| I guess because I work in the RV Industry and | | | | or pickup, by means of a hitch. Travel Trailers are a |
| around RVs almost everyday I take some things for | | | | popular choice among RVers because of the wide |
| granted. One of those things is RV terminology. | | | | array of floor plans available. Whether it's for two |
| When you hear these terms everyday you just | | | | people or eight you can find a model that will suit |
| assume that everybody understands them. For the | | | | your needs. They range in size from 15 to 37 feet |
| new RVer terminology may be a bit confusing. To | | | | and offer all the comforts of home. They can be |
| help clear things up, I'd like to offer some common | | | | unhitched from the tow vehicle when you arrive at |
| RV terms that you will encounter during your RVing | | | | your destination. |
| experiences. | | | | Truck Camper - Truck campers are campers loaded |
| T | | | | onto the bed of a pickup truck. The tailgate is |
| Tag Axle - A non-drive axle located behind the rear | | | | removed and the truck camper is attached to the |
| drive axle that is used to support the weight of the | | | | truck with tie-downs. This makes for a very versatile |
| RVs overhang. | | | | RV that can access back roads and remote areas |
| Three Way Refrigerator - An RV refrigerator that | | | | other RVs can't get to. |
| can operate off of 12-volt DC, 120-volt AC and LP | | | | TT - Abbreviation for travel trailer. |
| gas. | | | | TV - Abbreviation for tow vehicle. |
| Toad - Another term used for the vehicle towed | | | | W |
| behind a motor home. Also called a dinghy. | | | | Water Pressure Regulator - A water pressure |
| Tongue Jack - The jack mounted on the A frame of | | | | regulator is used to prevent too much water |
| the trailer that supports the front of the trailer and is | | | | pressure from entering the RV and damaging the |
| used to raise and lower the trailer when hitching and | | | | plumbing system. You attach the pressure regulator |
| unhitching. | | | | to the campground water supply and then attach |
| Tongue Weight -Tongue Weight or Hitch Weight is | | | | one end of your drinking hose to the regulator and |
| the amount of weight pressing down on the vehicle's | | | | the other end to the city water inlet on the RV. |
| hitch from the coupler of the trailer when the trailer | | | | Weight Carrying Hitch - When all of the tongue |
| is fully loaded for travel. For trailers that weigh over | | | | weight of the trailer is supported by the hitch itself. |
| 2,000 pounds TW should be 10 to 15 percent of the | | | | WC hitches are normally used for lighter trailer |
| loaded trailer weight. | | | | applications. Too much weight directly on the hitch |
| Tote tank - A portable tank used to dump the | | | | can affect the steering and handling of the tow |
| contents of a holding tank in to and then transport it | | | | vehicle. |
| to a dump station to be emptied. | | | | Weight Distributing Hitch - when additional hardware is |
| Tow Bar - A tow bar is used to connect a towed | | | | used to distribute a percentage of the trailers tongue |
| vehicle to a motor home when the vehicle is towed | | | | weight to the axles of the tow vehicle and the axles |
| with all four wheels on the ground. | | | | of the trailer. WD hitches are used to tow heavier |
| Tow Dolly - A trailer used to tow a vehicle behind a | | | | trailers and allow the tow vehicle to handle better. |
| motor home when the vehicle cannot be towed with | | | | Also referred to as an equalizing hitch. |
| all four wheels on the ground. Two of the vehicles | | | | Wheelbase - The distance between the centerlines |
| wheels are on the tow dolly and two are on the road | | | | of the primary axles of a vehicle. |
| surface. | | | | Wide Body - An RV that is wider than 8'. The |
| Toy Hauler - An RV that has a ramp door on the | | | | majority of RVs are 8' wide. A wide body RV is |
| back and cargo space to load motorcycles, ATVs or | | | | usually 8' 6" wide. |
| other toys inside. | | | | This list is not all-inclusive, but if you learn these |
| Transmission Oil Cooler - A small heat exchanger or | | | | terms you will soon be understanding RV terminology. |
| radiator designed to protect your transmission from | | | | Happy Camping, |
| overheating. Automatic transmission fluid circulates | | | | Mark |
| through the oil cooler and is cooled by the airflow. | | | | Copyright 2006 by Mark J. |
| Travel Trailer - An RV that is towed by a car, van, | | | | |