RV and Camping Glossary

Embarking on the journey of RVing and camping introduces enthusiasts to a unique set of terminologies. This glossary encompasses over 100 essential terms to enhance your understanding and enrich your outdoor adventures.

A

• A-Class Motorhome: A large, bus-like RV built on a commercial chassis, offering luxurious amenities.
• A/C: Abbreviation for air conditioning.
• AC Power: Alternating Current electricity supplied by a generator or shore power.
• Accessory Battery: Battery that powers the RV’s living area, separate from the engine battery.
• Air Brakes: Braking system using compressed air, common in larger RVs.
• Air Suspension: System using airbags to provide a smoother ride.
• Amp: Short for ampere, a unit of electric current.
• Arctic Package: Insulation enhancements for RVs designed for cold-weather use.
• Axle Ratio: The ratio between the driveshaft and the rear axle, affecting towing capacity.

B

• B-Class Motorhome: Also known as campervans; smaller, van-like RVs.
• Back-In Site: Campsite where the RV must be reversed into position.
• Basement: Storage area beneath the main living area of a motorhome.
• Battery Bank: Multiple batteries connected to increase power capacity.
• Black Tank: Holding tank for toilet waste.
• Boondocking: Camping without hookups; also known as dry camping.
• Brake Controller: Device that manages the electric brakes of a towed trailer.
• Breakaway Switch: Safety device that activates trailer brakes if it detaches from the tow vehicle.
• BTU: British Thermal Unit; measures heating or cooling capacity.
• Bunkhouse: Sleeping area with multiple beds, often in a stacked configuration.

C

• Campground: An area designated for camping, with facilities and amenities.
• Caravan: A British term for a travel trailer.
• Chassis: The base frame of a motorhome.
• Class B Motorhome: A campervan built on a van chassis.
• Class C Motorhome: An RV built on a truck chassis with an over-cab sleeping area.
• Converter: A device that changes AC power to DC power.
• Curb Weight: The weight of an RV without passengers or cargo.

D

• Dinette: A dining area that often converts into a sleeping space.
• Dry Weight: The weight of an RV without fuel, water, or cargo.
• Dump Station: A facility for emptying RV waste tanks.

E

• Electric Hookup: A campsite connection providing electrical power to the RV.
• Expandable Trailer: A towable RV with extendable sleeping areas.

F

• Fifth-Wheel Trailer: A large trailer towed by a truck using a hitch mounted in the truck bed.
• Fresh Water Tank: The tank that holds potable water for the RV.
• Full Hookup: A campsite offering water, electricity, and sewer connections.

G

• Galley: The kitchen area in an RV.
• Generator: A device that produces electricity for the RV when hookups aren’t available.
• Gray Water Tank: The holding tank for wastewater from sinks and showers.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The maximum allowable weight of an RV, including all cargo and passengers.

H

• Hitch: The device that connects a tow vehicle to a trailer.
• Holding Tanks: Tanks that store fresh water and wastewater.
• Hookups: Connections to external utilities like water, electricity, and sewer.

I

• Inverter: A device that converts DC power to AC power.
• Island Bed: A bed accessible from both sides, not positioned against a wall.

J

• Jackknife Sofa: A sofa that folds flat to create a bed.
• Jacks: Devices used to level and stabilize an RV.

K

• Kingpin: The pivot point on a fifth-wheel trailer that attaches to the hitch.
• Kitchen Slide: A slide-out section that expands the kitchen area.

L

• Leveling Blocks: Devices placed under wheels to level the RV.
• Loft Bed: An elevated bed, often found above the driver’s area in motorhomes.
• LP Gas: Liquefied petroleum gas used for heating and cooking.

M

• Motorhome: A self-propelled RV with living accommodations.
• Murphy Bed: A bed that folds into the wall when not in use.

N

• No Slide: An RV without expandable sections.
• Nose Cap: The front exterior section of a trailer.

O

• Overhang: The portion of the RV that extends beyond the wheels.
• Outdoor Kitchen: A cooking area located on the exterior of the RV.

P

• Park Model: A stationary RV designed for long-term placement.
• Payload Capacity: The maximum weight of cargo an RV can carry.
• Pilot: The driver of the RV.
• Pop-Up Camper: A lightweight trailer with collapsible sides.
• Propane: A fuel source used in RVs for heating and cooking.
• Pull-Through Site: A campsite that allows RVs to drive through without backing up.

Q

• Quiet Hours: Designated times in campgrounds when noise must be kept to a minimum.
• Quick Disconnect: A fitting that allows for easy and rapid disconnection of propane appliances.

R

• Rear Kitchen (RK): An RV floor plan featuring the kitchen at the rear of the unit.
• Recreational Vehicle (RV): A motorized or towable vehicle combining transportation and temporary living quarters.
• Rig: Slang for an RV or setup, including the tow vehicle and trailer.
• Roof Vent: An opening in the RV’s roof allowing for ventilation and airflow.
• RV Park: A designated area where RVs can park overnight or for extended periods, often with hookups.

S

• Shore Power: Electricity provided to the RV from an external source, like a campground hookup.
• Slide-Out: A section of the RV that extends outward to increase interior space.
• Stabilizer Jacks: Devices used to level and stabilize an RV when parked.
• State Park: A park managed by a state government, often offering camping facilities.
• Sway Bar: A device that helps control and reduce trailer sway while towing.
• Solar Access: The ability of a solar energy system to receive sunlight without obstruction.
• Solar Cell: A device that converts sunlight into electricity, typically made of silicon.
• Solar Charger: A device that uses solar panels to convert sunlight into electrical energy for charging batteries.
• Solar Collector: A device that captures solar energy for heating purposes.
• Solar Constant: The average amount of solar radiation received per unit area at the Earth’s atmosphere.
• Solar Cooker: A device that uses sunlight to cook food.
• Solar Cycle: The approximately 11-year cycle of solar activity, including variations in sunspots and solar flares.
• Solar Declination: The angle between the rays of the sun and the plane of the Earth’s equator.
• Solar Energy: Energy harnessed from the sun’s radiation.
• Solar Farm: A large-scale installation of solar panels for generating electricity.
• Solar Flare: A sudden eruption of energy on the sun’s surface.
• Solar Gain: The increase in temperature in a space or structure due to solar radiation.
• Solar Inverter: A device that converts DC electricity from solar panels into AC electricity.
• Solar Irradiance: The power per unit area received from the sun.
• Solar Lamp: A lighting device powered by solar energy.
• Solar Panel: A panel designed to absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity.
• Solar Power: Electricity generated using solar energy.
• Solar Radiation: The emission of energy from the sun in the form of electromagnetic waves.
• Solar Thermal Energy: Energy obtained by capturing heat from the sun.
• Solar Tracker: A device that orients solar panels toward the sun to maximize energy capture.
• Solar Water Heating: A system that uses solar energy to heat water.
• Stand-Alone Power System: An off-grid system generating electricity independently, often using solar panels.
• Sun Path: The apparent movement of the sun across the sky.
• Sun Tracker: A device that follows the sun’s movement to optimize the performance of solar panels.
• Sustainable Energy: Energy obtained from sources that are renewable and have a low environmental impact.

T

• Tail Swing: The distance the rear of an RV swings out during turns.
• Tow Dolly: A trailer used to tow a vehicle behind an RV.
• Toy Hauler: An RV with a garage area for transporting recreational vehicles or equipment.
• Travel Trailer: A towable RV that hitches to a vehicle’s bumper or frame.
• Truck Camper: A camper unit mounted onto the bed of a pickup truck.

Y

• Yurt: A circular tent-like structure used as a glamping accommodation.

Z

• Zoning: Designated areas within a campground for specific types of camping or activities.