A-F     G-L     M-R     S-Z

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.

Back-up monitor: video camera mounted on rear of motor home to assist the driver visually with backing up the motor home, 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. 

Bowtie: reference to Chevrolet because of the "bowtie" trademark. 

Box: reference to motor home'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 describe a de-lamination condition. (See de-lamination definition listing), and can also be used to describe a condition on a rubber roof.

Chassis Battery: battery in motor home for operating 12 volt components of drive train.

Class A: class of motor home referring to motor home (box) built on chassis frame up.

Class B: class of motor home referring to conversion vans.

Class C: class of motor home referring to RV built using van-type chassis and cab.

Delam/De-lamination: a term for the separation of the paneling of filon and luan constructing a fiberglass sidewall of a RV. Usually caused by water leaks and gives the exterior fiberglass skin a 'wavy' or 'bubbled' appearance. Depending on the size of the de-lamination, can typically be an expensive repair. 

Diesel Puller: term for front engine diesel motor home.

Diesel Pusher: term for rear engine diesel motor home.

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. 

Dump station: place where holding tanks can be emptied either by paying a small fee or free. 

Filon: fiberglass sheeting used in RVs with fiberglass sidewall construction.

Fiver: other name for fifth wheel.

FMCA: abbreviation for Family Motor Coach Association. 

Fresh tank: holding tank on RV for storing fresh water.

Full hookup: term for campground accommodations offering 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.

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. 

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) 

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. 

HP: Abbreviation for "horse power".

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

House Battery: battery or batteries in motor home for operating the 12 volt system within the motor home, separate from the chassis.

Hula skirt: term used for a type of dirt skirt accessory some RVers use on the back of their motor home 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.

LP: 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).

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 "motor home".

Minnie Winnie: a brand model of Winnebago.

Motorcoach: term for motor home on "bus-type" chassis.

NADA: abbreviation for National Automotive Dealer's Association. 

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). 

OEM: abbreviation for "original equipment manufacturer".

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.

Popup/Pop-Up: folding camping trailer. 

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 motor home. Term most often used to refer to diesel engine motor homes.

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 motor home. Term most often used to refer to diesel engine motor homes.

Reefer: slang for "refrigerator". Refrigerators are often found in either a "two way" or "three way" operating mode. Two way: has a gas mode and an AC mode. Three way: has a gas mode, AC mode, and 12v DC mode. The coolant used in RV refrigeration is ammonia. The two most common manufacturers of RV refrigerators are Norcold and Dometic.

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

RVDA: Abbreviation for Recreational Vehicle Dealer's Association. 

RVIA: Abbreviation for Recreational Vehicle Industry Association. 

Screen room: term for screen enclosure that attaches to the exterior of a RV for a "bug free" outside sitting area. Some screen rooms have a canvas type roof for rain protection as well.

Shore Power: electricity provided by an external plug to external power source

Slide-in: term for a type of camper that mounts on a truck bed, because often this type of camper "slides-in" to the truck bed. 

Slide-out: additional living space that "slides-out" either by hydraulics, electricity or manually, when the RV is setup for camping.

Slider: slang for slider-hitch. See 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.

Snowbird: term for someone in a northern climate that heads "south" in winter months.

Tip-out: term for room (generally in older RVs) that "tipped-out" for additional living space once RV was parked. Newer RVs mainly use 'slide-out' rooms.

Toad: term for a "towed" vehicle.

Toy-hauler: term for fifth wheel, travel trailer or motor home with built-in interior cargo space for motorcycles, bikes, etc.

Travconian:  any member of the distinct group of Travco owners and family members.

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

TT: abbreviation for "travel trailer".

TV: abbreviation for "tow vehicle". 

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 include 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. 

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

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. 

Winnie: nickname for Winnebago, a well-known RV manufacturer.