Home | Resources | Motorcoach Terms
Motorcoach Terms
- Alternating Current. Standard household 110 Volt AC current.
- The holding tank into which the toilet directly drains.
- The term associated with sewage contained within the black tank.
- The measurement of the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit.
- Refers to exterior water source, not water from the fresh water tank that you hook up to at campgrounds. "City Water" refers to pulling water from a central source (like in the city).
- The result of warm humid air coming in contact with cold glass. Also known as "sweat."
- Device that converts 110V AC to 12 V DC.
- Term used to refer to the side of your coach which faces the curb (or should when parked). Also called DOOR SIDE (the main entrance door on a motorcoach) or OFFROAD SIDE.
- The weight of a motor vehicle with standard equipment including the maximum capacity of fuel, oil and coolant.
- Direct Current. Also termed "battery power." Used to run all 12 V powered systems or lighting.
- Refers to camping only the resources within your unit and without amenities such as city water hook-ups, electrical hook-ups, and other conveniences often provided at commercial campsites.
- Direct Spark Ignition -- The method of lighting a main burner on an LP fired appliance.
- Air conditioning distributed through a ducting system.
- Warm air distributed through a ducting system.
- Coach equipped with appliances and lights, which operate on 12 V power when self-contained, and with a converter on 110 AC when in campgrounds or run off of a generator.
- Term used for locations to drain the waste tanks (gray and black tanks). In most states it is illigal to dump your tanks anywhere except at dump stations.
- Another name for the T-Handle used to drain the black and gray tanks.
- Term used for the emergency exit windows within motorcoaches. Usually identified by red handles or levers.
- A campsite that offers full amenities, such as city water, sewer and electrical hook-ups. Many have cable and phone service available as well.
- A term used in reference to the kitchen base cabinet.
- The waste holding tank into which water from the kitchen and bath sinks, shower and tub drains.
- Water drained into the gray holding tanks.
- Maximum load weight (in pounds) allowed for the vehicle.
- Maximum load weight (in pounds) allowed for the vehicle.
- Amount of weight that rests on the tow vehicle's hitch.
- Refers to the tanks typically known as fresh water, gray and black, where the water is held.
- Where you connect to a campground's facilities.
- Lowest point in the plumbing system. Drain valves are placed at these points for water line draining.
- Liquefied Petroleum Gas -- Used to fuel appliances.
- The sum of curb weight, accessory weigh, vehicle capacity weight and production options weight.
- This means 150 pounds (68 kg) multiplied by the number of occupants.
- The distribution of occupants in a vehicle.
- Small flame that is used to ignite the main burner of an LP-fired appliance.
- Campsite that offers limited connections. May have city water or electrical available but not both.
- Camp sites that you can pull your recreational vehicle through, eliminating the need to back in.
- Refers to the side of the unit that faces the road when parked. Also commonly referred to as STREETSIDE or OFF DOOR SIDE.
- Short for Recreational Vehicle
- Recreational Vehicle Industry Association
- The electrical cord that connects 110 Volt from an exterior outlet (such as campgrounds) to the RV. Also called the "Power Cord."
- The 110 Volt outlet that connects to the Shore Line
- Weight of the unit without adding fuel, water, propane, supplies and passengers. This is also referred to as "Dry Weight."
- Weight of the coach with fuel, fresh water and LP tanks full.