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Slang is a big part of our language, but the RV community takes it to a whole new level!
This guide covers the most common RV slang terms and lingo to help you communicate with fellow RVers with ease!
RV Slang Terms Guide
| Slang Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Basement | A storage area beneath the floor of an RV, often accessible from outside. |
| Boondocking | Camping off-grid in an RV without water, power, or sewer hookups. |
| Bumper Pull | A type of towable RV hitched to a vehicle’s ball hitch, for example, a travel trailer. |
| Bunkhouse | A section of an RV that contains bunk beds, typically located in the rear. |
| Bus | A large motorhome built on a commercial bus chassis. |
| Cab | The driver’s compartment of a motorhome or the front section of a truck used to tow an RV. |
| Coach | A term used interchangeably with motorhome, usually referring to a Class-A. |
| Cockpit | The driver’s area of an RV containing the steering wheel, controls, and instrumentation. |
| Crackerdocking | Overnight RV parking at a Cracker Barrel. |
| Diesel Puller | A motorhome with a front-mounted diesel engine offering more power and torque than a gasoline engine. |
| Diesel Pusher | A motorhome with a rear-mounted diesel engine providing a smoother and quieter ride than front-engine models. |
| Dinghy | A smaller vehicle towed behind an RV for transportation during RV stays. |
| Dogbone | An electrical adapter that connects your RV to a power source. |
| Dolly | A wheeled platform that supports the front wheels of a towed vehicle behind an RV. |
| Dually | A truck with dual rear wheels on each side, providing increased towing capacity and stability for large trailers. |
| Fiver | Slang term for a fifth-wheel trailer, which attaches to the bed of a pickup truck using a special hitch. |
| Full-timers | People who live in their RV full-time, making it their primary residence. |
| Galley | The kitchen area in a camper. |
| Garage | A dedicated storage area in some RVs typically used for storing recreational vehicles like ATVs or motorcycles. |
| Gasser | A motorhome powered by a gasoline engine. |
| Genny | Slang term for a generator, which provides electricity to an RV when not connected to shore power. |
| Glamping | A combination of the words “glamorous” and “camping” referring to camping with upscale amenities and comfort. |
| Honey Wagon | A vehicle equipped with a pump and tank used for emptying RV waste tanks often found at campgrounds. |
| Land Yacht | Another term used to describe a motorhome, as well as a model of Airstream. |
| Moochdocking | Staying in an RV on someone’s private property, often with access to water, power, or sewer hookups, typically for free. |
| Part-timers | RV enthusiasts who use their RVs part-time for vacations or getaways, instead of living in them full-time. |
| Pigtail | An electrical adapter that allows an RV’s power cord to connect to an electrical outlet. Also referred to certain propane connectors. |
| PUP | An acronym for “Pop-Up Camper,” a type of lightweight, collapsible RV with expandable living space. |
| Rig | Slang term for an RV or the combination of a tow vehicle and a towable RV. |
| Schoolie | A converted school bus that has been transformed into a custom, livable RV, also spelled as “Skoolie.” |
| Snowbird | An individual who travels seasonally, typically to warmer climates during the winter months, in their RV. |
| Sticks & Bricks | A term used by RV enthusiasts to describe a traditional, non-mobile home. |
| Stinky Slinky | Slang term for an RV sewer hose, which is used to connect the RV’s waste system to a dump station or sewer hookup. |
| Tin Can | A nickname for vintage aluminum travel trailers, such as Airstreams, known for their shiny, metallic appearance. |
| Toad | Another term for a “dinghy,” a smaller vehicle towed behind an RV for local transportation during RV stays. |
| Wallydocking | Overnight RV parking at a Walmart parking lot, similar to “Crackerdocking” but specific to Walmart locations. |
| Winnie | A nickname for Winnebago-branded RVs, which are popular and well-known in the RV community. |
| Workamping | A combination of the words “work” and “camping” referring to individuals who exchange labor for a place to camp. |
| Yamping | A combination of the words “yard” and “camping” referring to camping in someone’s yard or private property in an RV. |
Be sure to check out our RV Terms and Definitions and RV Abbreviation guides for more commonly used vocabulary and their meanings.
Printable RV Terms & Definitions Guide (With Abbreviations & Slang)
This comprehensive, 17-page printable guide contains over 150 essential terms, abbreviations, and slang phrases used in the RV world. Easily print off the guide, store it in your RV, and have the most common terms at your fingertips when you need them. Or view the PDF download on your PC or mobile device – even without an internet connection!
Are there any slang terms we missed? Add them in the comments below.
I’ve heard it called “lot docking” when overnighting in a parking lot.
I like it!