Copy of `Good Sam Camping - RV terms`

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

Ducted AC
is air conditioning supplied through a ducting system in the ceiling. This supplies cooling air at various vents located throughout the RV.

Dump station
Usually a concrete pad with an inlet opening connected to an underground sewage system at a campground or other facility offering dumping service to RV travelers.

DSI Ignition
direct spark ignition

Diesel Puller
Term for front engine diesel motorhome.

Diesel Pusher
A motorhome with a rear diesel engine.

Dinette
booth-like dining area. Table usually drops to convert unit into a bed at night.

Dinghy
A vehicle towed behind a motorhome, sometimes with two wheels on a special trailer called a tow dolly, but often with all four wheels on the ground.

Crosswise
A piece of furniture arranged across the RV from side to side rather than front to rear.

Curbside
The side of the RV that would be at the curb when parked.

Curb Weight
The weight of a basic RV unit without fresh or waste water in the holding tanks but with automotive fluids such as fuel, oil, and radiator coolant.

Converter
An electrical device for converting 120-volt AC power into 12-volt DC power. Most RVs with electrical hookups will have a converter, since many of the lights and some other accessories run on 12-vold DC.

Coupler
The part of a trailer A-frame that attaches to the hitch ball.

Coach
Another name for a motorhome

Condensation
Condensation is a result of warn moisture laden air contacting the cold window glass. Keeping a roof vent open helps to reduce the humidity levels. Those added roof vent covers help to prevent cold air from dropping down through the vent while still allowing moist air to escape. Using the roof vent fan when showering or the stove vent fan when cooking also helps prevent excess moisture buildup.

Class B Motorhome
Also known as a camping van conversion. These RVs are built within the dimensions of a van, but with a raised roof to provide additional headroom. Basic living accommodations inside are ideal for short vacations or weekend trips. Models usually range from 16 to 21 feet.

Cockpit
The front of a motorized RV where the pilot (driver) and co-pilot (navigator) sit.

Class A Motorhome
An RV with the living accommodations built on or as an integral part of a self-propelled motor vehicle. Models range from 24 to 40 feet long.

Cabcover
The part of a type C mini-motorhome that overlaps the top of the vehicle's cab, usually containing a sleeping or storage unit.

Camper Shell
Removable unit to go over the bed of a pickup truck.

Cassette Toilet
Toilet with a small holding tank that can be removed from outside the vehicle in order to empty it.

Chassis Battery
Battery in motorhome for operating 12 volt components of drivetrain.

Bumper-Mount Hitch
This type of hitch is available in two configurations: A bracket with a ball mounted to the bumper or a ball is attached to the bumper (typically on pickup trucks). These hitches have very limited RV applications.

Bubble
Loose term for defining a variety of conditions; such as when describing the level of RV sitting. (example: my RV is 'off-level' a half bubble; referring to a 'bubble-leveler' tool). Can also be used to describe a delamination condition.

Bunkhouse
An RV area containing bunk beds instead of regular beds.

Bump Steer
A term used to describe a condition where the front axle feels to be rapidly bottoming out on the jounce bumpers and transferred back through the steering column and steering wheel. There can be several different causes to the problem with different cures for each condition. Sometimes a simple fix such as shocks or a steering stabilizer; sometimes more detailed corrections needed for correcting serious manufacturing oversights.

Bumper-Pull
Slang term regarding the hitch or towing method for a conventional travel trailer or popup; receiver and ball-mount type hitch.

Brake Controller
A control unit mounted inside the vehicle that allows electric trailer brakes to become activated in harmony with the braking of the tow vehicle. This device can be used to adjust trailer brake intensity, or to manually activate the trailer brakes.

BTU
British Thermal Unit

Breakaway Switch
A safety device that activates the trailer brakes in the event the trailer becomes accidentally disconnected from the hitch while traveling.

Basement Model
An RV that incorporates large storage areas underneath a raised chassis.

Blueboy/Blue-Boy
Term for portable waste holding tank, often this plastic tank comes in a bright shade of blue, hence the term.

Black Water
Waste (sewage) from the toilet that is flushed into a black water holding tank, usually located beneath the main floor of the RV.

Boondocking
Camping in an RV without benefit of electricity, fresh water, and sewer utilities.

Auxiliary battery
Extra battery to run 12-volt equipment.

Axle Ratio
The final drive gear ratio created by the relationship between the ring and pinion gears and the rotation of the driveshaft. In a 4.10:1 axle ratio, for example, the driveshaft will rotate 4.1 times for each rotation of the axle shaft (wheel).

Ball Mount
The part of the hitch system that supports the hitch ball and connects it to the trailer coupler. Ball mounts are available in load-carrying and weight-distributing configurations.

Airbag
In RV terms, a sort of shock absorber positioned at the forward and rear axles of a motorhome.

Airstreaming
Using an Airstream travel trailer as RV of preference. Towing an Airstream travel trailer.

Anode Rod
An anode rod, when used in a water heater, attracts corrosion causing products in the water. These products attack the anode rod instead of the metal tank itself. The anode rod should be inspected yearly and changed when it is reduced to about 1/4 of its original size. The rods are used in steel water heater tanks