RV's (1 Viewer)

R

rambling sid

Deleted User
As a newbie I'm trying to get to grips with this excellent site and am having trouble with the terminology. I lived in the USA for five years, and 'RV' meant any recreational vehicle - motorhome, trailer (what we call caravan), demountable, even a truck canopy with a sleeping bag slung in the back! Do I take it that 'RV' on this site refers only to large American motorhomes?
 
L

Lindy-C

Deleted User
Hi Sid

You are quite correct - any recreational vehicle be it a trailer tent, a van conversion or a thundering 40 foot A Class coach is an "RV" (regardless of where it was built).

I have tried to educate this lot to the true definition but it would seem I have failed miserably :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO:

Here it is again for any who may have missed it 1st and 2nd time around :roflmto:

What is an RV?
--------------------

There are eight generally accepted types of Recreational Vehicles. Each type is listed below along with my homey definition. If anyone can explain how these definitions were created or provide an exact definition for any of the classes I would be happy to include that information here.

RVs can be divided into two general categories. Those that have power trains (Engine, transmission, etc.) and those that do not. The ones that have power trains are called motorhomes and the one that do not are called trailers because they trail the tow vehicle. Below the motorhomes are listed first then the trailers. In each category they are listed with the larger and generally more expensive units first.

Class A Motorhome
-----------------
This is the largest type of motorhome. It ranges in size from about 13,000 to 30,000 pound gross vehicle weight, from 30 to 40 feet in overall length and about 10 feet high. They are generally a box on wheels with all the comforts of home inside. They are frequently constructed on custom undercarriages or on a three to ten ton truck chassis. It is easy for the passenger to move from the passenger seat to the back of the coach.Think of a Greyhound bus.

Class C Motorhome
-----------------
This is the next smaller size motorhome. They range in size from 10,000 to 12,000 pound gross vehicle weight, from 20 to 25 feet in length and about 10 feet high. They are generally constructed on a larger van chassis. Their driver compartment is similar to a van with a large box in the back. The passenger can move from the passenger seat to the back of the unit with slight difficulty getting around the engine hump.

Micro-Mini Motorhome
--------------------
This unit is similar to the Class C motorhome but they are built on light weight van chassis and are generally smaller ( 8-9 feet high) and around 6,000 pound gross vehicle weight. Drives a lot like a car with alarge box in the back. Movement of the passenger from the passenger seat to the back of the unit requires the bed to be raised or extreme agility on the part of the passenger.

Van Conversions
---------------
This class is sometimes referred to as a Class B motorhome. Probably because no one knows what the real definitions are and like me can see no reason for class A and class C with no class B. These are the smallest of the fully enclosed motorhome. They are constructed on a van chassis with elevated roof lines but no modifications to the length or width of the original chassis. Gross vehicle weights are in the 6,000 to 8,000 range with heights of 7 to 8 feet high and lengths of 17 to 19 feet. Drives like a loaded van (it is).

Pickup truck mounted campers
----------------------------
These are generally the smallest of the self powered RV's. They consist of a camper body of various sizes that load into the bed of an unmodified pickup truck. Usually the tail gate is removed and the camper unit is clamped to the truck. It is possible to remove the camper from the truck but this is usually a long task not something to do in a campground.

Fifth Wheel trailers
--------------------
These units are similar to the larger travel trailers but they have an extension on the front of the box that extends over the tow vehicle and a horizontal plate that looks like a wheel that rests on the tow vehicle for support. This plate is where the 5th wheel unit gets its name. This hitch arrangement requires a special tow vehicle, usually a pickup truck with special equipment. Many say this hitch arrangement that places the load in the center of the tow vehicle instead of behind cause more stability and easier driving.

Travel trailers
---------------
These units come in a variety of sizes from a small bedroom on wheels to the equivalent of a class A motorhome minus the engine and running gear. They are built close to the ground so the overall height is lower for the same internal height as a motorhome. They are 10 to 35 feet in length and must be pulled by a separate tow vehicle. Due to weight of all but the smallest units, the tow vehicle must have a special load distributing hitch and other special devices designed to control the sway of the trailer because the load is all behind the tow vehicle.

PoP-Up trailers
---------------
These are the smallest of RV's that to not have an engine. They usually have canvas sides and resemble a tent on a small flat bed trailer. They are light weight and easy to tow. Most larger automobiles can serve as tow vehicle with few modifications.

So you see.....we ALL own RVs (unless you have none of the above and are kipping in the car)

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Camperian

Free Member
Dec 1, 2007
100
0
Dorset - 6months, Spain - 6months
Funster No
950
MH
A Class
Exp
2 years
So Lindy C, my Citroen 2 CV is an RV. In the winter I sticks me feet out so me 'ead is warm. In the summer i sticks me 'ead out so keep me cool!

Naw, big jobbies is RV that is wot is generally accepted, although you be absolutely correct in your definition of RV.

Ian
 
L

Lindy-C

Deleted User
So Lindy C, my Citroen 2 CV is an RV. In the winter I sticks me feet out so me 'ead is warm. In the summer i sticks me 'ead out so keep me cool!


Ian

I guess it must be if you've ditched the bus and are living in it Ian :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO:
 

Geo

Trader - Funster
Jul 29, 2007
11,757
14,563
Mansfield,Notts
Funster No
35
MH
Autotrail Tracker FB
Exp
45 +years with breaks
Those that speak proper English like wot we do up ere in Mansfield regard the terminology as follows
The Food Chain looks something like this
RV = Anything American
American 5th wheelers
A class European ie Hymer etc
B class European swift etc
Van conversion
Pop tops Vw and others with lift up roof
Trailer Tents
Caravans
Tents
push bike and sleeping bag
Dumpster/Skip
Vagrant
Bricks and morter
Geo:ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:

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L

Lindy-C

Deleted User
Not quite Geo, unless your vagrant is on roller skates and you've got wheels on your skip :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO:
 
T

TJ-RV

Deleted User
The Food Chain looks something like this

RV = Anything American

So, an American van conversion, American tent trailer or American pickup camper would be "top of the food chain"? Over 'ere we consider an RV to be a generic term for any kind of Recreation Vehicle, and we've defined it that way for many years.

I'm going to make a lot of folks unhappy when I tell them that they've been visiting the AA forum all these years.

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L

Lindy-C

Deleted User
So, an American van conversion, American tent trailer or American pickup camper would be "top of the food chain"? Over 'ere we consider an RV to be a generic term for any kind of Recreation Vehicle, and we've defined it that way for many years.

I'm going to make a lot of folks unhappy when I tell them that they've been visiting the AA forum all these years.

:ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO:

:beerchug:
 
T

TJ-RV

Deleted User
Glad you had a laugh Linda.

For folks who don't know, AA over here means something other than Automobile Association; It's Alcoholics Anonymous.
 
L

Lindy-C

Deleted User
So Lindy C, my Citroen 2 CV is an RV. In the winter I sticks me feet out so me 'ead is warm. In the summer i sticks me 'ead out so keep me cool!

Naw, big jobbies is RV that is wot is generally accepted, although you be absolutely correct in your definition of RV.

Ian


Ian, I reckon this must be you that Kijana snapped on his travels then :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO: Link Removed


Yeah, I know its a Citroen Diane....this is the real McCoy :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO: CitCity - 1974 Citroën 2CV AK400 Camping car (LHD)

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