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RV Glossary

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U W

A height adjustable ball mount allows the ball and tongue height to be properly matched between tow vehicle and trailer.
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Not the one in your steering wheel. Airbags in the suspension system of a truck or RV act as shock absorbers, a pump system allows for higher pressure to accommodate a load. Higher end RVs can also run Air Over Hydraulic leveling systems allowing better leveling when on soft or uneven ground.
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An anode rod is used for protection against corrosion in a steel hot water heater's tank. They should be inspected annually.
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Also referred to as a Polar Package. - An optional package typically combining extra insulation and tank heaters for extended season camping. An Arctic Pack-equipped RV is not necessarily safe for four season camping without other preparations such as skirting and heated water hookups.
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An extra 12-volt battery is a popular option among dry campers (boondockers) to ensure they have enough power to run fans and lighting while camping away from shore power. These are especially useful for people who have installed solar panels.
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The relationship between the rotation of the driveshaft and the rear (or drive) axle(s). Axle ratios have a large impact on tow ratings.
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A video camera and display to assist in backing up or trailer hookup. Systems are available as a vehicle mounted system or a trailer mounted system.
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Supports the hitch ball and connects the trailer coupler. Ball mounts come in two types: load carrying and weight distribution.
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An RV with large storage areas typically under a raised chassis providing “basement” storage.

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Wastewater (sewage) from the toilet. Usually contained in a Black Water Holding Tank mounted beneath the floor of an RV.
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A portable wastewater tank used by RVers in sites with only water/power hookups. Typically around 40 gallons a blue boy allows wastewater to be transported to the dump station without having to break camp and move the RV.
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Remote or Dry Camping in an RV without access to electric, water, or sewer hookups; aka self-contained camping.
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The living space in a motorhome.

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A vehicle-mounted control unit for the trailer's brakes allowing them to work with the tow vehicle's brakes. Brake controllers can be adjusted to adjust the trailer brakes sensitivity or to actuate the brakes manually.
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A safety device to activate the trailer's brakes in the event that it disconnects from the tow vehicle.
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Heating and air conditioning units are rated in BTU. A BTU is the amount of energy needed to heat one pound of water by one degree.
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A condition where the front suspension bottoms out on the jounce bumpers (rubber stops that limit suspension travel) and that energy is transferred back into the steering system. This may cause the wheels to actually move off track or just be felt in the steering wheel through the steering column.
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Rarely seen in modern trucks, this refers to a hitch ball which screws directly into the bumper. Nearly all RVs require a receiver-mounted hitch that attaches directly to the frame of the vehicle.
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Colloquialism for towing a travel trailer or pop-up with a conventional receiver and ball mounted to the rear of the tow vehicle. Bumper pull as opposed to a fifth wheel setup (or gooseneck) in the bed of a truck.
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An RV with bunk beds, sometimes in the main living space or in some instances in a separate room.
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The part of a Class C overhanging the vehicle’s cab, usually containing a sleeping bunk or storage area. Some manufacturers are now offering an entertainment center instead of a bunk.

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A removable unit over the bed of a pickup truck.
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RVers traveling together as a group.
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A toilet with a small holding tank. Popular in Class B vans, the tank can be removed from outside the vehicle and emptied at a rest stop eliminating the need to find a dump station.
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The 12-volt battery in a motorhome that runs the electric components of the drivetrain.
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An RV build on a straight or drop rail frame. Class A’s typically have a flat front end with gas engines located in the front and diesels in the rear. Diesel Class A’s are known as pushers. Class A coaches are available in front or mid-entry and even some toy hauler floor plans are available.

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AKA a Camper Van. Class B’s are built within a van body, sometimes with a raised roof. With all the systems available in a larger motorhome, a Class B is considered by many as an ideal adventure vehicle as they are small enough to get around town and typically accepted by HOA covenants. These flexible coaches are a great choice for short trips or Full Timing.

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An RV built on a van cutaway chassis, typically with a bed that overhangs the cab area. Known as a "mini" or "mini-motorhome" Class C’s are a great entry point into motorhome ownership for many people.

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Motorhomes are often referred to as a coach.
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The front areas of a motorhome where the controls are located and the driver and passenger sit.

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Converts 120-volt-AC power into 12-volt DC power when an RV is hooked up to shore power. The 12-volt system in an RV runs many lights, sometimes the refrigerator and other accessories like sound systems.
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The part of the tongue or a-frame of a trailer that attaches to the ball.
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The weight of an RV including all standard equipment, full fuel tanks, full fresh water tanks, full propane bottes, and all other equipment fluids. This is typically an actual weight taken without passengers or personal cargo. We suggest reading your manufacturer's definition carefully because there can be some variation between RV brands as to what's included in this weight. Curb weight is important to calculating cargo carrying capacity(payload). See also UVW: Unloaded Vehicle Weight and Dry Weight.
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Also referred to as Camp Side. This is the passenger side of an RV, the side that faces the curb when parked.
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A diesel motorhome with the engine in the front. This would be very rare as it typically refers to Class A motorhomes. It is more common to see a front engine diesel in a Class C.
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Another name for a diesel-powered motor coach with its engine in the back.

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A booth dining area, sometimes two benches or a U-shape. Most dinettes convert into a bed.

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Acronym 'DW' the manufacturer's listing of the approximate weight of the RV with no supplies, water, fuel or passengers.
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Direct Spark Ignition, used in propane-fired appliances. Burners are lit with an electric spark and monitored by a flame sensor.
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RV lights and appliances run on 12-volt power when self-contained and utilize a converter when run on shore power or an electric generator.
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A pickup truck with four tires on one rear axle.
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Air conditioning supplied through a ducting system located in the RV's ceiling equipped with various vents to supply cooling air.
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Warm air via the furnace supplied through a ducting system located on the RV’s floor.
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An underground sewage system located at a campground or other facility offering dump service to RV travelers.
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A heat exchanger, similar to a small radiator, where engine oil passes through and is cooled by airflow. Trucks towing a heavy load may use an Engine Oil cooler to prolong engine life and help keep the engine within its ideal operating temperature range.
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A hitch utilizing spring bars placed under tension to distribute a portion of the trailer's hitch weight to the tow vehicle's front axle and the trailer's axles (also known as 'weight-distributing hitch').
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Towable trailers coupled to a special hitch mounted in the bed of a truck over the rear axle. These trailers can have one to three axles and are the largest in the towable class. Due to hitch requirements, they can only be towed by trucks or specialized vehicles prepared for fifth-wheel trailer compatibility.

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The reduction ratio found in the gearset located farthest from the engine (also known as 'axle ratio').
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Slang for a fifth wheel trailer.
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Abbreviation for Family Motor Coach Association.
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A hitch bolted to the vehicle frame or cross members. This hitch may have a permanent ball mount or may have a square-tube receiver into which a removable hitch bar (or shank) may be installed.
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Potable Water, water suitable for human consumption.
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Accommodations in a campground offering fresh water, sewer/septic and electricity; can also refer to an RV with the ability to utilize a full hookup.
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Living in one's RV all year long.
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The kitchen of an RV.

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Slang for a motorhome with a rear engine running on gasoline.
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Sofa/dinette bench that converts into a sleeping unit.

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Gross Axle Weight Rating, the manufacturer rating for the maximum allowable weight an axle is designed to carry. Applies to tow vehicle, travel trailer, fifth wheel and motorhome axles.
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Gross Combination Weight Rating, the maximum allowable weight of the tow vehicle and towable, or motorhomes and dinghy. This number includes the weight of both vehicle and towable, cargo, passengers and a full load of fluids (water, fuel, etc).
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Brand name for an auxiliary transmission designed to give the driver control of the vehicle's gear ratio and be able to split gears for peak performance while simultaneously having an overdrive.
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An electrical device powered by gasoline or diesel fuel (and sometimes propane) for generating 120-volt AC power.

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Abbreviation for generator set.
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A type of hitch used on fifth wheel trailers, Goosenecks are common for farm and construction equipment but do not generally offer the same stability as a standard fifth wheel pin and capture plate setup. People tend to use a gooseneck only when the truck needs to pull double duty.
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Used water from kitchen sink, bathroom sink and shower. This water drains into the gray water holding tank located under the main floor of the RV.
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Gross Trailer Weight Rating, the maximum allowable weight of a trailer, fully loaded with cargo and fluids.
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Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, the total allowable weight of a vehicle including passengers, cargo fluids and hitch weight.
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RV walls made of aluminum or another hard surface.
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A device that transfers heat from one source to another; e.g., your furnace. Propane flame and combustion products are contained inside the heat exchanger that is sealed from the inside area. Inside air is blown over the exchanger's surface, where it is warmed and blown through the RV's ducts to heat the inside of the RV. Combustion gases vent into outside air.
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An electrical heating element located in the air conditioning system with the warm air distributed by the air conditioner fan and ducting system. They are typically 1500 watt elements merely functioning to 'take the chill off'.
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A fifth-wheel trailer with a higher-than-normal interior space in the front cap allowing more than six feet of standing room so the average-height person can walk around without ducking.

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The fastening unit joining a moveable vehicle to the vehicle pulling it.
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The amount of weight imposed directly on the hitch when the towable is coupled (also known as 'tongue weight'). For a travel trailer, hitch weight is approximately 10-15 percent of overall weight; for a fifth wheel it is usually 18-20 percent. Also referred to as tongue weight on a bumper pull trailer of pin weight on a fifth wheel.
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Tanks retaining wastewater when the RV is not connected to a sewer. Gray water tank holds wastewater from sinks and shower; black water tank holds wastewater from the toilet.
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Electrical, water and sewer connections in a campground. If all three are available, it is called a full hookup. Hookups may also include wifi and cable TV in some campgrounds.
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Battery or batteries in a motorhome that operate the 12-volt system independent of the chassis batteries.

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Abbreviation for 'horsepower'.
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Abbreviation for 'Holiday Rambler', a well-known motorhome manufacturer.
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A type of skirt accessory with fringe RVers can use on their motorhome͛s back end to aid in the protection from debris thrown by the rear wheels into the vehicles behind them or being towed by them.
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A unit changing 12-volt direct current to 110-volt alternating current to allow operation of various items such as computers and TVs when an RV is not hooked up to electricity.
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A queen-size bed with walking space on three sides.

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90 percent angle created by turning towable with tow vehicle. Warning: jackknifing a short bed truck towing a fifth wheel without the use of a slider hitch or extended pin box can result in severe damage to the truck.
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Kampgrounds of America, a franchise chain of RV parks across North America offering camping facilities.
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A sandwich of structural frame members, paneling, insulation and exterior covering adhesive-bonded under pressure and/or heat to form an RV's walls, floor and/or roof.
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The act of positioning an RV in camp to be level, using ramps (AKA levelers) under the wheels, built-in scissor jacks or power-leveling jacks.
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A mechanism designed to limit the speed and torque differences between its two outputs, ensuring torque is distributed to both drive wheels even when one is on a slippery surface.
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Items available for rent to equip a motorhome for daily living as opposed to buying or being brought from home. Can include bed linens, pillows, blankets, towels, pots, pans, utensils and cutlery.
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Abbreviation for Liquid Petroleum Gas; aka propane, bottled gas, LPG and CPG.

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Abbreviation for 'motorhome'.
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A motorhome on a 'bus-type' chassis.
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Abbreviation for National Automotive Dealer's Association.
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Net Carrying Capacity, maximum weight of all supplies, food, fresh water and passengers (if applicable) derived from subtracting the UVW from the GVWR.
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Water not suitable for human consumption.
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Abbreviation for Original Equipment Manufacturer designated as such on replacement parts.
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Type of travel trailer designed for permanent parking. It is shorter in length than a mobile home but generally has equal amenities. Also known as ‘Destination Trailer’.

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RVers who use their RV for longer than normal vacation time but less than a year.
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The maximum allowable weight placed in or on a vehicle including cargo, passengers, fluids plus any towable hitch loads.
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A small standby flame used to light the main burner of a propane-fired appliance once the appliance is turned on. Pilots can be found in furnaces, water heaters, refrigerators, ovens and stove tops.
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RV campground slang for 'get-together', generally associated with 'pitching-in' by bringing a dish to share.
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Abbreviation for 'pop-up' camper.
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A room that 'pops out' of an RV for additional living space commonly found on older RVs prior to the popularity of slide-out rooms.
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Folding camping trailer.

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The up-and-down motion of an RV.
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Camping without the conveniences of full hookup facilities (also known as 'dry camping' or 'boondocking').
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LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas), used in RVs for heating, cooking and refrigeration (also known as 'bottle gas').
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Slang most often used for front-mounted diesel engine motorhomes.
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A campsite allowing the driver to pull into the site to park, then pull out to leave without backing up.
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Slang most often used for rear engine diesel motorhomes.
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The portion of a hitch permitting insertion of a hitch bar or shank. It may be either 11/2-, 15/8- or 2-inch square. The smallest is coined as a 'mini-hitch'.
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RV slang for refrigerator in either a 'two-way' or 'three-way' operating mode. Two-way functions on LP gas and AC electricity; three-way functions on gas, AC or 12-volt battery.
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What many RVers call their RVs.
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A lack of ability to maintain the motorhome in a straight line of travel without constant back and forth motion on the steering wheel.
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Cooling apparatus strategically placed above an RV's living area to keep RV occupants comfortable. Depending upon size, some RVs can have up to three units.
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Abbreviation for Recreational Vehicle, the generic term for any vehicle containing living accommodations.
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Abbreviation for Recreational Vehicle Dealer's Association.
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Abbreviation for Recreational Vehicle Industry Association.
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A set of chains attached to a trailer’s A-frame that must be connected to the tow vehicle. They’re intended to keep the trailer attached to the tow vehicle in the event of hitch failure. Should be installed in an X-pattern to keep the coupler from dragging on the road if a separation occurs.
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An enclosure attaching to an RV’s exterior to enable a ‘bug-free’ outside experience. Some screen rooms have a canvas-type roof for rain protection as well.

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An RV with the ability to park anywhere overnight needing no exterior connections to provide short-term cooking, bathing and heating.
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AKA hitch bar or stinger, the shank is a removable portion of the hitch system sliding into a receiver that houses the ball or adjustable ball mount.
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The external electrical cord connecting the RV to a campground hookup.

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Electricity provided to the RV by an external source (such as a campground hookup) other than the RV battery(s).
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See Slide-out.
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A type of truck camper mounting on a truck as it 'slides in' to the truck bed.
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Additional living space that ‘slides out’ when the RV is set up for camping, sliding mostly by electricity or hydraulics, but sometimes manually.

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Slang for slider-hitch.
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A hitch used on short bed trucks enabling them to tow fifth wheels that allows the truck sufficient clearance to jackknife the fifth wheel.
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Someone from a northern climate who heads south in winter months.
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Side panels on pop-up tent campers or expandable travel trailers for sleeping quarters. They’re usually constructed of canvas or vinyl and mesh netting.

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Component parts of a weight-distributing hitch system installed and tensioned in such a manner as to distribute a portion of the trailer's hitch weight to the tow vehicle's front axle and the axles of the trailer.
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See shank.
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Brakes positioned in the hitch coupler to detect when your vehicle is stopping or slowing to activate trailer brakes hydraulically.
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Fishtailing action of the trailer setting the trailer's mass into a side-to-side motion, also known as 'yaw'. The trailer's wheels serves as the axis or pivot point.
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Devices designed to dampen a trailer's swaying action via a friction system or a 'cam action' system to slow and absorb the movement between tow vehicle and trailer.
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The act of a motorhome's back end to 'fishtail' out when turning sharply. Normally occurs in motorhomes with short wheel bases and long overhangs behind the rear axle. Awareness of the potential for tail swings is the key to prevention.
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The last RV or vehicle in a caravan.
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Compacting from front to back and/or top to bottom (such as folding down a pop-up) to make the camper smaller for towing and storage.
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A device monitoring the pilot flame of a propane appliance. If the pilot flame becomes extinguished the thermocouple activates to shut off the flow of gas to both pilot flame and main burner.
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Fridge that can operate on propane, electric power or battery.
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A tow car or dingy towed behind a motor home.
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Same as hitch weight, it's the pounds imposed upon the hitch at the point of coupling.
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Simply put, it's the towing device to attach your drive-around-town vehicle to your motorhome that keeps all four wheels on the road.
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AKA Maximum Tow Rating, it's the maximum weight limit that can be towed by your vehicle according to the vehicle's manufacturer. Maximum Tow Rating is based upon several criteria including engine size, transmission, axle ratio, brakes, chassis, cooling systems and other special equipment. Some ratings will impose limits on overall trailer length and frontal area of the trailer as well as weight.
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A car towed by a motorhome so you can go to places your motorhome can't, like Lombard Street in San Francisco.
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An exposed, open-air attachment generally located on the front of a travel trailer to carry motorcycles, ATVs and more.

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An RV with the ability to take your motorcycles, ATVs and more. Toy haulers are mostly fifth wheels but can be found in travel trailers and select Class A and C motorhomes.

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Brakes built into a trailer axle system so when you hit the brakes in your vehicle, the trailer brakes work as well.
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A heat exchanger to aid in preventing your engine from overheating as transmission fluid passes through it to be cooled by airflow.
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travel trailer

Any camper with an A-frame hitch system at its front needing a tow vehicle to move it. They can have from one to three axles and, depending upon weight, mostly towed by a truck or SUV with some light enough to be towed by a car.

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Three vehicles linked together, usually a truck-fifth wheel/trailer-boat combination. Be super careful regarding both maximum tow rating and the laws of the state(s) where you're camping.
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Abbreviation for Television or Tow Vehicle, your choice.
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The power cable connecting your RV to a campground’s electrical hook-up or the wiring harness connecting your tow vehicle to the trailer so you have brake lights, electric brakes and some juice to charge your trailer’s batteries.
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Everything located under the floor of an RV.
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Uniform Tire Quality Grade Labeling, it’s an acronym created by the government (hence why its so long) that stands for a system to classify tires in terms of treadwear, traction and heat resistance. Each manufacturer does the testing then labels their tires. As it is, RV tires are good for about six years.
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Unloaded Vehicle Weight, the weight of a towable or motorhome without installed options and completely empty of fuel, water, or any supplies.
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The leader who guides a caravan of friends and family in their respective RVs on an excursion.
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Slang for Wal-Mart, makes you sound hip at campgrounds when you use it.
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The dead weight hitch, so basically any hitch system accepting the entire hitch weight of the trailer directly on the hitch.
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AKA an equalizing hitch, they're hitch systems utilizing spring bars placed under tension to distribute some of the trailer's hitch weight to both the tow vehicle's front axle and trailer's axles.
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The weight of an RV fully loaded, all storage and holding tanks completely full.
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RVs with widths larger than the traditional 96 inches (aka 8 feet).
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Nickname for Winnebago.
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