COMMON RV TERMS

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Trying to find a comprehensive list and glossary of RV terms? We can help! Our RV dealership in Slinger, WI put together a list of terms we see used commonly.

RV Terms & Definitions

  • 4-Pin Electrical Connector: This provides power from your tow vehicle to your RV for the lights only.
  • 7-Pin Electrical Connector: This provides power from your tow vehicle to your RV for the lights as well as the electrically operated brakes.
  • A/C: shorthand for air conditioner.
  • Aluminum Exterior Sidewalls: This term refers to the outside construction of your RV. It consists of a wooden framing with an aluminum exterior and batten insulation.
  • Auxiliary Battery: An extra battery to run your 12-volt equipment.
  • Back-up monitor: A camera mounted on the back of the RV that provides the driver with an extra eye when backing up the RV; back-up monitors are typically in-dash by the driver’s seat.
  • Basement: The large storage area underneath your RV’s floor accessible from outside storage doors.
  • Black Water Capacity: The amount of waste water from the toilet that your RV’s black water tank can hold.
  • Booth Dinette: Dining area with bench seats on opposite sides and a table in-between. Many RVs have booth dinettes that convert to an extra sleeping space.
  • Brake Controller: A device mounted inside the tow vehicle that will apply the trailer brakes simultaneously when the tow vehicle brakes.
  • Breakaway Switch: A safety switch that will automatically activate the brakes on the trailer if your trailer becomes separated from the tow vehicle.
  • BTU (British Thermal Unit): It’s a measurement of heat; the quantity required to raise the temperature of one pound of water 1 degree F. RV air conditioning and furnace units are BTU-rated.
  • Bunkhouse: Refers to the floorplan style of an RV that has bunk beds.
  • CCC (Cargo Carrying Capacity): The maximum weight limit for personal items you can add to an RV.
  • Chassis: It’s the framework your RV is built upon. In motorhomes, the chassis generally includes the engine and transmission.
  • Chassis Battery: The battery in your motorhome that operates 12 volt components of the drivetrain.
  • Cockpit: Front of your motorhome where the driver pilot seat and passenger co-pilot seats are located.
  • Converter: Converts 120 volt AC power to 12 volt DC power and also charges your 12 volt battery.
  • Diesel Puller – FRED (or FRont Engine Diesel): Refers to diesel motorhomes with engine located in the front of the RV.
  • Diesel Pusher: Refers to diesel motorhome with engine located in the rear of the RV. The engine location helps push the RV down the road and provides a smoother, quieter ride.
  • Dry Weight: The weight of the RV as it comes off the assembly line. Doesn’t include supplies, water, fuel, or passenger weights. Manufacturers weigh each RV and apply a sticker listing the dry weight prior to shipping.
  • DSI Ignition – Direct Spark Ignition: Used to describe the method of igniting the main burner on a propane fired appliance.
  • Ducted A/C: Describes an RV wherein air conditioning is supplied through ducts in the ceiling and vents throughout the RV.
  • Ducted Heat: Describes an RV wherein heat is supplied through ducts in the floor and vents throughout the RV.
  • Dump Station: Refers to a location where you can safely and legally dump your black and gray water tanks. Typically, a concrete pad with a tank underneath the ground.
  • Enclosed/Sealed Underbelly: This term describes an RV whose bottom surface has been closed shut or insulated to help protect against temperature changes.
  • Engine: Provides power to your motorhome, can be diesel or gas-powered.
  • Free Standing Dinette: Dining area with individual chairs and a table in-between.
  • Fresh Water Capacity: The amount of drinkable water an RV’s fresh water tank can hold.
  • Front Galley: A type of floorplan with the kitchen located in the front section of the RV.
  • Front Living: A type of floorplan with the living room located in the front section of the RV.
  • Front Sleeping: A type of floorplan with the master bedroom located in the front section of the RV.
  • Fuel Type: Type of fuel a motorhome uses, either gas or diesel.
  • Full Hookup: RV term that describes a campsite that offers a water supply, sewer/septic, and electricity.
  • Full-timers: People who live in their RV year round.
  • Galley: Another term referring to the kitchen of an RV.
  • GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating): This is the total allowable weight on each individual axle, which includes the weight of tires, wheels, brakes, and the axle itself.
  • GCWR (Gross Combination Weight Rating): This is the total allowable weight of the tow vehicle, trailer, all cargo in each, hitching, fluids, and occupants.
  • Generator: Provides 120-volt AC power to an RV. Generators can run on gas, diesel, or propane.
  • Gray Water Capacity: The amount of used water from the kitchen sink, bathroom sink or shower that an RV’s gray water tank can hold.
  • GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating): The maximum weight an RV must not exceed to ensure safe traveling. Includes the vehicle’s chassis, body, engine, fluids, fuel, accessories, passengers, cargo, etc.
  • Height: Top to bottom measurement of an RV.
  • Hitch: The connection between a tow vehicle and an RV.
  • Hitch Capacity: The towing capacity of the receiver hitch
  • Holding Tanks: Term that refers to an RV’s fresh water tank, gray water tank, and black water tank.
  • House Battery: The battery in a motorhome that operates the 12-volt electrical system within the motorhome.
  • Interior Height: Floor to ceiling measurement inside an RV.
  • Inverter: Converts 12 volt DC power to 110 volt AC power.
  • King Pin Weight (or Pin Weight): The actual weight pressing down on the fifth wheel hitch by the trailer. Generally, the recommended amount of King Pin Weight is 15% – 25% of the gross trailer weight (GTW).
  • Hitch Capacity: The towing capacity of the receiver hitch.
  • Holding Tanks: Term that refers to an RV’s fresh water tank, gray water tank, and black water tank.
  • House Battery: The battery in a motorh
  • Laminated Walls: This term refers to the outside wall construction of an RV. Typically, this consists of an aluminum frame, styrofoam, fiberglass sheeting treated with a gel-coat, and then laminated.
  • Length: Front to back measurement of an RV.
  • Leveling Jacks: Equipment used to make sure an RV sits level on the ground.
  • Loft Bed: A type of sleeping space where the bed is on a raised platform above another room or multi-use area. Most often found in fifth wheel or travel trailer RV types.
  • LP Gas: Liquid Petroleum, another term for Propane.
  • Park Model: A specific type of RV that is designed to be permanently parked in one area.
  • Part-timers: Term used to describe people who travel and use an RV for more than the occasional vacation.
  • Rear Kitchen: RVs with a kitchen located at the back of the RV are A type of floorplan with the kitchen located at the back of the RV.
  • Rear Living: This term describes an RV floorplan with the living room located at the rear of the coach.
  • Rear Sleeping: A type of floorplan with the master bedroom located at the rear of the RV.
  • Sleeping Capacity: The number of sleeping spaces in an RV. There are several different types of sleeping arrangements available. Examples include standard queen and king size beds, hide-a-bed or jack-knife sofa beds, convertible booth dinettes, and drop-down bunks.
  • Slide-outs: Expanding walls or sections of an RV. Slide-outs create additional living area within the RV.
  • Sway Bar System: Equipment designed to reduce or eliminate side-to-side sway movement of a towable RV.
  • Tongue Weight: The actual weight pressing down on the hitch ball located on the tow vehicle. Generally, tongue weight is 10% to 15% of the gross vehicle weight (GVW).
  • Tow Rating: The maximum weight a tow vehicle can safely tow, determined by the vehicle manufacturer. Consult the vehicle manufacturer or use a towing guide to find out the towing capacity of a particular vehicle.
  • Underbelly: Term used to describe the bottom surface of an RV; similar to undercarriage.
  • Weekenders: RV owners who travel and use an RV primarily on weekends throughout the year.
  • Weight Distribution System: Transfers the weight from the tongue of the trailer and redistributes it to the front of the tow vehicle.
  • Wheel Base: The distance between the center lines of the primary axles on an RV.
  • Width: The side to side measurement of an RV (doesn’t include the added width of extended slide-outs).
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