RV Terms Glossary: Letter "H"

HEATER EXCHANGER

Device that transfers heat from one source to another.

HEAT STRIP

Electric heating element located in the air conditioning system with the warm air distributed by the air conditioner fan and ducting system. It has limmited function. Basically, it "takes the chill off".

HITCH

A device which attaches directly to a tow vehicle providing the connection between the tow vehicle and the trailer.

HITCH BALL

The ball-shaped attachement to a hitch onto which a trailer coupler is attached.

HITCH BAR

Same as Drawbar.

French: Barre de remorquage

HITCH RATINGS

Hitches are rated by the manufacturer according to the maximum amount of weight they are engineered to handle.

HITCH WEIGHT

Amount of a trailer's weight that rests on the tow vehicle; should be 10 to 15 percent with conventional trailers, 15 to 20 percent for fifth-wheels.

French: Charge statique maximale calculéé sur le dispositif d'attelage

HITCH-ITCH

The restless feeling that sometimes afflicts RVers after staying too long in one place. It requires that they hit the highway once again

HITCHBALL

The steel ball attached to the towing vehicle that connects with the travel trailer.

French: Routule

HOLDING TANKS

There are three different holding tanks on most RVs:
- fresh water tank (holds fresh water that can be stored for later use),
- grey water tank (holds the waste water from the sinks and showers),
- black water tank (holds the waste water from the toilet).

French: Fosses de stockage

HOOK-UP

Campground facilities for connecting an RV to 120-volt AC ”shore power“, water, sewer, cable TV and telephone service.

French: Branchement

HULA SKIRT

A skirt placed on the back bumper of a motorhome to stop debris that is thrown from the rear wheels from damaging vehicles behind the motorhome, either the vehicle you are towing or other vehicles behind the motorhome.