Glossary - Motorhome Group

Glossary for motorhome hire and other motorhome specific specialist technical terms and terminology including foreign terms, all organized into an alphabetical list for easy of use.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

A-Class: A motorhome built as an integrated body, on a proprietary chassis.
Awning: A canvas extension which provides shade to an area next to the motorhome. These usually wind-out from the side of the vehicle. Fiamma awnings are a common brand. Some have sides which provide an enclosed area.
Alcove: A type of motorhome construction, also called Coachbuilt. The body is built on a proprietary chassis retaining the proprietary cab that usually provides a double berth over the driving area.

B

Berths: A motorhome sleeping place. E.g. a 6 berth motorhome will sleep 6 people.
Blown Air Heating: A type of motorhome heating which dispenses hot air into the vehicle.
Butane: A bottled gas usually supplied in blue bottles, commonly used in motorhomes.
Bike Rack: A carrying device for bicycles fitted to the exterior rear of the vehicle. A rack will usually carry between 2 and 4 bikes.
Booster Seat: A vehicle seat for children under 12 years old who are too large or heavy for a baby seat. The booster raises the height of the child so the standard seat belt fits correctly.
Baby Seat: A vehicle seat for babies and young children. Children of different ages and weights require different seats, some forward facing and some rear facing.
Bedding Pack: A linen and towel set for each motorhome bed. Typically this will include a duvet, duvet cover, flat sheet, pillow, pillow case and towels. Bedding packs are usually charged per bed.

C

Calor: A brand name and supplier of propane and butane bottled gas.
Caravan and Camping Club: A club which provides campsites across the UK. They have over 500,000 members.
Campsite: A designated area of camping, suitable for pitching tents, caravans and
Campervan: A self-propelled vehicle which comprises of transport and accommodation. Generally smaller than motorhomes.
Coachbuilt: A type of motorhome design, also called Alcove. They usually provide a double berth over the driving cab. Coachbuilt motorhomes comprise of a caravan-style body which is mounted onto a chassis.
Cassette Toilet: Flushing motorhome toilet with removable tank for emptying. Thetford is a major brand leader. Some models have swivel-bowls.
Cruise Control: A driving system for setting and maintaining a constant speed.
Camping Car: The French term for "motorhome".

D

Dinette: A common name for motorhome seats, set around a table which may be fixed or movable. Dinettes often convert into double or single beds.
Diesel: A type of fuel commonly used in motorhomes.

E

EU: Short for European Union. Motorhomes hired in the UK can sometimes be taken to EU countries for an extra charge.

F

Fly Screens: Mesh screens fitted to motorhome windows which allows air to enter but keeps insects out.
Fixed Bed: A motorhome bed or berth which does not require conversion in the day or night.

G

GPS: Short for Global Positioning System. Transmits signals to provide accurate motorhome driving directions. Also known as a Sat Nav.
Gas Test: A required annual safety check of all motorhome gas connections and appliances. A valid Gas Safety Certificate is necessary for all hire vehicles.

H

Habitation Check: Usually an annual check to ensure the motorhome interior is in good condition. The work does not necessarily include the issue a Gas Safety Certificate.
Hook-Up: Refers to the electric hook-up which connects a motorhome to a mains electricity supply.
Handover: A period of instruction given before receiving the motorhome. When hirers will learn how to operate the motorhome and its facilities safely.

I

Inverter: An electrical device that converts the DC (12 volt) current into AC (240 volt) current.

J

Journey: The act of travelling from one position to another by using a form of transportation.

K

Kerb Weight: The weight of a vehicle loaded to against a specification for vehicle registration purposes.
KM: Short for kilometre, a unit of measurement where 1km equals 1000m. The standard unit of speed measurement (km per hour) in most of Europe except in the UK, where miles are the units.

L

LHD: Short for Left Hand Drive. Refers to the position of the driver's seat in a motorhome. Typically, motorhomes in mainland Europe are LHD.
Low-Profile: A coachbuilt motorhome which has no overcab section.
LPG: Short for Liquefied Petroleum Gas.
Levelling: A term for ensuring a motorhome is parked on level ground.
Leisure Battery: A motorhome battery which powers the 12-volt DC electrical system, separate from the vehicle battery. The battery will usually power the lights, water pump, stereo, television and fridge/freezer. The leisure battery is charged when the vehicle engine is running.

M

Maximum Mass: The maximum permitted weight of the motorhome. This weight cannot be exceeded.
Motorhome: A self-propelled leisure vehicle which combines living quarters and a vehicle engine. Smaller than an American RV but larger than a Campervan.
MOT: An annual motor vehicle test to ensure safety and roadworthy-ness.

N

NET hire fee: The remaining hire fee after the VAT and driver insurance has been subtracted.

O

Overcab Bed: A bed, usually a double, situated over the driving cab of a motorhome. Overcab beds are found in Alcove motorhomes.

P

Propane: Type of gas which is used in motorhomes during the colder months. Contained in red bottles.

Q

R

Road Tax: A payment required to licence motor vehicles for road use. Motorhomes with a Maximum Mass of 3500kg or below are taxed as Private Light Goods. Motorhomes over 3500kg are classed as Private Heavy Goods vehicles.
RV: Short for Recreational Vehicle. Commonly used in America to refer to a large Motorhome or Winnebago.
RHD: Short for Right Hand Drive. Refers to the position of the driver's seat in a motorhome. Typically, motorhomes in the UK are RHD.

S

Sat Nav: Transmits signals to provide accurate motorhome driving positioning and routing directions. Also known as GPS.
Storage: A method for housing a motorhome safely when not in use. Commonly used in the winter months.

T

Tow Bar: A bar fixed to the rear of a motorhome which allows the towing of a motor vehicle.
Tonne:In the UK, a metric tonne is a unit of measurement equivalent to 1000kg.

Tracker: A tracking device which is fitted to motorhome to give their location by satellite. Used to locate stolen vehicles.

U

Unladen Weight: The weight of the motorhome vehicle before it is loaded.

V

Vehicle: A self-propelled device for transporting people or things. In this case, a motorhome.
Vacation: A term used instead of holiday. Usually used by Americans.

W

Water Pump: A device for transporting water from the water tank to the motorhome taps or shower head. The water pump uses the 12 volt electricity supply. If a water tank becomes empty, the water pump will burn out.
Winnebago: A brand of American RVs which has become a colloquial term for RVs in the USA.
Wohnmobil: The German term for "motorhome".
Winterised: A term for the insulation of a motorhome for cold conditions. Typically refers to insulated windows, walls and water tank locations.

X

X Roads: Short hand version of crossroads, a road intersection.

Y

Yes: A word used as a form of agreement or affirmation.

Z

Zig Unit: A unit that supplies 12 volts of electricity to the motorhome when hooked-up to charge the leisure battery and operate the lights, water pump etc.