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T-Shirts
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RV Terms
120 AC/12 DC/LP-gas - The power sources on which RV refrigerators operate; 120 AC is 120-volt alternating current (same as in houses); 12 DC is 12-volt direct current (same as in motor vehicles); LP-gas. Some RV refrigerators can operate on two of the three sources, others on all three.
Anode Rod - an anode rod, when used in a water heater, attracts corrosion causing products in the water. These products attack the anode rod instead of the metal tank itself. The anode rod should be inspected yearly and changed when it is reduced to about 1/4 of its original size. The rods are used in steel water heater tanks - an aluminum tank has an inner layer of anode metal to accomplish the same thing. Anode rods should not be installed in an aluminum tank!
Axle Ratio - The ratio between the pinion and ring gears in the differential that multiply the torque provided by the engine. It is the number of drive line revolutions required to turn the axle one time. As an example, with a 4.10:1 axle the drive line turns 4.1 times for each full axle revolution. The higher the number, the more torque and thus more towing power. However, the higher the number also means less speed.
Backup Monitor - camera in the back of a motorhome, with the monitor positioned somewhere on the dashboard for the driver, to aid in backing up the motorhome. It is also used while driving to see the traffic behind and to keep an eye on the towed vehicle.
Ball Mount - The part of the hitch system that supports the hitch ball and connects it to the trailer coupler. Ball mounts are available in load carrying and weight distributing configurations.
Black Water - disposal water from toilet system, held in holding tank until you dump it, in large tanks or dumping station available at most campgrounds.
Boondocking - Also known as dry camping, boondocking refers to camping without any hook-ups, namely camping without hooking up to any electric, sewer or water facilities. You can still have electric from your RV batteries and water from your freshwater holding tank.
Brake Actuator - a device mounted under the dash of a towing vehicle to control the braking system of the trailer. Most Brake Actuators a based on a time delay, the more time the tow vehicle brakes are applied the "harder" the trailer brakes are applied.
Brake Controller - a device mounted under the dash of a towing vehicle to control the braking system of the trailer. The Brake Controller senses the amount of braking force of the tow vehicle and applied a proportional force to the trailer braking system.
Break-Away System - A system designed to automatically lock the trailer brakes in the event of a hitch failure and the trailer breaks away from the tow vehicle.
BTU - British Thermal Unit - A measurement of heat that is the quantity required to raise the temperature of one pound of water 1 degree F. RV air-conditioners and furnaces are BTU-rated.
Camber - Wheel alignment - Camber is the number of degrees each wheel is off of vertical. Looking from the front, tops of wheels farther apart than bottoms means "positive camber". As the load pushes the front end down, or the springs get weak, camber would go from positive to none to negative (bottoms of wheels farther apart than tops).
Castor - Wheel alignment - The steering wheels' desire to return to center after you turn a corner.
Condensation - condensation is a result of warm moisture laden air contacting the cold window glass. Keeping a roof vent open helps to reduce the humidity levels. Those added roof vent covers help to prevent cold air from dropping down through the vent while still allowing moist air to escape. Using the roof vent fan when showering or the stove vent fan when cooking also helps prevent excess moisture buildup.
Converter - A converter is device that converts 120 volt A/C (alternating current) to 12 volt DC (direct current). The RV devices mostly run on 12 volt DC power that is supplied by the battery, which allows the RV to function independently. When "shore power" (an electrical supply) is available, the converter changes the voltage from 120 to 12 volt to supply the appliances and to recharge the battery.
Converter - An electrical device for converting 120-volt AC power into 12-volt DC power. Most RVs with electrical hookups will have a converter, since many of the lights and some other accessories run on 12-vold DC.
Diesel Puller - The term for a motorhome with the diesel engine mounted in the front of the vehicle. Also know simply as a Puller.
Diesel Pusher - The term for a motorhome with the diesel engine mounted in the rear of the vehicle. Also know simply as a Pusher.
Dinette - booth-like dining area. Table usually drops to convert unit into a bed at night.
Dinghy - The term for a vehicle that you are towing with your motorhome. It is also known as a Toad.
Dry Camping - Also known as boondocking, dry camping refers to camping without any hook-ups, namely camping without hooking up to any electric, sewer or water facilities. You can still have electric from your RV batteries and water from your freshwater holding tank.
DSI Ignition - direct spark ignition - this term refers to the method of igniting the main burner on a propane fired appliance. The burner is lit with an electric spark and the flame is monitored by an electronic circuit board. This ignition system is used in refrigerators, furnaces and water heaters. There is now a version of stove tops that light the burners with a DSI ignition.
Dry Weight - The weight of the RV without any fuel, freshwater, propane or passengers.
Dual Electrical System - RV equipped with lights, appliances which operate on 12-volt battery power when self-contained, and with a converter, on 110 AC current when in campgrounds or with an onboard generator.
Dually - A pickup truck, or light-duty tow vehicle, with four tires on one rear axle.
Ducted AC is air conditioning supplied through a ducting system in the ceiling. This supplies cooling air at various vents located throughout the RV.
Ducted Heat is warm air from the furnace supplied to various locations in the RV through a ducting system located in the floor. (similar to house heating systems)
Dump Station - A facility for dumping or emptying your black water and gray water holding tanks.
Equalizing Hitch - A hitch that utilizes spring bars that are placed under tension to distribute a portion of the trailer's hitch weight to the tow vehicle's front axle and the trailer's axles. This hitch is also known as a weight distributing hitch.
Fresh (Water) Tank - The gallons of fresh water that can be stored for later use.
Full Hookup - The ability to connect to all three of the campground's facilities; electric, water and sewer.
Full-Timers -or- Full-Timing - The term used for people who live in their RV full time, or at least the vast majority of their time.
Generator - An electrical device powered by gasoline or diesel fuel, and sometimes propane, for generating 120-volt AC power.
Gray (Water) Tank - The gallons of gray waste that can be held. Gray water is waste from the sinks and shower. Disposal water from sinks, shower. In some units, this is held in a tank separate from black water; is also dumped in tanks at campgrounds.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) - The manufacturers maximum load weight, in pounds, that can be placed on the axle. If an axle has a 3500-lb. GAWR and the RV has two axles (tandem axles), then the RV would have a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 7000 lbs.
Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) - The manufacturers maximum load weight, in pounds, allowed for the trailer and tow vehicle. This rating includes the weight of the trailer and two vehicle plus fuel, water, propane, supplies and passengers.
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) - Gross trailer weight is the weight of the trailer fully loaded in its actual towing condition. GTW is measured by placing the fully loaded trailer on a vehicle scale. The entire weight of the trailer should be supported on the scale.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) - The manufacturers maximum load weight, in pounds, allowed for the vehicle. This rating includes the weight of the vehicle plus fuel, water, propane, supplies and passengers.
Heat Exchanger - A heat exchanger is a device that transfers heat from one source to another. For example, there is a heat exchanger in your furnace - the propane flame and combustion products are contained inside the heat exchanger that is sealed from the inside area. Inside air is blown over the surface of the exchanger, where it is warmed and the blown through the ducting system for room heating. The combustion gases are vented to the outside air.
Heat Strip - A heat strip is an electric heating element located in the air conditioning system with the warm air distributed by the air conditioner fan and ducting system. They are typically 1500 watt elements (about the same wattage as an electric hair dryer) and have limited function. Basically they "take the chill off"
Hitch Weight - The amount of a trailer's weight that rests on the tow vehicle's hitch. For travel trailers this weight should be 10% to 15% of the total weight of the trailer. For fifth wheels this weight should be 15% to 20% of the total weight of the trailer.
Holding Tanks - There are three different holding tanks on most RVs; fresh water tank, gray water tank and black water tank. The fresh water tank holds fresh water that can be stored for later use. The gray water tank holds the waste water from the sinks and showers. The black water tank holds the waste from the toilet.
Hookups - The ability of connecting to a campground's facilities. The major types of hookups are electrical, water and sewer. If all three of these hookups are available, it is termed full hookup. Hookups may also include telephone and cable TV in some campgrounds.
Inverter - An inverter is a device that changes 12 volt battery power to 120 volt AC power. It is used when "boondocking" (camping without hookups) to power certain 120 VAC only devices like a microwave oven. The amount of available power depends on the storage capacity of the batteries and the wattage rating of the inverter.
LP Gas - Liquefied Petroleum Gas. LP gas is used to fuel appliances in the RV, such as the stove, oven, water heater and sometimes the refrigerator. Propane tanks are usually rated as pounds or gallons.
Laminate - A sandwich of structural frame members, wall paneling, insulation and exterior covering, adhesive-bonded under pressure and/or heat to form the RV's walls, floor and/or roof.
Livability Packages - items to equip a motorhome for daily living, which may be rented at nominal cost from rental firm, rather than brought from home. Include bed linens, pillows and blankets, bath towels, pots and pans, kitchen utensils, cutlery.
LP Gas - Liquefied Petroleum Gas. LP gas is used to fuel appliances in the RV, such as the stove, oven, water heater and refrigerator. Propane tanks are usually rated as pounds or gallons.
Net Carrying Capacity (NCC) or Payload Capacity - Sometimes called the payload capacity, this is 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).
Part-Timers - The term used for people who use their RV more than usual (more than just a few weekend trips a year), but who still use it less than full time.
Pilot - a pilot is a small standby flame that is used to light the main burner of a propane fired appliance when the thermostat calls for heat. Pilots can be used in furnaces, water heaters, refrigerators, ovens and stove tops.
Pop-Out - The term for a room in an RV that pops out for additional living space.
Popup or Pop-Up - Another name for a folding camping trailer.
Porpoising - A term used to define the up and down motion in an RV while traveling.
Propane - LPG, or liquefied petroleum gas, used in RVs for heating, cooking and refrigeration. Also called bottle gas, for manner in which it is sold and stored.
Puller - The slang term for a motorhome with a front-mounted diesel engine.
Pull-Through - A camping site that allows you to pull through while setting up and leaving the area. A site where you do not have to back into or out of.
Pusher - The slang term for a motorhome with a rear-mounted diesel engine.
Rig - what many RVers call their units.
Roof Air Conditioning - air conditioning unit mounted on roof of RV, to cool the RV when it is parked. When moving, most RVs are cooled by separate air conditioning units which are components of the engine, or they may be cooled by a roof top if a proper size generator is installed.
RV - short for Recreation Vehicle, a generic term for all pleasure vehicles which contain living accommodations. Multiple units are RVs and persons using them are RVers.
Safety Chains - A set of chains that are attached to both the trailer A-Frame and the tow vehicle while towing. Safety chains are intended to keep the trailer attached to the tow vehicle in the event of a hitch failure, preventing the trailer from completely separating from the tow vehicle.
Self Contained - RV which needs no external electrical, drain or water hookup. Thus, it can park overnight anywhere. Of course, self-contained units can also hook up to facilities when at campgrounds.
Shore Power - Electricity provided to the RV by an external source other than the RV batteries.
Slide-In - The term for a type of camper that mounts on a truck bed, because this type of camper slides in to the truck bed.
Slide-Out - A room or area in your RV that slides out to make additional space for living.
Thermocouple - a thermocouple is a device that monitors the pilot flame of a pilot model propane appliance. If the pilot flame is extinguished the thermocouple causes the gas valve to shut off the flow of gas to both the pilot flame and the main burner.
Tip-Out - The term used for an area or room in an RV that tips out for additional living space. The Tip-Out was generally used in older RVs. Newer RVs mainly use a slide-out.
Toad - The term for a vehicle that you are towing with your motorhome. It is also known as a Dinghy.
Toe - Wheel alignment - Toe is the measure of whether the front of the wheels (looking down from the top) are closer (toe-in) or farther (toe-out) than the back of the wheels.
Tongue Weight - Tongue weight (TW) is the downward force exerted on the hitch ball by the trailer coupler. In most cases, it is about 10 to 15 percent of GTW. TW of up to 300 lbs. can be measured on a household scale by resting the trailer coupler on the scale and placing the scale on a box so that the coupler is at its normal towing height. The trailer must be fully loaded and level.
For heavier tongue weights, place a household scale and a brick that's as thick as the scale three feet apart. Set a length of pipe on each and rest a beam across the pipes. Re-zero the scale to correct for the weight of the beam and pipe. Securely block the trailer wheels. Rest the trailer jack on the beam, one (1) foot from the pipe on the brick and two (2) feet from the pipe on the scale.
To obtain the TW, multiply the scale reading by three (3). For greater tongue weights, place the scale and brick four (4) feet apart, rest the jack on the beam three (3) feet from the scale and multiply the scale reading by four (4).
Tow Bar - A bar used for connecting a towed vehicle to the motorhome for towing with all four wheels on the ground.
Trailer Brakes - Brakes that are built into the trailer and are activated either by electric impulse or by a surge mechanism.
Underbelly - The RV's underfloor surface, which is protected by a weatherproofed material.
Unloaded Vehicle Weight (UVW) or Dry Weight - Sometimes called the Dry Weight, it is the weight of the RV without adding fuel, water, propane, supplies and passengers. The manufacturers uvw will not include any dealer-installed options.
Weight Carrying Hitch - A hitch designed to accept the entire hitch weight of the trailer. This hitch is also known as a dead weight hitch.
Weight Distributing Hitch - A hitch that utilizes spring bars that are placed under tension to distribute a portion of the trailer's hitch weight to the tow vehicle's front axle and the trailer's axles. This hitch is also known as an equalizing hitch.
Wet Weight - The weight of the RV with the fuel, freshwater and propane tanks full.
Wheelbase - Distance between center lines of the primary axles of a vehicle. If a motorhome includes a tag axle, the distance is measured from the front axle to the center point between the drive and tag axles.
Wide body - The term for an RV exceeding the normal eight feet wide. Wide Bodies are usually 102" (8' 6") wide.
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Rates are subject to change without notice. Every effort is made to keep
printed material current however, rates posted on this website take
precedence over rates posted in all printed materials. Please call us for
today's rates.
255 Marina Road - 9 Miles North of Exit 133 on I-40
Camden Kentucky Lake, Tennessee 38320-9699
731.584.7880 - General Info/Guide Service/Rentals
731.584.7880 - Reservations/Boat Sales/Pearl Tours
731.584.3625 - Fax
731.584.1996 - Bob's Residence
615.351.2628 - Bob's Personal Cell with Voice Mail Box
Copyright © 2009 Birdsong Resort & Marina
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This website was last updated on June 6, 2009
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