RV Terms Glossary: Letter "C"

CABOVER

The portion of a Class C motorhome which overhangs the driver and navigator seats.

French: Capucine

CAMBER

Wheel Alignment - Number of degrees each wheel is off of vertical. Looking from the front, tops of wheels farther apart than bottoms means positive camber. As the load pushes the front end down, or the spring get weak, camber would go from positive to none to negative.

French: Carrossage

CASTER

Wheel Alignment - The steering wheels’ desire to return to center after you turn a corner.

French: Chasse

CHASSIS

The frame of a vehicle. This is a main structure of a vehicle, which all other parts attach to regardless whether it is unibody or frame construction.

French: Châssis

CHASSIS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Brake lights, turning signals, and running lights powered by the RV’s 12 volt system.

French: Système éléctrique de châssis

CLASS A MOTOHOME

An RV with the living accommodation built on or as an integral part of a self-propelled motor vehicle. Models range from 24 to 40 feet long.

French: Autocaravane de class A

CLASS B MOTORHOME

Also known as a camping van conversion. These RVs are compact units made from a cargo van, customized to include sleeping, eating and bathroom facilities with raised roof to provide additional headroom. They are popular because they can often be parked in family garages, used to tow a boat or driven as a second vehicle. Models usually range from 16 to 21 feet.

French: Autocaravane de class B

CLASS C MOTORHOME

An RV with the living accommodation built on a cutaway van chassis. A full-size bed in the cabover section allows for ample seating, galley and bathroom facilities in the coach. Sometimes referred to as a mini-motorhome. Models range from 16 to 32 feet.

French: Autocaravane de class C

CLASS 1 (CLASS I) HITCH

Trailer hitch with capacity of up to 2,000 lbs gross trailer weight and 200 lbs tongue weight.

French: Attache-remorque de classe 1

CLASS 2 (CLASS II) HITCH

Trailer hitch with weight carrying rating of up to 3,500 lbs gross trailer weight and 300/350 lbs tongue weight.

French: Attache-remorque de classe 2

CLASS 3 (CLASS III) HITCH

Trailer hitch with weight carrying rating of up to 5,000 lbs gross trailer weight and 500 lbs tongue weight.

French: Attache-remorque de classe 3

CLASS 4 (CLASS IV) HITCH

Trailer hitch with weight carrying rating of up to 10,000 lbs gross trailer weight and 1,000-1,200 lbs tongue weight.

French: Attache-remorque de classe 4

CLASS 5 (CLASS V) HITCH

Any trailer hitch with capacity greater than 10,000 lbs gross trailer weight and 1,000-1,200 lbs tongue weight.

French: Attache-remorque de classe 5

CLIP

Used to retain pin in receiver style hitch.

CITY WATER HOOK-UP

A water inlet that is provided for campground hook-ups, which bypass the RV pump and the water tank entirely. The pressure of the local water supply pumps the water through the RV plumbing system when taps are opened.

French: Raccordement eau de ville

COLLAR

The protective casing which partially surrounds the valve on an LP gas tank.

French: Enveloppe

CONDENSATION

A result of warm moisture laden air contacting the cold window glass. Keeping a roof vent open helps to reduce the humidity levels. Those added roof vent covers help to prevent cold air from dropping down throught the vent while still allowing moist air to escape. Using the roof vent fan when showering or the stove vent fan when cooking also helps prevent excess moisture buildup.

French: Condensation

CONVERTER

A device for changing 120-volt AC into 12-volt DC electrical power.

French: Convertisseur

COUPLER

The part of the trailer that attaches to the ball of hitch.

French: Coupleur

CURB WEIGHT

The empty weight of a vehicle full of fuel and all fluids. Curb weight does not include passangers or payload.

French: Poids à vide

CUSTOM HITCH

A hitch that is designed to fit a specific vehicle.