Navigating the Lingo: Understanding Widespread RV Phrases
With a lot of our kiddos again in class, we thought now could be the right time for a studying session of our personal. to In case you’re new to the world of RVing, you’ve most likely observed that RVers appear to have their distinctive language concerning RVs. If the RV jargon used on RV social media teams and RVing boards, like iRV2 Boards, baffles you, we’re right here to assist. On this definitive information to RV phrases, we’ll let you know what RVers speak about once they speak RV Converse.
RV Phrases for Sorts of RVs
Each RVer has totally different wants and tastes with regards to tenting. There are a number of totally different classes of RVs, and a number of are designed to go well with every traveler.
Motorized RV Phrases
A motorhome is an RV that’s on a motorized chassis. Motorhomes are categorized into totally different courses in accordance with their construct. Right here’s what’s what with regards to RV courses:
Class A Motorhome
A Class A motorhome is a big, luxurious motorhome that kind of resembles a bus. Class A motorhomes could be totally different lengths, however they’re at all times well-appointed with the comforts of house.
Diesel Pusher
A diesel pusher is a Class A with a diesel engine situated behind the motorhome.
Class B Motorhome
Class B motorhomes are mainly van conversions. They’re the smallest motorhome and are liked for his or her capacity to camp effortlessly in locations the place a bigger RV received’t match.
Class B+ Motorhome
The time period Class B+ is imaginary ad-speak. In case you see something labeled as a “Class B+,” it’s a Class C. Don’t fall for the hype.
Class C Motorhome
A Class C motorhome is distinguished from different kinds of RVs by the bunk (generally a big storage space) over the cab. Most Class C’s are on a heavy-duty van chassis. This classification additionally contains so-called “Tremendous C motorhomes,” that are merely massive Class C’s.
Bus Conversion
A bus conversion is a motorcoach that’s been transformed right into a rolling house. Bus conversions are sometimes a artistic and creative expression of their homeowners, with facilities like clawfoot bathtubs and residential furnishings in them.
Toy Hauler
A toy hauler is a motorhome with a storage space on the again that can be utilized to move ATVs, bikes, e-bikes, a transportable sizzling tub, and no matter else makes a camper’s coronary heart sing.
Skoolie
A skoolie is a faculty bus that’s been lovingly transformed into a house on wheels.
Campbulance
A campbulance is an ambulance that’s been transformed into an RV. Inside, campbulances are very very similar to Class B motorhomes with all of the fundamentals and perhaps a number of alternative extras.
Towable RV Phrases
Towable RVs embody all trailer sorts (for apparent causes), in addition to truck campers (for not so apparent causes).
Journey Trailer
Journey trailers are bumper-pull trailers that sometimes vary between 10 and 40 ft. Bigger journey trailers and/or smaller tow autos normally require a weight distribution hitch (WD) and sway bars to take care of stability.
Fifth-wheel
A fifth-wheel hitch (or saddle) mounted within the mattress of a pickup truck is used to tow these rigs. The cool children name them fivers.
Toy Hauler
A toy hauler is a journey trailer or fifth-wheel with a storage space on the again that can be utilized to move ATVs, bikes, e-bikes, a transportable sizzling tub, and no matter else makes a camper’s coronary heart sing.
Truck Camper
A truck camper is a camper that mounts on the mattress of a pickup.
Pop-up Camper
A pop-up camper is a camper that folds down into a light-weight, compact trailer for transportation. There are three kinds of pop-up trailers:
A-Body
An A-frame trailer is a hard-sided popup camper.
Tent Trailer
A tent trailer is a soft-sided pop-up camper.
Hybrid Trailer
A hybrid trailer combines the pop-out sections of a tent trailer and the exhausting sides of an A-frame trailer.
RV Setup Phrases
Classic Camper
Any trailer or motorhome greater than 25 years previous that has been refurbished to like-new situation.
Rig
The time period “rig” refers to any RV setup. When referring to another person’s RV, the time period rig is utilized in a complimentary means, corresponding to: “Good rig. Candy setup.”
TV
Whereas most RVs have no less than one tv, RVers normally imply the automobile used to tow a trailer once they use this acronym for “tow automobile.”
Dinghy Car
A dinghy is a smaller automobile that’s towed behind a motorhome on a dolly, trailer, or that’s flat-towed.
Toad
A toad is one other phrase for a dinghy.
Sorts Of Tenting
There are various alternative ways you may camp in an RV. RVers have phrases for each considered one of them. Here’s a listing of RV tenting phrases you’ll most likely come throughout if you happen to haven’t already.
Boondocking
Boondocking is tenting with none hookups or connections, normally far-off from developed areas. On-line programs like Boondocking 101 Masterclass provide a extra in-depth have a look at profitable boondocking practices.
Dry Tenting
Dry tenting is tenting with none companies or hookups. The time period “dry tenting” is commonly used interchangeably with the time period “boondocking.” Nevertheless, whereas boondocking normally means tenting away from growth, dry tenting could be carried out anyplace. For instance, you might dry camp in your RV in a car parking zone, at a campsite, or at a Harvest Host or Boondockers Welcome location.
Overlanding
Overlanding is tenting in distant locations which can be solely accessible by 4×4 roads and trails. Overlander RVs are sometimes designed with this in thoughts, and though they’ve many of the facilities you’ll must be snug, they’ve design options that make them much more rugged than another kind of RV.
Moochdocking
Moochdocking means driveway tenting in a good friend or relative’s driveway free of charge. Moochdockers regularly have entry to 110-volt energy and should or might not have a connection to water hookups.
Wallydocking
Many Walmarts provide in a single day tenting to RVers touring by the world. Tenting in a Walmart car parking zone is called Wallydocking. When Wallydocking, the etiquette means that RVers ask a supervisor for permission to remain in a single day first.
In some unspecified time in the future of their keep, Wallydockers purchase issues from the shop. They attempt to camp as inconspicuously as potential. To be inconspicuous, Wallydockers ought to by no means put out awnings, arrange firepits, or arrange tenting chairs.
Stealth Tenting
Stealth tenting, a method employed by RVers in vans or Class B RVs, includes discreetly organising camp in developed areas with the intention of mixing in and remaining unnoticed. Typically used as a method of creating a fast cease en path to a vacation spot, the purpose of stealth tenting is to take advantage of the journey with out drawing consideration to oneself
Workamping
Work tenting (or “workamping”) is tenting someplace for no less than a brief interval in change for companies. Examples of workamping positions embody campground host, farm laborer, and Amazon warehouse worker.
RV Methods: RV Phrases Used Typically
Full Hookups
The time period “full hookups” means you may join your RV to sewer, water, and energy on the campsite.
Shorepower
Shore energy is a 110/120V, 30-amp, or 50-amp campsite electrical connection.
Black Tank
The black tank is a tank mounted underneath the RV that collects and shops all of the waste from the bathroom.
Grey Tank
The grey tank collects and shops all of the soapy water used within the RV sinks and showers.
Pungent Slinky
The RV sewer hose is commonly referred to as a “pungent slinky” as a result of it resembles a baby’s toy.
Freshwater Tank
The RV freshwater tank is used to retailer water to be used when boondocking or dry tenting.
Metropolis Water
Metropolis water is a water connection on to the RV from any faucet or spigot. When linked, you don’t want to make use of your freshwater tank or your water pump.
Cabin
On motorhomes, the time period cabin means the residing space of the RV versus the entrance seat space.
Cockpit
The cockpit is the place the driving force’s seat and controls are situated in a motorhome.
Coach
That is one other identify for a Class A or Class C motorhome. It might additionally imply the residing space of a trailer of any kind.
Chassis
The chassis of an RV is the underlying body or construction that helps the physique and all the opposite parts of the automobile. It’s the basis of the RV, and it holds the wheels, engine, drivetrain, suspension, and all different mechanical elements.
Basement
The basement is a part of the coach that’s underneath the cabin. Basements regularly comprise accessible storage bays, batteries, and plumbing parts.
Storage
Many RVs now have a big storage space that’s separate from the principle cabin, which can be utilized to retailer bikes, bikes, or simply about every little thing else you must have enjoyable whereas tenting.
Slideout (Slide)
A slideout (generally referred to as a slide) is a small residing house that may be prolonged from the aspect of the RV so as to add extra residing space if you find yourself camped. Earlier than you hit the street, a push of a button will trigger small motors to deliver the slideout into the inside of the RV till you camp once more.
DC Energy
This a part of {the electrical} system runs on 12-volt battery energy. Parts powered by the DC electrical system embody the inside lights, water pump, furnace, inverter, stereo, and generally the fridge.
AC Energy
This a part of {the electrical} system runs on 110/120-volt shorepower. Parts powered by the AC electrical system have increased voltage attracts, together with the air conditioner, microwave, fridge (when set to AC), AC retailers, TV, electrical stovetops, and converter.
Converter
The RV converter converts 110/120-volt AC present into DC present to run your RV’s 12-volt home equipment and cost its battery.
Inverter
The RV inverter modifications the 12-volt electrical energy from the batteries into usable 110/120-volt electrical energy to run AC home equipment in your RV.
Photo voltaic Array
An RV photo voltaic array merely means the photo voltaic panels linked to your RV’s solar energy system.
Stabilizer Jacks
Stabilizer jacks are supposed to maintain the RV from rocking when parked. They need to by no means be used to degree the RV.
Anderson Levelling Chock
It is a moon-shaped wheel chock used to degree the RV back and forth.
A-frame (Tongue) Jack
An A-frame jack is used on a journey trailer to elevate and decrease the hitch.
RV Phrases for Completely different Sorts of RVers
There are no less than as many kinds of RVers out tenting as there are RVs. Listed below are a number of of the phrases for campers you’ll hear about on any on-line RV group or discussion board.
Beginner
An RV beginner is a brand new or first-time RVer. They spend a number of time watching RV-related YouTube movies. RV newbies are nonetheless studying about their unit and are generally shocked when issues go awry and wish repairing.
Full-Timer
A full-timer is a devoted RVer who has typically bought, thrown out, or given away a houseful of stuff to hit the street of their RV completely. Full-timers take into account their RV to be their everlasting residence, though they could have a everlasting domicile deal with someplace in Texas or by a mail-forwarding firm like Escapees.
Half-Timer
A component-timer is extra informal about RVing than a full-timer. They’ve a everlasting sticks and bricks residence however journey and camp of their RV for brief durations all year long.
Snowbird
Snowbirds prefer to have the very best of each worlds, in order that they spend spring and summer season within the North. On the first trace of a cold breeze, snowbirds pack their RVs and flock South to the warmest states for the autumn and winter seasons.
Nomad
The journey bug has really bitten nomads. Though they are going to virtually at all times have an space that may be a house base, a nomad is completely on the transfer. Nomads thrive in new environments and regularly spend no less than half their waking hours working remotely whereas researching new journey locations. Nomads generally journey across the nation, working seasonal workamping jobs as they turn out to be out there.
Vanlifer
A vanlifer is loosely outlined as somebody who has arrange a small, medium, or massive van with every little thing they should dwell a contented and cozy life on the street. Vanlifers are sometimes (however not at all times) 20–40 years previous and could also be employed in distant jobs within the tech business.
Tenting Queen
A tenting queen is an RVer who will solely camp at full-service campgrounds.
Campground Jerk
A campground jerk is the RVer who has no consideration for different campers. He’s the one who permits his off-leash labrador to run rampant by the campground or leaves trash exterior at night time to draw bears and different wildlife. A campground jerk regularly has a terrific stereo, actually loves beer and traditional rock, and doesn’t care who is aware of it. All of us have a campground jerk story.
Miscellaneous RV Phrases and Jargon
Listed below are a number of different RV phrases it’s possible you’ll hear or learn.
Winterize
The time period “winterize” means getting the RV prepared for winter storage by emptying tanks, water traces, and the water heater. Many RVers fill waterlines with RV antifreeze when the traces are empty.
Skirting
Skirting is wind-blocking insulation used across the base of the RV, sometimes within the winter months. It helps the RV preserve warmth and should assist hold tanks and pipes from freezing. RVers might select professionally put in vinyl or inflexible insulation boards as skirting. Some RVers use AirSkirts. These heavy-duty airbags match underneath the RV to maintain chilly air out.
Sticks-and-Bricks
A sticks-and-bricks is a conventional residential home or house that’s constructed to remain in a single place.
Poop Pyramid
Lastly, let’s speak concerning the oh-too-real and dreaded poop pyramid. A poop pyramid just isn’t an unique journey vacation spot. A poop pyramid is a buildup of stable materials within the black tank instantly beneath the bathroom. When sufficient materials builds up, it plugs the bathroom, so that you received’t have the ability to flush it.
A poop pyramid occurs when the black tank valve is left open. Newbies generally open the black tank valve when hooked as much as a sewer connection. It additionally happens when there may be not sufficient water within the black tank. Clearing a poop pyramid isn’t enjoyable. Fortunately you may keep away from the dreaded poop pyramid by permitting your black tank to refill earlier than emptying it after which instantly refilling it with about 6 gallons of water and a tablespoon of non-formaldehyde holding tank remedy. You must at all times use septic-safe bathroom paper in your RV and flush with loads of water.
