Before delving into the subject of " how to choose a motorhome ", I must necessarily devote some space to the definition of some terms that I will use, sorry if they are already known to you, but maybe someone will need them.
The cab is the driver's compartment, with the controls and seats for the driver and passenger.
The cell is the living area of the camper.
The rear overhang , referred to simply as the overhang , is the part of the RV that "comes out" of the rear wheels. It is a feature to consider, as it affects the ascent of ramps and steep slopes (the classic access ramp for ferries) and maneuverability in narrow spaces, for example in a parking lot or camping site. "Conditions" means that it requires more maneuvers and attention in cases at risk, as there is a danger of touching the bottom (there are tanks and valves underneath) or the tail walls.
Dinette is the dining room, the table with the two benches (one facing the other) which is found in every camper. Over time, semi-dinettes have also become more popular, i.e. dinettes with a single bench and with swiveling cabin seats, which complete the seats at the table.
WC , well, you know what that is. However, in campers it fills up and every now and then it has to be unloaded, and this is precisely what characterizes its classification. The cistern toilet has a removable tank (generally 18 litres), the cistern, to be emptied into the appropriate ecological aids. The nautical toilet, on the other hand, has a fixed tank underneath, more or less than 70 litres, and to empty the contents you have to move the camper and go to the ecological center. It is possible to download the contents using special tanks, after having proceeded with the transfer through fittings. It goes without saying that the cistern toilet , despite having limited autonomy, never poses drainage problems (the right ecological protection is always found), while the nautical toiletsometimes it could be a problem.
Gavone , is a storage room, a stowage space. The locker under the bench of the dinette is classic , or the garage locker , the large one located at the rear of the camper and which allows you to load bicycles or even a moped.
Ducting , i.e. the heating "pipes" which carry the air to all areas of the cell, to check the distribution it is enough to see where the outlets are. There is no ducting in campers that have a radiator system (obvious). Excellent when it also involves the beds and the attic on the perimeter and heats the recovery tanks (insulated and heated).
Awning , it is the extendable awning located on the entrance side of the cell, it can only be used in the spaces where it is permitted.
BM , engine battery, is the battery that serves the mechanical means for starting the engine.
BS , service battery, is the battery (or batteries) that power the unit's utilities.
Pump , is the device used to draw water from the clear tank and push it into the water system, towards the taps.
The waters : clear, gray and dark
the clear water tank is that of drinking water, it is filled via an external filler
that of gray water , is the recovery tank for the water used in the sinks and in the shower, it must be discharged exclusively into the appropriate ecological facilities
that of dark water or sewage , is the sewage tank of the toilet, it can be the nautical tank or the cistern, this too must be discharged exclusively in the appropriate ecological facilities
Camper Service is the ecological garrison where the gray and dark waters must be discharged. It is a pitch present in campsites, rest areas, equipped areas, sometimes in car parks and in motorway service stations. It consists of a fountain for water and a grate on the ground, or an equivalent solution, to be used for emptying the toilet. Leave clean, of course.
The inverter is a device that transforms the current of the battery (12 volts DC) into "household" current, i.e. 220 volts alternating. It is used to be able to use 220v devices when not connected to the column. It is a useful device for charging batteries, mobile phones, cameras ... but if used for heavy loads (for example, a hair dryer) it can be dangerous and installation must be done by qualified personnel and the system must be suitably sized (even the battery pack, given the high absorption). As with GAS , even with electricity NEVER DO IT YOURSELF .
If you want more information on how a motorhome works , batteries, water, heating, refrigerator, toilet ...