Navigating the Lingo: Understanding Frequent RV Phrases
With a lot of our kiddos again in class, we thought now can be the right time for a studying session of our personal. to In case you’re new to the world of RVing, you’ve in all probability 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 discuss once they discuss RV Converse.
RV Phrases for Forms of RVs
Each RVer has totally different wants and tastes in terms of 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 lessons based on their construct. Right here’s what’s what in terms of RV lessons:
Class A Motorhome
A Class A motorhome is a big, luxurious motorhome that kind of resembles a bus. Class A motorhomes might be totally different lengths, however they’re all the time well-appointed with the comforts of dwelling.
Diesel Pusher
A diesel pusher is a Class A with a diesel engine positioned in the back of the motorhome.
Class B Motorhome
Class B motorhomes are mainly van conversions. They’re the smallest motorhome and are liked for his or her skill to camp effortlessly in locations the place a bigger RV gained’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 varieties 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 consists of so-called “Tremendous C motorhomes,” that are merely giant Class C’s.
Bus Conversion
A bus conversion is a motorcoach that’s been transformed right into a rolling dwelling. Bus conversions are sometimes a artistic and inventive expression of their house owners, 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 conveyable scorching 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 just a few selection extras.
Towable RV Phrases
Towable RVs embrace all trailer varieties (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 automobiles often require a weight distribution hitch (WD) and sway bars to keep up 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 youngsters 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 conveyable scorching 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 varieties 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 laborious 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 manner, corresponding to: “Good rig. Candy setup.”
TV
Whereas most RVs have not less than one tv, RVers often 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 numerous other ways you’ll be able to camp in an RV. RVers have phrases for each one in all them. Here’s a listing of RV tenting phrases you’ll in all probability come throughout should you haven’t already.
Boondocking
Boondocking is tenting with none hookups or connections, often far-off from developed areas. On-line programs like Boondocking 101 Masterclass provide a extra in-depth take a look at profitable boondocking practices.
Dry Tenting
Dry tenting is tenting with none providers or hookups. The time period “dry tenting” is usually used interchangeably with the time period “boondocking.” Nevertheless, whereas boondocking often means tenting away from growth, dry tenting might be performed wherever. For instance, you would 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 are solely accessible by 4×4 roads and trails. Overlander RVs are sometimes designed with this in thoughts, and though they’ve a lot of the facilities you’ll have to be snug, they’ve design options that make them way more rugged than every other kind of RV.
Moochdocking
Moochdocking means driveway tenting in a buddy or relative’s driveway at no cost. Moochdockers incessantly have entry to 110-volt energy and will or might not have a connection to water hookups.
Wallydocking
Many Walmarts provide in a single day tenting to RVers touring by way of the realm. 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.
Sooner or later of their keep, Wallydockers purchase issues from the shop. They attempt to camp as inconspicuously as doable. To be inconspicuous, Wallydockers ought to by no means put out awnings, arrange firepits, or arrange tenting chairs.
Stealth Tenting
Stealth tenting, a way employed by RVers in vans or Class B RVs, includes discreetly establishing camp in developed areas with the intention of mixing in and remaining unnoticed. Typically used as a way 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 not less than a brief interval in alternate for providers. Examples of workamping positions embrace campground host, farm laborer, and Amazon warehouse worker.
RV Methods: RV Phrases Used Typically
Full Hookups
The time period “full hookups” means you’ll be able to 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 usually 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 dwelling space of the RV versus the entrance seat space.
Cockpit
The cockpit is the place the driving force’s seat and controls are positioned in a motorhome.
Coach
That is one other title for a Class A or Class C motorhome. It might additionally imply the dwelling 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 elements of the automobile. It’s the basis of the RV, and it holds the wheels, engine, drivetrain, suspension, and all different mechanical components.
Basement
The basement is a part of the coach that’s underneath the cabin. Basements incessantly include accessible storage bays, batteries, and plumbing elements.
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 part else it’s essential to have enjoyable whereas tenting.
Slideout (Slide)
A slideout (generally referred to as a slide) is a small dwelling area that may be prolonged from the aspect of the RV so as to add extra dwelling space when you’re camped. Earlier than you hit the street, a push of a button will trigger small motors to convey 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. Elements powered by the DC electrical system embrace 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. Elements 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 adjustments 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 stage the RV.
Anderson Levelling Chock
It is a moon-shaped wheel chock used to stage the RV backward and forward.
A-frame (Tongue) Jack
An A-frame jack is used on a journey trailer to carry and decrease the hitch.
RV Phrases for Totally different Forms of RVers
There are not less than as many varieties of RVers out tenting as there are RVs. Listed below are just a few 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 want 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 contemplate their RV to be their everlasting residence, though they might have a everlasting domicile deal with someplace in Texas or by way of 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 perfect of each worlds, so that they spend spring and summer time 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’ll virtually all the time have an space that could be a dwelling base, a nomad is completely on the transfer. Nomads thrive in new environments and incessantly spend not 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 obtainable.
Vanlifer
A vanlifer is loosely outlined as somebody who has arrange a small, medium, or giant van with every part they should stay a cheerful and comfy life on the street. Vanlifers are sometimes (however not all the time) 20–40 years previous and could also be employed in distant jobs within the tech trade.
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 way of the campground or leaves trash exterior at night time to draw bears and different wildlife. A campground jerk incessantly has an incredible 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 just a few different RV phrases chances are 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 will assist preserve 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 condominium that’s constructed to remain in a single place.
Poop Pyramid
Lastly, let’s discuss in regards to 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 strong materials within the black tank instantly beneath the bathroom. When sufficient materials builds up, it plugs the bathroom, so that you gained’t be capable of 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’s not sufficient water within the black tank. Clearing a poop pyramid is rarely enjoyable. Fortunately you’ll be able to 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 need to all the time use septic-safe rest room paper in your RV and flush with loads of water.