Your RV’s NCC is maxed out, your toad is all hooked up, the galley’s stocked and you think you’re ready for your boondocking trip in your RBR.
Courtesy of Foremost Insurance Group, learn some of the terms used by motorhome enthusiasts to make your next camping adventure or first motorhome purchase a little less confusing.
“As a newcomer to the world of motorhomes, it’s helpful to know some of the terminology used when talking about recreational vehicles,” says Foremost Insurance Senior Product Manager Randy Sellhorn. “Learning the lingo might help you with buying a motorhome, talking to other owners, or describing problems to your insurance company in case you file a claim. Plus, you might be able to convince people that you are a full-timer, even if you’re not.”
PARTS AND CAMPING TERMS
Chassis — Metal frame supporting the engine and bodywork.
Cockpit — Area where the driver sits.
Basement — Storage area beneath the floor of the motor home, usually accessible from the outside.
Boondocking (or Dry Camping) — Camping without hooking up to any electric, sewer or water facilities. You can still have electricity from the batteries or generator in your motor home and water from your fresh water holding tank.
Dinghy (or Toad) — Vehicle towed behind your motor home.
Dump Station — Facility where you can empty your black and gray water holding tanks (see holding tanks for description).
Extended Stay Site — Park or campsite where you can stay for a longer period of time, even up to an entire season.
Full Hookup — Campsite with direct connections to electricity, sewer and water amenities.
Galley — Kitchen.
Holding Tanks – There are three different holding tanks on most motor homes:
Black Water Tank — Holds all water and waste from the toilet.
Fresh Water Tank — Stores all of the fresh water that will be used in the sinks, shower and toilet while dry camping.
Genset – A motorhome’s electric generator
Gray Water Tank — Holds all the water and waste from the sink and shower drains.
Pull-Through — Camping site that allows you to pull through when you set up and leave the area. You do not have to back into or out of a pull through site.
Puller — Motorhome with the diesel engine mounted in the front of the vehicle.
Pusher — Motorhome with the diesel engine mounted in the rear of the vehicle.
RV — Recreational Vehicle. Combines transportation and temporary living quarters for recreation, camping and travel.
Rig — Another name for motorhome.
RBR — Really Big Rig.
Shorepower – AC power source to plug into at the campground
Slideout — Portion of the motor home that can expand to create more room inside.
VBR — Very Big Rig.
OWNER TERMS
Newbie — Someone new to the RV world.
Full-Timers — People who live in their RV full time or at least the majority of the time.
Part-Timers — People who use their RV for more than a few weekend trips a year, but who still use it less than full time.
Snowbirds — Those who live in their RV in the south during the winter months and move north in the summer time.
WEIGHT TERMS
Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) — The manufacturer’s maximum load weight, in pounds, allowed for the trailer and tow vehicle. This rating includes the weight of the trailer, tow vehicle, fuel, water, propane, supplies and passengers.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) — The manufacturer’s maximum load weight, in pounds, allowed for the vehicle. This rating includes the weight of the vehicle plus fuel, water, propane, supplies and passengers.
Net Carrying Capacity (NCC) (or Payload Capacity) – The maximum weight of fuel, water, propane, supplies and passengers that can be added to an RV without exceeding the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
Unloaded Vehicle Weight (UVW) (or Dry Weight) – The weight of the RV without adding fuel, water, propane, supplies and passengers.
