RV 101 – What are the different types of RVS? – An Overview – Newbie RV Owner Training

RV 101 – A place where a newbie RVer can learn about RVs

RV 101 – What should I know about RVs?

Types of RVs: Travel Trailers

Types of RVs: Type A Motorhome

Types of RVs: Type B Motorhome

Types of RVs: Type C Motorhome

Types of RVs: Hybrid Trailer

Are you looking to buy an RV? What is the best one for you? Are you curious about, or would like to know more about the different types of RVs there are? When it comes to selecting the right RV everybody is different, so it makes sense there are lots of different types and sizes of RVs to choose from. In this RV video host Mark Polk, with RV Education 101 discusses all the different types of RVs there are. There are many choices: travel trailers, 5th wheels, motorhomes, toy haulers, hybrid camping trailer, pop up….what is right for you?

RV 101 – The A B C’s of RV Terminology

A

Aluminum Frame Construction – When the RV framing is made of aluminum as opposed to wood.

Artic Package – An RV that is equipped with additional insulation and heated holding tanks for winter camping.

Awning – A canvas or vinyl covering mounted to the side of an RV that provides shade. Some awnings are retractable and use a spring-loaded roller tube. Other awnings must be rolled out by hand and are supported by poles, rope tie downs and stakes.

Axle Ratio – The number of times the drive shaft must turn to turn the axle one time. If you have a 3.73:1 axle ratio the drive shaft turns 3.73 times for each full turn of the axle. The higher the numeric value of the axle ratio the better the vehicle will tow, and the higher the numeric value the more gas you will use.

B

Backup Monitor – A monitor located in the driver’s view that is attached to a small camera on the back of a motor home. It is used to assist in backing the motor home and to monitor what is happening behind you while you are traveling.

Ball & Ball Mount – Hitch balls have three basic measurements, the ball diameter, the shank diameter and the shank length. Ball diameter sizes come in 1 7/8″, 2″ and 2 5/16″. The ball size must be the right size for the coupler on the trailer you are towing, and be rated to tow the trailers GVWR. The ball mount is the removable portion of the hitch that slides into the hitch receiver. For Weight Carrying (WC) hitches it may be necessary to find a ball mount with a drop or rise to help level the trailer when its hooked up to the tow vehicle. An adjustable ball mount is used for heavier trailer applications. Adjustable ball mounts allow the ball to be raised, lowered or tilted to compensate for trailer tongue weight and to attain proper height adjustments. Adjustable ball mounts are normally used with Weight Distributing (WD) hitches.

Basement Storage – Storage compartments or storage area located below the floor of the motor home. You access the storage from outside. Some storage areas are referred to as pass through storage, which means it goes from one side of the RV to the other with no dividers, and can be accessed from either side.

Black Water Holding Tank – A tank mounted under the RV that collects water and waste from the toilet. When the tank is 3⁄4 or more full it is emptied or dumped into an approved dump station or campground sewer. The black water tank is treated with chemicals to control odor and assist in breaking down waste.

Brake Controller – An electronic controller that is normally mounted under the dashboard of the tow vehicle, but within hands reach of the driver. The controller is designed to activate the trailer brakes when the tow vehicle brakes are applied. It also has a manual over ride that can be used to activate the trailer brakes without using the vehicle brakes.

Breakaway Switch – A switch that is wired into the trailers brake system. It is attached from the trailer to the tow vehicle by a cable lanyard. In the event that the trailer and vehicle separate the cable pulls a pin from the switch and the trailer brakes are activated. The switch must have a 12-volt source to operate.

Bumper Pull – A term used to describe towing a travel trailer or pop-up. Also referred to as a pull behind.

C

Cab over – The portion of a class C motor home that extends over the vehicle cab. It is usually designed as a bed.

Campground Hook-Ups – When you hook-up or connect your RV to the campground electric, water and sewer utilities. This would be considered a full hook-up. Some campgrounds may only offer one or two of these connections.

Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC) – is the maximum permissible weight of personal belongings and cargo that can be added to the RV. CCC is equal or less than GVWR minus UVW, full fresh water weight, and full LP gas weight.

City Water Connection – A water connection on the outside of the RV that is used when you have an external water supply such as at a campground. A potable water hose is used to connect the water supply to the city water connector on the RV.

Class A or Type A motor home – They are the largest of the motorized RV’s ranging in size from 25 to 45 feet. Commonly referred to as a conventional motor home they are the ones you see that look similar to a bus, and depending on the price they can be equipped with features like washers and dryers, multiple slide out rooms, satellite dishes, home entertainment systems and much more.

Class B or Type B motor home – They are the smallest of motorized RV’s ranging in size from16 to 20 feet. They are conversion vans that have been modified and equipped with sleeping, eating and bathroom facilities and amenities found in other RVs in a compact size.

Class C or Type C motor home – They are also referred to as mini-motor homes and are built on a cutaway van chassis. They range in size from 20 to 31 feet.

Converter – An electrical device that converts 120-volt AC power into 12-volt DC power. With the exception of the roof air conditioner, microwave, TV and the electric mode of the refrigerator almost everything in an RV operates on 12-volt DC power supplied by a battery. When you’re plugged in to a 120-volt electrical source the converter changes the 120-volts AC to 12-volts DC so everything can operate without draining the battery(s). The converter also has a battery charger that will keep the battery(s) topped off when you are plugged in to a 120-volt power source.

Coupler– Located on the front of the trailer A-frame the coupler attaches the trailer to the ball on the hitch.

This list is not all-inclusive, but if you learn these terms you will soon be understanding RV terminology.

The RV Learning Curve Click HERE

RV 101 Guides and useful information by RV Expert Mark Polk

Let me start by saying, be careful where you get your RV information from on the Internet. Below I am providing some information on RV topics I get a lot of questions about:

Important Checks to Make Prior to Purchasing a Used RV  Sometimes a used RV can be a great buy. Used RVs have already suffered the brunt of depreciation, many are only lightly used for a good price, and you will more than likely have an affordable monthly payment. But, on the other hand a used RV could be a disaster if you don’t know what to look for: RV 101 Guide – Buying a Used RV – Pro Tips Before you Buy

Proper Care and Use of the RV Holding Tanks Preventive maintenance on RV holding tanks is not only about maintaining the tanks, it’s also about properly using the RV holding tanks, primarily the RV black water holding tank. What you Need to Know about RV Holding Tanks

Five Towing Mistakes RV Owners Make to Help Prevent them from Happening to you: Safely and properly towing a trailer is comprised of many factors. * The tow vehicle and trailer need to be properly matched. * You need all the correct hitch components. * You need a thorough understanding of topics like tires, weights, hitching and unhitching. * You need experience actually towing the trailer down the road: RV 101 Guide – 5 Trailer Towing Mistakes RV Owners Make

My top 7 Steps to Winterize your RV Plumbing System It’s always sad to come to the realization that another camping season is winding down.  Depending on where you live, part of this realization is preparing the RV for winter storage so it will be ready to go camping again next spring.  A big part of winterizing your RV is to protect the RV water system from potential damage, caused by exposure to freezing temperatures. Frozen and damaged water lines are in fact the most common problem related to not winterizing your RV, or not properly winterizing your RV. The RV plumbing system is the most vulnerable system to damage caused by plummeting temperatures. The good news is, it is easy to protect the RV water system from this potential threat: RV 101 Guide – 7 Easy Steps to Winterizing your RV Plumbing System

Let’s talk about RV Water Heaters Most RVs come equipped with a water heater. There are some exceptions, like pop-ups and other small RVs. RV water heaters come in different sizes, different modes of operation, and are made by different manufacturers. The tank size and the method used to heat the water will dictate the amount of hot water you have available, and the amount of time it takes to heat or re-heat the water. The majority of RV water heaters have a 6-gallon water tank, but some larger and more expensive RVs have 10-gallon or 12-gallon water heater tanks. To keep pace with technology, tankless or demand type water heaters are more prominent in today’s RV marketplace RV 101 Guide to Water Heater Usage and Maintenance

Portable Generator Use with RVs If you are camping off the grid, and plan to use a portable generator for 120-volt AC power, there are a few things you need to know, and some safety precautions you need to be aware of: RV 101 Guide – Portable Generator Use and Safety

Confusing Topics in the World of Trailer Towing Understanding Tow Vehicle and Trailer Weights & Trailer Tongue Weight with a Weight Distribution Hitch. That’s a mouthful. My goal with this guide is: To explain these confusing topics in layman terms, so it is easier to understand. To help you make a good choice when it comes to properly and safely matching a tow vehicle with a trailer, in regards to trailer tongue weight and towing: RV 101 Guide – Trailer Towing Myths, Weights and Confusion Explained

Most RV Owners Understand the Importance of Maintaining Proper Tire Inflation Pressure The problem is, if you wait until you’re on the road to check tire pressure the tires are too hot for correct evaluation. Checking the inflation pressure when you stop to refuel doesn’t make sense either; you will get higher pressure readings and if you let air out the tires they are under-inflated when they are cold again: RV 101 – Polk’s Top 7- Selecting a Portable Air Compressor For RV Tires

Traveling in the United States Changed Dramatically, Following the Coronavirus Pandemic in America A nation of people who always felt safe and secure traveling, never giving a second thought to their mode of transportation, are now weary about what to expect next. You can’t just stop traveling, but what are you supposed to do? RV Training for RV Renters and RV Rental Company Customers

TOGO RV Blog with Mark Polk – 1. Everything You Need to Know About Maintaining the Exterior of Your RV 2. How to Prepare and Protect an RV for a Hurricane https://togorv.com/rv-living/author/mark-polk/

THE RV BUYING GUIDE FROM RV EDUCATION 101 presented by Lazydays RV: Purchasing a new or used RV is one of the most exciting and challenging processes for RVers of any level of experience. For seasoned RVers, purchasing your second or third RV can present a new set of challenges. New RVers can be overwhelmed by the amount of research, planning and decision making that goes into the RV buying process. With over 30 years of experience in the RV industry, RV Education 101 co-founder Mark Polk has vast experience helping RVers through the purchase process. Mr. Polk sat down with us to discuss helpful insights RVers should know when buying an RV: Lazydays RV: For all RVers, whether they’re purchasing their 1st RV or their 4th, in your opinion what are the most important things to consider when buying their next RV? Click HERE to read the rest

RV Education 101
http://rveducation101.com/

RV 101® Travel Trailer Ultimate Video & E-book Bundle
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RV 101® 5th Wheel Ultimate Video & E-book Bundle
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RV 101® Motorhome Ultimate Video & E-book Bundle
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Travel Trailer & 5th Wheel Trailer RV Orientation Video Training Course
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Tow Your Travel Trailer Like a Pro Video Training Course
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Tow Your 5th Wheel Like a Pro Complete Online Video Training Course
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Motorhome RV Orientation Video Training Course
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Drive Your Motorhome Like A Pro Complete Online Video Training Course
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RV Care & Preventive Maintenance RV DIY® Online Video Training
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/rv-101-rv-care-preventive-maintenance-online-video-training

RV Essential Items Video Training Course
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Winterizing and Storing Your RV Video Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/winterizing-and-storing-your-rv-video

Travel Trailer 4 Video Bargain Set Plus Free RV Checklist ebook
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5th Wheel 4 Video Bargain Set Plus Free RV Checklist ebook
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/5th-wheel-video-bundle

Motorhome 4 Video Bargain Set Plus Free RV Checklist ebook
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/motorhome-video-bundle

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A Collection of RV Education 101 E-Books – 9 RV E-BOOK BUNDLE SET
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/a-collection-of-rv-education-101-e-books-9-rv-e-book-bundle-set

An Introduction to RVs E-book Training Course
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Insider’s Guide to Buying an RV E-Book Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/insider-s-guide-to-buying-an-rv-downloadable-pdf-e-book

Owning & Operating an RV E-Book Training Course
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The Original Checklists for RVers E-Book Training Course
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RV Campground Basics E-Book Training Course
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RV Safety Features, Tips & Tricks E-book Training Course
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RV Care & Maintenance E-Book Training Course
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Winterizing & Storing Your RV E-Book Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/winterizing-storing-your-rv-e-book

RV Battery Care & Maintenance E-Book Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/rv-battery-care-maintenance

Trailer Towing Basics E-Book Training Course
https://rvonlinetraining.com/p/trailer-towing-basics-e-book