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. (RV, motorhome, and travel trailer)
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Axle ratio
Ratio between pinion and ring gears in the differential that
multiply torque provided by the engine. It describes the number of
driveline revolutions required to turn the axle one time. With a 4.
10:1 axle, the driveline turns 4.1 times for each full axle
revolution. Higher numbers mean more torque and less road speed
for a given engine speed; i.e., a 4.10:1 ratio provides more
torque than a 3.73:1. Check the motorhome manual for this ratio.
British thermal unit (BTU)
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.
Converter (Both Motorhome and Travel Trailer)
A device for changing 120-volt AC into 12-volt DC electrical power.
Gross axle weight rating (gawr)
Maximum to which the axle can be loaded, according to the
manufacturer; includes all weight placed on all tires on a given
axle.
Gross combination weight rating (gcwr)
Maximum allowable combined weight of the tow vehicle and the
trailer, according to the vehicle manufacturer; includes the
weight of both vehicles plus all fuel, water, supplies and
passengers.
Gross vehicle weight rating (gvwr)
Maximum to which a vehicle can be loaded, according to the
manufacturer; includes dry weight of the vehicle plus all fuel,
water, supplies and passengers.
Hitch weight
Amount of a trailer's weight that rests on the tow vehicle; should
be 10 to 15 percent with conventional trailers, 15 to 20 percent
for fifth-wheels.
Holding tanks
Tanks that hold the black (toilet) and gray (sink, shower, lavatory
) water. Their capacity determines how long an RV can be used
without hookups.
Hookups
Campground facilities for connecting an RV to 120-volt AC "shore
power," water, sewer, cable TV and telephone service.
Inverter
A device for changing 12-volt DC into 120-volt AC power.
Kilowatt (kW)
A measurement of electrical power; each kilowatt equals 1,000 watts.
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.
LP-gas
Liquefied petroleum gas; propane is one formulation and butane is
the other. Propane fuels RV appliances, such as the stove and
refrigerator.
Net carrying capacity (NCC) or payload capacity
The amount of cargo, passenger and fluid weight that can be added
to an RV without exceeding its gvwr. The NCC label in an RV may
not include the weight of dealer- or factory-installed options
already on the vehicle.
Underbelly
The RV's underfloor surface, which is protected by a
weatherproofed material.
Unloaded vehicle weight (uvw) or dry weight
Weight of the vehicle without manufacturer's or dealer-installed
options and before adding fuel, water or supplies.
Wet weight
Weight of a vehicle with full fuel and freshwater tanks.
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.
