A Beginner's Guide to RVing Vocabulary

So we've lived in the RV for just under 1 year now, and I think we have earned the rank of "experienced RVers". Yes, it's debatable, self appointed, and could possibly be viewed as haughty, but I believe you could agree with me that the Merchant family knows a good amount of RVing. We've picked up lots of RV vocabulary, and I'm here to share the with you. So here they are:

1. "Dumping Tanks"- We have gotten so used to this phrase because we use it at least 2 times a week. It basically means opening the valve to let all of the sewage drain into the RV park's sewage pipes. We have to empty our sewage tanks about 2-3 times a week. This is because our grey water tanks (the tanks that hold our shower water and sink water) get filled up pretty fast. To put it this way, how often do you call the water company to pump out sewage?

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​2. This will be a group of RVing vocabulary about different types of RVs. 

"Class A, or Motor Coach"- This is a large RV that looks a lot like a bus. It's driven from the coach itself, and is common among retired folks. 

"Class C"- A Class C RV is also driven from the front, and isn't towed, but is shorter than the Class As. This type of RV is generally known for its connection with RV rental companies such as El Monte,  Cruise America, and more. 

"Travel Trailer"- A travel trailer is, as is said in the name, a trailer, generally the same size or smaller than a Class C. It's pulled by a truck with a ball hitch. Travel trailers are the smallest RVs out there, some getting to be less than 10 feet long! 

"Fifth Wheel"- The fifth wheel is the type of RV that we have. They generally range from between 30 and 40 feet long, and are between 12 and 14 feet high. They're towed by a truck with a hitch in its bed. 


3. "Full Timers"- As you might expect, this phrase describes RVers who live in their RV year round. We are probably considered "Temporary Full-Timers" because we're only doing this for a year.


4. "Boondocking" This refers to when an RVer will live in their RV for (generally) 1-3 days without electricity, water, or sewage hookups. They rely on their RV battery which makes those who boondock pretty conservative with electricity and water. We have never boondocked (our fridge takes too much power to do this). . 

5. "Overnighting it"- Ok, this one's fairly self explanatory, but this phrase is used when someone is staying at an RV park for only one night. It's usually obvious is someone's overnighting because they will usually not hook up their sewage lines, and, in the case of a travel trailer or fifth-wheel, will stay hooked up to their tow vehicle. Why would someone stay for only 1 night? Usually it's because they're going some place else to stay for a while, but to get there from their previous destination would've been too long of a drive, so overnighting in the middle doubles the days of travel, but halves the time of travel. 

So as you can see, we have to learn these "vocabulary words" to truly communicate as full time RVers. We've really enjoyed the trip, and have bittersweet feelings of returning home in a little over a month. 

Before you go, I will announce that nearer to the end of the trip, we'll be posting a "Q and A Session" post, where questions that you ask to us will be answered. To ask a question, scroll to the top of the post where you see the title of the post. To the right of the title, you'll see small blue letters that will give some number, then say "comments". Click on this, and you'll be brought to a comments page. Here, you'll give your name (or a made up one!) and then write your question in the big bottom box. Hit Submit, and we'll have your question!

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