RV Terms Glossary: Common RV Lingo in Plain English

AGM battery

Absorbent Glass Mat is a sealed lead acid battery.

It costs less up front than lithium but weighs more and offers less usable capacity.

See also Lithium battery (LiFePO4), Depth of discharge, State of charge.

Depth of discharge

How much of a battery's capacity you use before recharging.

Lithium batteries tolerate a much deeper discharge than lead acid without harm.

See also State of charge, Amp hours (Ah), Lithium battery (LiFePO4), AGM battery.

State of charge

The current charge level of a battery, shown as a percentage of its full capacity.

See also Depth of discharge, Battery monitor (shunt), Amp hours (Ah).

Amp hours (Ah)

A measure of battery capacity equal to current multiplied by time.

A 100 Ah battery can in theory supply 5 amps for 20 hours.

See also Watt hours (Wh), Depth of discharge, Battery monitor (shunt).

Watt hours (Wh)

A measure of energy.

It equals volts multiplied by amp hours, which lets you compare batteries of different voltages on equal terms.

See also Amp hours (Ah), Peak sun hours, Inverter.

Peak sun hours

The number of hours per day when sunlight is strong enough to produce full rated panel output.

It varies by location and season.

See also Watt hours (Wh), Monocrystalline panel, Solar suitcase (portable solar panel).

Monocrystalline panel

A solar panel made from single crystal silicon.

It is more efficient per square foot than polycrystalline, which suits limited RV roof space.

See also Polycrystalline panel, Solar suitcase (portable solar panel), Peak sun hours.

Inverter

A device that converts battery DC power into the AC power used by household outlets and appliances.

See also Pure sine wave inverter, Modified sine wave inverter, Converter.

Pure sine wave inverter

An inverter that produces clean AC power similar to the grid.

It is safer for sensitive electronics than a modified sine wave unit.

See also Modified sine wave inverter, Inverter, Converter.

Converter

A device that changes shore power or generator AC into DC power for the RV.

Whenever you are plugged in, it runs the RV systems and charges the house batteries at the same time.

See also Inverter, Shore power, DC to DC charger.

DC to DC charger

A charger that uses your engine alternator to safely charge the house batteries, including lithium, while you drive.

See also Converter, Lithium battery (LiFePO4), Shore power.

Shore power

Plugging your RV into an external AC source, such as a campground pedestal or a home outlet.

See also 30 amp and 50 amp service, Converter, Full hookups.

Series and parallel wiring

Two ways to connect solar panels or batteries.

Series raises voltage, parallel raises current, and the choice affects which charge controller you need.

See also MPPT charge controller, Monocrystalline panel, Solar charge controller.

Battery management system (BMS)

An electronic circuit built into most lithium batteries.

It monitors cell voltage and temperature and disconnects the battery to prevent damage from overcharging, over discharging, or extreme heat.

See also Lithium battery (LiFePO4), Battery monitor (shunt), Depth of discharge.

Polycrystalline panel

A solar panel with silicon cells made from multiple crystal fragments melted together, which gives a blue speckled look.

It generally costs less than a monocrystalline panel but converts sunlight at a slightly lower rate per square foot.

See also Monocrystalline panel, Solar suitcase (portable solar panel).

Modified sine wave inverter

An inverter that converts battery DC power into an approximate AC waveform with visible steps rather than a smooth curve.

It costs less than a pure sine wave inverter but can cause humming or poor performance in sensitive electronics.

See also Pure sine wave inverter, Inverter.

Solar generator (portable power station)

A unit that combines a battery, inverter, and charge controller in one sealed box.

It charges from solar panels, shore power, or a vehicle outlet and needs no separate wiring.

See also Solar suitcase (portable solar panel), Inverter, Lithium battery (LiFePO4).

Solar suitcase (portable solar panel)

A portable, foldable solar panel set in a hinged case with a stand.

Angled toward the sun outside the RV, it can harvest more energy than a flat roof panel of the same size.

See also Monocrystalline panel, Solar generator (portable power station), Peak sun hours.

Battery monitor (shunt)

A display paired with a shunt that measures the current flowing in and out of a battery bank.

It shows real time state of charge, voltage, and remaining amp hours so you can track power use.

See also State of charge, Amp hours (Ah), Battery management system (BMS).

House batteries

The batteries that run the living area of an RV, such as the lights, water pump, fans, and fridge controls.

They are separate from the engine battery, and they are what a solar setup charges.

See also Chassis battery, Lithium battery (LiFePO4), 12 volt system, Battery monitor (shunt).

Chassis battery

The starting battery that cranks the engine of a motorhome or tow vehicle.

Most motorhomes keep it isolated from the house batteries, so a long night of camping should not leave you unable to start the engine.

See also House batteries, DC to DC charger.

12 volt system

The low voltage DC circuit that most RV lights, pumps, and fans run on, fed by the house batteries.

Anything that plugs into a normal wall outlet runs on the separate 120 volt AC side instead.

See also House batteries, Inverter, Converter.

Watts

The rate at which electrical energy is produced or used, found by multiplying volts by amps.

Solar panels are rated in watts, which is why kits are sold as 200, 400, or 800 watt systems.

See also Watt hours (Wh), Amp hours (Ah), Peak sun hours.

Open circuit voltage (Voc)

The highest voltage a solar panel puts out when nothing is drawing from it, printed on the label as Voc.

Series wiring adds panel Voc together, and the total must stay under the controller's input limit on cold mornings.

See also MPPT charge controller, Series and parallel wiring, Short circuit current (Isc).

Short circuit current (Isc)

The most current a solar panel can deliver, printed on the label as Isc.

Panels wired in parallel add their current together, which sets the size of the wire and fuses you need.

See also Open circuit voltage (Voc), Wire gauge (AWG), Fuse and circuit breaker.

Temperature coefficient

A spec showing what percentage of power a solar panel loses for each degree Celsius above its 25 degree test temperature.

A figure closer to zero, such as minus 0.3 percent rather than minus 0.4 percent, holds output better on a hot RV roof.

See also Monocrystalline panel, Flexible solar panel, Open circuit voltage (Voc).

Flexible solar panel

A thin, lightweight panel that bends to follow a curved RV roof and mounts without brackets.

It weighs less than a rigid framed panel but usually runs hotter and has a shorter working life.

See also Monocrystalline panel, Solar suitcase (portable solar panel), RV solar kit.

RV solar kit

A bundle that pairs panels with a charge controller, cables, and mounting hardware sized to work together.

Buying a matched kit removes most of the guesswork about whether the parts fit each other.

See also Solar charge controller, Monocrystalline panel, Solar prep.

Solar prep

Factory wiring that some RVs ship with, usually a roof cap or a side port that leads toward the battery area.

It makes adding panels easier, but it often leaves out the charge controller, and the wire may be too thin for a large array.

See also Solar suitcase (portable solar panel), RV solar kit, Wire gauge (AWG).

Inverter charger

One unit that turns battery power into household AC power and also charges the batteries when you plug into shore power or run a generator.

Most include an automatic transfer switch, so the change between sources happens on its own.

See also Inverter, Automatic transfer switch, Shore power.

Automatic transfer switch

A switch that detects which power source is live, such as shore power, a generator, or an inverter, and routes it to the RV's outlets.

It stops two sources from feeding the system at the same time.

See also Inverter charger, Shore power, Onboard generator.

Wire gauge (AWG)

The thickness of a cable, measured on the American Wire Gauge scale, where a smaller number means a thicker wire.

Thick enough wire keeps the cable cool and cuts the power lost on the way to the batteries.

See also Voltage drop, Fuse and circuit breaker, Short circuit current (Isc).

Voltage drop

The loss of voltage along a cable, caused by the wire's resistance, which grows as the cable gets longer or thinner.

Low voltage systems are hit hardest, so solar runs are kept short and sized with a little room to spare.

See also Wire gauge (AWG), 12 volt system.

Fuse and circuit breaker

Safety devices that cut a circuit when too much current flows, so a fault cannot overheat the wiring.

A solar install places them between the panels, the charge controller, and the batteries.

See also Wire gauge (AWG), Combiner box, Solar charge controller.

Combiner box

A weatherproof box where the cables from several solar panels join into one pair before running to the charge controller.

It usually holds a fuse or breaker for each panel string.

See also Series and parallel wiring, Fuse and circuit breaker.

Cycle life

The number of times a battery can be drained and recharged before its capacity falls to a set level, usually 80 percent of new.

Lithium batteries are rated for far more cycles than lead acid, which offsets part of their higher price.

See also Lithium battery (LiFePO4), AGM battery, Depth of discharge.

Low temperature charging protection

A battery management feature that blocks charging when a lithium battery is too cold, because charging below freezing can damage the cells.

Some batteries add built in heaters so they can still charge in winter.

See also Lithium battery (LiFePO4), Battery management system (BMS).

Onboard generator

A built in engine, usually running on gasoline, diesel, or propane, that produces AC power when you are away from shore power.

It is loud and burns fuel, which is why many RVers add solar to cut generator hours.

See also Generator fee, Automatic transfer switch, Quiet hours.

Phantom load

Power that devices keep drawing while they look switched off, such as detectors, stereo memory, and control boards.

Small draws add up overnight, so they belong in any battery sizing sum.

See also Battery monitor (shunt), Amp hours (Ah), House batteries.

30 amp and 50 amp service

The two common campground power hookups, named for the current each supplies, with 50 amp delivering roughly three times the power of 30 amp.

Adapters let a 50 amp RV use a 30 amp pedestal if you run fewer appliances, and the reverse works too.

See also Shore power, Full hookups, Inverter charger.

Fifth wheel

A large towable RV that connects to a special hitch mounted in the bed of a pickup truck.

See also Travel trailer, Tow vehicle, GVWR.

Peer to peer RV rental

A marketplace model where private RV owners rent their vehicles directly to travelers, similar to home sharing.

See also Delivery RV rental, RV rental insurance, One way RV rental.

Delivery RV rental

An option where the owner delivers and sets up the RV at your campsite or destination.

You never have to drive it.

See also Peer to peer RV rental, One way RV rental.

Mileage cap and mileage fee

A limit on the miles included in a rental.

Each extra mile adds a charge.

See also Generator fee, Drop fee, Security deposit.

Generator fee

A charge some owners add for generator use, often billed for each hour of run time.

See also Mileage cap and mileage fee, Prep fee, Security deposit.

One way RV rental

A rental you pick up in one city and drop off in another.

A drop fee usually applies.

See also Drop fee, Delivery RV rental, Mileage cap and mileage fee.

GVWR

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is the maximum safe loaded weight of a vehicle, set by the manufacturer.

Staying under it keeps you safe and legal.

See also Tow vehicle, Cargo carrying capacity (CCC), GCWR, Fifth wheel.

RV rental insurance

Coverage that protects a renter and the vehicle owner against damage, liability, or theft during a rental period.

Most peer to peer platforms require proof of insurance or offer a protection plan before a booking is confirmed.

See also Roadside assistance, Security deposit, Peer to peer RV rental.

Roadside assistance

A service that provides help such as towing, tire changes, or jump starts if an RV breaks down during a trip.

Many rental bookings include a roadside assistance plan or offer one as an added option.

See also RV rental insurance, Security deposit.

Drop fee

A charge added when a renter returns an RV to a different location than where it was picked up.

The fee covers relocating the vehicle.

See also One way RV rental, Mileage cap and mileage fee.

Security deposit

A refundable amount held by the owner or platform to cover potential damage, excess mileage, or cleaning charges.

It is typically returned after the RV is inspected and no issues are found.

See also Prep fee, RV rental insurance, Mileage cap and mileage fee.

Prep fee

A charge that covers preparing an RV for the next renter, including cleaning, sanitizing tanks, and restocking supplies.

It is usually a flat amount added to the total booking price.

See also Security deposit, Generator fee, Mileage cap and mileage fee.

Tow vehicle

The truck or SUV used to pull a travel trailer or fifth wheel that has no engine of its own.

Check towing capacity before you book.

See also Travel trailer, Hitch, Towing capacity, Brake controller.

RV host (owner)

The private owner who lists an RV on a peer to peer platform such as Outdoorsy, where owners are called hosts.

The host sets the price, the rules, and their own extra fees, so two similar RVs can rent on very different terms.

See also Peer to peer RV rental, Instant Book, Booking request.

Instant Book

An Outdoorsy listing setting that lets eligible renters confirm a booking right away, with no wait for the owner to approve.

Without it, every booking stays a request until the owner accepts.

See also Booking request, RV host (owner), Cancellation grace period.

Booking request

A reservation you send to an RV owner for approval rather than one that confirms on the spot.

Your dates are not held until the owner accepts, so send requests early for busy weekends.

See also Instant Book, RV host (owner).

Protection package

The insurance bundle a renter picks at checkout on Outdoorsy, which sets the liability, damage, and roadside coverage for the trip.

According to Outdoorsy's help center, checked 5 September 2026, renters start with state statutory liability limits, with $500,000 available on the Peace of Mind package.

See also RV rental insurance, Secondary coverage, Roadside assistance.

Secondary coverage

Insurance that only pays after any other policy you hold has paid first.

Rental protection is often secondary, so it is worth asking your own insurer what it covers before you travel.

See also Protection package, RV rental insurance.

Cancellation grace period

A short window after a booking is confirmed when you can cancel for a full refund.

According to Outdoorsy's cancellation policy, it is 24 hours from confirmation when departure is 7 or more days away, or 1 hour when it is sooner.

After that, the owner's own cancellation policy applies (checked 5 October 2026).

See also Instant Book, Booking request, Security deposit.

Service fee

A charge the rental platform adds on top of the nightly rate to run the booking.

Compare the total at checkout, not the nightly price, because fees and protection can change the real cost a lot.

See also Prep fee, Security deposit, Rental add ons.

Rental add ons

Extras an owner offers for a fee, such as a kitchen kit, bedding, camp chairs, or a bike rack.

Check what is included before you pack, because some rentals arrive ready to cook and others arrive empty.

See also Service fee, Walkthrough.

Walkthrough

The handover tour where the owner shows you how to run the RV, from the generator and slide outs to dumping the tanks.

Film it on your phone, because the details are easy to forget at the first campsite.

See also Check in photos, Slide out, Dump fee.

Check in photos

Time stamped photos of the RV's condition taken at pickup and again at return.

They are your best evidence if a damage claim is ever made against your security deposit.

See also Security deposit, Walkthrough, Protection package.

Dump fee

A charge some owners apply when a rental comes back with the waste tanks still full.

Emptying them at a dump station before return usually costs far less than the fee.

See also Dump station, Black tank, Prep fee.

Slide out

A section of wall that extends outward at camp to add floor space, then retracts for driving.

Always check for clearance outside before extending one, and never drive with a slide out open.

See also Walkthrough, Class A motorhome, Fifth wheel.

Toy hauler

A trailer or motorhome with a rear garage and a drop down ramp for loading motorcycles, ATVs, or bikes.

The garage often doubles as extra living space once the toys are unloaded.

See also Travel trailer, Fifth wheel, Cargo carrying capacity (CCC).

Pop up camper

A light towable trailer with a roof that lifts and fabric walls that fold out at camp.

It is often the cheapest RV to rent and can be towed by many SUVs.

See also Travel trailer, Tow vehicle, Towing capacity.

Diesel pusher

A Class A motorhome with its diesel engine mounted at the rear, which makes the cab quieter and gives strong pulling power on hills.

It includes the biggest motorhomes on the road and is usually the most expensive kind of RV to rent.

See also Class A motorhome, Toad (dinghy).

Hitch

The coupling on the tow vehicle that a trailer attaches to, usually a receiver with a ball mount.

The hitch, the ball, and the vehicle all carry their own weight ratings, and the lowest one sets your limit.

See also Weight distribution hitch, Tongue weight, Towing capacity.

Weight distribution hitch

A hitch with spring bars that spread the trailer's tongue weight across the axles of the tow vehicle and trailer.

It keeps the vehicle level and steering firm, and many larger travel trailers need one.

See also Hitch, Sway control, Tongue weight.

Sway control

A device or hitch feature that damps the side to side movement of a trailer caused by wind, passing trucks, or uneven loading.

Correct tongue weight does most of the work, and sway control adds a margin of safety.

See also Weight distribution hitch, Tongue weight.

Brake controller

A unit in the tow vehicle that operates the trailer's electric brakes when you press the brake pedal.

Most travel trailers need one, so check that your vehicle has it before you book a towable rental.

See also Hitch, Tow vehicle, Travel trailer.

Tongue weight

The downward force a loaded trailer puts on the hitch ball, commonly kept around 10 to 15 percent of the trailer's total weight.

Too little invites sway, and too much overloads the rear of the tow vehicle.

See also Hitch, Sway control, Towing capacity.

Towing capacity

The heaviest trailer a vehicle maker says the vehicle can pull, found in the owner's manual.

Compare it with the trailer's loaded weight, not its empty weight, and leave a margin.

See also GCWR, Tow vehicle, Dry weight (UVW).

Dry weight (UVW)

The weight of an RV as built at the factory, before water, propane, cargo, or dealer added options, also called unloaded vehicle weight.

Real travel weight is higher once water, propane, and luggage go in, so never tow on dry weight alone.

See also Cargo carrying capacity (CCC), GVWR, Towing capacity.

Cargo carrying capacity (CCC)

How much weight is left for cargo before an RV reaches its GVWR, as worked out by the maker on the weight sticker.

That sticker sits inside most RVs, often near the entry door, and shows whether water, propane, and passengers are already counted.

See also GVWR, Dry weight (UVW).

GCWR

Gross Combination Weight Rating is the most that a tow vehicle and its loaded trailer may weigh together, set by the vehicle maker.

It catches setups where each part is under its own limit but the pair is too heavy.

See also GVWR, Towing capacity, Tow vehicle.

Monthly RV rental

A rental booked for four weeks or more, which some owners price at a lower weekly or monthly rate than single nights.

Read the mileage and generator allowances closely, because long stays use them up fast.

See also Mileage cap and mileage fee, Generator fee, Full time RVing.

Dump station

A facility where you empty your RV gray and black holding tanks.

See also Black tank, Sewer hose, Campground database.

Offline maps

Downloaded maps that work without a cell signal.

Useful in remote areas.

See also RV safe routing, Trip Wizard.

RV height

The total vertical measurement of a vehicle from the ground to its highest point, including air conditioners and antennas.

Knowing this number lets a GPS route around bridges and overpasses that are too low to clear safely.

See also Low clearance, RV profile, Bridge strike.

Bridge strike

When the roof, air conditioner, or awning of a tall vehicle hits a low bridge, tunnel, or parking structure.

These incidents cause costly damage and are largely preventable when a route accounts for actual vehicle height.

See also Low clearance, RV height, RV safe routing.

Mountain grade

How steeply a section of road climbs or descends, usually shown as a percentage such as a six percent grade.

Steep grades affect towing safety, brake wear, and fuel use, so many RV route planners flag them in advance.

See also Truck route, RV safe routing, Tow vehicle.

Truck route

A road authorized or recommended for large commercial vehicles because it avoids low bridges, weight limits, or residential streets.

Some RV drivers follow truck routes as a rough guide, though dedicated RV safe routing accounts for more kinds of size restriction.

See also RV safe routing, Low clearance, Mountain grade.

RV profile

The height, length, weight, and propane details you enter into an RV GPS app.

It uses them to plan a route that avoids roads your rig is too tall, long, or heavy for.

See also RV height, RV safe routing, Propane tunnel restriction.

Propane tunnel restriction

A rule that bans vehicles carrying propane from certain tunnels, or lets them through only with the tank valves shut off.

RV GPS apps that know you carry propane can route around the banned tunnels they hold data for.

See also RV profile, RV safe routing, Truck route.

Weight restricted bridge

A bridge posted with a maximum weight that heavy motorhomes and loaded trailers can exceed.

Ordinary car navigation ignores these limits, which is one reason RVers use a GPS built for RVs.

See also Low clearance, GVWR, RV GPS.

RV GPS

A navigation app or device that plans turn by turn routes from your RV's size and weight instead of a car's.

It warns about low clearances and restricted roads that a phone map might send you straight down.

See also RV safe routing, RV profile, Offline maps.

3 3 3 rule

A planning rule widely shared among RVers: drive no more than 300 miles a day, arrive by 3pm, and stay at least 3 nights.

A stricter 2 2 2 version means 200 miles, 2pm, and 2 nights, while a looser 4 4 4 version allows 400 miles, 4pm, and 4 nights.

See also Travel day, Trip Wizard, Waypoint.

Toad (dinghy)

RVer slang for a car towed behind a motorhome, from towed, and also called a dinghy.

It adds length to the rig, so it belongs in your RV profile for routing and in your campsite length check.

See also Overall length, Diesel pusher, RV profile.

Overall length

The full length of an RV from bumper to bumper, including ladders, bike racks, and the hitch, or of the whole rig when towing.

Campsites and host locations often list a maximum length, so measure it once and keep it handy.

See also Toad (dinghy), Big rig friendly, Pull through site.

Waypoint

A stop you add along a planned route, such as a fuel station, a campground, or a sight to see.

Trip planners use waypoints to break a long drive into realistic travel days.

See also Trip Wizard, Fuel stop planning, Travel day.

Fuel stop planning

Mapping where you will refuel before you set off, based on your RV's tank size and real miles per gallon.

Big rigs also need stations they can turn through, which rules out many small town pumps.

See also Waypoint, Big rig friendly, Travel day.

Campground reviews

Ratings and comments posted by RVers who stayed at a campground, covering site size, road access, hookups, and cell signal.

Recent reviews tell you far more than a campground's own listing does.

See also Campground database, RV park.

Maintenance log

A running record of services, repairs, and part changes on your RV, such as roof seal checks and generator oil changes.

Apps such as RV LIFE Maintenance send reminders so jobs are done on time.

See also Onboard generator, Trip Wizard.

Dead zone

A stretch of road or a campsite with no cell signal, common in national forests, canyons, and remote deserts.

Offline maps downloaded in advance keep your route working when the signal drops.

See also Offline maps, Dispersed camping.

Travel day

A day spent moving the RV from one stop to the next rather than staying put.

Setting up, packing down, and slower RV driving make travel days longer than the map suggests.

See also 3 3 3 rule, Waypoint, Fuel stop planning.

Dispersed camping

Camping outside developed campgrounds on public land, with no facilities or marked sites.

See also Boondocking, Overnight RV parking, Dry camping.

Overnight RV parking

A single night stay in a parking lot or rest area rather than a campground.

Only where it is allowed.

See also Dispersed camping, Boondocking, Host site.

Membership camping

A model where campers pay an annual or lifetime fee to access a network of private overnight stay locations.

Harvest Hosts and similar programs use this model instead of charging a nightly rate at each stop.

See also Host site, Big rig friendly, Snowbird.

Host site

The parking spot a winery, farm, or brewery offers self contained RVs for an overnight stay through a membership network, with no nightly fee.

Host sites usually have no hookups and limited amenities.

See also Stay request, Host purchase, Self contained RV, Big rig friendly.

Big rig friendly

A campsite or host location with enough room, clearance, and turning space for large motorhomes and long fifth wheel trailers.

Not every membership camping location qualifies.

See also Host site, Membership camping, Full hookups.

Snowbird

An RV traveler who follows warm weather seasonally, typically heading south for winter and north for summer.

Snowbirds often rely on membership camping networks to fill overnight stops along long seasonal routes.

See also Full time RVing, Membership camping, Dispersed camping.

Full hookups

A campsite that provides water, sewer, and electric connections directly at the site.

Harvest Hosts locations typically do not offer full hookups, which is why self contained capability matters for members.

See also Dry camping, Shore power, Self contained RV.

Fresh water tank

The onboard reservoir that stores clean water for drinking, cooking, and washing while an RV is away from hookups.

Tank capacity is a key factor in how long an RV can stay self contained at a host location.

See also Self contained RV, Dump station, Dry camping.

Full time RVing

Living in an RV as a primary residence rather than using it for occasional trips.

Full time RVers often weigh membership camping costs against traditional campground fees over a full year of travel.

See also Snowbird, Membership camping, Boondocking.

Holding tanks

The onboard tanks that store waste water until you can empty them, made up of a black tank and a gray tank.

Their size, together with the fresh water tank, decides how long you can stay off hookups.

See also Black tank, Gray tank, Fresh water tank, Self contained RV.

Black tank

The holding tank that collects waste from the RV toilet, also called black water.

It is only emptied at a dump station or a sewer hookup, and RV safe toilet paper helps it drain cleanly.

See also Gray tank, Dump station, Sewer hose.

Gray tank

The holding tank that collects water from the sinks and shower, also called gray water.

It often fills before the black tank, so shorter showers stretch a dry camping stay.

See also Black tank, Holding tanks, Dry camping.

Sewer hose

The flexible hose that connects the RV's waste outlet to a dump station or a sewer hookup.

Empty the black tank first and the gray tank second, so the soapy water rinses the hose.

See also Dump station, Black tank, Full hookups.

Water pressure regulator

A small fitting that screws onto a campground water spigot and lowers the pressure before it reaches the RV.

It protects the RV's plumbing from the high pressure some campground supplies run at.

See also Full hookups, Fresh water tank.

Leveling

Raising one side or end of a parked RV with blocks or built in jacks until it sits flat.

A level RV sleeps better, drains properly, and keeps a gas absorption fridge working as designed.

See also Pull through site, Host site.

Pull through site

A campsite you drive into from one end and leave from the other, with no reversing needed.

Back in sites are the alternative, and long rigs and first time drivers often prefer a pull through.

See also Big rig friendly, Overall length, Leveling.

RV park

A commercial site built mainly for RVs, usually with hookups at each space and amenities such as laundry and showers.

A campground is often more natural and may mix tent sites with RV sites.

See also Full hookups, Campground reviews, Membership camping.

Quiet hours

The set evening and early morning hours when campers keep noise down and generators off.

Host locations may set their own house rules, so read the listing before you arrive.

See also Onboard generator, Host site, Host purchase.

Wallydocking

RVer slang for parking overnight in a big box store lot, named after Walmart.

Each store manager and local law decides whether it is allowed, so call the store first and treat it as a quick stop rather than a campsite.

See also Overnight RV parking, Moochdocking, Boondocking.

Stay request

The booking you send a Harvest Hosts location through the app, giving your dates and rig size for the host to approve.

Requesting ahead matters most at popular hosts and on weekends.

See also Host site, Stay cancellation, Host purchase.

Host purchase

The customary way Harvest Hosts members thank a host, by buying something such as wine, produce, or a meal.

There is no nightly fee once you join, and the purchase is what keeps hosts welcoming RVers.

See also Host site, Stay request, Membership camping.

Stay cancellation

Withdrawing a confirmed stay at a host location when your plans change.

Canceling through the app as early as you can frees the spot for another member and keeps your standing with hosts.

See also Stay request, Host site.

Boondockers Welcome

A membership network of private hosts, often homeowners with spare land, who invite RVers to park on their property.

It is part of the Harvest Hosts family and can be added to a Harvest Hosts membership.

See also Membership camping, All Access plan, Moochdocking.

Escapees RV Club

A long running RV club known for its services to full time travelers, such as mail forwarding and member discounts.

An Escapees membership is bundled into the Harvest Hosts All Access plan.

See also All Access plan, Full time RVing.

All Access plan

The top Harvest Hosts membership tier.

According to the Harvest Hosts plans page, it combines Harvest Hosts locations, Boondockers Welcome hosts, golf course stays, and an Escapees membership in one annual fee.

See also Boondockers Welcome, Escapees RV Club, Golf course stay.

Golf course stay

An overnight stop at a golf course host, typically in the parking area, with the chance to play a round.

Golf locations are included in the Harvest Hosts All Access plan.

See also All Access plan, Host site.