RV Terminology
Airstreaming: Using an Airstream travel trailer as RV of preference. Towing an Airstream travel trailer.
Anti-Sway Bar: An adjustable friction bar attached to the tow vehicle and the towed unit to decrease or prevent sway. (Not to be confused with an equalizer bar used with the equalizing hitch.)
Arctic package: An RV that has been equipped with extra insulation and heat pads for holding tanks for wintertime use. Dump valves are located in an heated area.
Axle Lock: A replacement right front axle built to free wheel the front wheel when towing (on towed car).
Axle ratio: Ratio between pinion and ring gears in the differential that multiply torque provided by the engine. It describes the number of driveline revolutions required to turn the axle one time. With a 4.10
Back-up monitor: Video camera mounted on rear of motorhome to assist the driver visually with backing up the motorhome, via a monitor mounted in the driver's compartment or in a central area of the cab where it can be viewed by the driver from the driver's seat. These monitors are usually left in the 'on' position to also assist the driver with the flow of traffic behind the motorhome and in watching a "towed" vehicle.
Basement: Referring to storage area accessible from the outside, usually from the door threshold area down.
Black tank: Holding tank of RV for storing toilet waste.
Blueboy/Blue-Boy: Term for portable waste holding tank, often this plastic tank comes in a bright shade of blue, hence the term.
Boondocking/Boon-Docking: Also known as "dry camping" and "primitive camping", camping without using the modern conveniences of hooking up to electric, sewer or water. Term also implied for folks staying at a campground, but due to short length of stay, do not hook-up to the utilities even though these utilities are provided.
Bowtie: Reference to Chevrolet because of the "bowtie" trademark.
Box: Reference to motorhome's "living space" on a class A, built from the chassis up.
Braking system: Referring to a brake system for a "towed" vehicle. Required in many states and Canadian provinces and definitely an add-on safety feature.
Break-away system: Referring to a system that allows the "towed" vehicle to 'break-away' from the towing vehicle in the event of accident, an add-on safety feature.
Bubble: Loose term for defining a variety of conditions; such as when describing the level of RV sitting. (example
Bumper-Pull: Slang term regarding the hitch or towing method for a conventional travel trailer or popup; receiver and ball-mount type hitch.
Bump Steer: A term used to describe a condition where the front axle feels to be rapidly bottoming out on the jounce bumpers and transferred back through the steering column and steering wheel. There can be several different causes to the problem with different cures for each condition. Sometimes a simple fix such as shocks or a steering stabilizer; sometimes more detailed corrections needed for correcting serious manufacturing oversights.
Caravan: A group of RVers traveling together with their various RVs. Large caravans often space RVs five minutes or so apart with CB radios used for communication between the various RVers. The end vehicle is sometimes called the "tailgunner" and is the occupants watch out for a caravan member that may have had road trouble in order to assist however possible.
Chassis Battery: Battery in motorhome for operating 12 volt components of drivetrain.
Chock: A block (usually wood or plastic) placed in front of or behind a wheel to prevent the vehicle from rolling.
Class A: Class of motorhome referring to motorhome (box) built on chassis frame up.
Class B: Class of motorhome referring to conversion vans.
Class C: Class of motorhome referring to RV built using van-type chassis and cab.
Connector: A receptacle on a tow vehicle for the trailer plug to electrically connect the trailer to the towed vehicle supplying control of the lights, brakes and charging of the trailer batteries.
Converter: A device for changing 120-volt AC into 12-volt DC electrical power.
Delam/Delamination: A term for the separation of the paneling of Filon and luan constructing a fiberglass sidewall of a RV. Usually caused by water leaks and gives the exterior fiberglass skin a 'wavy' or 'bubbled' appearance. Depending on the size of the delamination, can typically be an expensive repair. See also
Diesel Puller: Term for front engine diesel motorhome.
Diesel Pusher: Term for rear engine diesel motorhome.
Dinghy: Term for "towed vehicle", also known as "toad".
Dry Camping: Also known as "boondocking" or "primitive camping", camping without hooking up to modern utilities as such provided at most campgrounds
Dry Weight: Weight of RV without adding fluids in storage holding tanks or by loading personal effects. See also term for "wet weight".
Dump Station: Place where holding tanks can be emptied either by paying a small fee or free.
Equalizing Hitch: Hitch mounted to frame of the tow vehicle with "spring" bars that are adjustable. The adjustment levels towed vehicle and towing vehicle by transferring some of the hitch weight on the rear axle to the front axle of the tow vehicle.
Fifth Wheel Hitch (5th Wheel Hitch): A hitch mounted in the bed of a pickup or Toter to connect a 5th wheel trailer to the tow vehicle. This type hitch has a plate with a slot that the pin on the trailer slides into and then is secured by a locking bar that closes behind the pin.
Fiver: Another name for a fifth wheel trailer.
Floorplan: A rendering of an RV layout showing interior design. The following abreviations are often used to describe the basic plan
FMCA: Abbreviation for Family Motor Coach Association.
Fresh Tank: Holding tank on RV for storing fresh water.
Full Hookup: Term for campground accommodations offering water, sewer/septic and electricity; also refers to a RV with the abilities to use 'full-hookups'.
Fulltimer/Full-timer: Someone who travels/lives in a recreational vehicle most of the year.
Gas Pusher: Slang for rear gasoline engine mounted chassis on motorhome. (Very Rare)
Gear Vendor: Brand name for an auxiliary transmission designed to give the driver control of the vehicle's gear ratio and being able to split gears for peak performance and at the same time have an overdrive.
Genset: Abbreviation for generator set.
Grey Tank: Holding tank of RV for storing used dishwater/bathing water.
GAWR: Abbreviation for Gross Axle Weight Rating. The maximum allowable weight each axle is designed to carry, as measured at the tires, therefore including the weight of the axle assembly itself. GAWR is established by considering the rating of each of its components (tires, wheels, springs, axle) and rating the axle on its weakest link. The GAWR assumes that the load is equal on each side.
GCWR: Abbreviation for Gross Combined Weight Rating. The maximum allowable combined weight of the tow vehicle and the attached towed vehicle. GCWR assumes both vehicles has functioning brakes, with exceptions in some cases for very light towed vehicles, normally less than 1, 500 pounds. (Check your chassis manual or towing guide)
GVWR: Abbreviation for Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. The maximum allowable weight of the fully loaded vehicle, including liquids, passengers, cargo, and tongue weight of any towed vehicle.
Hitch Weight: Amount of a trailer's weight that rests on the tow vehicle; should be 10 to 15 percent with conventional trailers, 15 to 20 percent for fifth-wheels.
Hookups: Campground facilities for connecting an RV to 120-volt AC "shore power," water, sewer, cable TV and telephone service.
HP: Abbreviation for "horse power".
HR: Abbreviation for Holiday Rambler, a well-known RV manufacturer.
House Battery: Battery or batteries in motorhome for operating the 12-volt system within the motorhome, separate from the chassis.
Hula Skirt: Term used for a type of dirt skirt accessory some RVers use on the back of their motorhome to aid in the protection from debris thrown from their rear wheels to the vehicles directly behind them or being towed behind them. This dirt skirt is usually the length of the rear bumper and resembles a 'short' version of a Hawaiian 'hula-skirt', hence the term.
Inverter: A device for changing 12-volt DC into 120-volt AC power.
Jackknife: 90% angle obtained from turning/backing fifth wheel or travel trailer with tow vehicle. Jackknifing a short bed truck towing a fifth wheel without the use of a slider hitch or extended fifth wheel pin box can result in damage to the truck cab or breaking out the back window of the truck cab from the truck and fifth wheel "colliding".
Levelers: 1. In a motorhome these are hydraulic "jacks" that extend to level and stabilize the motorhome while parked in a campsite. 2. Blocks of wood or plastic to drive the towed vehicle tires on to level the unit - usually side to side leveling.
LP: Propane; abbreviation for liquefied petroleum gas, which is a gas liquefied by compression, consisting of flammable hydrocarbons and obtained as a by-product from the refining of petroleum or natural gas. Also called bottled gas, LPG (liquid petroleum gas) and CPG (compressed petroleum gas).
Luan: The 1/8" backing board for filon (the fiberglass sheeting use in RVs with fiberglass construction). Luan is the 'base' the filon (fiberglass) is glued on to.
MH: Abbreviation for "motorhome".
Minnie Winnie: A brand model of Class C Winnebago.
Motorcoach: Term for motorhome on "bus-type" chassis.
NADA: Abbreviation for National Automotive Dealer's Association.
NCC: Abbreviation for Net Carrying Capacity. The maximum weight of all personal belongings, occupants, food, fresh water, LP gas, tools, dealer installed accessories, etc., that can be carried by the RV (Technically, the GVWR less the UVW equals the NCC). See also "weights"
OEM: Abbreviation for "original equipment manufacturer".
Overhang: The length of a motorcoach that extends behind the rear axle.
Park Model: Type of RV that is usually designed for permanent parking but is shorter in length than a traditional mobile home. All the amenities of a mobile home but not built for recreational travel.
Part-timers: People who use their RV for longer than normal vacation time but less than one year.
Patio Mat: Carpet or woven mat for use on ground outside of RV. Used whether or not a concrete patio pad is available where camping.
Pitch-in: Term for a RV campground "get-together", usually means "pitching-in" a covered dish or casserole.
Plug: Term referring to the trailer connector that plugs into the towed vehicle "connector". (see connector)
PO: Abbreviation for "pop-up" camper.
Pop-out: Term for room or area that 'pops-out' for additional living space in RV. This type of expanded living area was more common before the technology of slide-out rooms became popular and available.
Popup/Pop-Up: Folding camping trailer.
Porpoising: A term used to define an up and down motion with a RV.
Primitive Camping: Also known as "dry camping", boondocking. Camping without the modern convenience of full-hookup facilities of city/well water, sewer/septic and electricity. Primitive campers rely on 'on-board' systems for these conveniences; generator, batteries, stored water, etc.
Puller: Slang for front engine motorhome. Term most often used to refer to front mounted gasoline engine motorhomes.
Pull-through: Term for a camping space (whether in campground or not) that only requires the driver to "pull-through" or "drive-through" to access the camping spot, and upon leaving (after camping) you again just drive forward to leave or exit the camping space.
Pusher: Slang for rear engine motorhome. Term most often used to refer to diesel engine motorhomes.
Reefer: Slang for "refrigerator". Refrigerators are often found in either a "two way" or "three way" operating mode. Two way
Road Wander: Term used to describe a lack of ability to maintain the motorhome in a straight, forward travel without constant back and forth motion of the steering wheel.
RVDA: Abbreviation for Recreational Vehicle Dealer's Association.
RVIA: Abbreviation for Recreational Vehicle Industry Association. See Also
Screen Room: Term for screen enclosure that attaches to the exterior of a RV for a "bug free" outside sitting area. Some screen rooms have a canvas type roof for rain protection as well.
Shore Power: Electricity provided by an external plug to external power source. Slide-in
Slide-out: Additional living space that "slides-out" either by hydraulics, electricity or manually, when the RV is setup for camping.
Slider: Slang for slider-hitch. See Slider-hitch.
Slider-hitch: Referring to a sliding hitch used on short bed trucks for enabling them to tow fifth wheels, allowing them sufficient clearance to jack-knife the trailer.
Snowbird: Term for someone in a northern climate that heads "south" in winter months.
Stabilizers: A mechanical device for stabilizing a trailer when camping. They may be hand crank, electric or hydraulic and are not intended to "level" the trailer, but to eliminate rocking or jiggling when camped.
Tag Axle: A non-powered axle behind the drive axle that helps support the weight of the overhang and gives you a little more GVW capacity so you don't have to put the full load on the drive axle. Most tag axles are good for supporting 4-5,000 pounds.
Tailgunner: The end RV or vehicle in a caravan.
Tailwag: The tendency of a trailer to "wag" back and forth. This is often due to improper load balance, too short a wheelbase tow vehicle, or improper hitch configuration/adjustment
Tip-out: Term for room (generally in older RVs) that "tipped-out" for additional living space once RV was parked. Newer RVs mainly use 'slide-out' rooms.
Toad: Term for a "towed" vehicle.
Toter: A custom tow vehicle used primarily to tow 5th wheel trailers. Usually these are larger than a 1-ton pickup and are used almost exclusively to tow large (over 35') 5th wheel trailers whose weights can exceed 20,000 lbs.
Toy-hauler: Term for fifth wheel, travel trailer or motorhome with built-in interior cargo space for motorcycles, bikes, etc.
Triple Towing: Triples;Term for three vehicles attached together. Usually a tow vehicle pulling a fifth wheel and the fifth wheel pulling a boat. Refer to applicable state laws before triple towing.
TT: Abbreviation for "travel trailer".
TV: Abbreviation for "tow vehicle"
Underbelly: The RV's under-floor surface, which is protected by a weatherproofed material.
UVW: Abbreviation for Unloaded Vehicle Weight. The weight of a vehicle as built at the factory with full fuel, engine (generator) oil and coolants. It does not include cargo, fresh water, LP gas, occupants or dealer installed accessories. See also "weights" (below).
Wally World: Slang term used by RVers to describe a Walmart.
Weekenders: People who own their RV's for weekend and vacation use.
Wheelbase: Distance between center lines of the primary axles of a vehicle. If a motorhome includes a tag axle, the distance is measured from the front axle to the center point between the drive and tag axles.
GAWR: Gross Axle Weight Rating. The maximum allowable weight each axle is designed to carry, as measured at the tires, therefore including the weight of the axle assembly itself. GAWR is established by considering the ratio of each of its components (tires, wheels, springs, axle) and rating the axle on its weakest link. The GAWR assumes that the load is equal on each side.
GCWR: Gross Combined Weight Rating. The maximum allowable combined weight of the tow vehicle and the attached towed vehicle. GCWR assumes both vehicles have functioning brakes, with exceptions in some cases for very light towed vehicles, normally less than 1,500 pounds. (check your chassis manual or towing guide).
GVWR: Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. The maximum allowable weight of the fully loaded vehicle, including liquids, passengers, cargo, and tongue weight of any towed vehicle.
NCC: Net Carrying Capacity. The maximum weight of all personal belongings, occupants, food, fresh water, LP gas, tools, dealer installed accessories, etc., that can be carried by the RV. (Technically, the GVWR less the UVW equals the NCC
UVW: Unloaded Vehicle Weight. The weight of a vehicle as built at the factory with full fuel, engine (generator) oil and coolants. It does not include cargo, fresh water, LP gas, occupants, or dealer installed accessories.
water (weight): 8.3 lbs. per gallon
lp gas (weight): 4.5 lbs. per gallon
driver (estimated weight): 200 lbs.
passenger (estimated weight): 120 lbs.
Wet Weight: Termed used by RVers to describe the weight of a RV with all storage and holding tanks full., i.e., water, propane, etc. See also term
Wheel Lock: A mechanical device placed between the trailer wheels to prevent the trailer from rolling. Acts as a brake when tightened against the wheels.
Wide-body: A RV that has a width exceeding eight feet. (Typically 102 inches wide)
Winnie: Nickname for Winnebago, a well-known RV manufacturer.
