Had been you conscious that RV’s include their very own vocabulary? Among the RV Slang and Acronyms crossover from different industries. However different’s are distinctive to simply 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 information of those phrases, slang, and acronyms can assist in a number of methods. Not solely will you may have a greater understanding of your rig. However it is 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 amenities in case your RV is older than 10 years
A/C – Air Conditioner
Adjustable Ball Mount – peak adjustable ball on the hitch permitting the ball and tongue peak 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 – normally a zinc rod used to stop corrosion in a metal sizzling water tank
Arctic Package deal – optionally available 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) hooked up to a steel 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 impression on tow scores 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 beneath your RV’s dwelling space which is accessible from the surface cupboards.
BH – abbreviation for Bunkhouse
Black Water Capability – Quantity of waste water out of your bathroom that your black water tank can maintain
Black Water Tank – Tank beneath the RV that holds the waste water out of your bathroom
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 just isn’t on website
Boondocking – a method of RV’ing with no hook-ups
Sales space Dinette – Eating desk with opposing benches
Brake Controller – machine within the tow automobile that applies trailer brakes on the similar time the tow automobile brakes
Breakaway Swap – 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. Amount of warmth required to boost 1lb of water 1 diploma. Heaters, furnaces, and RV air-conditioners are BTU rated.
Bunkhouse – RV floorplan model that has bunkbeds
Burn Ban – regulation, regulation, or rule indicating that you simply can’t have a campfire typically seen in arid climates just like the desert
CCC (Cargo Carrying Capability) – max weight of private objects you’ll be able to 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 Aspect – passenger facet of an RV referring to the facet of your campsite designed on your outside actions
Caravan – time period used to explain a bunch touring collectively
Cassette Bathroom – 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. Suppose bucking bronco.
Class A – model 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 model motorhome
Class C – model of motorhome the place the entrance seems to be 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 situated
COE – abbreviation for Military Corp of Engineers
Management Panel – panel situated contained in the RV the place you management the RV’s programs (local weather, lights, energy) and the place your tank gauges are situated
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 situated within the entrance
Diesel Pusher – diesel powered motorhome with the engine situated 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 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 equipped by way of ducts within the ceiling or all through the RV
Ducted Warmth – warmth is equipped by way of ducts within the ceiling, flooring, or all through the RV
Dump Station – location the place you’ll be able to legally dump your waste water from the black and grey tanks
Electrical Connector – hyperlinks the ability 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 way of to be cooled by airflow. typically utilized by vehicles hauling a heavier load to extend engine life
Equalizing Hitch – see Weight Distribution System
Prolonged Keep – campground that permits for prolonged stays typically lowering the speed (month-to-month vs nightly website)
FB – abbreviation for Entrance Bathtub
Fifth Wheel RV – model of towable RV the place the hitch is contained in the mattress of a pick-up truck


Fire – present in newer RV floorplans situated in the lounge works as an electrical heater
Fiver – one other title for a Fifth Wheel
FK – abbreviation for Entrance Kitchen
FL – abbreviation for Entrance Dwelling
Flat-Towing – model 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
Recent Water Capability – quantity of recent water your RV can maintain
Recent Water Tank – Tank that shops recent water on your RV when not related to a spigot
Entrance Galley – RV floorplan the place the kitchen is within the entrance portion of the RV
Entrance Kitchen – similar as Entrance Galley
Entrance Dwelling – RV floorplan the place the lounge is within the entrance portion of the RV
Entrance Sleeping – RV floorplan the place the master suite is situated within the entrance portion of the RV
Gas Kind – kind 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) – whole weight allowed on every axel together with the axel, tires, wheels, and brakes
GCWR (Gross Mixture Weight Score) – whole 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 typically utilized by RVers when boondocking or no energy pedestal is out there
Genny – one other time period for generator
Glamping – tenting in luxurious, equivalent to with using an RV
Gooseneck – kind 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
Laborious-Sided – partitions of an RV product of aluminum or one other arduous floor
Warmth Exchanger – machine that transfers warmth. Instance: The Furnace
Top – high most level (normally an air situation unit) to backside (floor) measurement of an RV
Excessive Profile – RV design in Fifth Wheel campers permitting for larger than regular inside peak, normally present in entrance dwelling 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 beneath 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 accessible 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 title
Inside Top – 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 Couch – RV couch or sofa that may be opened as much as create a sleeping space
King Pin Help – 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 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 – gear used to stage the RV on the bottom when stationary
Livability Package deal – objects accessible to lease 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 situated above one other room. Typically over the cockpit of a motorhome
LP Fuel (Liquid Petroleum) – one other title for propane
MH – abbreviation for Motorhome
Mods – RV slang for Modifications carried out to an RV by the proprietor
Moochdocking – RV time period used to explain tenting on somebody’s personal property or residence typically with a backyard hose and 15amp energy twine
Mom’s Attic – space situated over the driving force cockpit of a Class C motorhome typically used for storage or a loft mattress
Motorhome – model 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 Seller’s Affiliation
Beginner – time period referring to somebody who’s new to the RV world
Non-Potable Water – water that’s not secure for consumption however could also be used for cleansing of holding tanks
NPS – abbreviation for Nationwide Park Service
OEM – abbreviation for Authentic Tools Producer, equivalent to for alternative components
OK – abbreviation for Exterior Kitchen
Park Mannequin – particular camper kind 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 Gentle – small standby flame used to to gentle the primary burner of a gasoline fired equipment equivalent to an RV range
Pin Weight – see King Pin Weight
PO – abbreviation for Pop-Up Camper
Pop-Up Camper – most light-weight model 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 Tenting – see boondocking, widespread time period for tent tenting
Pull-Via – time period used to explain a campsite you could pull by way of as a substitute of backing into
RB – abbreviation for Rear Bathtub
RE – abbreviation for Rear Leisure
Rear Kitchen – RV floorplan the place the kitchen is within the again portion of the camper
Rear Dwelling – 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 confer with a motorhome
RK – abbreviation for Rear Kitchen
RL – abbreviation for Rear Dwelling
RV (Leisure Car) – automobile or trailer that features facilities like cooking space, sleeping space, and dwelling space
RVDA – abbreviation for Leisure Car Seller’s Affiliation
RVIA – abbreviation for Leisure Car Trade Affiliation
RV License – particular license some states require to drive an RV
Security Chains – set of chains hooked up from the tow automobile to the trailer near the hitch meant to maintain the trailer hooked up 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 Twine – electrical twine connecting the RV to Shore Energy or a Generator
Shore Energy – electrical connection supplied on the pedestal of a campground
Web site – designated space of a campground {that a} camper rents to be used
Skylight – Plexiglass coated 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 – model 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 vehicles 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 in the course of the cooler months
SS – abbreviation for Tremendous Slide
Stick and Bricks – time period used to confer with a standard dwelling
Smelly Slinky – RV time period used to explain the waste water hose
Tremendous Slide – time period used to explain one massive slide out on an RV
Sway Bar System – gear hooked up 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 model seat with recliners situated 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 – model of RV distinguished by its skill to haul leisure gear 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 driving force
Journey Trailer RV – model of towable RV recognized by a hitch that attaches to the bumper of a tow automobile
TV – abbreviation for Tow Car
Umbilical Twine – 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 permits 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 burden from the tongue and distribute it to the entrance of the tow automobile
Moist Bathtub – RV toilet design with the bathe on the high and bathroom with lid on the backside of a single room. Widespread 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
That is an ever evolving and altering checklist. Similar 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 venture or seeking to buy an RV. If you already know of something we now have left off the checklist, please ship us an e mail and tell us!