RV Terms Glossary: Letter "B"

BACK-UP MONITOR

Video camera mounted on the rear of the motorhome to visually assist the driver with backing up the motorhome via a monitor mounted in the driver’s compartment, or in a central area of the cab where it can be viewed by the driver from the driver’s seat. These monitors are usually left in the ON position in order to also assist the driver with gauging the flow of traffic behind the motorhome, and in watching a towed vehicle.

French: Caméra de recul

BALL

Same as Hitch Ball

BALL HEIGHT

Measurement from the ground to the center of the hitch ball or hitch ball coupling when parked on a flat surface and parallel to the ground. Used to determine the amount of drop or rise needed in the ball mount to make the trailer ride parallel to the ground when being towed.

BALL MOUNT

The portion of the trailer which holds the hitch, ball, and the connecting device for the sway bars on a weight-distributing hitch, and the ball alone on a weight-carrying hitch.

French: Support de la boule

BASEMENT

Refers to a storage area accessible from the outside, usually from the door threshold area down.

French: Sous-sol

BATTERY

The auxiliary battery installed in some RV units to provide 12 Volt lighting when the tow vehicle is not connected. When installed with an automatic charging solenoid, it charges through the tow vehicle alternator system, assuming the tow vehicle is wired with a charge line.

French: Batterie auxiliaire

BLACK (WATER) TANK

The gallons of black water that can be held.

French: Réservoir d'eau noire

BOONDOCKING

Camping outside a campground, usually for free, and relying on onboard 12 volt DC power systems for energy.

French: Camper sans payer

BRAKE CONTROLLER

A control unit mounted inside the vehicle that allow the electric brakes on the trailer to become activated in harmony with the braking of the tow vehicle. The controller can also be used to manually activate the trailer brakes.

French: Contrôle de freinage

BRAKE CONTROLLER

A control unit mounted inside the vehicle that allow the electric brakes on the trailer to become activated in harmony with the braking of the tow vehicle. The controller can also be used to manually activate the trailer brakes.

French: Contrôle de freinage

BRAKE CONTROLLER

A control unit mounted inside the vehicle that allow the electric brakes on the trailer to become activated in harmony with the braking of the tow vehicle. The controller can also be used to manually activate the trailer brakes.

French: Contrôle de freinage

BREAKAWAY SWITCH

A 12 volt switch in the trailer's electric brake system that is tripped by a cable connecting the trailer to the tow vehicle. If the trailer should become detached accidentally, the cable pulls a pin out of the switch, causing the brakes to activate.

French: Interrupteur de rupture d'attelage

BRITISH THERMAL UNIT (BTU)

A measurement of heat that is the quantity required to raise the temperature of one pound of water 1 degree F. RV air-conditioners and furnaces are BTU-rated.

French: Unité thermique anglaise

BUBBLE LEVEL

A device used to indicate the level of a trailer or motorhome. The level can be round, or cylindrical. A round level should be placed on a flat surface that is meant to be parallel to the ground. Cylindrical levels are placed in pairs, one at the front of the trailer, and one on the side, in order to indicate the state of level from side to side, and from front to back.

French: Niveau à bulle d'air

BUMPER

The parts on a vehicle that protect the front and rear ends in the event of an accident.

BUMPER-MOUNT HITCH

Available in two configuration: a bracket with a ball mounted to the bumper or a ball is attached to the bumper. These hitches have very limited RV applications.

BURNER

The component in every LP gas appliance where the air and gas mixture ignites.

French: Brûleur