The A B C's of RV Terminology

I guess because I work in the RV Industry andBreakaway Switch - A switch that is wired into
around RVs almost everyday I take some thingsthe trailers brake system. It is attached from the
for granted. One of those things is RVtrailer to the tow vehicle by a cable lanyard. In
terminology. When you hear these termsthe event that the trailer and vehicle separate the
everyday you just assume that everybodycable pulls a pin from the switch and the trailer
understands them.brakes are activated. The switch must have a
A12-volt source to operate.
Aluminum Frame Construction - When the RVBumper Pull - A term used to describe towing a
framing is made of aluminum as opposed totravel trailer or pop-up. Also referred to as a pull
wood.behind.
Artic Package - An RV that is equipped withC
additional insulation and heated holding tanks forCab over - The portion of a class C motor home
winter camping.that extends over the vehicle cab. It is usually
Awning - A canvas or vinyl covering mounted todesigned as a bed.
the side of an RV that provides shade. SomeCampground Hook-Ups - When you hook-up or
awnings are retractable and use a spring-loadedconnect your RV to the campground electric,
roller tube. Other awnings must be rolled out bywater and sewer utilities. This would be considered
hand and are supported by poles, rope tie downsa full hook-up. Some campgrounds may only offer
and stakes.one or two of these connections.
Axle Ratio - The number of times the drive shaftCargo Carrying Capacity (CCC) - is the maximum
must turn to turn the axle one time. If you havepermissible weight of personal belongings and
a 3.73:1 axle ratio the drive shaft turns 3.73 timescargo that can be added to the RV. CCC is equal
for each full turn of the axle. The higher theor less than GVWR minus UVW, full fresh water
numeric value of the axle ratio the better theweight, and full LP gas weight.
vehicle will tow, and the higher the numeric valueCity Water Connection - A water connection on
the more gas you will use.the outside of the RV that is used when you
Bhave an external water supply such as at a
Backup Monitor - A monitor located in the driver'scampground. A potable water hose is used to
view that is attached to a small camera on theconnect the water supply to the city water
back of a motor home. It is used to assist inconnector on the RV.
backing the motor home and to monitor what isClass A or Type A motor home - They are the
happening behind you while you are traveling.largest of the motorized RV's ranging in size from
Ball & Ball Mount - Hitch balls have three basic25 to 45 feet. Commonly referred to as a
measurements, the ball diameter, the shankconventional motor home they are the ones you
diameter and the shank length. Ball diameter sizessee that look similar to a bus, and depending on
come in 1 7/8", 2" and 2 5/16". The ball size mustthe price they can be equipped with features like
be the right size for the coupler on the trailer youwashers and dryers, multiple slide out rooms,
are towing, and be rated to tow the trailerssatellite dishes, home entertainment systems and
GVWR. The ball mount is the removable portionmuch more.
of the hitch that slides into the hitch receiver. ForClass B or Type B motor home - They are the
Weight Carrying (WC) hitches it may besmallest of motorized RV's ranging in size from16
necessary to find a ball mount with a drop or riseto 20 feet. They are conversion vans that have
to help level the trailer when its hooked up to thebeen modified and equipped with sleeping, eating
tow vehicle. An adjustable ball mount is used forand bathroom facilities and amenities found in
heavier trailer applications. Adjustable ball mountsother RVs in a compact size.
allow the ball to be raised, lowered or tilted toClass C or Type C motor home - They are also
compensate for trailer tongue weight and toreferred to as mini-motor homes and are built on
attain proper height adjustments. Adjustable balla cutaway van chassis. They range in size from
mounts are normally used with Weight Distributing20 to 31 feet.
(WD) hitches.Converter - An electrical device that converts
Basement Storage - Storage compartments or120-volt AC power into 12-volt DC power. With
storage area located below the floor of thethe exception of the roof air conditioner,
motor home. You access the storage frommicrowave, TV and the electric mode of the
outside. Some storage areas are referred to asrefrigerator almost everything in an RV operates
pass through storage, which means it goes fromon 12-volt DC power supplied by a battery. When
one side of the RV to the other with no dividers,you're plugged in to a 120-volt electrical source
and can be accessed from either side.the converter changes the 120-volts AC to
Black Water Holding Tank - A tank mounted12-volts DC so everything can operate without
under the RV that collects water and waste fromdraining the battery(s). The converter also has a
the toilet. When the tank is 3⁄4 or more fullbattery charger that will keep the battery(s)
it is emptied or dumped into an approved dumptopped off when you are plugged in to a 120-volt
station or campground sewer. The black waterpower source.
tank is treated with chemicals to control odor andCoupler- Located on the front of the trailer
assist in breaking down waste.A-frame the coupler attaches the trailer to the
Brake Controller - An electronic controller that isball on the hitch.
normally mounted under the dashboard of theThis list is not all-inclusive, but if you learn these
tow vehicle, but within hands reach of the driver.terms you will soon be understanding RV
The controller is designed to activate the trailerterminology.
brakes when the tow vehicle brakes are applied.Happy Camping,
It also has a manual over ride that can be usedMark
to activate the trailer brakes without using theCopyright 2006 by Mark J.
vehicle brakes.