It won’t be long now. Soon snowbirds will drive away from their dreary, cold climates and head south for warmer temperatures and sunny skies. This seems the perfect time to review important RV travel safety tips. Whether you’re new to the RV lifestyle or you’ve been RVing for decades, it’s good to review some of the tactics that will help keep you safe.
RV travel safety tips
Pack it right
- Don’t overload your RV. Take only what you’ll need and be cognizant of the added weight you pack into your rig.
- Try to balance everything you put into your rig, both front to back and left to right. As a final step, weigh your RV before your trip begins to make sure you aren’t overloaded.
Plan it right
- Know your route and which local highways and interstates you plan to take.
- Also, pre-plan fuel stops and be prepared to take additional and frequent breaks, especially if you are the sole driver.
- If you’re traveling with someone, make sure they also know your pre-planned route and can serve as a second pair of eyes along your route, alerting you to upcoming turns, etc.
Check it right
- Before your trip begins, check the tire pressure on all your tires. Set up your tire pressure monitoring system, as well.
- Make sure all lights are working on both your RV and tow vehicle, if applicable.
- Clean the windshield—inside and out—and make sure your windshield wipers are in good working order. Fill the washer fluid, if necessary.
- Extend your rearview mirrors and make sure they are free of dirt or grime.
Drive right
- Travel at a safe and comfortable speed. Just because the speed limit is 65 or higher doesn’t mean you must drive at that speed. Start your trip early enough that you won’t feel rushed at the end of the day.
- Remember that it takes longer to slow or stop a large RV, so leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in the lane ahead.
- Do not make sudden lane changes, and always use your turn signals.
- Remember that many RVs require wider turns than a car.
- When at all possible, travel during daylight hours.
- Pay attention to driving and road conditions. Excessive wind and rain, or rough, uneven roads may make travel hazardous. Stop and wait until weather conditions improve. Or reduce speed to navigate poor roads safely.
Here’s hoping this quick review of RV travel safety tips will help you enjoy your journey and arrive safely at your destination.
Leaving your home while traveling? Follow these important steps to protect your home while you’re gone.
##RVDT1970
If you wish to be the slowest vehicle on the road (and sometimes I do), consider taking the blue highways where the limit is 55 mph or less. It’s less stressful and you can actually see the scenery. Driving 10-15 mph under the limit on a busy road is just asking for the single-finger salute or possibly something worse in the way of road rage.
We are sitting in an RV park in Maggie valley, here to see the fall leaves. Unfortunately, we will be leaving tomorrow after only 2 days of a planned (and paid for) 7 night stay. The reason we are leaving is a safety issue but not one that you have ever mentioned. Campfire. This park is crowded, and many people have fires all around us. My friend who was here last week kept complaining about her sinuses bothering her from the campfires (when we hadn’t yet arrived). Boy was she right. It’s been hell. My throat hurts constantly. We can’t stay here.
But don’t campers know that campfires, as nice as they look, emit serious carcinogens? I mean doesn’t anyone care about that part of safety? Lung cancer is the number one cancer killer in America — and 20% of those with lung cancer aren’t smokers.
The worst part is that the campground literally rents portable fire pits. So they are encouraging this behavior.
I love watching campfires as much as the next person. But they are not safe
Great reminders! Thanks, Gail!
Excellent. Always pre-flight the vehicle, and do a walk around daily.
Things break all by theirself.
When you are in states where the speed limit is 80 mph it can be hard to maintain 60 mph. But it’s on a freeway and there is a ‘passing lane’. As Gail mentioned, the posted “speed limit” is supposed to be your maximum speed (ha – good luck with that), not a ‘must do’ speed.