Crossword Genius

Two vehicles flanking a third one? (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

caravan

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'flanking a third one?' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'two vehicles' is the wordplay.
'two vehicles' can mean two substitutions for 'vehicle'.
'vehicle' becomes 'cara' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'vehicle' becomes 'van' (van is a kind of vehicle).
'cara'+'van'='CARAVAN'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for caravan that I've seen before include "Camel train" , "Group of desert voyagers" , "Group of desert travellers" , "Mobile home" , "Home on wheels" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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