Discover the Ultimate RV Terminology Guide. Here are some common terms used in the context of recreational vehicles (RVs):
- RV: Recreational Vehicle, a motor vehicle or trailer equipped with living quarters and amenities typically found in a home.
- Class A: A type of motorhome that is the largest and most luxurious, built on a commercial truck or bus chassis and can be up to 45 feet long.
- Class B: A type of motorhome that is built on a van chassis, also known as a camper van, and typically has a smaller living space.
- Class C: A type of motorhome that is built on a cutaway truck chassis and has a distinctive cab-over design, providing extra sleeping space.
- Fifth-wheel: A type of towable RV that is designed to be towed by a pickup truck and has a raised forward section that extends over the bed of the truck.
- Travel trailer: A type of towable RV that is designed to be towed by a car, truck or SUV and typically ranges in size from 10 to 35 feet.
- Toy hauler: A type of RV that has a garage area in the rear where you can store and transport things like motorcycles, ATVs or other large toys.
- Pop-up camper: A type of RV that has collapsible sidewalls and a roof that can be raised for use and lowered for storage, also known as a tent trailer.
- Slide-out: A section of an RV’s living space that can extend outward, increasing the available living space when parked.
- Boondocking: Camping in an RV without hookups to electricity, water or sewer, often in remote or primitive areas. Checkout Harvest Hosts for some really cool options at farms all over the country!
- Black water: Wastewater from an RV’s toilet, which is stored in a holding tank until it can be dumped at a dump station.
- Grey water: Wastewater from an RV’s sinks, shower, and other non-toilet drains, which is also stored in a holding tank until it can be dumped.
- Full hookups: A campsite with electricity, water and sewer connections for an RV.
- Dry camping: Camping in an RV without any hookups or connections, often for short periods of time.
- Shore power: Electrical power provided to an RV through a hookup to an external power source, often at a campsite or RV park.
- Dump station: A facility for emptying an RV’s holding tanks of black and grey water.
- Propane: A type of fuel commonly used in RVs for heating, cooking and refrigeration.
- Awning: A retractable fabric cover that extends from the side of an RV to provide shade and shelter.
- Hitch: The device used to attach a towable RV to the towing vehicle.
- Weight distribution hitch: A type of hitch that helps distribute the weight of a towable RV more evenly over the towing vehicle’s axles, improving stability and handling.
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