Do you know what these important RV terms mean? If you're fairly new to RV camping, things may seem overwhelming at first. We've put together a list of important vocabulary you will probably encounter to help you get started. But for even more in-depth assistance we offer RV Basic Training Camps right here at Clear Lake Campground, a fun way to learn all about your RV.

• 20 amp/30 amp/50 amp - Campgrounds provide basic electrical amp service. Look in our owners manual to find out what amp your RV requires. Here at Clear Lake Campground we have mostly sites with 30 amp but also have a few with 50 amp and a few with 20 amp. If you require 20 amp, we have adapters to rent that will work in the 30 amp sites.
• Basement - storage area under the floor of the RV
• Black water tank - where your sewage goes
• Brake Actuator – a control unit located within the tow vehicle that gets the trailer’s breaks to work with the tow vehicle’s brakes. Drivers can use this brake controller to manually stop the trailer or adjust the trailer brake sensitivity. Many vehicles with a tow package already include a brake actuator, while some vehicles need to have one installed.
• Breakaway Switch – a safety feature between your tow vehicle and trailer that activates the trailer’s brakes if it disconnects from your tow vehicle.
• Caravanning – RVers traveling and/or camping together.
• Coach - Class A motorhome
• Curb Weight – the weight of an RV, including everything within it such as freshwater tanks, and propane. It does not include people or your personal cargo items. 
• Curbside or Camp Side – the passenger side of an RV or the unit’s side that is along the curb when parked. 
• Diesel Puller or FRED – RV slang for a front-engine diesel motorhome
• Diesel Pusher – RV slang for a rear-engine diesel motorhome
• ​Dinghy or Toad or Towcar – the RV term for vehicle towed behind a motorhome.
• Dry Weight (DW) – the manufacturer’s listed weight of the RV without any tanks full, cargo, or passengers.
• Dump Station – a place to empty your black and grey tanks. A sewage hose is needed to connect the RV to the dumping station. We do not have a dump station at Camp but we can direct you to the nearest ones.
• Extended Stay – a campsite where you can stay for a long period of time. At Camp we reserve a few spots for several weeks or months for people needing to stay in the area for work. Contact Lisa, the owner, at 707-994-2236 or by email at hello@campclearlake.com

• Freshwater Tank – where water is stored to use when you don’t have a water hookup. The freshwater tank holds  water for cooking, cleaning, and washing.
• ​Full Hookup or FHU – a campsite with all the connections or “hookups” like water, electricity, and sewage. It can also be labeled as W/E/S. At Camp we have sites with full hookup.
• Generator – an electrical unit powered by gas or diesel to generate electricity for an RV. Generators are used when at a campground without connections. Sometimes generator hours are enforced due to the noise.

• Grey Water Tank – water from your sinks and shower go into the grey water tank.
• ​Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) – the manufacturer’s rating for the maximum allowed weight (including tire, wheel, brake, and axle weight) an axle is designed to carry. GAWR refers to the tow vehicle, trailer, fifth-wheel, and motorhome axles.
• Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) – The maximum allowable weight of the combination of the tow vehicle and RV (trailer/fifth-wheel), or motorhome and dinghy/toad. It’s the weight of everything, including cargo, water, tanks, etc.
• Gross Trailer Weight Rating (GTWR) – the maximum allowed weight of a trailer fully loaded with cargo, tanks, water, etc.
• ​Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) – the maximum allowed weight of a vehicle, including its chassis, body, engine, fuel, passengers, cargo, etc.
• Holding Tanks – includes all the tanks in an RV: the black, grey, and freshwater tanks.
• Hula Skirt – a feature that motorhomes use behind their back tires to protect from debris kicked up behind them and potentially hitting another driver or their dinghy.
• LP Gas – liquid petroleum gas, AKA propane.
• Non-potable water – water that's not intended for human consumption. Do not put this water into your freshwater tank. This water is used for flushing your black tank out when dumping.
• Potable Water – water that is safe to drink and use for food prep. Use only potable water to fill up your freshwater tank.
• Pull-through site – a campsite that allows an RV to pull into and pull out of (instead of backing into) the site. These campsites are popular among people who might only be staying for a night or for those who have larger rigs. We have both pull-through and back-in sites available at Clear Lake Campground, select the one you want when you book.
• Shore Power – RV slang that originated in the boating world and refers to the electric power coming from an electrical box or another eternal source so that the RV doesn’t have to use its battery. A specific electrical cord is needed to connect an RV to shore power.
• Slideout or Pop-Out– a hydraulic or electrical feature in some RVs that expands the unit to create more space inside.
• Stabilizing Jacks – jacks under an RV that are used more for stabilizing rather than bearing a large amount of the RV’s weight. These help prevent a back-and-forth or rocking movement while in the RV.

• Tongue Weight – the weight that is pressing down on the hitch ball located on the tow vehicle. Usually, this is 10-15% of the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW).
• ​Tow Rating – the maximum allowed weight a tow vehicle can safely tow, determined by the vehicle’s manufacturer.
• Wet Weight – the cumulative weight of an RV with its holding tanks full and cargo loaded.
• Workamping – RVers who exchange work for a free stay at a campsite, including hookups, etc., and sometimes includes compensation.

updated 7/3/23
Do you like to camp but don't like hauling your tent and setting it up? Would you like to sleep in a sturdy, spacious tent with a floor and cots? Clear Lake Campground has the perfect glamping solution.

Our 3 large partially-furnished canvas tents sleep a maximum of 4 people each. They're already set up so all you have to do is bring your bedding and cooler and make yourself at home. Tent #2 has 4 single cots, #3 has a queen bed, and #4 has 2 single cots. 2 additional people can sleep on the floor in tents 3 and 4.

Your space includes a 16 foot diameter canvas bell tent, picnic table, BBQ, and parking for one car. Water and electricity are outside on the site and there's electricity inside too.

Of course you'll also have access to our swimming pool, showers, boat launch, outdoor games, and other campground amenities. Sorry, no pets are allowed in the tents. Also no smoking or cooking is allowed inside and we allow propane camp fires only (we can provide a propane fire pit if needed).

Canvas tents are available from late spring through early fall with a 2-night minimum. Our restrooms and showers are closed from late fall through early spring so we can't accommodate any tent campers, including in our canvas tents.

It's just like tent camping but we pitched a beautiful tent for you so it's more like glamping! You're also welcome to book one of our other sites and bring your own tent.

Things to Do at Clear Lake Campground:
* Rent a kayak or canoe or bring your own and launch it from Camp. There are 2 routes you can follow: Paddle Anderson Marsh or go toward the dam.
* Fish from Camp or nearby
* Swim in our pool or relax by the creek
* Go wine tasting
* Take a hike

Why Should I Consider a Camping Vacation?
(Updated 5/22)
Camping on your vacation has many benefits. Whether you want to travel in a fully equipped RV or want to sleep outside under the stars, camping is a great choice for anything from a short getaway to a long road trip. Camping offers options to suit everyone, from families and groups of friends to couples and single travelers. Once you have your basic equipment, you have the freedom to explore close to home or anywhere across the country. Let's look at a few of the good things about camping:

• Camping is a great way to get outside and enjoy outdoor activities. Many campgrounds are in or near beautiful settings offering recreational activities such as hiking, swimming, boating, kayaking, biking, or fishing. It's an easy and fun way to get some exercise. Being outside is a safe and easy way to visit with friends or extended family that aren't part of your household.
• Camping is relaxing and helps relieve stress. Take a break from your usual hectic routine and relax at your camp site, sit by the pool or around a camp fire, or spend time visiting with your family and friends outdoors. Turn off your cell phone for awhile and enjoy the tranquility.
• Camping offers opportunities to learn new skills, especially for children. Learn to fish, play new games, try new cooking techniques, or learn to identify plants, birds, or animals in the outdoors. Some campgrounds even offer seasonal planned events such as nature walks and ranger talks.
• Camping is a great family activity. The whole family can easily participate in camping activities and spend time together away from the TV. Unlike at a hotel, the family can all stay together in one or more adjoining campsites, making travel easier. Many campgrounds have outdoor games the family can play together or children's play areas.
• Camping is a relatively inexpensive way to take a vacation. Most campgrounds cost less than other lodging in the same area. Saving money on food is easy since you can bring your own and cook right at your site rather than having to eat out. Many campgrounds offer free or low cost activities such as swimming pools, hiking trails, games, boat launches, and fishing spots.
• Camping has been said to be the safest way to vacation during the pandemic. It's easy to stay distanced from others and socialize outdoors. Especially if you're traveling in an RV, you can keep pretty well isolated from others while still enjoying a vacation. According to the special COVID-19 edition of the North American Camping Report, sponsored by Kampgrounds of America, Inc.: "Campers and non-campers alike rank camping as the safest type of travel and RVs provide the ultimate in personal space for traveling."
• Campers can choose to be social or secluded, active or relaxed, cook or get food to bring back to camp. There are endless opportunities for everyone to choose how they want to spend their time. "68% of all campers agree that camping is a great way to escape the stress of everyday life and almost half of all campers say that camping has a 'great deal of impact' on reducing stress and allowing them to spend more time with their families.", according to KOA Campgrounds.

Why camp at Clear Lake Campground?

Clear Lake Campground is right on the shore of Cache Creek, across from Anderson Marsh State Park. Campers can enjoy fishing, boating, bird watching, or just relaxing right at camp and there are plenty of things to do in the area. We offer a variety of sites with full hook-ups and a few sites for tent camping only. We also offer kayak and canoe rentals.

For more information about Camp, see our Frequently Asked Questions.

If you want to try camping in an RV before you commit to buying one, consider renting one through our affiliate, RVShare. 

2022 Update: we don't have Basic Training Camp dates set yet for 2022. Watch our Facebook page for updates.

Are you new to RV camping or have questions about getting the most out of your RV? The RV Basic Training workshop at Clear Lake Campground is for you!

Join a fun, interactive 2 night campout for new RV owners led by Tony and Peggy Barthel of Stressless Camping. Learn all the basics of how to operate your RV, how to make it last a long time, and how to keep it looking good and in top shape.  This workshop is held at Clear Lake Campground on the shore of Cache Creek, with campsites perfect for small to midsize trailers or RVs with lengths of 30 feet or less. 

During the workshop you'll get basic instruction on RV systems plus tips and hints to make the most of that new RV. Topics will include using and maintaining systems and how to make every camping experience a StressLess Camping experience. You'll have a chance to ask questions and get hands on experience. Of course, social distancing and health safety will be practiced during the workshop at all times.

Camping, especially in your own RV, is considered the safest way to travel these days so more people are turning to RVs - and finding that they need help learning to operate them. ​

Stressless Camping says, "While RV dealers tend to cover these same topics, generally that lesson takes about an hour and is equated to drinking from a fire hose. This is a slower pace and with the individual’s own RV so they can learn to operate it with greater success and experience fewer challenges along the way."

“The good thing about the RV space is that there is something for anyone - from small tent trailers to luxurious mobile palaces,” said Tony Barthel, “RVing can be a wonderful escape from the crowds or bring you closer to friends and family. You can truly define your own experience!”

​You'll also want to be sure you know what these RV terms mean.

If you want to rent an RV to try it out first, check our affiliate RVShare.

Consider adding an extra night or more to practice what you're learned, relax at camp, or explore Lake County activities and places to go.