6/14/10

There isn't a great deal of jargon associated with RVs, but, like anything else, it does have some specific terms of its own. Here's a dictionary of hopefully all the possibly unfamiliar words we used in the book. If you're familiar with boating jargon you'll likely be surprised how words re used for both!

Anchor: To park for a night or two. Anchoring implies temporary stops, without hookups.

Boon Docking (Dock, Dockers): To anchor out in the bush with no hookups. "Dry camping" sort of means the same thing but doesn't imply you're out in Nature. You can "dry camp" in any Walmart parking lot. And "docking" is more correct than "anchoring" because you are staying in the spot for several days or longer, even though there are no hookups.

Dinghy: A separate motorized vehicle towed behind a motorhome. A motorcycle on a bumper hitch could be called a dinghy too, but bicycles aren't for some reason. I guess a "dinghy" in the RV world needs an engine!

Dock: Parking in an RV space. Docking implies hookups are there. Unless of course you're "boon docking".....

Dry Camping: To anchor with no hookups. Spending the night in a freeway rest stop, truck stop, or anywhere else with no water and power.

Dump: To empty your holding tanks.

Hookups: Water and power service to your rig. "Full" hookup includes sewer and nowadays might also include cable TV and telephone too, although water and power alone is considered a "hookup."

Off Road: Driving into the woods, desert, or anywhere else where there isn't a paved road. What you'll do to go "Boon docking."

Pusher: A motorhome with the engine in the back.

Self- Contained: A rig that carries it's own water, power, and holding tanks, allowing you to park anywhere without needing hookups.

Slide (slide-out): A section of the rig that moves outboard. Slides can be as narrow as 18" and as wide as almost four feet. They are usually between 7 and 12 feet long. They add a tremendous amount of room and an immeasurable amount of feeling of spaciousness to a rig. They also add a little, weight, and cost. I can't see owning a rig (except a camper) without one.

Slip: Your spot in an RV camp ground.

Snowbird: A person who lives in a cold northern climate but spends winter months in a warm climate.

Tilt out (tip out): Another word for a Slide.

Toy Hauler: Either a 5th wheel or a conventional trailer, except the entire back drops down making a ramp. People with Toy Haulers carry motorcycles, dune buggies, horses, or whatnot in their living room.

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