Learn the lingo!

Here we explain some of the many terms that are specific to motorhoming so you are not left scratching your head at the dealers

A-class often referred to as fully integrated motorhomes in Europe (indicated by an ‘i’ for intergiert on German models). The entire body comes from the motorhome manufacturer, which just utilises the engine and running gear from the base vehicle

AES automatic energy selection is a term for Dometic fridges that pick which fuel to best power the fridge – see three-way fridge

Alde heating similar to the central heating in your house. A boiler distributes heated water to metal radiators in the motorhome, which then heat the air

Auxiliary battery an extra battery, also known as the leisure battery, which generally powers the habitation elements of the motorhome

Awning a free-standing fabric tent or a roll-out unit attached to the side of the ‘van which provides additional covered space

Base vehicle the vehicle the motorhome is built on. Varies from small car-like vans to large commercial vehicle chassis and engines. The most common is the Fiat Ducato

Berths the number of people a motorhome can sleep. Measure bed sizes and comfort as some may only be suitable for children

Black water this refers to the motorhome’s waste fluids that will need careful handling – like toilet effluent

Blown-air heating a form of heating where hot air is blown around the motorhome through a series of ducts and vented into the main living areas. Be aware that there can be cold spots in parts of the motorhome with this type of heating

Butane gas for motorhomes that mostly comes in a blue bottle. Susceptible to ‘freezing’ so not suitable for colder climes

Cassette toilet the most common form of motorhome toilet. Comes in bench form or with a swivel seat. The effluent container slides out from underneath the actual toilet

Coachbuilt a type of motorhome construction. The coachbuilt sides, roof and sometimes cab are added to a ladder chassis. Coachbuilts are sub-divided into A-class, low profile and overcab

Combi boilers water heating systems that provide both the heating and hot water for a motorhome. Most work either on gas only or on gas and mains electricity

Compressor fridge one of the two main types of motorhome fridges. Powered by the leisure battery. Ensure adequate leisure battery capacity for these types of fridges to work properly

Dinette a seating variant that often offers seating for four on either side of a table, which is usually wall mounted. Can offer two or four extra travel seats, depending on seatbelt provision

Double floor refers to a motorhome with two floors. The cavity between the two floors can be used to accommodate equipment like water tanks. As these are sited within the motorhome (rather than being attached underneath the ‘van and open to the elements) they are more suited to camping in cold temperatures

Drop-down beds are stored away in the roof during the day and drop down into the lounge at bed-time. Feature was common on A-class ‘vans for many years but has recently been adopted by the low profile market too

Dump valve the outlet for water tanks. Often located just under the side skirts of the motorhome. Can have just one for the waste water or another for easy draining of the fresh water tank. Check access

Elevating roof also known as rising roof. Push-up roof is mostly found on small van conversions, although you may find a European low profile with this feature

Fuel cell tops up leisure battery without being hooked up to the mains. EFOY is a main provider and is an option in many motorhomes. Can be retro-fitted to most motorhomes

Garage a storage space of varying sizes at the very rear of some motorhomes. Often found under a fixed bed, but some rear lounges have smaller garages underneath, and some bunk-bed layouts offer garage-type storage. Few offer enough storage for a small car but these are the more expensive models only

Gas locker a compartment for storing gas bottles. Sizes vary. If you plan to do a lot of winter camping you may need to opt for a ‘van with a bigger locker to store more gas onboard

Gas tank like a fuel tank, but filled with gas to power the motorhome cooking and heating facilities. Can be retro-fitted to most motorhomes

Generator petrol or diesel-powered devices to provide mains power when not hooked-up on site

Grey water the water from the motorhome’s kitchen sink or washroom basin and shower

Habitation describes the living area of the motorhome - everything to the rear of the motorhome’s cab

Half dinette seating that offers a forward-facing seat just behind the cab and also incorporates the two swivel cab seats to make a lounge. Most also offer two belted seats for rear passengers

Heki a brand of rooflight but is the common term used when referring to most types of motorhome skylight

High-top panel van conversions with a higher roof than a standard van. This higher roof allows standing room in the van without the need for an elevating roof

Leisure battery also known as an auxiliary battery. This powers the electrics in the motorhome’s living area

Low profile a form of coachbuilt motorhome with a sleeker roof moulding at the front

LPG Liquefied Petroleum Gas, the gas used for motorhome habitation equipment

Luton common term for an overcab moulding that contains a bed or enhanced storage. Goes back to Luton’s hat industry days

Mains hook-up a way of gaining traditional mains power that is standard at home. An orange lead with blue connectors links your motorhome to a hook-up point on a campsite, which then feeds 240V power to the motorhome. All but the smallest campers come with a hook-up connector as standard

Mass in running order abbreviated to MRO and can also be stated as the unladen weight or the ex-works weight, although these mean slightly different things

Maximum technically permissible laden mass abbreviated to MTPLM and refers to the maximum allowed weight of a vehicle, also known as gross vehicle weight

Motorcaravan the more traditional term for a motorhome

Motorhome the same as motorcaravan but more commonly used today. It refers to a coachbuilt and a van conversion

Motorhome service point a facility found on campsites where you are able to empty motorhome waste (grey) water tanks

Omni-directional aerial the most common type of aerial that allows you to receive a TV signal. Found on the roof of the ‘van. Some are telescopic and some fixed. Not always a standard feature

Overcab a form of coachbuilt motorhome with a large moulded shape over the cab which can contain a bed or lockers

Payload the difference between the unladen weight and gross vehicle weight. This has to include all optional extras, holiday equipment, passengers and sometimes water. Check what your manufacturer includes as part of the unladen weight

PDI a pre-delivery inspection during which the supplying dealer or manufacturer inspects the motorhome to make sure everything works as it should. Can vary in their nature so check with your dealer

Portable toilet often referred to as a Porta-Potti, which is a trade name. These are free-standing toilets which can be stored away when not in use. These are common in smaller campervans

Propane the most common type of gas used in motorhomes, usually found in red gas cylinders

Rising roof also known as elevating roof, these roofs push up to create headroom in the small campers they are fitted to

Roof air-con a device mounted in the motorhome roof to provide air conditioning for the habitation areas

Rooflight a space in the roof with a clear plastic covering. Most open, although some fitted into low profile mouldings don’t

Roof vent an opening in the roof that vents to the outside. Common in kitchens and washrooms and have varying sizes and mechanisms

Safari room the canvas sides that attach to a fixed pull-out awning

Satellite dish allows you to receive satellite TV in your motorhome. Choose between a free-standing or roof-mounted unit

Satellite dome a roof-mounted satellite dish that is encased in a protective plastic dome

SES Smart Eenergy Selection is the Thetford term for a three-way fridge that automatically selects the best form of power

Silver screens a trade name and commonly-used term for removable insulated cab screens. Made to fit the specific type of vehicle and there are external and internal versions

Swing wall washroom a floor to ceiling plastic unit that contains the washroom basin. Swings out to separate the shower from the rest of the washroom

Tag-axle a motorhome with two rear axles found on larger motorhomes. Supplied by Al-Ko for both Fiat and Mercedes-based ‘vans

Tec tower a combined unit from Dometic that contains a fridge and oven/grill above. Check the height of the oven

Three-way fridge a motorhome fridge that runs on 12V power (for when you’re driving), gas or mains. You select the most appropriate power source unless your fridge offers SES or AES

Travel seats the seats in a motorhome with seatbelts fitted. Beware that these are not always the much safer three-pointed variety found in the cab. Do not allow passengers to travel in any other seat than one with a seatbelt

TV point the place to plug in your TV aerial. Can also have a 12-volt socket and a mains socket to power your box. Will be found near a designated TV table or locker, which may not be your preferred position

Twelve-volt socket to power devices from the leisure battery. Devices must be able to work off 12V power

Twin rear wheels two wheels on either side on the same rear axle. Common on bigger Ford-based motorhomes

Van conversion a typical commercial van that has been converted into a motorhome. Also known as panel van conversions

‘van an abbreviation for motorhome and motorcaravan


There are further guides to motorhome layouts, beds, types and all you need to know about buying your first motorhome.