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Vehicles And Rv

53 terms

Browse definitions, examples, and related concepts for 53 vehicles and rv terms commonly used in camping and backpacking.

Key Terms at a Glance

Term Definition
4x4 A vehicle with four-wheel drive, useful for off-road camping trips.
campsite reservation A reservation made to secure a campsite for a specific date or dates.
conservation The action of conserving something, in particular preservation, protection,...
contour interval The difference in elevation between adjacent contour lines on a topographic...
elevation interval The difference in elevation between two points, often used in reference to...
emergency services Professional organizations responsible for responding to and managing...
habitat conservation The practice of protecting and preserving natural habitats to support the...
national park service (NPS) A U.S. federal agency that manages national parks, monuments, and other...

4x4

noun

A vehicle with four-wheel drive, useful for off-road camping trips.

all-terrain vehicle (ATV)

noun

A small, durable vehicle designed for exploring off-road locations—and accessing remote camping destinations. Unlike...

campsite reservation

noun

A reservation made to secure a campsite for a specific date or dates.

conservation

noun

The action of conserving something, in particular preservation, protection, or restoration of the natural environment...

contour interval

noun

The difference in elevation between adjacent contour lines on a topographic map, indicating the steepness of the...

dinghy towing

noun

A way to pull a vehicle behind an RV with its four wheels remaining on the ground. Dinghy towing is a simple method...

elevation interval

noun

The difference in elevation between two points, often used in reference to contour lines on a map.

emergency services

noun

Professional organizations responsible for responding to and managing emergencies, such as accidents, injuries, or...

fire lookout tower

noun

Structures in remote areas that allow a fire watcher to spot wildfire smoke. Fire lookout towers are situated at high...

first-come, first-served campsite (FCFS)

noun

A campsite that can be booked on-site by the first person who requests it. These sites cannot be reserved in advance...

flat towing

noun

A way to pull a vehicle behind an RV with its four wheels remaining on the ground. Dinghy towing is a simple method...

four-wheel towing

noun

A way to pull a vehicle behind an RV with all 4 of its wheels remaining on the ground. Four-wheel towing is a simple...

group rv campsite

noun

A type of campsite with a large parking apron that can accommodate two or more RVs. These sites are often designated...

habitat conservation

noun

The practice of protecting and preserving natural habitats to support the life of wild animals and plants.

national park service (NPS)

noun

A U.S. federal agency that manages national parks, monuments, and other essential properties. Congress created the...

neutral towing

noun

A way to pull a vehicle behind an RV with all 4 of its wheels remaining on the ground. Neutral towing is a simple...

overlanding

noun

Overlanding is a type of self-reliant adventure travel to remote destinations where the journey is the primary goal....

paper towel

noun

A disposable towel made from paper, used for drying hands or wiping surfaces.

preserved food

noun

Food that has been processed to prevent spoilage, such as by canning, freezing, or drying.

recreational off-highway vehicle (ROV)

noun

A type of off-road vehicle that accommodates two people (a driver and passenger) sitting side by side. Some...

recreational vehicle (RV)

noun

A motor vehicle or trailer that contains accommodation. Common RV types include motorhomes, travel trailers, pop-up...

reservable period

noun

The dates for which you can reserve a campsite.

reservation

noun

An advance booking for a campsite, permit, or recreational activity made by telephone or through an online booking...

reservation change (or modification) policy

noun

Guidelines outlining how and when reservations can be altered or changed.

reservation fee

noun

A fee charged when making a camping reservation. These fees help cover the administrative and software costs of...

reservation policy

noun

A set of rules governing how reservations are made, including deadlines and requirements.

reservation service fee

noun

Fees charged by third-party vendors for using their reservation systems and services.

reservation transfer policy

noun

Rules regarding the transfer of a reservation to another person.

reservation window policy

noun

Rules specifying how far in advance a reservation can be made.

Reserve California

noun

A website that allows users to book campsites in California state parks and recreation areas.

reservoir

noun

A flexible plastic container, often with a hose and bite valve, used for carrying water in a backpack during hiking...

rv camping

noun

A type of camping in which the traveler RV offers many of the comforts of home. Given the size and features of these...

rv dump fee

noun

A fee charged for using a dump station (where RVers empty their holding tanks). Fees are typically waived if you’re...

rv pad

noun

A designated area where you can park your RV. At a campground, an RV pad will (hopefully) be level and free of...

rv pull through

noun

A campsite designed for larger trailers and RV. This type of campsite allows the driver to enter from one end and...

rv site

noun

A type of campsite designated for use with an RV.

self-contained

adjective

A type of RV that can function without outside hookups. These vehicles contain their electricity and water. They also...

serviced campsite

noun

A campsite that offers hookups. These might include electricity, water, and sewer—for use with RVs and trailers....

serviced double campsite

noun

A vehicle-accessible campsite with electrical service designed to accommodate two camping parties. These are more...

serviced half-double campsite

noun

This is one-half of a vehicle-accessible double campsite with electrical service. In some areas, these can be...

slide-out

noun

An RV feature that creates additional living space when the rig is not in transit. A slide-out is a partial-enclosure...

surveyor’s tape

noun

A brightly colored, non-adhesive plastic ribbon used for marking trails, boundaries, or important locations, often by...

survival

noun

The act of staying alive, particularly in challenging or life-threatening situations, such as being lost, injured, or...

tow car

noun

A slang term for a car being flat-towed behind an RV. This car is used for local travel at the destination (while the...

triple towing

noun

A method of towing in which three vehicles are attached. The most common triple towing configuration is a fifth wheel...

united states forest service (USFS)

noun

A U.S. federal agency that administers America’s 154 national forests and 20 national grasslands. This agency is part...

united states geological service (USGS)

noun

A U.S. federal agency that monitors studies the landscape, natural resources, hazards, and overall health of...

unserviced campsite

noun

A campsite that does not offer hookups. These campsites often feature tent pads, making them suitable for tent...

utility task vehicle (UTV)

noun

A type of off-road vehicle that accommodates two people (a driver and passenger) sitting side by side. Some...

vehicle parking fee

noun

A fee for parking additional vehicles at a campsite or within the campground.

vehicle shuttle

noun

A service or arrangement that transports hikers from the end of their hike back to their starting point or vehicle.

water conservation

noun

The practice of using water efficiently to prevent wastage.

wildlife conservation

noun

The practice of protecting and preserving wild animals and their habitats.
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