RV & camper van gear glossary

Every technical term used on this site, explained in plain English. From boondocking to LiFePO4, BMS to shunt.

Boondocking: Camping in an RV without hookups (no shore power, water, or sewer). Also called "dry camping" or "dispersed camping". Requires solar + battery bank + water storage + waste tanks.
LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate): Battery chemistry used in modern RV house batteries. Lasts 3000-5000 cycles (vs 300-500 for lead-acid), weighs half as much, and can be 80% discharged safely. More expensive upfront but cheaper per cycle.
AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat): Sealed lead-acid battery type. Safer and maintenance-free vs flooded lead-acid but still limited to 50% depth of discharge and 300-500 cycles. LiFePO4 is replacing AGM for serious RVers.
MPPT vs PWM Charge Controller: MPPT = Maximum Power Point Tracking, extracts up to 30% more energy from solar panels vs PWM (Pulse Width Modulation). MPPT costs more but pays back fast in extra solar harvest.
30A vs 50A Shore Power: RV electrical service. 30A = single 120V leg, up to 3600W. 50A = two 120V legs, up to 12,000W (can run everything including AC + microwave). Most pre-2010 RVs are 30A; newer big rigs are 50A.
Black Tank: Waste tank that holds toilet waste. Different from the gray tank (sink/shower water). Must be emptied at a dump station through the sewer hose.
Gray Tank: Waste tank for sink and shower water. Can be dumped at dump stations OR at approved dispersal points (some BLM land). Sometimes mixed with kitchen-only gray tank separately.
Inverter vs Charger vs Inverter/Charger: Inverter = DC battery → AC outlet (120V). Charger = AC shore power → DC battery. Inverter/Charger = combined unit, does both based on whether shore power is plugged in.
BMS (Battery Management System): Electronic brain built into LiFePO4 batteries. Protects against over-discharge, overcharging, cold charging (below freezing damages LiFePO4), and short circuits. A good BMS is as important as the cells.
Shunt: Battery monitor component that measures current flowing in and out of the battery bank. Connected between the battery and all loads. Required for accurate state-of-charge readings.
Depth of Discharge (DoD): How deeply a battery can be drained. Lead-acid: 50% max for longevity. LiFePO4: 80-100% usable. Higher DoD = more usable capacity per battery.
Solar Pass-Through (SPT): Inverter/charger feature that lets solar flow through to both battery and loads simultaneously. Maximizes harvest vs systems that charge battery first, loads second.
Dry Weight (UVW): Unloaded Vehicle Weight — what the RV weighs from the factory without water, propane, or cargo. Important for towing capacity calculations. Add 20-30% for real loaded weight.
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating): Maximum legal weight the RV or tow vehicle can weigh fully loaded. Exceeding GVWR = illegal and dangerous. Weigh your rig at a CAT scale before long trips.
Weight Distribution Hitch: Specialized hitch that distributes trailer tongue weight across both axles of the tow vehicle. Required for trailers >3500 lbs. Dramatically improves handling.
Surge Protector (EMS): Electrical Management System plugged between shore power and RV. Protects against miswired campground pedestals, over/under voltage, open grounds. Progressive Industries makes the gold standard.
Fresh Water Tank vs Gray Water vs Black Water: Fresh = drinking/cooking water in (clean). Gray = used water out from sink/shower. Black = toilet waste. Keep black valve closed until ready to dump to maintain proper flushing.
Dump Station: Facility where RVers empty black and gray tanks. Found at campgrounds, truck stops, some gas stations. Apps: Sani-Dump, AllStays, RV Dumps.
Seasonal vs Full-Time RVer: Seasonal = weekend warriors, 30-90 nights/year. Full-time = RV is primary residence, 300+ nights/year. Different gear priorities and durability requirements.