RV Upgrade Glossary: 22 Terms Explained
The words that show up in RV upgrade specs, reviews and how-to guides, explained without jargon. Open any term for the full explanation and what to look for when buying.
- Amp-hour (Ah)
- The unit of battery capacity; lead-acid batteries should not be regularly drained below about half, while lithium can use most of the rating.
- Read more about amp-hour (ah)
- Battery monitor
- A shunt-based meter showing real state of charge and current flow, far more accurate than reading voltage alone.
- Read more about battery monitorRelated: Best RV Battery Monitors
- BCI group size
- A standard code, like group 24, 27 or 31, describing a battery's physical dimensions and terminal layout only.
- Read more about bci group size
- Black and grey tanks
- Holding tanks for toilet waste (black) and sink or shower water (grey), both needing regular dumping and care.
- Read more about black and grey tanksRelated: Best RV Holding Tank Treatments
- Boondocking
- Camping without any hookups, relying entirely on batteries, solar, holding tanks, and sometimes a generator.
- Read more about boondocking
- BTU (RV air conditioner)
- British thermal units, the rating used to compare how much cooling capacity an RV air conditioner delivers.
- Read more about btu (rv air conditioner)
- Charge controller
- Regulates power from solar panels into the batteries; MPPT controllers harvest more energy than PWM in most conditions.
- Read more about charge controllerRelated: Best RV Solar Charge Controllers
- GVWR
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, the maximum total weight an RV or tow vehicle can safely carry, including cargo.
- Read more about gvwr
- House battery
- The battery bank that runs an RV's 12V lights, water pump, and fans while parked, separate from the vehicle's starting battery.
- Read more about house batteryRelated: Best RV Batteries
- Inverter
- A device that converts 12V DC battery power into 120V AC power for household appliances.
- Read more about inverterRelated: Best RV Inverters
- Leveling blocks
- Stackable blocks placed under tires to level an RV on uneven ground before setting up camp.
- Read more about leveling blocksRelated: Best RV Leveling Blocks
- LiFePO4
- Lithium iron phosphate battery chemistry, lighter and higher capacity than lead-acid but requiring a compatible charger.
- Read more about lifepo4Related: Best RV Batteries
- Power converter
- The onboard component that converts shore or generator AC power into 12V DC to run the coach and charge the battery.
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- Pure sine wave
- Inverter output that closely matches utility grid power, safer for sensitive electronics than modified sine wave.
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- Roof membrane (TPO/EPDM)
- The rubber or plastic sheet covering an RV roof, either TPO or EPDM, that needs periodic sealant and seam checks.
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- Shore power
- Plugging the RV into a campground pedestal or home outlet, usually rated at 30 or 50 amps.
- Read more about shore powerRelated: Best RV Power Cords
- Stabilizer jacks
- Jacks that steady a parked RV against rocking and movement, not designed to lift or level the coach.
- Read more about stabilizer jacks
- Surge protector (EMS)
- A device between the pedestal and RV that blocks voltage spikes and, on EMS models, low voltage and wiring faults.
- Read more about surge protector (ems)Related: Best RV Surge Protectors
- Toad (dinghy towing)
- A car towed behind a motorhome for local driving at a destination, also called a dinghy.
- Read more about toad (dinghy towing)
- TPMS
- A tire pressure monitoring system that tracks each tire's pressure and temperature in real time while driving.
- Read more about tpms
- Water heater bypass
- A valve setup that routes antifreeze around the water heater tank so it isn't wasted or diluted when winterizing.
- Read more about water heater bypass
- Water pressure regulator
- A fitting installed between the hose and RV that limits campground water pressure to protect onboard plumbing.
- Read more about water pressure regulatorRelated: Best RV Water Pressure Regulators