall length. If the plate is missing, the manufacturer’s model documentation will give the same figures. When in doubt, measure at the widest point (usually the roof line or external wall) before requesting a transport quote.
Does a park home have different dimensions to a holiday static caravan?
Park homes (residential units built to BS 3632) tend to be wider and heavier than comparable holiday caravans, and are more often twin-unit. The transport process – abnormal load classification, permits, escort, low-loader – is the same. See Static Caravan vs Park Home vs Mobile Home for a guide to the differences between the two types.