Were you conscious that RV’s include their very own vocabulary? Some of the RV Slang and Acronyms crossover from different industries. But different’s are distinctive to only the RV World.
We’ve put collectively an RV dictionary of types. Whether you’re new to RV’s or have been doing this for years, freshening up your data of those phrases, slang, and acronyms may also help in a number of methods. Not solely will you’ve got a greater understanding of your rig. But it can help you in understanding blogs and boards about RV’s.
10 Year Rule – rule by some RV resorts and parks indicating that you simply can not use their services in case your RV is older than 10 years
A/C – Air Conditioner
Adjustable Ball Mount – top adjustable ball on the hitch permitting the ball and tongue top to correctly match between the tow automobile and trailer
Airbag – added gear to the suspension system of a tow automobile or RV to behave as a shock absorber
Anode Rod – often a zinc rod used to forestall corrosion in a metal sizzling water tank
Arctic Package – non-obligatory bundle for RV’s growing insulation and including tank heaters for an prolonged tenting season
Auxiliary Battery – Extra Battery to run your 12-volt stuff
Awning – materials (often vinyl) connected to a metallic body alongside the outside wall of the RV used as a solar or rain block
Axel Ratio – relation between the driveshaft and rear axels – has a big influence on tow rankings and capacities
Back-Up Monitor – Camera mounted to the rear of the RV with a monitor within the dashboard compartment
Ball Mount – helps the hitch ball and connects the trailer coupler
Basement – Large storage space underneath your RV’s dwelling space which is accessible from the skin cupboards.
BH – abbreviation for Bunkhouse
Black Water Capacity – Amount of waste water out of your bathroom that your black water tank can maintain
Black Water Tank – Tank underneath the RV that holds the waste water out of your bathroom
BLM – abbreviation for US Bureau of Land Management
Blue Boy – transportable waste water tank used to move waste water from an RV to a dump station when the hook-up just isn’t on website
Boondocking – a mode of RV’ing with no hook-ups
Booth Dinette – Dining desk with opposing benches
Brake Controller – machine within the tow automobile that applies trailer brakes on the identical time the tow automobile brakes
Breakaway Switch – security change that applies the trailer brakes in case your trailer turns into unhitched from the tow automobile.
BTU (British Thermal Unit) – A measurement of warmth. Quantity of warmth required to lift 1lb of water 1 diploma. Heaters, furnaces, and RV air-conditioners are BTU rated.
Bunkhouse – RV floorplan type that has bunkbeds
Burn Ban – regulation, regulation, or rule indicating that you simply can not have a campfire usually seen in arid climates just like the desert
CCC (Cargo Carrying Capacity) – max weight of non-public objects you may add to your RV together with storage
Cab – see Cockpit
Cab-Over – see Mother’s Attic
Captain’s Chair – driver’s seat of a motorhome
Camper Van – see Class B
Camp Side – passenger facet of an RV referring to the facet of your campsite designed to your outside actions
Caravan – time period used to explain a bunch touring collectively
Cassette Toilet – bathroom with a small holding tank. widespread in smaller Class B campers
Chassis – the body your RV is constructed on
Chucking – motion of an unbalanced RV whereas touring. Think bucking bronco.
Class A – type of drivable RV that appears like a flat nosed college bus or constitution bus
Class A Diesel Motorhome – see Class A – particularly fueled by diesel
Class B – van type motorhome
Class C – type of motorhome the place the entrance appears to be like like a field truck with a mom’s attic
Coach – see motorhome
Cockpit – entrance of a motorhome the place the driving force and entrance passenger seat are positioned
COE – abbreviation for Army Corp of Engineers
Control Panel – panel positioned contained in the RV the place you management the RV’s techniques (local weather, lights, energy) and the place your tank gauges are positioned
Converter – converts 120 volt AC energy into 12 volt DC energy
Coupler – a part of the tongue or A-Frame of a journey trailer that attaches to the Ball Hitch of the tow automobile
Diesel Puller – diesel powered motorhome with the engine positioned within the entrance
Diesel Pusher – diesel powered motorhome with the engine positioned within the rear
Dinghy – automobile towed behind a motorhome
Dispersed Camping – tenting on federal land often with no hook-ups. additionally see Boondocking
Dry Weight – weight of the RV new from the manufacturing facility. No objects, water, gasoline, or passenger weight
DSI Ignition (Direct Spark Ignition) – technique of igniting the primary burner on a propane gasoline equipment
Dually – pick-up truck with 4 rear wheels
Ducted A/C – air-con provided by ducts within the ceiling or all through the RV
Ducted Heat – warmth is provided by ducts within the ceiling, flooring, or all through the RV
Dump Station – location the place you may legally dump your waste water from the black and grey tanks
Electrical Connector – hyperlinks the facility from the tow automobile to the trailer whereas touring for such issues like your lights
Enclosed Underbelly – RV the place the underside has been closed off or insulated for temperature management and/or exterior injury
Engine – supplies energy to your motorhome
Engine Oil Cooler – warmth exchanger the place engine oil is handed by to be cooled by airflow. typically utilized by vehicles hauling a heavier load to extend engine life
Equalizing Hitch – see Weight Distribution System
Extended Stay – campground that enables for prolonged stays usually lowering the speed (month-to-month vs nightly website)
FB – abbreviation for Front Bath
Fifth Wheel RV – type of towable RV the place the hitch is contained in the mattress of a pick-up truck
Fireplace – present in newer RV floorplans positioned in the lounge works as an electrical heater
Fiver – one other title for a Fifth Wheel
FK – abbreviation for Front Kitchen
FL – abbreviation for Front Living
Flat-Towing – type of towing a automobile with all 4 wheels on the bottom with out the usage of a tow dolly
FMCA (Family Motor Coach Association) – membership membership of motor coach homeowners
FRED – FRont Engine Diesel – see Diesel Puller
Free Standing Dinette – Dining space with chairs
Fresh Water Capacity – quantity of recent water your RV can maintain
Fresh Water Tank – Tank that shops recent water to your RV when not linked to a spigot
Front Galley – RV floorplan the place the kitchen is within the entrance portion of the RV
Front Kitchen – identical as Front Galley
Front Living – RV floorplan the place the lounge is within the entrance portion of the RV
Front Sleeping – RV floorplan the place the master suite is positioned within the entrance portion of the RV
Fuel Type – kind of gasoline used to your motorhome; both fuel or diesel
Full-Hookup – website that has hook-ups to your water, electrical, and sewer
Full-Timer – describes an individual who lives within the RV all 12 months
Fur-Babies – time period of endearment used to explain one’s pets
Galley – Kitchen
Gaucho – couch or dinette bench that converts to a sleeping space
GAWR (Gross Axel Weight Rating) – whole weight allowed on every axel together with the axel, tires, wheels, and brakes
GCWR (Gross Combination Weight Rating) – whole allowable weight of a tow automobile together with trailer, occupants, gasoline, private objects, and hitch
Generator – fuel, propane, or diesel powered machine that generates 120-volt energy usually utilized by RVers when boondocking or no energy pedestal is offered
Genny – one other time period for generator
Glamping – tenting in luxurious, corresponding to with the usage of an RV
Gooseneck – kind of hitch used on Fifth Wheel campers
Gray Water Capacity – capability of the grey water tank
Gray Water Tank – tank that holds the waste water out of your sinks and bathe
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) – most weight allowed for a automobile together with chassis, physique, engine, gasoline, fluids, occupants, and private objects
Hard-Sided – partitions of an RV fabricated from aluminum or one other exhausting floor
Heat Exchanger – machine that transfers warmth. Example: The Furnace
Height – high most level (often an air situation unit) to backside (floor) measurement of an RV
High Profile – RV design in Fifth Wheel campers permitting for increased than regular inside top, often present in entrance dwelling floorplans
Hitch – connection between a tow automobile and an RV or a motorhome and a towed automobile
Hitch Capacity – most towing capability of hitch, measured in kilos
HP – abbreviation for Horsepower
Holding Tanks – tanks underneath an RV that maintain your black waste, grey waste, and recent water individually
Honey Pot – transportable waste water tank
Honey Wagon – truck or trailer that may come to your campsite to empty your waste water tanks
Hook-Up – time period referring to connecting your camper to the obtainable facilities at a campground
Hose Bib – recent water faucet or spigot offering recent water
House Battery – battery in an RV that powers the 12-volt electrical system in your RV
HR – abbreviation for Holiday Rambler, a well-liked motorhome producer
Hula Skirt – mud flap alongside the rear of an RV – sways like a hula skirt whereas driving giving it the title
Interior Height – flooring to ceiling measurement contained in the RV
Invertor – converts 12-volt DC energy to 120-volt AC energy
Island Queen – RV bed room floorplan with a queen sized mattress with strolling room on both facet
Jack-Knife – 90 diploma angle on the hitch level created by poor turning of a tow automobile with trailer
Jack-Knife Sofa – RV couch or sofa that may be opened as much as create a sleeping space
King Pin Support – extra gear for Fifth Wheel RV’s that will increase stability
King Pin Weight – precise weight urgent down on a fifth wheel hitch by the trailer
KOA (Kampgrounds of America) – franchise of RV parks
Laminated Walls – time period referring to the outside partitions of the RV. Usually body, Styrofoam, fiberglass sheeting, after which laminated
Length – furthest ahead level to furthest rear level together with bumpers and any hitch
Leveling Jacks – gear used to stage the RV on the bottom when stationary
Livability Package – objects obtainable to hire to equip an RV to be used as a substitute of buying. Term discovered when renting an RV
Loft Bed – mattress or sleeping space positioned above one other room. Generally over the cockpit of a motorhome
LP Gas (Liquid Petroleum) – one other title for propane
MH – abbreviation for Motorhome
Mods – RV slang for Modifications performed to an RV by the proprietor
Moochdocking – RV time period used to explain tenting on somebody’s non-public property or residence usually with a backyard hose and 15amp energy twine
Mother’s Attic – space positioned over the driving force cockpit of a Class C motorhome usually used for storage or a loft mattress
Motorhome – type of drivable RV
Murphy Bed – mattress that’s hinged on one finish to fold up vertically alongside a wall when not in use
NADA – abbreviation for National Automotive Dealer’s Association
Newbie – time period referring to somebody who’s new to the RV world
Non-Potable Water – water that isn’t secure for consumption however could also be used for cleansing of holding tanks
NPS – abbreviation for National Park Service
OEM – abbreviation for Original Equipment Manufacturer, corresponding to for substitute elements
OK – abbreviation for Outside Kitchen
Park Model – particular camper kind designed to be stationary
Part-Timer – time period used for those who use their RV for greater than the occasional trip, however don’t stay in it 12 months spherical
Pilot Light – small standby flame used to to gentle the primary burner of a gasoline fired equipment corresponding to an RV range
Pin Weight – see King Pin Weight
PO – abbreviation for Pop-Up Camper
Pop-Up Camper – most light-weight type of camper. recognized by it’s tent like partitions when fully expanded
Porpoising – the up and down movement of a camper whereas driving. Like a dolphin swimming.
Potable Water – water that’s secure for consumption
Primitive Camping – see boondocking, frequent time period for tent tenting
Pull-Thru – time period used to explain a campsite which you can pull by as a substitute of backing into
RB – abbreviation for Rear Bath
RE – abbreviation for Rear Entertainment
Rear Kitchen – RV floorplan the place the kitchen is within the again portion of the camper
Rear Living – RV floorplan the place the dwelling space is within the again portion of the camper
Rear Sleeping – RV floorplan the place the master suite is within the rear portion of the camper
Receiver Hitch – see Hitch
Reefer – RV slang for fridge that operates in 2 or 3-way working modes (propane, 120-volt, or 12-volt)
Rig – time period used to check with a motorhome
RK – abbreviation for Rear Kitchen
RL – abbreviation for Rear Living
RV (Recreational Vehicle) – automobile or trailer that features facilities like cooking space, sleeping space, and dwelling space
RVDA – abbreviation for Recreational Vehicle Dealer’s Association
RVIA – abbreviation for Recreational Vehicle Industry Association
RV License – particular license some states require to drive an RV
Safety Chains – set of chains connected from the tow automobile to the trailer near the hitch meant to maintain the trailer connected to the tow automobile within the case of a hitch failure
Schoolie – RV time period used for a faculty bus that has been transformed into an RV
Sealed Underbelly – see Enclosed Underbelly
Self Contained – time period used to explain an RV that may keep in a single day with no exterior hook-ups
Shore Cord – electrical twine connecting the RV to Shore Power or a Generator
Shore Power – electrical connection offered on the pedestal of a campground
Site – designated space of a campground {that a} camper rents to be used
Skylight – Plexiglass lined opening on the ceiling of an RV designed to permit pure gentle in. Commonly discovered within the bathe
Sleeping Capacity – the variety of areas for sleeping in an RV. (instance – dropping a dinette desk to make a mattress)
Slide-In – type of RV particularly designed to slip into the mattress of a pick-up truck
Slide-Outs – increasing partitions of an RV designed to extend the inside area
Slider – RV time period for sliding hitch
Sliding Hitch – Fifth Wheel hitch designed for brief mattress pick-up vehicles permitting them to soundly tow a Fifth Wheel camper
Snowbird – time period referring to an individual who leaves a cooler local weather within the winter to hunt hotter climate throughout the cooler months
SS – abbreviation for Super Slide
Stick and Bricks – time period used to check with a conventional dwelling
Stinky Slinky – RV time period used to explain the waste water hose
Super Slide – time period used to explain one giant slide out on an RV
Sway Bar System – gear connected on the hitch designed to cut back facet to facet movement of a towable RV whereas driving
TH – abbreviation for Toy Hauler
Theater Seating – RV seating possibility within the dwelling space designed like a movie show type seat with recliners positioned in entrance of the TV
Toad – see Dinghy
Tongue Jack – jack that’s mounted on the entrance of a towable RV used to lift and decrease the entrance for leveling and connecting to the tow automobile
Tongue Weight – precise weight urgent down on the hitch ball
Tow Rating – most weight a tow automobile can haul safely
Toy Hauler RV – type of RV distinguished by its potential to haul leisure gear like bikes, bicycles, ATV’s inside the RV. Identified by a storage within the rear of the RV
TPMS (Tire Pressure Mounting System) – in-built or after market system that displays the situation and strain in your tires with a monitor or alert system within the cab for the driving force
Travel Trailer RV – type of towable RV recognized by a hitch that attaches to the bumper of a tow automobile
TV – abbreviation for Tow Vehicle
Umbilical Cord – wire or twine offering energy from the tow automobile to the trailer for touring
Underbelly – backside floor of an RV
Walkable Roof – function on some RV’s with bolstered construction that enables an individual to stroll on the roof
Weekenders – Term used to explain RVers that primarily use their RV on the weekends
Weekend Warrior – see Weekender
Weight Distribution System – system designed to take the load from the tongue and distribute it to the entrance of the tow automobile
Wet Bath – RV rest room design with the bathe on the high and bathroom with lid on the backside of a single room. Common in smaller RV’s such because the Class B
Wheel Base – horizontal distance between the facilities of the entrance and rear axel
Width – facet to facet measurement of the RV when slides are in and the automobile is ready for driving down the street
Winterizing – the method of getting your RV prepared for colder climate
This is an ever evolving and altering record. Just like our language, there are at all times new phrases and slang being created and added. As we hear and study issues, we are going to replace our dictionary.
We anticipate that this record will show useful whether or not you’re perusing the web for help in your subsequent challenge or trying to buy an RV. If you realize of something now we have left off the record, please ship us an electronic mail and tell us!
Don’t neglect to learn our Top 10 Boondocking Esstentials!