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Good Sam Camping - RV terms Category: Travel and Transportation > RV glossary Date & country: 24/05/2018, USA Words: 139

Widebody
Designs that stretch RVs from the traditional 96-inch width to 100 or 102 inches.

Winnie
Nickname for Winnebago, a well-known RV manufacturer.

Winterize
To prepare the RV for winter use or storage.

Weekender's
People who own their RV's for weekend and vacation use.

Wheelbase
Distance between center lines of the primary axles of a vehicle. If a motorhome includes a tag axle, the distance is measured from the front axle to the center point between the drive and tag axles.

Wet Weight
Term used by RVers to describe the weight of a RV with all storage and holding tanks full. i.e., water, propane, etc.

Weights:
GAWR: Gross Axle Weight Rating. The maximum allowable weight each axle is designed to carry, as measured at the tires, therefore including the weight of the axle assembly itself. GAWR is established by considering the ratio of each of its components (tires, wheels, springs, and axle) and rating the axle on its weakest link. The GAWR assumes that the load is equal on each side. GCWR: Gross Combined Weight Rating. The maximum allowable combined weight of the tow vehicle and the attached towed vehicle. GCWR assumes both vehicles have functioning brakes, with exceptions in some cases for very light towed vehicles, normally less than 1,500 pounds. (check your chassis manual or towing guide). GVWR: Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. The maximum allowable weight of the fully loaded vehicle, including liquids, passengers, cargo, and tongue weight of any towed vehicle. NCC: Net Carrying Capacity. The maximum weight of all personal belongings, occupants, food, fresh water, LP gas, tools, dealer installed accessories, etc., that can be carried by the RV. (Technically, the GVWR less the UVW equals the NCC.) Payload Capacity. The maximum allowed weight that can be in or on a vehicle, including all cargo and accessories, fuel freshwater, propane, passengers and hitch loads. UVW: Unloaded Vehicle Weight. The weight of a vehicle as built at the factory with full fuel, engine (generator) oil and coolants. It does not include cargo, fresh water, LP gas, occupants, or dealer installed accessories. water (weight): 8.3 lbs. per gallon LP gas (weight): 4.5 lbs. per gallon driver (estimated weight): 200 lbs. passenger (estimated weight): 120 lbs. Gasoline: weighs 6.3 pounds per gallon Diesel fuel: weighs 6.6 pounds per gallon Propane: weighs 4.25 pounds per gallon

UVW
(Unloaded Vehicle Weight) Weight of the vehicle without manufacturer's or dealer-installed options and before adding fuel, water or supplies.

Wally World
Slang term used by RVers to describe a Wal-Mart.

Wagonmaster
A leader, either hired or chosen, who guides a caravan of recreational vehicles on a trip. The wagonmaster usually makes advance reservations for campgrounds, shows, cruises, sightseeing and group meals.

Underbelly
The RV's underfloor surface, which is protected by a weatherproofed material.

UTQGL
(Uniform Tire Quality Grade Labeling) A program that is directed by the government to provide consumers with information about three characteristics of the tire: tread wear, traction and temperature. Following government prescribed test procedures, tire manufacturers perform their own evaluations for these characteristics. Each manufacturer then labels the tire, according to grade.

Umbilical Cord
The wiring harness that connects the tow vehicle to the trailer, supplying electricity to the trailer's clearance and brake lights, electric brakes and a 12-volt DC power line to charge the trailer's batteries. An umbilical cord can also be the power cable that is used to connect to campground 120-volt AC electrical hookups.

Tow Bar
A device used for connecting a dinghy vehicle to the motorhome when it's towed with all four wheels on the ground.

Transmission Cooler
A heat exchanger similar to a small radiator through which automatic transmission fluid passes and is cooled by airflow.

Triple towing
Term for three vehicles attached together. Usually a tow vehicle pulling a fifth wheel and the fifth wheel pulling a boat.

Trailer Brakes
Brakes that are built into the trailer axle systems and are activated either by electric impulse or by a surge mechanism. The overwhelming majority of RVs utilize electric trailer brakes that are actuated when the tow vehicle's brakes are operated, or when a brake controller is manually activated. Surge brakes utilize a mechanism that is positioned at the coupler, that detects when the tow vehicle is slowing or stopping, and activates the trailer brakes via a hydraulic system (typically used on boats).

Towcar
A car towed by an RV to be used as transportation when the RV is parked in a campground.

Toy-hauler
Term for fifth wheel, travel trailer or motorhome with built-in interior cargo space for motorcycles, bikes, etc.

Tow Rating
The manufacturer's rating of the maximum weight limit that can safely be towed by a particular vehicle. Tow ratings are related to overall trailer weight, not trailer size, in most cases. However, some tow ratings impose limits as to frontal area of the trailer and overall length. The vehicle manufacturer according to several criteria, including engine size, transmission, axle ratio, brakes, chassis, cooling systems and other special equipment, determines tow ratings.

Telescoping
Compacting from front to back and/or top to bottom to make the living unit smaller for towing and storage.

Three-way refrigerators
Appliances that can operate on a 12-volt battery, propane, or 110-volt electrical power.

Thermocouple
a thermocouple is a device that monitors the pilot flame of a pilot model propane appliance. If the pilot flame is extinguished the thermocouple causes the gas valve to shut off the flow of gas to both the pilot flame and the main burner.

Spring Bar
Component parts of a weight-distributing hitch system, the spring bars are installed and tensioned in such a manner as to distribute a portion of the trailer's hitch weight to the front axle of the tow vehicle and to the axles of the trailer.

Stinger
See shank.

Streetside
The part of the vehicle on the street side when parked.

Tailgunner
The end RV or vehicle in a caravan.

Tail Swing
Motorhomes built on chassis with short wheelbases and long overhangs behind the rear axle are susceptible to tail swing when turning sharply. As the motorhome moves in reverse or turns a corner, the extreme rear of the coach can move horizontally and strike objects nearby (typically road signs and walls). Drivers need to be aware of the amount of tail swing in order to prevent accidents.

Sideout
A unit that slides open when the RV is parked to expand the living area.

Slider
Slang for slider-hitch.

Slider-hitch
Referring to a sliding hitch used on short bed trucks for enabling them to tow fifth wheels, allowing them sufficient clearance to jack-knife the trailer.

Soft-sides
Telescoping side panels on an RV that can be raised or lowered, usually constructed of canvas or vinyl and mesh netting.

Shore Power
Electricity provided to the RV by an external source other than the RV battery.

Self-contained
An RV that needs no external connections to provide short-term cooking, bathing, and heating functions and could park overnight anywhere.

Shank
Also called a hitch bar or stinger, the shank is a removable portion of the hitch system that carries the ball or adjustable ball mount, and slides into the receiver.

Shore cord
The external electrical cord that connects the vehicle to a campground electrical hookup.

RVIA
Abbreviation for Recreational Vehicle Industry Association.

RV
short for Recreation Vehicle, a generic term for all pleasure vehicles which contain living accommodations. Multiple units are RVs and persons using them are RVers.

Safety Chains
A set of chains that are attached to the trailer A-frame and must be connected to the tow vehicle while towing. Safety chains are intended to keep the trailer attached to the tow vehicle in the event of hitch failure, preventing the trailer from complete separation. They should be installed using an X-pattern, so the coupler is held off the road in the event of a separation.

RIG
what many RVers call their units.

Road Wander
Term used to describe a lack of ability to maintain the motorhome in a straight, forward travel without constant back and forth motion of the steering wheel.

RVDA
Abbreviation for Recreational Vehicle Dealer's Association.

Receiver
The portion of a hitch that permits a hitch bar or shank to be inserted. The receiver may be either 11/2-, 15/8- or 2-inch square; the smallest being termed a mini-hitch.

Pull-through
A campsite that allows the driver to pull into the site to park, then pull out the other side when leaving, without ever having to back up.

Pusher
Slang for rear engine motorhome. Term most often used to refer to diesel engine motorhomes.

Puller
slang for front engine motorhome. Term most often used to refer to front mounted diesel engine motorhomes.

Propane
LPG, or liquefied petroleum gas, used in RVs for heating, cooking and refrigeration. Also called bottle gas, for manner in which it is sold and stored.

Pop-out
Term for room or area that 'pops-out' for additional living space in RV. This type of expanded living area was more common before the technology of slide-out rooms became popular and available.

Popup/Pop-Up
Folding camping trailer.

Porpoising
A term used to define an up and down motion with a RV.

Pilot
a pilot is a small standby flame that is used to light the main burner of a propane fired appliance when the thermostat calls for heat. Pilots can be used in furnaces, water heaters, refrigerators, ovens and stove tops.

Payload Capacity
The maximum allowable weight that can be placed in or on a vehicle, including cargo, passengers, fluids and fifth-wheel or conventional hitch loads.

Patio mat
Carpet or woven mat for use on ground outside of RV. Used whether or not a concrete patio pad is available where camping.

Park Model
Type of RV that is usually designed for permanent parking but is shorter in length than a traditional mobile home. All the amenities of a mobile home but not built for recreational travel.

LP Gas
Propane; abbreviation for liquefied petroleum gas, which is a gas liquefied by compression, consisting of flammable hydrocarbons and obtained as a by-product from the refining of petroleum or natural gas. Also called bottled gas, LPG (liquid petroleum gas) and CPG (compressed petroleum gas).

Minnie Winnie
A brand model of Winnebago.

NADA
Abbreviation for National Automotive Dealer's Association.

Nonpotable water
Water not suitable for human consumption.

Leveling
Positioning the RV in camp so it will be level, using ramps (also called levelers) placed under the wheels, built-in scissors jacks, or power leveling jacks.

Livability Packages
items to equip a motorhome for daily living, which may be rented at nominal cost from rental firm, rather than brought from home. Include bed linens, pillows and blankets, bath towels, pots and pans, kitchen utensils, cutlery.

Limited-Slip Differential
A differential that is designed with a mechanism that limits the speed and torque differences between its two outputs, ensuring that torque is distributed to both drive wheels, even when one is on a slippery surface.

Island Queen
A queen-sized bed with walking space on both sides.

KOA
Kampgrounds of America, a franchise chain of RV parks in North America that offers camping facilities to vacationers and overnighters.

Laminate
sandwich of structural frame members, wall paneling, insulation and exterior covering, adhesive-bonded under pressure and/or heat to form the RV's walls, floor and/or roof.

Inverter
A unit that changes 12-volt direct current to 110-volt alternating current to allow operation of computers, TV sets, and such when an RV is not hooked up to electricity.

Hula skirt
Term used for a type of dirt skirt accessory some RVers use on the back of their motorhome to aid in the protection from debris thrown from their rear wheels to the vehiclesdirectly behind them or being towed behind them. This dirt skirt is usually the length of the rear bumper and resembles a 'short' version of a Hawaiian 'hula-skirt', hence the term.

Hookups
The ability of connecting to a campground's facilities. The major types of hookups are electrical, water and sewer. If all three of these hookups are available, it is termed full hookup. Hookups may also include telephone and cable TV in some campgrounds.

House Battery
Battery or batteries in motorhome for operating the 12-volt system within the motorhome, separate from the chassis.

HR
Abbreviation for Holiday Rambler, a well-known RV manufacturer.

Holding Tanks
Tanks that retain waste water when the RV unit is not connected to a sewer. The gray water tank holds wastewater from the sinks and shower; the black water tank holds sewage from the toilet.

Hitch
The fastening unit that joins a movable vehicle to the vehicle that pulls it.

High Profile
A fifth-wheel trailer with a higher-than-normal front to allow more than 6 feet of standing room inside the raised area.

Heat Exchanger
A heat exchanger is a device that transfers heat from one source to another. For example, there is a heat exchanger in your furnace

Hard-sided
RV walls made of aluminum or other hard surface.

GTWR
(Gross Trailer Weight Rating) Maximum allowable weight of a trailer, fully loaded with cargo and fluids.

GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) The total allowable weight of a vehicle, including passengers, cargo, fluids and hitch weight.

Genset
Abbreviation for generator set.

Gear Vendor
Brand name for an auxiliary transmission designed to give the driver control of the vehicle's gear ratio and being able to split gears for peak performance and at the same time have an overdrive.

Gooseneck
A colloquial name for fifth-wheel travel trailers.

Gray water
Used water that drains from the kitchen and bathroom sinks and the shower into a holding tank, called a gray water holding tank, that is located under the main floor of the RV.

Generator
An electrical device powered by gasoline or diesel fuel, and sometimes propane, for generating 120-volt AC power.

GAWR
(Gross Axle Weight Rating) The manufacturer's rating for the maximum allowable weight that an axle is designed to carry. Gawr applies to tow vehicle, trailer, fifth-wheel and motorhome axles.

Gas Pusher
Slang for rear gasoline engine mounted chassis on motorhome.

Gaucho
Sofa/dinette bench that converts into a sleeping unit; a term less used now than formerly.

Galley
The kitchen of an RV.

GCWR
(Gross Combination Weight Rating) The maximum allowable weight of the combination of tow vehicle and trailer/ fifth-wheel, or motorhome and dinghy. It includes the weight of the vehicle, trailer/fifth-wheel (or dinghy), cargo, passengers and a full load of fluids (fresh water, propane, fuel, etc.).

Full hookup
Term for campground accommodations offering water, sewer/septic and electricity; also refers to a RV with the abilities to use 'full-hookups'.

Fresh water
Water suitable for human consumption.

Frame-Mount Hitch
Class II and higher hitches are designed to be bolted to the vehicle frame or cross members. This type of hitch may have a permanent ball mount, or may have a square-tube receiver into which a removable hitch bar or shank is installed.

Full-timing
Living in one's RV all year long. These RVers are known as full-timers.

FMCA
Abbreviation for Family Motor Coach Association.

Final Drive Ratio
The reduction ratio found in the gearset that is located farthest from the engine. This is the same as the axle ratio.

Fiver
Other name for fifth wheel.

Fifth-Wheel Trailers
Fifth-wheel trailers are designed to be coupled to a special hitch that is mounted over the rear axle in the bed of a pickup truck. These trailers can have one, two or three axles and are the largest type of trailer built. Because of their special hitch requirements, fifth-wheel trailers can only be towed by trucks or specialized vehicles prepared for fifth-wheel trailer compatibility.

Equalizing Hitch
A hitch that utilizes spring bars that are 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. The hitch is also known as a weight-distributing hitch.

Engine Oil Cooler
A heat exchanger, similar to a small radiator, through which engine oil passes and is cooled by airflow.

DW
Dry weight. The manufacturer's listing of the approximate weight of the RV with no supplies, water, fuel or passengers.

Dually
A pickup truck, or light-duty tow vehicle, with four tires on one rear axle.

Dual Electrical System
RV equipped with lights, appliances which operate on 12-volt battery power when self-contained, and with a converter, on 110 AC current when in campgrounds or with an onboard generator.

Ducted HEAT
is warm air from the furnace supplied to various locations in the RV through a ducting system located in the floor. (similar to house heating systems)