Camping and RV Industry Definitions

This guide is designed to be a valuable resource for anyone involved in the camping and RVing industry, including professionals, consumers, and government officials. By understanding and using these terms correctly, we can all work together to ensure clear communication and understanding of the industry.

Campground

Recreational establishments that offer accommodation in ready-to-camp units or on camp sites composed of permanent sites to accommodate tents or recreational camping vehicles, motorized or not, including services.

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Recreational Vehicle

A vehicle or slide-in camper that is primarily designed as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, or seasonal use; has its own motive power or is mounted on or towed by another vehicle; does not require a special highway use permit for operation on the highways; and can be easily transported and set up on a daily basis by an individual.

A recreational vehicle shall include units further described as a motor home, travel trailer, fifth wheel trailer, truck camper, tent trailer, park model trailer and similar vehicles but excludes a mobile home or “Tiny Home”.

Motor Home

A recreational vehicle that is self-propelled which includes vehicles described as “Class A”, Class C” and “Class B” and which is manufactured in accordance with CSA Z-240 RV series of standards.

Travel Trailer

A recreational vehicle designed to be towed behind a motor vehicle by means of a bumper or frame hitch and which is manufactured in accordance with CSA Z-240 RV series of standards.

Fifth Wheel Trailer

A recreational vehicle designed to be coupled to the towing vehicle by a fifth wheel-type coupler, through which a substantial part of the trailer weight is supported by the tow vehicle and being manufactured in accordance with CSA Z-240 RV series of standards.

Truck Camper

A recreational vehicle designed to be loaded onto and unloaded from, the bed of a pick-up truck and being manufactured in accordance with CSA Z-240 RV series of standards.

Tent Trailer

A recreational vehicle built on its own chassis, having a rigid or canvas top and sidewalls, which may be folded or otherwise stowed for transit, and designed to be towed behind a motor vehicle. The unit is manufactured in accordance with CSA Z-240 RV series of standards.

Park Model Trailer

A recreational unit that meets the following criteria:

a) it is built on a single chassis mounted on wheels;

b) it is designed to facilitate relocation from time to time;

c) it is designed as living quarters for seasonal camping and may be connected to those utilities necessary for operation of installed fixtures and appliances; and

d) it has a gross floor area, not exceeding 50 m2 when in the set-up mode, and has a width greater than 2.6 m in the transit mode.

A Park Model Trailer is manufactured in accordance with CSA Z-241 series of standards.

Manufactured Home

A transportable, single or multiple-section single family dwelling of residential, permanent occupancy and conforming with CSA Z-240 MH Series of standards at time of manufacture. It is ready for occupancy upon completion of set-up in accordance with required factory recommended installation details.

Tiny Home

For the purposes of this guide, a “tiny home” is a small, private and self-contained dwelling unit:

with living and dining areas
with kitchen and bathroom facilities
with a sleeping area
intended for year-round use

A tiny home can be a primary home or a separate structure on a property that already has an existing house. Campers, recreational vehicles, cottages and other structures used on a seasonal basis are not considered tiny homes. Tiny Homes must be built to either CSA A-277 or CSA Z240 MH and appropriate Provincial Building Codes