Question: We own a caravan that we use a couple of times a year, while the rest of the time it remains parked in our driveway. Are we required to affix a mezuza to it?
Answer: Rambam (Mezuza 6:9)
and the Shulchan Aruch (YD 286:11) rule that a dwelling on a ship is exempt from a mezuza because it is not intended for permanent residence.
R’
Shraga Feivish Schneebalg (Shraga Hameir 3:19) clarifies that caravans, which
are generally not designed for long-term living, do not require a mezuza,
even if someone resides in them year-round.
R’
Mordechai Yaakov Breish (Chelkas Yaakov YD 147:45; 163) and R’ Moshe Stern
(Baer Moshe 2:88) note that if a caravan is used as a permanent home, there is
indeed an obligation to affix a mezuza with a beracha. However,
if the caravan is primarily bought or rented for travel purposes, a mezuza
should be affixed without a beracha.
R’
Yitzchak Yaakov Weiss (Minchas Yitzchak 2:82) discusses a scenario in
which a caravan serves as a person’s primary home, due to financial
constraints. In such cases, he asserts that a mezuza must be affixed
with a beracha, though he expresses some doubt about reciting the beracha.
If the caravan is continuously on the move, there is no requirement to affix a mezuza.
R’
Moshe Sternbuch (Teshuvos Vehanhagos 2:542) adds that if one lives in a caravan
for at least a month while it is stationary, a mezuza should be affixed
without a beracha. If the caravan is never stationary for that long,
there is no obligation to affix one (see Rivevos Ephraim 3:505).