If you’re considering integrating into the camping and RV lifestyle, there is a wide variety of road trip jargon and slang that you need to know. Those who don’t learn the vocabulary and slang will likely find it more difficult to fully experience RV living or traveling.
Of course, the team at Cruise America understands that modern phrases and terms change all the time, but some staples have stuck around for decades and are likely to stick around for decades more. So, if you’re eager to brush up on road trips slang and lingo, continue reading to learn more.
What Are Road Trip Slang, Phrases, and Terms You Need To Know?
Below we’ve compiled a brief glossary of the common cross-country road trip slang, phrases, and terms you need to know if you’re a newcomer to road-tripping in a motorhome. If you keep this list on hand, you’re likely to encounter fewer issues on the road.
A
Airstream: A specific motorhome with a metal tube appearance but is made out of polished aluminum.
B
Boondocking: This phrase is slang for camping off-grid in an RV that has its own power, water, and other utilities. Those who boondock do so deep in the wilderness where there aren’t many utilities.
Black tank: The term black tank refers to the wastewater holding tank in an RV.
Baecation: This is a slang term used by those on vacation or road-tripping with their significant other.
Bleisure: When an individual is road tripping but is going on a trip that is part pleasure and part business, they refer to it as a bleisure.
BLM: The abbreviation BLM stands for “Bureau of Land Management,” a governmental department that manages public lands many RVers camp on.
C
Cabover: This phrase refers to the compartment over the cabin area in class C that is used as a bunkhouse.
Class A: The biggest motorhome type that can comfortably sleep up to 10 people. Also usually the most expensive.
Class B: A campervan that usually sleeps between two to four people.
Class C: A motorized RV sized between Class A and Class B. It usually sleeps between four to six people and has the best depreciation rate.
D
Dogbone: The electrical adapter that connects a motorhome to an appropriate electrical outlet is called a dogbone.
Diesel pusher: This is a term used to describe Class A motorhomes that have diesel engines equipped in their rear. The “pusher” part states that the engine pushes the Class A.
E
Extended Stay Site: A campsite where RVers and campers can stay for long periods. Usually months or entire seasons.
F
Familymoon: This is a term used to describe a recently married couple going on a honeymoon with their children.
Full-timers: Those who stay in their RVs year-round are known as full-timers. These people have committed to RV living.
Fifth wheel: A type of large non-motorized towable motorhome that comes in various sizes and often has a cargo area or garage.
G
Gasser: A motorhome with a gasoline-powered engine is called a gasser.
Genny: This is an abbreviation of the word generator.
H
Honey Wagon: A honey wagon is a trailer or truck that pumps waste from campgrounds, RV dump stations, and truck stops. These wagons have large liquid holding tanks to hold the waste.
Hose Bib: A campsite faucet that has fresh, drinkable water.
J
Jake brake: This refers to the engine brake used on some diesel motorhomes.
K
King Pin: the cylinder-shaped piece hanging at the front of a fifth-wheel trailer is known as a king pin, and it connects at the back of a tow vehicle to the jaws of a fifth-wheel hitch.
KOA: This abbreviation refers to popular franchised family-friendly campgrounds.
L
Leveling: A term used by RVers who want to ensure their RV is leveled correctly on all sides at a campground.
M
Mooch docking: Unlike boondocking, mooch docking is the term used by those who want to mooch off family and friends by parking at their house or using their utilities.
N
NP: The abbreviation NP is what people use when talking about National Parks. You’ll see this often when camping or looking for places to visit.
Newbie: An individual that is new to the RV world.
P
PP: The abbreviation PP stands for Provincial Park, and you’ll come across it often when boondocking.
Pop-up camper: This type of motorhome “pops” open during assembly making it easy to tow and stow.
R
Rig: When someone refers to their rig, they talk about their motorhome. A rig is another term for an RV.
S
SP: The abbreviation SP stands for State Park, and you’ll come across this term often when exploring different campgrounds.
Snowbirds: RVers who spend their summers in the north and winters in the south are known as snowbirds. Essentially RVers who chase warm weather are known as snowbirds.
Sandipump: This term combines the word sanitation and dump, and it refers to a place where you can dump your sanitation.
Stinky Slinky: A stinky slinky is what many people call a sewer hose that drains your holding tanks into a waste dump.
Sticks and Bricks: This is a term part-time RVers use to let others know they have a residential home away from their RV.
Schoolie: Schoolies are converted old school buses that have been made into motorhomes.
T
TV (Tow Vehicle): TV is an abbreviation used by RVers to explain which car is their motorhome towing vehicle.
TT (Travel Trailer): When someone says they have a TT, they are referring to owning a travel trailer that comes in multiple sizes, with some more upscale than others. Travel trailers hook onto the back of a towing vehicle.
TPMs: This abbreviation stands for Tire Pressure Monitoring System.
TOAD: This slang phrase refers to a vehicle that is towed behind one’s motorhome and used to drive around town while an RV stays stationary.
Toy Hauler: This is a specific motorhome type with a garage or cargo area for outdoor equipment and toys.
W
Wallydocking: When you choose to park overnight at a Walmart parking lot to capitalize on free overnight camping, you’re wallydocking.
Wheel Chocks: Wheel chocks are used to prevent an RV from rolling. This RV equipment is often made of plastic or wood.
Winnie: RV slang for a Winnebago camper.
Y
Yamping: A slang term used to describe someone who is camping in another individual’s driveway.
With this extensive road trip lingo and slang glossary fresh in your mind, you’re ready to take to the streets in an RV rental. Get in touch with Cruise America if you want to reserve a motorhome rental for your next road trip. The reservation process is straightforward, and you can fetch your rental from any of our convenient locations. Your adventure awaits!
