I thought it would be a good idea if you take a minute and familiarize yourself with some campground and RV terminology you may encounter while RVing.
30 Amp, 120-volt electrical systemMost RVs are designed with 30 Amp, 120 volt electrical systems, and some of the larger RVs with more appliances and two roof A/Cs use a 50 Amp, electrical system. What this basically means is, for everything to operate properly the manufacturer intends the RV to have a 30 or 50 amp electrical service supplied to the RV.
Boondocking
The term boondocking means rough country, roughing it or out in the sticks, but for RVers it basically translates into free or dry camping. You find a place to camp in an RV, where fees may or may not be charged, and you camp without any utility hook-ups like water, electric, and sewer. It might be at a Flying J truck stop, a Wal-Mart parking lot, a remote area in the wilderness or in the middle of a desert.
The term boondocking means rough country, roughing it or out in the sticks, but for RVers it basically translates into free or dry camping. You find a place to camp in an RV, where fees may or may not be charged, and you camp without any utility hook-ups like water, electric, and sewer. It might be at a Flying J truck stop, a Wal-Mart parking lot, a remote area in the wilderness or in the middle of a desert.
You can still use all of the 12-volt appliances and accessories as long as the deep cycle battery(s) has a charge. You can also use the onboard water system with the 12-volt demand water pump. If you have solar panels and an inverter or an onboard generator you can use some or all of the 120-volt appliances and recharge the auxiliary battery(s). This is what makes an RV fully self-contained.
Campground Hook-Ups
When you hook-up or connect your RV to the campground electric, water and sewer utilities. Some campgrounds may only offer one or two of these utility connections.
When you hook-up or connect your RV to the campground electric, water and sewer utilities. Some campgrounds may only offer one or two of these utility connections.
City Water Connection
A water connection on the outside of the RV that is used when you have an external water supply like you will find at a campground. A potable water hose is used to connect the campground water supply to the city water connector on the RV.
A water connection on the outside of the RV that is used when you have an external water supply like you will find at a campground. A potable water hose is used to connect the campground water supply to the city water connector on the RV.
Dinghy
A term used for the vehicle you are towing behind a motor home, also called a Toad.
A term used for the vehicle you are towing behind a motor home, also called a Toad.
Dry Camping
This term is similar to boondocking. It refers to camping in an RV without any utility hook-ups like water, electric, and sewer. Dry camping can be spending a few days at an RV rally without hook-ups or it may be that you are traveling to a destination, and while traveling you stop at truck stops to get a few hours of rest at night. On the other hand it may be that you enjoy getting away from everything and you take extended dry camping trips in remote areas.
This term is similar to boondocking. It refers to camping in an RV without any utility hook-ups like water, electric, and sewer. Dry camping can be spending a few days at an RV rally without hook-ups or it may be that you are traveling to a destination, and while traveling you stop at truck stops to get a few hours of rest at night. On the other hand it may be that you enjoy getting away from everything and you take extended dry camping trips in remote areas.
You can still use all of the 12-volt appliances and accessories as long as the deep cycle battery(s) has a charge. You can also use the onboard water system with the 12-volt demand water pump. If you have solar panels and an inverter or an onboard generator you can use some or all of the 120-volt appliances and recharge the auxiliary battery(s). This is what makes an RV fully self-contained.
Dump Outlet
This is where the black water and gray water holding tanks terminate into one main outlet. This is also where you connect the RV sewer hose to dump or empty the gray and black water holding tanks.
This is where the black water and gray water holding tanks terminate into one main outlet. This is also where you connect the RV sewer hose to dump or empty the gray and black water holding tanks.
Dump Station
An area designated and approved for dumping or emptying your gray and black water holding tanks.
An area designated and approved for dumping or emptying your gray and black water holding tanks.
Fire Pit or Fire Ring
This is a designated area at a campsite to start and maintain a campfire. Never start a fire when there is a fire restriction, even if you have a fire pit.
This is a designated area at a campsite to start and maintain a campfire. Never start a fire when there is a fire restriction, even if you have a fire pit.
Full Hook-Up or Full Service
A full hook-up or full service means you connect the RV to the campground electric, water and sewer facilities. In addition to this it may also include cable TV and phone line connections. Cable and phone lines are offered infrequently.
A full hook-up or full service means you connect the RV to the campground electric, water and sewer facilities. In addition to this it may also include cable TV and phone line connections. Cable and phone lines are offered infrequently.
Honey TruckA service provided at remote campsites, RV rallies, and campgrounds where a truck will come to your site and empty the holding tanks.
Partial Hook-Up
A partial hook-up usually means you connect the RV to the campground water and electric, but not the sewer.
A partial hook-up usually means you connect the RV to the campground water and electric, but not the sewer.
Pull Through Site
This is a campground site that requires no backing up. The site is designed for you to drive or pull through straight through.
This is a campground site that requires no backing up. The site is designed for you to drive or pull through straight through.
Shore Power
Shore power is a term used for plugging the RV in to an external 120-volt power source such as at a campground.
Shore power is a term used for plugging the RV in to an external 120-volt power source such as at a campground.
Slide-Out
This is a section of the RV that slides out to provide additional living space inside the RV. Some RVs have multiple slide outs.
This is a section of the RV that slides out to provide additional living space inside the RV. Some RVs have multiple slide outs.
Stabilizer Jacks These are jacks that are used on the corners of an RV to stabilize it when it is set up at the campground. Some are mounted to the frame of the RV and others are portable. Stabilizer jacks are not designed to level the trailer.
Tent Site or Tenting Sites
An area at a public or private campground designated for tent campers. Tent sites sometimes have partial hook ups available, picnic tables and a fire ring.
An area at a public or private campground designated for tent campers. Tent sites sometimes have partial hook ups available, picnic tables and a fire ring.
Toad
Another term used for the vehicle towed behind a motor home, also called a dinghy.
Another term used for the vehicle towed behind a motor home, also called a dinghy.
Tote tank
A portable tank used to dump the contents of a holding tank in to and then transport it to a dump station to be emptied.
A portable tank used to dump the contents of a holding tank in to and then transport it to a dump station to be emptied.
Tow Dolly
A trailer used to tow a vehicle behind a motor home when the vehicle cannot be towed with all four wheels on the ground. Two of the vehicles wheels are on the tow dolly and two are on the road surface.
A trailer used to tow a vehicle behind a motor home when the vehicle cannot be towed with all four wheels on the ground. Two of the vehicles wheels are on the tow dolly and two are on the road surface.
There are more RV terms to learn, however this will give you a good start towards your basic RV education.
Happy RV Learning!
Mark Polk
RV Education 101
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Copyright by Mark Polk owner of RV Education 101 – all rights reserved
You forgot one. The blueboy.
ReplyDeleteThat's on the list - Tote Tank.
Delete