Tuesday, December 13, 2011

RV Terminology

Airstreaming: using an Airstream travel trailer as RV of preference. Towing an Airstream travel trailer.
Arctic package: an RV that has been equipped with extra insulation and heat pads for holding tanks for winter time use.
Axle Lock: a replacement right front axle built to freel wheel the front wheel when towing (on towed car).

Back-up monitor: video camera mounted on rear of motorhome to assist the driver visually with backing up the motorhome, via a monitor mounted in the driver's compartment or in a central area of the cab where it can be viewed by the driver from the driver's seat. These monitors are usually left in the 'on' position to also assist the driver with the flow of traffic behind the motorhome and in watching a "towed" vehicle.
Basement: referring to storage area accessible from the outside, usually from the door threshold area down.
Black tank: holding tank of RV for storing toilet waste.
Blueboy/Blue-Boy: term for portable waste holding tank, often this plastic tank comes in a bright shade of blue, hence the term.
Boondocking/Boon-Docking: Also known as "dry camping" and "primitive camping", camping without using the modern conveniences of hooking up to electric, sewer or water. Term also implied for folks staying at a campground, but due to short length of stay, do not hook-up to the utilities even though these utilities are provided. See also: Boondocking, Boondocking Suite 101, Movin' On-View from the Driver's Seat, Roundtable Discussion on Boon-docking
Bowtie: reference to Chevrolet because of the "bowtie" trademark. See also: Chevrolet Trucks
Box: reference to motorhome's "living space" on a class A, built from the chassis up.
Braking system: referring to a brake system for a "towed" vehicle. Required in many states and Canadian provinces and definitely an add-on safety feature.
Break-away system: referring to a system that allows the "towed" vehicle to 'break-away' from the towing vehicle in the event of accident, an add-on safety feature.
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 desribe a delamination condition. (See delamination definition listing), and can also be used to describe a condition on a rubber roof.
Bumper-Pull: slang term regarding the hitch or towing method for a conventional travel trailer or popup; receiver and ball-mount type hitch.
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.

Caravan: a group of RVers traveling together with their various RVs. Large caravans often space RVs five minutes or so apart with CB radios used for communication between the various RVers. The end vehicle is sometimes called the "tailgunner" and is the occupants watch out for a caravan member that may have had road trouble in order to assist however possible.
Chassis Battery: battery in motorhome for operating 12 volt components of drivetrain.
Class A: class of motorhome referring to motorhome (box) built on chassis frame up.
Class B: class of motorhome referring to conversion vans.
Class C: class of motorhome referring to RV built using van-type chassis and cab.

Delam/Delamination: a term for the seperation of the paneling of Filon and luan constructing a fiberglass sidewall of a RV. Usually caused by waterleaks and gives the exterior fiberglass skin a 'wavy' or 'bubbled' appearance. Depending on the size of the delamination, can typically be an expensive repair. See also: definition of Filon and definition of luan.
Diesel Puller: term for front engine diesel motorhome.
Diesel Pusher: term for rear engine diesel motorhome.
Dinghy: term for "towed vehicle", also known as "toad".
Dry Camping: also known as "boondocking" or "primitive camping", camping without hooking up to modern utilities as such provided at most campgrounds: water, septic/sewer and electricity. See also: Boondocking definition.
Dry Weight: weight of RV without adding fluids in storage holding tanks or by loading personal effects. See also term for "wet weight".
Dump station: place where holding tanks can be emptied either by paying a small fee or free.

Filon(registered trademark of Kemlite Company): fiberglass sheeting used in RVs with fiberglass sidewall construction. For additional information about fiberglass sidewalls visit http://www.filon.com
Fiver: other name for fifth wheel.
Flat tow: slang for towing a vehicle with all four wheels down on the ground.
FMCA: abbreviation for Family Motor Coach Association. See also: FMCA
Fresh tank: holding tank on RV for storing fresh water.
Full hookup: term for campground accomadations offerering water, sewer/septic and electricity; also refers to a RV with the abilities to use 'full-hookups'.
Fulltimer/Full-timer: someone who travels/lives in a recreational vehicle most of the year.

Gas Pusher: slang for rear gasoline engine mounted chassis on motorhome
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.
Genset: abbreviation for generator set
Grey tank: holding tank of RV for storing used dishwater/bathing water.
GAWR: Abbreviation for 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 rating of each of its components (tires, wheels, springs, axle) and rating the axle on its weakest link. The GAWR assumes that the load is equal on each side. See also "Weights"
GCWR: Abbreviation for Gross Combined Weight Rating. The maximum allowable combined weight of the tow vehicle and the attached towed vehicle. GCWR assumes both vehicles has 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) See also "Weights"
GVWR: Abbreviation for Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. The maximum allowable weight of the fully loaded vehicle, including liquids, passengers, cargo, and tongue weight of any towed vehicle. See also "Weights"

HP: Abbreivation for "horse power".
HR: Abbreviation for Holiday Rambler, a well-known RV manufacturer. See Also: Holiday Rambler
House Battery: battery or batteries in motorhome for operating the 12 volt system within the motorhome, seperate from the chassis.
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 vehicles directly 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.
Hybrid: term for fifth wheel or travel trailer that has been manufactured to ge "different" than the standard interior living box. Usually by having popout ends over bedrooms that give a "tent" like area for sleeping. 

Jackknife: 90% angle obtained from turning/backing fifth wheel or travel trailer with tow vehicle. Jackknifing a short bed truck towing a fifth wheel without the use of a slider hitch or extended fifth wheel pin box can result in damage to the truck cab or breaking out the back window of the truck cab from the truck and fifth wheel "colliding".

LP: propane; abbreviation for liquefied petroleum gas, which is a gas liquefied by compression, consisting of flamable 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).
Luan: the 1/8" backing board for filon (the fiberglass sheeting use in RVs with fiberglass construction). Luan is the 'base' the filon (fiberglass) is glued on to.
MH: abbreviation for "motorhome".
Minnie Winnie: a brand model of Winnebago.
Motorcoach: term for motorhome on "bus-type" chassis.
NADA: abbreviation for National Automotive Dealer's Association. See Also: NADA
NCC: abbreviation for 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). See also "weights"
OEM: abbreviation for "original equipment manufacturer".

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.
Part-timers: People who use their RV for longer than normal vacation time but less than one year.
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.
Pitch-in: Term for a RV campground "get-together", usually means "pitching-in" a covered dish or casserole.
PO: Abbreviation for "pop-up" camper.
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. See also: Internet Popup Newsgroup
Porpoising: A term used to define an up and down motion with a RV.
Primitive camping: Also known as "dry camping", boondocking. Camping without the modern convenience of full-hookup facilities of city/well water, sewer/septic and electricity. Primitive campers rely on 'on-board' systems for these conveniences; generator, batteries, stored water, etc.
Puller: Slang for front engine motorhome. Term most often used to refer to front mounted diesel engine motorhomes.
Pull-through: Term for a camping space (whether in campground or not) that only requires the driver to "pull-through" or "drive-through" to access the camping spot, and upon leaving (after camping) you again just drive forward to leave or exit the camping space.
Pusher: Slang for rear engine motorhome. Term most often used to refer to diesel engine motorhomes.

UVW: Abbreviation for Unloaded Vehicle Weight. The weight of a vehicle as built at the factory with full fuel, engine (generator) oil and coolants. It does not inlude cargo, fresh water, LP gas, occupants or dealer installed accessories. See also "weights" (below).
Wally World: slang term used by RVers to describe a Walmart. See also: Walmart
Weekender's: people who own their RV's for weekend and vacation use.

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, 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 maximim 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
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 (esttmated weight): 120 lbs.
Wet Weight: termed used by RVers to describe the weight of a RV with all storage and holding tanks full., i.e., water, propane, etc. See also term: "dry weight"
Wide-body: a RV that has a width exceeding eight feet. See also: U.S. Motorhome Regulations, U.S. Towing and Road Laws (travel trailers and fifth wheels) or RV Travel Guide
Winnie: nickname for Winnebago, a well-known RV manufacturer. See also: Winnebago Industries

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