ISO 7237:1993

Caravans - Masses and dimensions - Vocabulary

Provides 20 terms in English and French. Does not give measurement methods, units, and accuracy.

Caravanes — Masses et dimensions — Vocabulaire

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 27-Jan-1993
• ICS: 01.040.43 - Road vehicle engineering (Vocabularies)
• ICS: 43.100 - Passenger cars. Caravans and light trailers
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 22/SC 40 - Specific aspects for light and heavy commercial vehicles, busses and trailers
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 22/SC 40 - Specific aspects for light and heavy commercial vehicles, busses and trailers
• Current Stage: 9093 - International Standard confirmed
• Start Date: 23-Oct-2023
• Completion Date: 13-Dec-2025

Relations

• Amended By: ISO 7237:1993/Amd 1:2001 - Caravans - Masses and dimensions - Vocabulary - Amendment 1
• Effective Date: 06-Jun-2022
• Revises: ISO 7237:1981 - Road vehicles - Masses and dimensions of caravans - Terms and definitions
• Effective Date: 15-Apr-2008
• Parent: ISO 7237:1993/Amd 1:2001 - Caravans - Masses and dimensions - Vocabulary - Amendment 1
• Effective Date: 15-Apr-2008

Overview

ISO 7237:1993 is an international standard published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) that establishes a clear and consistent vocabulary related to the masses and dimensions of caravans. This second edition replaces the first edition from 1981 and presents the terminology in both English and French to support global standardization and communication. Importantly, this standard defines 20 key terms referring to caravan masses and dimensions but does not provide measurement methods, units, accuracy requirements, or orders of magnitude.

This vocabulary serves as a foundational reference for manufacturers, regulatory authorities, designers, and researchers involved in caravan production and usage, promoting clarity and harmonization in technical documents and legal requirements.

Key Topics

ISO 7237:1993 covers essential terms categorized primarily into two areas: masses and dimensions of caravans.

Mass Terms

• Unladen Mass: Mass of a new caravan equipped according to the manufacturer's specifications without optional extras.
• Actual Mass: The caravan's mass during a particular journey.
• Maximum Design Total Mass: The maximum total mass for which the caravan is designed.
• Maximum Authorized Total Mass: The legally permitted maximum total mass.
• Maximum Authorized Axle Load: The maximum allowable load per axle based on regulations.
• Static Load Applied by Coupling Device: Vertical static load at the coupling ball cup of the caravan.

Dimension Terms

• Wheelbase: Distance between vertical planes through the centerlines of wheels on tandem or close coupled axles.
• Rear Overhang: Distance from the wheel axis to the rearmost rigid caravan part.
• Drawgear Length: Distance from wheel axis to center of the coupling head.
• Overall Width: Distance between vertical planes parallel to the median longitudinal plane touching the caravan on both sides.
• Track: Distance between wheel traces or adapted to twin wheels.
• Overall Height: Vertical distance from the supporting surface to the highest part of the caravan.
• Height of Coupling Head: From ground level to the center of the coupling head.
• Ground Clearance: Distance between the supporting surface and the lowest point in the caravan's central part.
• Departure Angle: Angle between the horizontal plane and planes tangential to rear wheel tyres, ensuring no part extends below.
• Ramp Angle: Supplement of the smallest dihedral angle allowing a motor vehicle and caravan combination to pass without contact with a ridge.

Measurement Conditions

All dimensions and masses are to be considered for a new caravan under specified conditions such as stationary position on a horizontal surface, tyres inflated to maximum authorized pressure, all wheels supporting the caravan, and roof vents, doors, and windows closed.

Applications

The ISO 7237:1993 vocabulary is crucial for:

• Manufacturers creating precise technical specifications and marketing materials for caravans.
• Regulatory Authorities enforcing safety, roadworthiness, and compliance requirements across different countries.
• Design Engineers standardizing design parameters, supporting interoperability and compatibility of caravans with towing vehicles.
• Inspection and Testing Bodies to understand and apply consistent terminology when assessing caravans for certification or compliance.
• Researchers and Educators providing accurate definitions to students and stakeholders in vehicle technology domains.

Using a standardized vocabulary reduces ambiguity and enhances communication across international markets, improving safety, design quality, and customer understanding.

Related Standards

ISO 7237:1993 references and complements other key ISO standards related to road vehicles and towing equipment:

• ISO 3333: Specifies definitions referring to caravans.
• ISO 612:1978: Terms and definitions related to dimensions of motor vehicles and towed vehicles.
• ISO 1103:1976: Dimensional characteristics of coupling balls for caravans and light trailers.
• ISO 1176:1990: Vocabulary and codes related to masses of road vehicles.
• ISO 3833:1977: Types, terms, and definitions for road vehicles.
• ISO 10061:1991: Defines height measurement for coupling heads, complementing the dimension definitions in ISO 7237.

Together, these standards ensure harmonized terms and definitions supporting design, regulation, and manufacturing of caravans and towing vehicles globally.

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Keywords: ISO 7237, caravan dimensions, caravan masses, caravan vocabulary standard, caravan terminology, ISO road vehicle standards, caravan measurement terms, caravan design, towing vehicle standards, caravan regulation.

Standards Content (Sample)

ISO
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Second edition
Deuxkme Edition
NORME
1993-02-01
INTERNATIONALE
Masses and dimensions -
Caravans -
Vocabulary
Masses et dimensions -
Caravanes -
Vocabulaire
Reference number
Numkro de rkference
ISO 7237 : 1993 (E/F)
ISO 7237 : 1993 (E/F)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of
national Standards bodies (ISO member bedies). The work of preparing International
Standards is normally carried out through ISO technical committees. Esch member
body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been established has
the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, govern-
mental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO
collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all
matters of electrotechnical standardization.
Draft International Standards adopted by the technical committees are circulated to
the member bodies for voting. Publication as an International Standard requires
approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
International Standard ISO 7237 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 22,
Road vehicles, Sub-Committee SC 6, Terms and definitions of dimensions and
masses.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 7237 : 19811, of which it
constitutes a minor revision and transformation into a bilingual document.
0 ISO 1993
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any
means, electronie or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without Permission in
writing from the publisher./Droits de reproduction reserves. Aucune Partie de cette publication
ne peut etre reproduite ni utilisee sous quelque forme que ce soit et par aucun procede, electroni-
que ou mecanique, y compris Ia photocopie et les microfilms, sans I’accord ecrit de I’editeur.
International Organization for Standardization
Case postale 56 l CH-1211 Geneve 20 l Switzerland
Printed in Switzerland/lmprime en Suisse
ii
ISO 7237 : 1993 (E/F)
Avant-propos
L’ISO (Organisation internationale de normalisation) est une federation mondiale
d’organismes nationaux de normalisation komites membres de I’ISO). L’elaboration
des Normes internationales est en general confiee aux comites techniques de I’ISO.
Chaque comite membre interesse par une etude a Ie droit de faire Partie du comite
technique cr&? a cet effet. Les organisations internationales, gouvernementales et non
gouvernementales, en liaison avec I’ISO participent egalement aux travaux. L’ISO col-
labore etroitement avec Ia Commission electrotechnique internationale KEI) en ce qui
concerne Ia normalisation electrotechnique.
Les projets de Normes internationales adoptes par les comites techniques sont soumis
aux comites membres pour vote. Leur publication comme Normes internationales
requiert I’approbation de 75 % au moins des comites membres votants.
La Norme internationale ISO 7237 a et6 elaboree par Ie comite technique ISO/TC 22,
Whicules routiers, sous-comite SC 6, Dknominations et definitions des dimensions et
des masses.
Cette deuxieme Edition annule et remplace Ia Premiere Edition (ISO 7237 : 19811, dont
eIIe constitue une revision mineure, et qui a etc transformee en un document bilingue.
. . .
Ill
This page intentionaily left blank

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD
ISO 7237 : 1993 (E/F)
NORME INTERNATIONALE
Caravanes - Masses et
Caravans - Masses and
- Vocabulaire
dimensions
dimensions - Vocabulary
1 Domaine d’application
1 Scope
La presente Norme internationale etablit un vocabulaire relatif
This International Standard provides a vocabulary of masses
aux masses et aux dimensions des caravanes telles que definies
and dimensions of Caravans as defined in ISO 3333.
dans I’ISO 3333.
lt does not give measurement methods, units used in reporting
Elle ne traite pas des methodes de mesure, des uni&
the results, accuracy required or Order of magnitude of the
employees pour exprimer les resultats, ni de I’exactitude a obte-
masses and dimensions defined.
nir ou de I’ordre de grandeur des masses et des dimensions
definies.
2 References normatives
2 Normative references
Les normes suivantes contiennent des dispositions qui, par
The following Standards contain provisions which, through
Suite de Ia reference qui en est faite, constituent des disposi-
reference in this text, constitute provisions of this International
tions valables pour Ia presente Norme internationale. Au
Standard. At the time of publication, the editions indicated
moment de Ia publication, les editions indiquees etaient en
were valid. All Standards are subject to revision, and Parties to
vigueur. Toute norme est sujette a revision et les Parties pre-
agreements based on this International Standard are encouraged
to investigate the possibility of applying the most recent editions nantes des accords fondes sur Ia presente Norme internationale
sont invitees a rechercher Ia possibilite d’appliquer les editions
of the standards indicated below. Members of IEC and ISO
les plus recentes des normes indiquees ci-apres. Les membres
maintain registers of currently valid International Standards.
de Ia CEI et de I’ISO possedent Ie registre des Normes interna-
ISO 612 : 1978, Road vehicles - Dimensions of motor vehicles
tionales en vigueur a un moment donne.
and towed vehicles - Terms and definitions.
ISO 612 : 1978, Vehicules routiers - Dimensions des automo-
ISO 1103 : 1976, Road vehicles - Caravans and light trailers -
brTes et vehicules tractes - Denomina tions et de finitions.
Coupling ball - Dimensional charac teristics.
ISO 1103 : 1976, Vehicules routiers - Caravanes et remorques
ISO 1176 : 1990, Road vehicles - Masses - Vocabulary and
Boule d’attelage - Caracteristiques dimensionnel-
legeres -
Codes.
les.
ISO 3833 : 1977, Road vehicles - Types - Terms and defi-
ISO 1176 : 1990, Vehicules routiers - Masses - Vocabulaire et
nitions.
Codes.
ISO 3833 : 1977, Vehicules routiers - Types - Denominations
et de finitions.
3 General 3 Gh6ralit6s
Unless otherwise stated, the Caravan is considered to be new Sauf indication contraire, Ia caravane est consideree comme
from the factory, in the following conditions: neuve, sortant de fabrication, dans les conditions suivantes:
a) the Caravan is stationary and the supporting surface is
a) Ia caravane est immobile sur un plan d’appui horizontal;
horizontal; lengths and widths are measured in the horizon- les longueurs et les largeurs sont mesurees dans des Plans
tal plane, and heights in the vertical plane; horizontaux, les hauteurs dans des Plans verticaux;
all wheels of the Caravan, including the jockey wheel,
b) b) toutes les roues de Ia caravane, y compris Ia roue
rest on the supporting surface, and its interior floor is jockey, reposent sur Ie plan d’appui, et son planeher inte-
horizontal ; rieur est horizontal ;
les aerateurs de toit, les portes et les fenetres sont fer-
c) roof vents, doors, and windows are closed; retractable c)
Steps are retracted ; m&; les marches escamotables sont repliees;

IS07237: 1993(E/F)
d) the longitudinal median plane of the Caravan is that d) Ie plan longitudinal median de Ia caravane est celui
defined in ISO 612: 1978, clause 5; defini dans I’ISO 612: 1978, article 5;
e) the mass of the Caravan, at the moment of measure- e) Ia masse de Ia caravane au moment des mesurages est
ment, is the maximum authorized axle load (see 4.1.7) with Ia Charge maximale autorisee par essieu (voir 4.1.71, sauf
the exception of the measurement of the Overall height (sec pour Ie mesurage de Ia hauteur hors tout (voir note de
5.3.1 note) ;
5.3.1);
f) the tyres are inflated to the pressure corresponding to
f) les Pneus sont gonfles Zr Ia Pression correspondant a Ia
the maximum authorized total mass (see 4.1.4) of the cara- masse totale maximale autorisee (voir 4. 1.4) de Ia caravane.
van.
4 Masses 4 Masses
41 . Masses relative to Caravan alone 4.1 Masses relatives a Ia caravane seule
4.1 .l unladen mass: Mass of the Caravan equipped in 4.1.1 masse 6 vide: Masse de Ia caravane munie de tous les
equipements indiques par Ie constructeur, a I’exclusion des
accordance with the manufacturer’s specification, but exclud-
ing optional extras. equipements optionnels.
4.1.2 actual mass : Mass of the for a par- 4.1.2 masse effective: Masse de Ia caravane chargee
Caravan as
ticular journey comme pour u n voyage particulier.
4.1.3 masse maximale totale calculee: Noir ISO 1176:
4.1.3 maximum design total mass: (See ISO 1176: 1990,
1990, terme 4.7.)
term 4.7.)
4.1.4 maximum authorized total mass: (See ISO 1176: 4.1.4 masse totale maximale autorisee: Noir ISO 1176:
1990, term 4.8.) 1990, terme 4.8.)
4.1.5 maximum design pay mass [deprecated: payloadl : 4.1.5 masse utile maximale calcule Ie : Valeur obtenue par
soustraction de Ia Masse a vide (4.1.1) de Ia Masse maximale
Figure obtained by subtracting the mass defined in 4.1 .l from
the maximum desig
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