RV Terms Glossary: Letter "P"

PAYLOAD CAPACITY

Same as Net carrying capacity.

French: Charge utile

PART-TIMERS

The term used for people who use their RV more than usual (more than just a few weekend trops a year), but who still use it less than full time.

PILOT FLAME

The heat source which ignites LP gas in the RV appliance system. The pilot flame heats the thermocouple control, permitting the flow of gas to the burner.

French: Veilleuse

PILOT SAFETY BUTTON

A manual control on LP gas appliances that, when activated, will bypass the thermocouple to allow the appliance pilot to be lit. If this bypass button is not pressed when lighting the pilot, the thermocouple stops the flow of gas to the appliance, in order to prevent LP gas from being released into an appliance in which the pilot has gone out.

PIN

Used to fasten any insert into a receiver hitch.

PING

Same as Detonation.

French: Cliquetis

PINTLE

A type of hitch that uses a round ring called a lunette on the trailer end. Pintles have closing jaws, locking the lunette in.

PINTLE HOOK

The jaw portion of a pintle hitch which attaches to the tow vehicle.

PINTLE MOUNT

An insert for a receiver hitch, having a shank with a flat plate to bolt a pintle hook to. These mounts are typically adjustable for vertical height.

PLUG

The connector used to connect trailer wiring to a tow vehicle.

POL CONNECTION

A fitting which is screwed directly into the valve of the LP gas tank, between the tank and the regulator.

POP-OUT

The term for a room in an RV that pops out for additional living space.

POPUP OR POP-UP

Another name for a folding camping trailer.

PORPOISING

A term used to define the up and down motion in an RV while traveling.

PORTABLE TOILET

An RV toilet with a built-in water tank and holding tank. When the holding tank is full, it may be detached and taken to a dump station.

French: Toillette portable

PROPANE

LPG or liquefied petroleum gas, used in RVs for heating, cooking and refrigeration. Also called bottle gas, for manner in which it is sold and stored.

French: Propane

PULLER

The slang term for a motorhome with a front-mounted diesel engine.

PULL-THROUGH

Refers to RV campsites that allow vehicles to drive straight in and hook up without having to back in.

French: Entrée directe

PUSHER

The slang term for a motorhome with a rear-mounted diesel engine.