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Axle ratio
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| Ratio between pinion and ring gears in the differential that multiplies torque provided by the engine. It describes the number of driveline revolutions required to turn the axle one time. With a 4.10:1 axle, the driveline turns 4.1 times for each full axle revolution. Higher numbers mean more torque and less road speed for a given engine speed; i.e., a 4.10:1 ratio provides more torque than a 3.73:1. |
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British thermal unit (BTU)
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| A measurement of heat that is the quantity required to raise the temperature of one pound of water 1 degree F. RV air-conditioners and furnaces are BTU-rated. |
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Class A motorhome
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| Identified by the body, which looks like it's all one design from front to back. A Class A motorhome is built on a stripped chassis bearing nothing but the axles, powertrain, steering column and vehicle controls. Class A's are at the top of the heap, as far as RVs go. |
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Class B motorhome
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| Also known as a van camper or camping van, this type is based on a full-size or downsized van, to which camping equipment is added. They usually have raised fiberglass roofs and sometimes have dropped floors, for more headroom inside. |
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Class C motorhome
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| This type was once known as a minimotorhome, but some are larger than small Class A units. A Class C looks as though it has a van front end attached to a motorhome body, usually with an overhanging (cabover) area that holds a bed. The Class C is built on a so-called "cutaway" chassis, which comes from the GM or Ford factory with the van cab area affixed to the chassis. |
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Gross axle weight rating (GAWR)
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| Maximum to which the axle can be loaded, according to the manufacturer; includes all weight placed on all tires on a given axle. |
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Gross combination weight rating (gcwr)
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| Maximum allowable combined weight of the tow vehicle and the trailer, according to the vehicle manufacturer; includes the weight of both vehicles, plus all fuel, water, supplies and passengers. |
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Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)
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| Maximum to which a vehicle can be loaded, according to the manufacturer; includes dry weight of the vehicle plus all fuel, water, supplies and passengers. |
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Holding tanks
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| Tanks that hold the black (toilet) and gray (sink, shower, lavatory) water. Their capacity determines how long an RV can be used without hookups. |
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Kilowatt (KW)
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| A measurement of electrical power; each kilowatt equals 1,000 watts. |
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Laminate
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| A sandwich of structural frame members, wall paneling, insulation and exterior covering, adhesive-bonded under pressure and/or heat to form the RV's walls, floor and/or roof. |
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LP-gas
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| Liquefied petroleum gas; propane is one formulation and butane is the other. Propane fuels RV appliances, such as the stove and refrigerator. |
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120 AC/12 DC/LP-gas
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| The power sources on which RV refrigerators operate; 120 AC is 120-volt alternating current (same as in houses); 12 DC is 12-volt direct current (same as in motor vehicles); LP-gas is liquefied propane gas. Some RV refrigerators can operate on two of the three sources, others on all three. |
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Underbelly
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| The RV's under-floor surface, which is protected by a weatherproofing method or material. |
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Unloaded vehicle weight (uvw) or dry weight
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| Weight of the vehicle without manufacturer's or dealer-installed options and before adding fuel, water or supplies. |
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Wet weight
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| Weight of a vehicle with full fuel and freshwater tanks. |
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Wheelbase
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| Distance between center lines of the primary axles of a vehicle. If a motorhome includes a tag axle, the distance is measured from the front axle to the center point between the drive and tag axles. |
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