Come again? RV Terms & Slang: A Guide for Beginners

If you’re new to the world of RVing, you may have come across a few slang terms or phrases that you're unfamiliar with. Some would even say that RVers have their very own language. If any of the jargon surrounding RVs has left you confused, you’ve come to the right place! Read on for our guide to some of the most commonly-used RV terminology. 

Terms

Anode Rod - a rod used for corrosion protection in a steel hot water heater’s tank.

Axel Ratio - the relationship between the rotation of the driveshaft and the rear/drive axels. These have a large impact on tow ratings.

Black Water (& Tank) - Wastewater (sewage) from the toilet. Usually held in a holding tank beneath the floor.

Blueboy - Portable wheeled plastic tote used to transport sewage from the RV

Boondocking - camping “off the grid” with no hookups

Caravanning - travelling and camping with other RVers

Chassis Battery - battery in a motorhome that runs the electric components of the drivetrain. 

Cockpit - the front area of a motorhome where the driver and passenger sit. Also known as a cabin. 

Converter - electrical devices that convert the voltage from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC)

Delamination - when the fibreglass or gel coat layer on an RV wall separates from the backing material

Dinghy - the vehicle towed behind an RV. Also referred to as a toad. 

Dry Camping - camping without hookups 

Dry Weight - the weight of the RV without adding fuel, water, propane, supplies, and passengers. Also referred to as unloaded weight or curb weight. 

Dually - a vehicle with sets of two tires in the rear. 

Flat Tow - a way of towing a vehicle behind a motorhome without a dolly. The hitch assembly is mounted directly to the vehicle.

Freshwater tank - potable water, water suitable for human consumption

Full Hookup or FHU - campsites with all connections or “hookups” available, including water, electricity, and sewage. 

Grey Water Tank - holds used water from your kitchen sink, bathroom sink, and shower.   

Holding Tanks - all tanks in an RV: Black, Grey, and Freshwater

Honeywagon - a mobile service that will empty the waste holding tanks at your campsite

Inverter - Electrical devices that convert the voltage from direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC). 

Moochdocking - camping at a family or friend’s property, often in the driveway. 

Pull-through - camping sites that allow an RV to “pull into” or “pull out of” instead of backing into the campsite.

Shore Power - power coming from an electrical box or another source so the RV doesn’t have to use its battery. 

Slide Topper - an awning connected to and covers the top of an RV slide

Snowbird - a northerner who moves to a warmer southern state in the winter. 

Solar Ready - RVs that are pre-wired for solar products

Stabilizing Jacks - Jacks that are used to prevent rocking while using the RV.

Toad - a vehicle towed behind a motorhome

Tongue Weight - the weight that is pressing down on the hitch ball of the tow vehicle.

Tow Dolly - a small two-wheeled trailer used to attach a tow vehicle to the back of an RV.

Undercarriage - everything underneath the RV, including mechanical, holding tanks, etc. 

Wallydocking - slang for parking overnight in a Walmart parking lot.

Types of RVs

A-Frame - the unofficial term for a hard side trailer that folds flat when being towed or stored, but when in use, the fold-down parts create a peak for a roof.

Airstream - a brand of travel trailer that has a shiny aluminum exterior. 

Class A Motorhome - built on a specially designed motor vehicle chassis. They are large and can easily tow other vehicles behind them. 

Class B Motorhome - also known as a campervan. Compact and drive like a regular van or SUV.

Class C Motorhome - mid-sized motorhomes that are most recognizable by the over-cab sleeping area.

Coach - another term for a Class A motorhome

Diesel Puller or FRED - front-engine diesel motorhomes

Diesel Pusher - rear-engine diesel motorhomes

Fiver - a fifth-wheel trailer.

Gas Pusher - slang for a motorhome with a rear engine running on gasoline.

Park Model - a type of travel trailer designed for permanent parking. Also known as a destination trailer. 

Pop-out - An area in your RV that ‘pops-out’ for more space. Commonly referred to as a slide.

Pop-up - a folding camping trailer. Commonly seen with tent trailers. 

Rig - another term for RV

Teardrop Trailer - smaller, lightweight RVs in the shape of a teardrop

Toy Haulers - a fifth wheel that includes extra garage space in the back to load extra equipment and small utility vehicles such as motorbikes, side-by-sides, or 4-wheelers. 

Widebody - RVs with widths larger than the standard 8 feet

Winnebago (Winnie) - a brand of motorhome, often used as a generic term to describe a Class C motorhome

Acronyms

CCC - Cargo Carrying Capacity - the maximum weight limit you can add to an RV

GAWR - Gross axle weight rating - the maximum weight an axle is designed to carry. 

GCWR - Gross combined weight rating - the maximum weight of a vehicle and its attached trailer.

GVWR - Gross vehicle weight rating - the total allowable weight of a vehicle including passengers, fluids, and hitch weight.

UVW - Unloaded vehicle weight or Dry Weight - the weight of the RV without adding fuel, water, propane, supplies and passengers. 

TPMS - Tire pressure monitoring system

NADA - National automotive Dealer’s association