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A RV User's Dictionary AAmp
Amp is short
for ampere, the electric current unit of measure. RV sites with electric hookup
will specify the maximum amps supported, which generally come in units of 20,
30, or 50 amps. The RV power connector must match the various plugs of the site
amp rating. Articulation
Point
A joint between
two objects which allows movement. In the case of RV’s, an articulation point
is where two vehicles are coupled together by a ball or fifth wheel hitch. When
a truck is pulling a travel trailer or fifth wheel, a single articulation point
exists. If a boat is towed behind the trailer then two articulation points
exist. Awning
A roof-like
structure made of canvas or other artificial materials which extends from the
RV body to provide shade. Awnings are generally placed over entrances. Some
extend and stow manually while others are operated electrically. BBack In
A slot in an RV
park with a single entrance, designed to be backed into with the RV. Basement
The storage
compartment of RV’s under the main living area. Basements are generally found
on motor homes and fifth wheel trailers. Batwing
Antenna
TV antenna on
the roof on an RV characterized by two horizontal elements. Batwing antennas
are generally raised and rotated with a hand crank from inside the RV living
compartment. Black
Tank
Holding tank
connected to the toilet, designed to hold sewage until it can be dumped into a
septic system. Black
Water
Waste water
from the toilet; sewage. See also Black Tank Boondocking
Strictly speaking,
boondocking is camping far away from civilization without any facilities such
as water or electricity; roughing it. In a more general sense it has come to
mean camping or parking anywhere without facilities, relying strictly on the
comforts provided by the RV. Many RVers refer to spending the night in an
interstate rest area, shopping center parking lot, or truck stop, as
boondocking. Brake
Controller
Electronic
device mounted in the tow vehicle to control the trailer brakes. It is
connected to the tow vehicle brake system to sense when braking needs to be
applied to the trailer. It has a lever for manually engaging the trailer
brakes. Breakaway
Switch
An electrical
switch on trailers designed to engage the breaks in case the trailer breaks
away from the tow vehicle. The switch is connected by a cable to the tow
vehicle. Breakaway is detected when the switch cable is pulled out during
vehicle separation. Bump-Out
See Slide
Bumper
Pull Trailer
See Travel
Trailer Bus
Conversion
A passenger bus
converted to an RV. CCabover
This term can
refer to one of two things: 1) a Class C motor home, or 2) the sleeping area
which is over the cab in Class C motor homes and truck campers. For an example
of each, see and Truck Camper. Camper
Another term
for an RV, especially smaller RV’s that are towed behind or carried on top of
light trucks. Truckers generally refer to all RV’s as “campers” in their CB
conversations. Camper
Trailer
See Folding
Trailer Camper
Van
See Class B
Cargo
Weight
Cargo Weight is
the actual weight of all items added to the Curb Weight of the vehicle or
trailer. This includes personal cargo, optional equipment, and Tongue or King
Pin Weight.
See CB Radio
Citizens Band
radio is a general use, short distance, two-way radio primarily used by
truckers. CB's are also helpful to RV drivers to call for help in an emergency
and listen for driving conditions. Many CB's on the market today also have
weather channels with alerting features. See Commercial
Drivers License The frame of a
vehicle or motor home including the engine, transmission, drive train, axles,
and wheels. When referring to a van or truck, the chassis also includes the
cab. Battery in
motor homes and tow trucks for operating the engine and vehicle components. Gas
engine vehicles generally have one chassis battery and diesels two. Also
referred to as the starting battery. A motor home
built on a stripped truck chassis where the driving compartment is an integral
part of the RV interior. Class A motor homes look like busses. A motor home
created from a mini van. Most models have raised roofs, but otherwise the
living space is constrained by the dimensions of the van. A motor home
built on a cut-away van or truck chassis, including the cab. It differs from
the class A motor home in that the class C uses the cab designed for the
chassis. A vehicle with
enclosed passenger accommodations. In the broadest sense of the term, coach can
be applied to most recreational vehicles. When used by itself, it usually
refers to a motor home, most likely a Class A. License issued
by states to drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMV). Some states require
special licensing or endorsements for large RV's, but a commercial driver's
license (CDL) is rarely required for non-commercial RV's. Federal Motor
Carrier Safety Administration definition: A commercial motor vehicle is any
self-propelled or towed motor vehicle used on a highway in interstate commerce
to transport passengers or property when the vehicle: (1) has a gross vehicle
weight rating (GVWR) or gross combination weight rating (GCWR)—or a gross
vehicle weight (GVW) or gross combination weight (GCW)—of 4,536 kilograms
(10,001 pounds) or more, whichever is greater; or (2) is designed or used to transport
more than 8 passengers, including the driver, for compensation; or (3) is
designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver,
whether or not it is used to transport passengers for compensation; or (4) is
used in transporting material found by the Secretary of Transportation to be
hazardous under 49 U.S.C. 5103 and transported in a quantity requiring
placarding under regulations prescribed by the Secretary under 49 CFR, Subtitle
B, Chapter I, Subchapter C. See Travel
Trailer See Class B
A device that
converts alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) used to charge the RV
batteries and to operate 12 volt DC devices while plugged into an AC source. Curb Weight is
the actual weight of a vehicle or trailer, including all standard equipment, full
fuel tanks, full fresh water tanks, full propane bottles, and all other
equipment fluids, but before taking on any persons or personal cargo. See Pusher
See Toad
A feature of
new propane appliances whereby the gas is ignited by an electrical spark and
monitored electronically. One′s
fixed and permanent legal residence. Among RV owners, this generally refers to
the state of legal residence. Difference between domicile and residence,
as explained by the State of New York Court of Appeals: Residence means living in a particular locality, but domicile
means living in that locality with intent to make it a fixed and permanent
home. Residence simply requires bodily presence as an inhabitant in a given
place, while domicile requires bodily presence in that place and also an
intention to make it one′s domicile. See Dual
Rear Wheels See Dual
Rear Wheels Camping in an
RV without external water or sewer hookups. Dry Weight is
the actual weight of a vehicle or trailer containing standard equipment without
fuel, fluids, cargo, passengers, or optional equipment. A truck having
two wheels on each side of the rear axle for a total of four wheels. See Dual
Rear Wheels Facilities for
emptying gray and black water from the RV holding tanks. A device
installed on the engine which causes deceleration by restricting the exhaust
gases. Exhaust brakes are used to supplement the service brakes of a vehicle
and to increase stopping power. Especially useful to slow heavy loads down
steep grades. Gauge
indicating engine exhaust gas temperature as measured by a probe inserted into
the gas flow. Temperature is generally measured directly after the exhaust
manifold or after the turbo. Useful in preventing engine overheating. A trailer and
hitch configuration connected to the tow truck directly above the rear axle by
way of a special fifth wheel hitch. This causes several feet of the connected
trailer to hang over the tow truck, placing about 15 to 25% of the trailer’s
weight on the rear axle of the truck. Commercial trucks and trailers use this
hitch configuration. Also commonly spelled as 5th wheel. See Fifth
Wheel Abbreviation
for Fair Market Value. Small,
light-weight trailer that folds or collapses into a low profile, suitable for
towing behind light vehicles such as cars, SUV’s, and mini pickup trucks. Tank for
holding fresh water for drinking, cooking, and bathing while not connected to a
city water supply. An RV site with
water, electric, and sewer facilities. A person living
full-time in an RV, having no other home. The kitchen in
an RV. See Pusher
Gross Axle
Weight (GAW) is the actual weight placed on a single axle. Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR) is the maximum number that the GAW of a single axle should
never exceed. Gross
Combination Weight (GCW) is the actual weight of the fully loaded tow vehicle
plus the towed vehicle (trailer, car, boat, etc.), including all cargo, fluids,
passengers, and optional equipment. Gross
Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the maximum number that the tow vehicle GVW
plus towed vehicle GVW (or GTW) should never exceed. A trailer and
hitch configuration connected to the tow truck directly above the rear axle by
way of a standard ball hitch in the truck bed and a vertical, slender arm on
front of the trailer. Gooseneck hitching is common on horse and utility
trailers, but rarely found on RV’s. A device that
attaches to the fifth wheel trailer's king pin and extends down about two feet.
It couples with a ball hitch mounted in the bed of a truck, enabling the fifth
wheel to be towed like a gooseneck trailer. The degree of
inclination of a road. A grade of 6% or higher is considered steep. Holding tank
connected to the sinks and shower, designed to hold waste water until it can be
dumped into a septic system. Waste water
from the sinks and shower. See also Gray Tank Gross Trailer
Weight (GTW) is the same as Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) when referring to a
trailer. Gross Vehicle
Weight (GVW) is the actual weight of the fully loaded vehicle or trailer,
including all cargo, fluids, passengers, and optional equipment, as measured by
a scale. Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) is the maximum number that the GVW or GTW should never
exceed. Truck rating
originally conceived to indicate cargo carrying capacity of a half ton (1,000
lbs). Today, tonnage rating is no longer an accurate indication of cargo
carrying capacity—it is more of a relational indication among trucks in
different categories. Common one ton pickup truck models are the Chevrolet
1500, Dodge 1500, Ford F-150, and GMC 1500. Truck body
installed on a chassis in place of a bed, designed to tow or haul various
loads. Most hauler backs look like a typical car wrecker without the lift.
Hauler backs intended for RV towing have a flat surface and a hitch installed
above the rear axle. Common options added to hauler backs are storage
compartments and tool boxes. Commercial
truck designed for heavy duty. Heavy trucks are suitable for towing the
heaviest of trailers, though they are rarely used for RV towing. A few examples:
semi trucks, Chevrolet Kodiak C8500, Ford F-750, GMC TopKick C8500. Euphemism for
the sewage pumping truck. Honey wagons are used to empty RV holding tanks in
places where full hookups and dump stations are not available. One or more
batteries in a recreational vehicle for operating the 12 volt lights,
appliances, and systems. House batteries can be 12 volt units tied in parallel
or pairs of 6 volt batteries tied in series (to double the voltage). The term house
battery is of more significance in motor homes because they contain one or
more other batteries for the operation of the engine, referred to as the chassis
or starting batteries. A device that
converts direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) for powering AC
equipment while the RV is not plugged into an AC source. Typical DC sources are
batteries and solar panels. Abbreviation
for Internet Service Provider The pin by
which a fifth wheel trailer attaches to the truck. It slides into the fifth
wheel hitch and locks in place. King Pin Weight
(also called Pin Weight) is the actual weight pressing down on the fifth wheel
hitch by the trailer. The recommended amount of King Pin Weight is 15%-25% of
the GTW. A jack lowered
from the underside of trailers and motor homes for the purpose of leveling the
vehicle. A leveling jack is designed to bear a significant portion of the RV’s
weight, even lifting it off the ground on certain models. Personal truck
designed for light duty, typically rated at one ton and below. Light trucks are
suitable for towing small to medium trailers. A few examples: Chevrolet
Silverado 3500, Ford F-250, Dodge RAM 1500. Liquefied
Petroleum Gas, commonly written as "LP gas". Two examples of LPG are
propane and butane. LPG is heavier than air in gas form and about half the
weight of water in liquid form Commercial
truck designed for medium duty, typically rated above one ton. Medium duty
trucks are built with heavier frames, brakes, and transmission compared to
light trucks. A few examples: Chevrolet Kodiak C4500, Ford F-450/F-550,
International 4200. See Motor
Home See Class C
See Motor
Home A motor vehicle
built on a truck or bus chassis and designed to serve as self-contained living
quarters for recreational travel. Also commonly spelled as motorhome. Manufacturer
Suggested Retail Price Net Carrying
Capacity (NCC) is the maximum amount of persons, personal cargo, optional
equipment, and Tongue or King Pin weight that can be added to an RV. The
formula for NCC is GVWR - UVW. NCC differs slightly from the more widely used
"payload" term, by including full fresh water and propane tank
weights. Truck rating originally
conceived to indicate cargo carrying capacity of one ton (2,000 lbs). Today,
tonnage rating is no longer an accurate indication of cargo carrying
capacity—it is more of a relational indication among trucks in different
categories. Common one ton pickup truck models are the Chevrolet 3500, Dodge
3500, Ford F-350, and GMC 3500. A travel
trailer that requires park facilities to function. It lacks holding tanks and
dual-voltage appliances, requiring to be plugged into water, sewage, and electrical
facilities. A park model is more of a small mobile home than a recreational
vehicle, in appearance and function. Payload is a
weight rating. It is the maximum weight that persons plus cargo should never
exceed. Payload
capacities generally are computed by subtracting the curb weight of the vehicle
from its specified Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). The addition of any
optional equipment or passengers adds to the vehicle weight and subtracts from
the allowable payload.
See Folding
Trailer A slot in an RV
park with an entrance and an exit, designed to pull the RV in one end and out
the other, without having to back up. Motor home with
rear mounted engine. Most pushers are equipped with diesel engines, but some
gas engine models are also available. A set of gears
found in the rear axle of vehicles, designed to distribute drive shaft power to
the two wheels. It applies power to both wheels while allowing each to spin at
different rates during cornering. Vehicle or
trailer with living accommodations used for traveling and recreational
activities. Rear Gross Axle
Weight (GAW) is the actual weight placed on the rear axle. Rear Gross Axle
Weight Rating (RGAWR) is the maximum number that the GAW of the rear axle
should never exceed. Special
equipment or gear used for a particular purpose. In the RV world it generally
refers to an RV or truck. A boating term
adopted by the RV community to mean an electrical power hookup supplied to the
RV by a fixed, external source (not by a portable generator). A full hookup RV
site has shore power. See Truck Camper See Slide
A compartment
added to an RV to increase interior space. It slides into the body during
travel and slides out when parked. A person who
moves from cold weather to warm in an RV, generally staying a season. A device
containing an array of solar cells, which convert sunlight to electricity.
Typically mounted on the roof of RV’s and used for charging the batteries. See Toy
Hauler A jack inserted
under or lowered from trailers and motor homes for the purpose of stabilizing
the vehicle. A stabilizing jack is not designed to bear a significant
portion of the RV’s weight, only a small amount to reduce movement during occupancy.
Stabilizing jacks are generally found toward the back of trailers, under the
king pin of fifth wheels, and under some slides. See Chassis
Battery Slang for the
sewer hose, constructed from a spiral wire covered with vinyl. One end attaches
to the RV piping and the other into the local sewer dump facilities. See Travel
Trailer See Folding
Trailer See Folding
Trailer Truck rating
originally conceived to indicate cargo carrying capacity of three quarter tons
(1,500 lbs). Today, tonnage rating is no longer an accurate indication of cargo
carrying capacity—it is more of a relational indication among trucks in
different categories. Common three quarter ton pickup truck models are the
Chevrolet 2500, Dodge 2500, Ford F-250, and GMC 2500. A vehicle towed
behind the RV. That which was "towed". A jack lowered
from the frame of a travel trailer, directly behind the tongue, for the purpose
of leveling the trailer. A tongue jack is designed to bear a significant
portion of the trailer’s weight, called the Tongue Weight (10% - 15%
recommended). See Tongue
Weight Tongue Weight
(also called Tongue Load) is the actual weight pressing down on the hitch ball
by the trailer. The recommended amount of Tongue Weight is 10%-15% of the GTW. The term toy
hauler is applied to both fifth wheels and travel trailers, and it
describes an RV designed to carry toys—small cars, dune buggies, four wheelers,
motorcycles, etc. Distinguishing features of a toy hauler is the large door in
the back which opens down to create a ramp, dedicated garage area or fold-away
furniture in the main living compartment, and often a third axle to support the
heavy toys. A towable
trailer that hitches onto a ball mount on the tow vehicle and designed as
living quarters for recreational travel. See Travel
Trailer Living
quarters designed to slide into the bed of a truck. The camper is fastened to
the truck frame during transport and slides out onto its own legs at the camp
site. Wiring harness
which connects the trailer to the tow vehicle during transport. The umbilical
cord supplies the trailer with DC power for charging the batteries and
operating DC equipment. It also operates the trailer brakes and signal lights. Unloaded
Vehicle Weight (UVW) is the weight of a vehicle as manufactured at the factory.
It includes full engine and generator fuel tanks and fluids, if applicable. It
does not include cargo, water, propane, or dealer-installed accessories.
It may or may not include factory installed options. Be aware that some
manufacturers weigh each unit to determine UVW, while others provide only the
average or estimated weight for each model. See Class B
Device
installed on water hose attached to city water to limit the water pressure
entering the RV. Most regulators limit water pressure to 40 psi. A ball hitch
system that distributes some of the tongue weight to all axles of the tow
vehicle and trailer. With standard ball hitches, all of the tongue weight rests
on the tow vehicle’s rear axle; the weight-distributing hitch uses spring
tensioned bars to distribute it among the axles. This provides more weight on
the front axle for better steering control, and less weight on the rear axle to
allow towing a heavier trailer that may otherwise overload the rear axle. Distance
between the center of the front and rear wheels of a vehicle, usually expressed
in inches. An RV having an
external body width greater than 96 inches (8 feet). The most common wide-body
widths are 100" and 102". Also widebody. The process of
introducing non-toxic antifreeze into the water lines of an RV for winter
storage to prevent freezing and line breaks. Technology that
enables computers equipped with wireless network cards (also called WiFi) to
connect to the Internet without requiring wired connections such as phone lines
or cables. This service generally requires an additional fee and a sing-up
process. A person living
in an RV and working. Many spell it as “workamper” after the web site and
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