By Gail Marsh
When the skies open up and the roads turn slick, hydroplaning can become a serious threat. This may be one of my biggest fears when driving our RV.
Nothing reduces fear like information, so let’s take a closer look at what hydroplaning is, discover ways to avoid it, and learn basic safety tips if it does happen when you’re driving your RV.
What is hydroplaning?
Hydroplaning, sometimes called aquaplaning, occurs when a thin layer of water builds up between your tires and the road. This water film prevents your tires from making proper contact with the pavement, drastically reducing traction. Without that crucial grip, your vehicle can slide uncontrollably, making it hard to steer, brake, or accelerate as intended.
Even a small amount of water—often as little as 1/12 of an inch—combined with speeds as low as 35 mph can set the stage for hydroplaning.
Why hydroplaning is especially dangerous for RVs
RVs are built for comfort and adventure, but their size and weight can work against them in wet conditions. Here’s why:
• Increased stopping distance: RVs are significantly heavier than regular cars. This extra weight means you need more time and distance to stop. If you lose traction, recovery can be challenging.
• Tire vulnerability: With long trips on the horizon, many RVers might overlook regular tire maintenance. Worn-out tires or underinflated ones can’t channel water away effectively, making hydroplaning more likely.
• Handling characteristics: Motorhomes, travel trailers, and fifth wheels all have different handling dynamics. When hydroplaning strikes, the loss of control can be more dramatic in these larger vehicles. It can potentially lead to dangerous spinouts or swerving into oncoming traffic.
Tips for avoiding hydroplaning
The best safety strategy is to prevent hydroplaning before it starts. Here are some actionable tips for staying safe on wet roads:
• Slow down. Reducing your speed is the single most effective way to lower your risk. Lower speeds give your tires more time to displace water, maintaining better contact with the road. Remember, even new tires can lose traction on wet pavement if you’re driving too fast.
• Check your tires regularly. Make sure your tires are in top condition. Check the tread depth (tires with less than 4/32 [1/8] inch of tread are more likely to hydroplane) and ensure they’re inflated to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Proper tire maintenance is critical for effective water dispersion.
• Avoid cruise control. While cruise control is a handy feature in dry conditions, it can be dangerous on wet roads. If your vehicle begins to hydroplane, you need full control over acceleration and braking—something cruise control doesn’t allow. Turn it off to stay in control.
• Following distance. Wet roads mean longer stopping distances. Give yourself extra space from the vehicle in front of you so that you have ample time to react if something unexpected happens.
• Drive in the tracks of the vehicle ahead. When conditions are slick, following the tire tracks of the vehicle ahead can help as those tracks are more likely to be free of standing water. This can improve traction and reduce the chance of sliding.
• Avoid standing or deep water. If you see puddles or areas where water is pooling, try to avoid them. Standing water not only increases the risk of hydroplaning but can also hide road hazards like potholes or debris.
What to do if you start hydroplaning
Even with all precautions in place, sometimes hydroplaning can still occur. If you find yourself sliding, here’s how to regain control:
1. Stay calm: It’s natural to panic, but keeping a cool head is key. Panicking can lead to overreacting, which may worsen the situation.
2. Ease off the accelerator: Gently lift your foot off the gas pedal to gradually reduce your speed. Avoid slamming on the brakes—they can lock up your wheels and lead to further loss of control.
3. Steer smoothly: Hold the steering wheel firmly and steer in the direction you want the front of your RV to go. Avoid abrupt or forceful steering inputs, as they can trigger a spin.
4. Wait for traction to return: Once your tires reconnect with the road, gently steer to realign your vehicle and then apply brakes gradually, if needed.
Following these steps can help you regain control of your RV and avoid a serious accident if hydroplaning strikes.
Have you ever experienced hydroplaning while RVing? Tell us about what happened in the comments below.
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RVDT2894
I don’t know if the advanced anti-skid controls appearing in several car models will do the job, so I err on the side of caution regarding adaptive cruise control in our Subaru Ascent (used for towing our single axle TT). However, when not towing, the Ascent’s stereo vision cameras and sensors at every wheel are very good at detecting any form of hydroplaning and will automatically shut down cruise control before the driver will notice any problem.