Since 1977
Brush up on your RV vocabulary here to sound like a seasoned pro at your next campground!
Click here to learn the definitions for different types of RV’s.
A – C
Auxiliary battery – Additional 12 volt battery. Great for dry camping or paired with solar panels.
Black water tank – Holding tank for wastewater from toilet.
Boondocking – Dry camping without hookups. Considered “off grid” camping.
Bunkhouse – An RV with bunk beds or a separate bunk room
Cab-over – The bunk or storage area of a Class C Motorhome that is above the cab.
Chassis – The frame your RV sits on, including the wheels and the engine.
Chucking – When an unbalanced RV moves back and forth while towing.
Converter– Converts 120 volt AC Power to 12 volt DC power, also charges your 12 volt battery.
D – F
Diesel pusher – A diesel motorhome with the engine located in the rear of the RV.
Dry weight – Also called Unloaded Vehicle Weight (UVW). The weight of the RV without fuel, fluids, cargo, or passengers.
DSI Ignition (Direct Spark Ignition) – Used to describe the method to ignite a propane fired appliance.
Dual Electrical System – RV equipped to operate on 12 volt battery power, and on AC current from shore power.
Dump station – Designated area for legal dumping of black and grey water tanks.
Egress window – Formal name for the emergency escape window.
Electrical connector– Links power from your towing vehicle to your RV.
Equalizer – Device designed to reduce trailer chucking.
Fresh water tank – Holding tank for fresh water for taps and showers.
Full timing – Living in your RV full time.
G – I
Generator – Device powered on gas or diesel that can generate 120-volt AC power. Also called a Genset.
Grey water tank – Holding tank for wastewater from the shower and sink.
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) – Maximum weight of an RV to ensure safe travelling, including the chassis, fluids, fuel, cargo, etc.
High Profile – A 5th wheel trailer with a higher front to allow higher ceilings inside.
Hookups– Electrical, water, and sewer connections offered by a campground. If all three are available it is called a full hookup.
Inverter – A device that changes 12-volt battery power to 120-volt AC power.
J – L
King pin– The pin used to attach a 5th wheel trailer to the tow vehicle.
Levelling jack – Located on the underbelly of your RV, it is designed to bear a significant portion of the weight and level your RV.
LP Gas – Liquid Petroleum gas, also called propane, bottled gas, LPG and CPG.
M – S
Park model – A type of RV designed to be permanently parked in one area.
Primitive site – A campsite without full hookups, or no connections at all.
Pull through site– A campsite you can drive through rather than backing into.
Shore power – Also known as AC electricity, provided by plugging directly into an electrical grid at a campsite.
Slide topper – A protective covering on top of an RV slide to prevent dirt, debris and water from collecting on top.
Snowbird – Somebody who RV’s south during the winter months.
Stabilizer jack – Device designed to reduce rocking and swaying of the RV while you are inside.
Surge protector – A device designed to prevent surges in the electrical current that could damage your RV.
Sway bar – Reduces unwanted motion while towing
T – Z
Tag axle – Additional axle on larger motorhomes to bear additional weight.
Thermocouple – A device that monitors the pilot flame of a propane appliance. If the flame goes out, the thermocouple activates the shut off the flow of gas.
Three way refrigerator – Fridge that can operate on propane, electric power and battery.
Tongue jack– Stabilizing device on the front of an RV that can be used to raise or lower the front of the trailer.
Towable – An RV that requires an tow vehicle to move.
Umbilical cord– Also called a 7 way power cord, a wiring harness that connects the trailer to the tow vehicle. Supplies trailer with power to charge batteries and operate trailer brakes and signal lights.
Water pressure regulator – Device installed on a water hose attached to city water to limit water pressure entering your RV.
Weight distribution system– Advanced hitching system that uses spring bars to leverage tongue weight and spread it across all axles evenly.
Winterizing– The system to getting your RV ready for the winter. Click here to learn how to winterize your RV!
