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

Air conditioner.

 

 

Aluminum Exterior Sidewalls

This term refers to the outside construction of your RV. It’s made up of wooden framing with an aluminum exterior and batten insulation.

 

 

Auxiliary Battery

An extra battery to run your 12-volt equipment.

 

 

Back-up monitor

Usually found on motorhomes. It’s a camera mounted on the back of the RV with a monitor by the driver seat. Gives you an extra eye while backing up your RV.

 

 

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 your RV’s black water tank can hold.

 

 

Booth Dinette

Dining area with two person seats and a table in-between.

 

 

Brake Controller

A device mounted inside the tow vehicle that will apply the trailer brakes simultaneously with the tow vehicle brakes.

 

 

Breakaway Switch

If your trailer becomes separated from the tow vehicle, this safety switch will automatically activate the brakes on the trailer.

 

 

BTU – British Thermal Unit

RV A/C and Furnace units are BTU-rated. It’s a measurement of heat that is the quantity required to raise the temperature of one pound of water 1 degree F.

 

 

Bunkhouse

Refers to the floorplan style of an RV having bunk beds.

 

 

CCC – Cargo Carying Capacity

This is your RVs maximum weight limit for personal items you add into

 

 

Chassis

Framework your RV is built on. In motorhomes it generally includes the engine, 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 your 120 volt AC power to 12 volt DC power and also charges your 12 volt battery

 

 

Diesel Puller – FRED

FRont Engine Diesel – When your diesel motorhomes engine is located in the front

 

 

Diesel Pusher

When your diesel motorhome’s engine is located in the rear of the RV.

 

 

Dry Weight

This is the weight of just your RV when it’s finished being built. Doesn’t include supplies, water, fuel, or passenger weights.

 

 

DSI Ignition – Direct Spark Ignition

This term is used to describe the method of igniting the main burner on a propane fired appliance.

 

 

Ducted A/C

Your A/C is supplied through ducts in the ceiling and vents throughout the RV.

 

 

Ducted Heat

Your heat is supplied through ducts in the floor and vents throughout the RV.

 

 

Dump Station

Refers to an area, a concrete pad with a tank underneath the ground, where you can dump your black and gray water tanks.

 

 

Enclosed/Sealed Undebelly

This term refers to the bottom surface of your RV being closed shut to help against weather. Manufacturers will also offer additional packages that will increase the amount of seasons you can use your RV in.

 

 

Engine

Provides power to your motorhome.

 

 

Free Standing Dinette

Dining area with individual chairs and a table in-between.

 

 

Fresh Water Capacity

The amount of drinkable water your RV’s fresh water tank can hold.

 

 

Front Galley

When the kitchen is located in the front of your RV.

 

 

Front Living

When the living-room is located in the front of your RV.

 

 

Front Sleeping

When the master bedroom is located in the front of your RV.

 

 

Fuel Type

Type of fuel your motorhome uses. Either Gas or Diesel.

 

 

Full Hookup

This is when an RV campsite offers a water supply, sewer/septic, and electricity.

 

 

Full-timers

When you live in your RV year round.

 

 

Galley

This term refers to the kitchen of your RV.

 

 

GAWR – Gross Axle Weight Rating

This is the total allowable weight on each individual axles which includes the weight of tires, wheels, brakes, and the axle itself

 

 

GCWR – Gross Combination Weight Rating

This is the total allowable weight of your tow vehicle, your trailer, the cargo in each, hitching, fluids, and occupants.

 

 

Generator

Provides 120-volt AC power to your RV. Runs on gas, diesel, or propane.

 

 

Gray Water Capacity

The amount of used water from the kitchen sink, bathroom sink or shower, your RV’s gray water tank can hold.

 

 

GVWR

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating – The maximum weight your RV can be to ensure safe traveling. Includes the vehicles chassis, body, engine, fluids, fuel, accessories, passengers, cargo, etc.

 

 

Height

Top to bottom measurement of your RV.

 

 

Hitch

The connection used between your tow vehicle and your RV.

Hitch Capacity – references the towing capacity of your receiver hitch.

 

 

Holding Tanks

This term refers to your fresh water tank, gray water tank, and black water tank.

House Battery – The battery in your motorhome that operates 12 volt system within the motorhome.

 

 

Interior Height

From floor to ceiling measurement of the inside of your RV.

Inverter – Converts your 12 volt DC power to 110 volt AC power.

 

 

King Pin Weight

this is the actual weight pressing down on the 5th of your tow vehicle). Generall 15% – 25% of the GVW. wheel hitch(located in the back bed

 

 

Laminated Walls

This term refers to the outside wall construction of your RV. It’s made up of an aluminum frame, styrofoam, fiberglass sheeting treated with a gel-coat and is then laminated onto a

 

 

Length

Front to back measurement of your RV.

 

 

Leveling Jacks

These will make sure your RV sits level on the ground.

 

 

Loft Bed

Usually found in Toy Haulers, this is a space above the garage or entrance door that includes

 

 

LP Gas

Liquid Petroleum – Another term for Propane.

 

 

Park Model

This is a type of RV made to be permanently parked in an area.

Part-timers – When you travel and use your RV for more than the occasional vacation.

 

 

Rear Kitchen

When the kitchen is located in the back of your RV.

 

 

Rear Living

When the living-room is located in the rear of your RV.

 

 

Rear Sleeping

When the master bedroom is located in the rear of your RV.

 

 

Sleeping Capacity

The amount of sleeping spaces in your RV. RVs come with different types of sleeping arrangements – regular sized bed, hide-a-bed in the sofa, collapsible booth dinette, drop down bunk

 

 

Slide-outs

Additional area made for each flooplan that slides-out to provide you more living space.

 

 

Sway Bar System

Designed to reduce or eliminate side to side sway movement of your trailer.

 

 

Tongue Weight

this is the actual weight pressing down on the hitch ball(located on the tow vehicle). Generally 10% – 15% of the GVW.

 

 

Tow Rating

The maximum weight your tow vehicle can safely tow(set by the vehicle manufacturer).

 

 

Underbelly

This term refers to the bottom surface of your RV.

 

 

Weekenders

When you travel and use your RV on the weekends throughout the year.

 

 

Weight Distribution System

Takes weight from the tongue of your trailer and redistributes it to the front of the tow vehicle.

 

 

Wheel Base

This is the distance between the center lines of the primary axles on your RV.

 

 

Width

Side to side measurement of your RV (doesn’t include slideouts).