Have been you conscious that RV’s include their very own vocabulary? A number of the RV Slang and Acronyms crossover from different industries. However different’s are distinctive to only the RV World.
We’ve put collectively an RV dictionary of types. Whether or not you’re new to RV’s or have been doing this for years, freshening up your data of those phrases, slang, and acronyms might help in a number of methods. Not solely will you could have a greater understanding of your rig. However it’s going to help you in understanding blogs and boards about RV’s.
10 12 months Rule – rule by some RV resorts and parks indicating that you simply can’t 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 tools to the suspension system of a tow automobile or RV to behave as a shock absorber
Anode Rod – normally a zinc rod used to stop corrosion in a metal scorching water tank
Arctic Package deal – non-obligatory package deal for RV’s growing insulation and including tank heaters for an prolonged tenting season
Auxiliary Battery – Further Battery to run your 12-volt stuff
Awning – materials (normally 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 affect on tow rankings and capacities
Again-Up Monitor – Digital 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 – Giant storage space below your RV’s residing space which is accessible from the surface cupboards.
BH – abbreviation for Bunkhouse
Black Water Capability – Quantity of waste water out of your rest room that your black water tank can maintain
Black Water Tank – Tank below the RV that holds the waste water out of your rest room
BLM – abbreviation for US Bureau of Land Administration
Blue Boy – transportable waste water tank used to move waste water from an RV to a dump station when the hook-up is just not on website
Boondocking – a method of RV’ing with no hook-ups
Sales space Dinette – Eating desk with opposing benches
Brake Controller – system within the tow automobile that applies trailer brakes on the identical time the tow automobile brakes
Breakaway Change – security swap that applies the trailer brakes in case your trailer turns into unhitched from the tow automobile.
BTU (British Thermal Unit) – A measurement of warmth. Amount of warmth required to boost 1lb of water 1 diploma. Heaters, furnaces, and RV air-conditioners are BTU rated.
Bunkhouse – RV floorplan fashion that has bunkbeds
Burn Ban – regulation, regulation, or rule indicating that you simply can’t have a campfire usually seen in arid climates just like the desert
CCC (Cargo Carrying Capability) – max weight of private objects you possibly can add to your RV together with storage
Cab – see Cockpit
Cab-Over – see Mom’s Attic
Captain’s Chair – driver’s seat of a motorhome
Camper Van – see Class B
Camp Facet – passenger facet of an RV referring to the facet of your campsite designed on your out of doors actions
Caravan – time period used to explain a gaggle touring collectively
Cassette Bathroom – rest room with a small holding tank. fashionable in smaller Class B campers
Chassis – the body your RV is constructed on
Chucking – motion of an unbalanced RV whereas touring. Assume bucking bronco.
Class A – fashion of drivable RV that appears like a flat nosed faculty bus or constitution bus
Class A Diesel Motorhome – see Class A – particularly fueled by diesel
Class B – van fashion motorhome
Class C – fashion of motorhome the place the entrance appears like a field truck with a mom’s attic
Coach – see motorhome
Cockpit – entrance of a motorhome the place the motive force and entrance passenger seat are positioned
COE – abbreviation for Military Corp of Engineers
Management 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-Body 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 Tenting – tenting on federal land normally with no hook-ups. additionally see Boondocking
Dry Weight – weight of the RV new from the manufacturing unit. 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 equipped by ducts within the ceiling or all through the RV
Ducted Warmth – warmth is equipped by ducts within the ceiling, flooring, or all through the RV
Dump Station – location the place you possibly can 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 harm
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 vans hauling a heavier load to lengthen engine life
Equalizing Hitch – see Weight Distribution System
Prolonged Keep – campground that enables for prolonged stays usually decreasing the speed (month-to-month vs nightly website)
FB – abbreviation for Entrance Tub
Fifth Wheel RV – fashion of towable RV the place the hitch is contained in the mattress of a pick-up truck
Fire – present in newer RV floorplans positioned in the lounge works as an electrical heater
Fiver – one other identify for a Fifth Wheel
FK – abbreviation for Entrance Kitchen
FL – abbreviation for Entrance Residing
Flat-Towing – fashion of towing a automobile with all 4 wheels on the bottom with out using a tow dolly
FMCA (Household Motor Coach Affiliation) – membership membership of motor coach house owners
FRED – FRont Engine Diesel – see Diesel Puller
Free Standing Dinette – Eating space with chairs
Contemporary Water Capability – quantity of recent water your RV can maintain
Contemporary Water Tank – Tank that shops recent water on your RV when not linked to a spigot
Entrance Galley – RV floorplan the place the kitchen is within the entrance portion of the RV
Entrance Kitchen – identical as Entrance Galley
Entrance Residing – RV floorplan the place the lounge is within the entrance portion of the RV
Entrance Sleeping – RV floorplan the place the master suite is positioned within the entrance portion of the RV
Gas Sort – sort of gasoline used on your motorhome; both gasoline or diesel
Full-Hookup – website that has hook-ups on your water, electrical, and sewer
Full-Timer – describes an individual who lives within the RV all yr
Fur-Infants – 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 Score) – complete weight allowed on every axel together with the axel, tires, wheels, and brakes
GCWR (Gross Mixture Weight Score) – complete allowable weight of a tow automobile together with trailer, occupants, gasoline, private objects, and hitch
Generator – gasoline, 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, akin to with using an RV
Gooseneck – sort of hitch used on Fifth Wheel campers
Grey Water Capability – capability of the grey water tank
Grey Water Tank – tank that holds the waste water out of your sinks and bathe
GVWR (Gross Car Weight Score) – most weight allowed for a automobile together with chassis, physique, engine, gasoline, fluids, occupants, and private objects
Arduous-Sided – partitions of an RV manufactured from aluminum or one other exhausting floor
Warmth Exchanger – system that transfers warmth. Instance: The Furnace
Top – prime most level (normally an air situation unit) to backside (floor) measurement of an RV
Excessive Profile – RV design in Fifth Wheel campers permitting for increased than regular inside top, normally present in entrance residing floorplans
Hitch – connection between a tow automobile and an RV or a motorhome and a towed automobile
Hitch Capability – most towing capability of hitch, measured in kilos
HP – abbreviation for Horsepower
Holding Tanks – tanks below 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 can come to your campsite to empty your waste water tanks
Hook-Up – time period referring to connecting your camper to the out there facilities at a campground
Hose Bib – recent water faucet or spigot offering recent water
Home Battery – battery in an RV that powers the 12-volt electrical system in your RV
HR – abbreviation for Vacation 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 identify
Inside Top – ground 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 Couch – RV couch or sofa that may be opened as much as create a sleeping space
King Pin Help – extra tools 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 Partitions – time period referring to the outside partitions of the RV. Often body, Styrofoam, fiberglass sheeting, after which laminated
Size – furthest ahead level to furthest rear level together with bumpers and any hitch
Leveling Jacks – tools used to degree the RV on the bottom when stationary
Livability Package deal – objects out there to hire to equip an RV to be used as a substitute of buying. Time period discovered when renting an RV
Loft Mattress – mattress or sleeping space positioned above one other room. Usually over the cockpit of a motorhome
LP Gasoline (Liquid Petroleum) – one other identify 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
Mom’s Attic – space positioned over the motive force cockpit of a Class C motorhome usually used for storage or a loft mattress
Motorhome – fashion of drivable RV
Murphy Mattress – mattress that’s hinged on one finish to fold up vertically alongside a wall when not in use
NADA – abbreviation for Nationwide Automotive Vendor’s Affiliation
Beginner – 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 Nationwide Park Service
OEM – abbreviation for Authentic Gear Producer, akin to for alternative components
OK – abbreviation for Outdoors Kitchen
Park Mannequin – particular camper sort designed to be stationary
Half-Timer – time period used for those who use their RV for greater than the occasional trip, however don’t dwell in it yr spherical
Pilot Mild – small standby flame used to to gentle the primary burner of a gasoline fired equipment akin to an RV range
Pin Weight – see King Pin Weight
PO – abbreviation for Pop-Up Camper
Pop-Up Camper – most light-weight fashion of camper. recognized by it’s tent like partitions when utterly 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 Tenting – see boondocking, widespread time period for tent tenting
Pull-Via – time period used to explain a campsite you could pull by as a substitute of backing into
RB – abbreviation for Rear Tub
RE – abbreviation for Rear Leisure
Rear Kitchen – RV floorplan the place the kitchen is within the again portion of the camper
Rear Residing – RV floorplan the place the residing 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 seek advice from a motorhome
RK – abbreviation for Rear Kitchen
RL – abbreviation for Rear Residing
RV (Leisure Car) – automobile or trailer that features facilities like cooking space, sleeping space, and residing space
RVDA – abbreviation for Leisure Car Vendor’s Affiliation
RVIA – abbreviation for Leisure Car Business Affiliation
RV License – particular license some states require to drive an RV
Security 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 Wire – electrical twine connecting the RV to Shore Energy or a Generator
Shore Energy – electrical connection supplied on the pedestal of a campground
Website – 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. Generally discovered within the bathe
Sleeping Capability – the variety of areas for sleeping in an RV. (instance – dropping a dinette desk to make a mattress)
Slide-In – fashion 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 house
Slider – RV time period for sliding hitch
Sliding Hitch – Fifth Wheel hitch designed for brief mattress pick-up vans permitting them to securely 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 through the cooler months
SS – abbreviation for Tremendous Slide
Stick and Bricks – time period used to seek advice from a conventional dwelling
Smelly Slinky – RV time period used to explain the waste water hose
Tremendous Slide – time period used to explain one giant slide out on an RV
Sway Bar System – tools connected on the hitch designed to scale back facet to facet movement of a towable RV whereas driving
TH – abbreviation for Toy Hauler
Theater Seating – RV seating possibility within the residing space designed like a movie show fashion 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 boost and decrease the entrance for leveling and connecting to the tow automobile
Tongue Weight – precise weight urgent down on the hitch ball
Tow Score – most weight a tow automobile can haul safely
Toy Hauler RV – fashion of RV distinguished by its potential to haul leisure tools like bikes, bicycles, ATV’s inside the RV. Recognized by a storage within the rear of the RV
TPMS (Tire Strain Mounting System) – inbuilt or after market system that screens the situation and stress in your tires with a monitor or alert system within the cab for the motive force
Journey Trailer RV – fashion of towable RV recognized by a hitch that attaches to the bumper of a tow automobile
TV – abbreviation for Tow Car
Umbilical Wire – wire or twine offering energy from the tow automobile to the trailer for touring
Underbelly – backside floor of an RV
Walkable Roof – characteristic on some RV’s with strengthened construction that enables an individual to stroll on the roof
Weekenders – Time period 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
Moist Tub – RV lavatory design with the bathe on the prime and bathroom with lid on the backside of a single room. Frequent 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 highway
Winterizing – the method of getting your RV prepared for colder climate
That is an ever evolving and altering checklist. Identical to our language, there are at all times new phrases and slang being created and added. As we hear and be taught issues, we’ll replace our dictionary.
We anticipate that this checklist will show useful whether or not you’re perusing the web for help in your subsequent mission or trying to buy an RV. If you understand of something we have now left off the checklist, please ship us an e-mail and tell us!
