Terms You Need to Know for Your Motorhome Adventure

If you are planning your first ever trip in a motorhome, you may feel a bit daunted by all the motorhome lingo. It sometimes feels like a different language, but don’t worry. We have compiled a list of all the terms you will need to be familiar with before starting your adventure.

Awning: Selected motorhomes have an attached awning (or sunshade) for the purpose of providing shade. This feature is attached to the side of the motorhome and should only be used in fine weather conditions, it is also essential that the awning is retracted prior to moving your motorhome.

Awning

Berth: A berth in rental motorhome terms, refers to the number of people a vehicle can legally and comfortably sleep. Our motorhomes come in 2, 4 and 6 berth options, which means that they can sleep 2, 4, or 6 people. Some motorhomes have fixed beds, and others have sitting areas that convert into a bed when it’s time for sleep. You can see the different layouts on the vehicles page of our website.

Black Water: Black water refers to the wastewater from toilets. Most Cruisin’ Motorhomes have an on-board toilet for convenience. The black water from the toilet cassette must be emptied into a black water dump point at every available opportunity.

Grey Water: Grey water refers to the water waste that result from wash-hand basins, showers and baths. This water can be recycled for purposes such as landscape irrigation. All motorhomes come with a kitchen sink and most with a shower.

Grey Water Outlet: The grey water outlet refers to the point on the motorhome where the grey water tank is emptied. All motorhomes are supplied with a grey water hose to attach to this outlet to empty the tank into grey water waste facilities at selected campgrounds.

Dinette Bed: Most motorhomes have at least one dinette bed on board. The dinette bed is a living area that can be converted to a bed at night by removing the tabletop to form the base of a bed and using the seating cushions to complete the mattress.

Image: A dinette bed area in the Rover when it is set up for day use

Entertainment System: All our motorhomes are equipped with a TV/DVD Player as an entertainment system. That way if the weather keeps you inside your motorhome, you can enjoy a family movie or stream your favourite music from your phone.

Free Camping: Australia has many free camping sites; these are sites where there is no fee for you to park your motorhome for the night. However, most of these sites are unpowered and do not have the amenities that you will need to fill up your water or empty any waste that you have in your motorhome. We recommend staying in a powered site every second night to fully charge your motorhomes battery and fill up on water and necessities.

Powered Camp Site: This refers to a camping site that offers electricity that allows you to power the 240-volt appliances in your motorhome. Some features in your motorhome (such as the AC/heating, microwave and power points) will only work when connected to a powered site. Cruisin’ recommends that all motorhomes connect to a powered site at least every second night.

LPG: LP gas are gases that are used for the stovetop in your motorhome. All motorhomes come equipped with at least 1 LP gas bottle secured in an outside compartment. This gas bottle needs to be turned on before using the gas stove.

Overcab Bed: Some motorhomes have an overhead bed, or a bed located directly above the driver’s cabin. This is a permanent bed that can be accessed by a supplied step or ladder. Some motorhomes also refer to this as an overhead bed.

LPG

Slow Travel: Slow travel is more than just driving below the speed limit, it is about embracing the journey as well as the destination. Slow travel is popular for those who like to take the road less travelled and who like to have the freedom to stop whenever they find something interesting or who want to stay an extra night or two in a wonderful campsite.

Unsealed Roads: Unsealed roads are roads that are not sealed with bitumen or concrete. Australia has a lot of these roads, especially in rural and remote areas. Unsealed roads can cause a lot of damage to a motorhome, which is why Cruisin’ motorhomes are not to be driven on unsealed roads. We have a full guide to the difference between unsealed and sealed roads available to help you.

Water Pump: The water pump in the motorhome allows the water to be raised and circulated and can be turned on via an onboard switch. Water can be found in the motorhome via the kitchen and bathroom taps and shower.

Water Heater: Before hot water can be accessed in the shower, the water heater must be activated. There are two different types of water heaters that can be found in your motorhome known as either the ‘Suburban’ or ‘Truma’ systems.

Wet Season/Dry Season: The main difference between wet season and dry season is in the amount of rainfall and humidity. Some parts of Australia are more known for their wet/dry season rather than the traditional seasons of Summer, Spring, Winter and Autumn. Timing your journey to where the seasons are changing can have a dramatic difference to what the scenery will look like. For example, at the end of wet season a lot of areas are lush and green, compared to at the end of dry season where everything has dried out.

3-Way Fridge: A 3-way fridge is a cooling system that operates three ways: via LP Gas, 12-volt power and mains power.

12-Volt Switch: This refers to a switch that must be in the ‘on’ position to work the 12-volt battery appliances (including the lights, fridge, water pump, water heater and television).