Learn the Most Common RV Slang Terms
Whether you’re looking to purchase your first RV or are an experienced RVer, things can get pretty hairy when getting deep into RV talk. For instance, do you know the difference between a Class A Motorhome and a fifth wheel?
In either case, the experts at RV Roadway have you and your RV covered. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common RV terms.
General RV Classification Terms
- Expandable Travel Trailers are exactly what the name suggests — travel trailers that can expand. Usually, these trailers are between 19 and 30 feet. Smaller expandable travel trailers can be towed by trucks, SUVs, and family sedans.
- Fifth-wheel travel trailers can be anywhere from 21 to 40 feet and may offer many of the same features and amenities as a conventional travel trailer. Fifth-wheel travel trailers are often towed by pickup trucks with a fifth-wheel hitch.
- Pop-up trailers or tent trailers are also called foldable tent camping trailers. Pop-up trailers collapse for lightweight, easy towing. Combining the safety of an RV and the appeal of an outdoor tent, pop-up trailers feature canvas sides for an open-air experience.
- Type or Class A motorhomes are conventional motorhomes constructed on a specially engineered vehicle chassis. It boasts many of the comforts of home, such as entertainment centers, bathrooms, a kitchen, and central A/C. Type A motorhomes can range in size from 21 to 40 feet.
- Type or Class B motorhomes are called van campers. They range in size from 16 to 22 feet. Class B motorhomes are smaller and offer better maneuverability than Class A motorhomes. Even so, Class B motorhomes include bathrooms, dining spaces, kitchen facilities, and sleeping areas. Simply put, Class B motorhomes drive similarly to the family vehicle but offer many conveniences of a Class A motorhome in a more compact space.
- Type or Class C motorhomes range between 21 and 35 feet and offer sufficient living space and storage. Some Type C motorhomes are slideouts and offer ample accessibility options.
- Conventional travel trailers are RVs that range from 12 to 35 feet. Travel trailers are available in many sizes and floor plans with countless options
15 Must-Know RV Terms
The following commonly used terms describe the inner features of RVs:
- RV Basement: This is the large storage area under the floor area of the RV. It’s accessible via the outside storage doors.
- Black Water Capacity: In RV terms, blackwater is the wastewater from the toilet. Your RV’s black water capacity is the amount of black water it can hold.
- Booth Dinette: As a space-saving dining space, the booth dinette offers bench seats and a table between. Some RV booth dinettes will convert into additional sleeping space.
- Bunkhouse: This is any RV floor plan with bunk beds.
- Chassis Battery: The battery in your RV powers the 12-volt components of the vehicle’s drivetrain.
- Diesel Puller: This includes RVs and motorhomes with a diesel engine in the front.
- Diesel Pusher: These are diesel motorhomes with RVs in the back.
- Dinghy: Also called a “toad,” a dinghy is a vehicle towed behind the RV.
- Dry Weight: Your RV’s dry weight is the weight of it when it comes off the assembly line.
- Front Galley: This is a common type of floor plan where your kitchen is in the front of the RV.
- Front Sleeping: This type of RV has the master bedroom situated toward the front of the RV.
- Front Living: This type of floor plan has the living room toward the front part of the RV.
- House Battery: The 12-volt electrical system in the motorhome is operated by this battery.
- Leveling Jacks: Refers to the equipment that ensures the RV is on level ground.
- Tongue Weight: While the tow rating is the weight your RV can safely tow, the tongue weight is the weight pressing down on the ball hitch. In most instances, the tongue weight is 10% to 15% of the gross vehicle weight.
Got Questions? Contact RV Roadway?
If you have questions, the experts at RV Roadway have answers. As the leading family-owned RV dealership in the area, we are proud to offer one of the largest and most diverse inventories of new and pre-owned RVs of all types.
Contact us today.
