It is no secret that RVing has evolved into something with striking popularity. The term ‘getaway’ is one that captures travel lovers and entices their adventurous spirit. It is referred to as a home away from home, an all-in-one package to enjoy the outdoors in the outmost comfort. The experiences engraved into memories one takes with them, observations reflecting the beauty of nature, genuine peace and happiness derived from such a journey that is filled with breathtaking views, a wide array of sports/activities and wonderful interactions along the way are things that resonate with RV consumers. Excited? I bet. But before any of that to take place, it is imperative that you ensure your safety first. Between the bulky sizes of your motorhome, traffic you will face with much smaller vehicles against you on the highway, and general issues possible to encounter given the distance spent on the road- this is not something to bypass. Yes, this step could be considered as the most lengthy and boring part of the RVing process, but in order to genuinely enjoy the RV life, you need to share the mentality of safety before anything.
Safety Tips to Consider:
- Create a checklist: It is significant to inspect your RV prior to travel. Your checklist should range from tires to tanks, awnings to propane tanks, weight distribution, lights, belts, shocks, windshield wipers, lubrication, etc. Each aspect is of great importance, especially the legal weight limits for your RV as this could become a huge hazard to you and others if not managed properly.
- Drive like a pro: One of the wisest things you can do is religiously practise how to drive an RV prior to hitting the road- for real! Test maintaining your RV between the lines, reversing, accelerating, braking, mirror clarity, tire movement, etc. If you think about it logically, you are technically taking your home, positioning it on wheels and driving it for a distance. You need to find the balance between fast and slow. Consider staying on the slower lanes and where it is easy to exit in case of emergencies.
- Plan ahead: You can never plan too much when preparing for your big escape. Make sure to learn about the weather conditions, alternative routes if construction occurred, and securing your campsite reservations before arrival. Weather: Pouring rain, snow, ice, hail, high winds are things that should be noted to avoid if possible while travelling. Road bumps: Save time and frustration by researching road conditions, construction and closures prior to travel to not have any surprises. Reservations: You want to guarantee that after travelling a far distance, you have secured somewhere pleasant to stay, such as a campground. Regardless of making your reservation, it doesn’t hurt to call in advance to make sure there is no confusion and it’s still secure for you, as well as by having a back-up list of campgrounds to scope out in case of an emergency.
- Secure RV Insurance and Road Service: Better safe than sorry. When purchasing your RV, try not to take the easier way out by steering clear of added expenses, because some ‘expenses’ such as insurance and road service are in fact worth it. You need to ask yourself all the right questions to ensure that you have full coverage in the case of an emergency.
While main things to consider are listed above, there are a few other things to keep in mind: Take advantage of internet connectivity to be able to research anything you may need related to RVing as well as updating loved ones; If a fire is started due to possible leakage or any other reason, utilize the fire extinguisher if needed and apply dirt or baking soda instead of water as this could trigger major injuries; Look but don’t touch the wildlife as you should never forget animals living in their natural habitat are in fact ‘wild’, also pay attention to road sign warnings.
You can never be fully prepared to hit the road with your slick RV, but there are wise ways to prevent a series of unfortunate events. You don’t want your lack of preparation to take away from your RV experience, so take the extra time, because RVing comes in full bloom when its owner is ready. To get to RVing, you’ve got to get through safety first.
