RV safety tips
Conduct a pre-trip safety check.
Create a step-by-step checklist and conduct a "walk-around" visual inspection before embarking on a trip. A pre-trip checklist should include things like:
- Retract jacks, steps and awnings.
- Make sure bay doors are closed and latched.
- Look under the rig for signs of fluid leaks.
- Check oil, transmission and coolant levels.
- Check air brakes, parking brake and tow brakes.
- Double-check the tow bar and safety cables.
- Inspect tire inflation pressure and tread wear.
- Check your surroundings (weather, overhangs and ground hazards).
- Make sure stove, oven and heater burners are not lit.
- Check the propane tank for leaks and intake/exhaust lines for blockages.
- Make sure smoke and propane leak detectors are working.
- Disconnect all power, TV, phone, water and sewer lines.
Practice S.A.F.E. cornering
RVers must compensate for the extra weight, height and length of their vehicles when cornering. At the Good Sam Insurance Agency, we recommend practicing S.A.F.E. cornering:
- Slowly approach the turn. It's much easier to speed up in the corner than to have to brake.
- Arc the turn, careful not to arc the first swing in the opposite direction, which can confuse other drivers as to where you intend to go.
- Finish the turn completely. Drivers make a common mistake when they straighten before the back end of the vehicle has cleared the pivot point.
- Experience is key. The best way to become a good RV driver is to practice.
Follow the rule of 20 percent.
Fully loaded rigs have slower acceleration and take longer to come to a full stop than everyday vehicles. To compensate, add 20 percent to everything you do, from increasing your following distance and judging if you have enough clearance, to safely merging into traffic.
Know your height.
Sounds simple, but it's amazing how many people forget the extra height of an RV while driving. To avoid getting hung up, try this simple trick: put a sticky note on the dashboard with your exact clearance.
Avoid unexpected blowouts.
The majority of RV claims reported to the Good Sam Insurance Agency stem from tire failure for three reasons: improper inflation, worn tread or overloaded/overweight vehicle. Here are some ways you can protect your tires when not in use:
- Watch your tire pressure. Both under and over-inflation can lead to blowouts. To help prevent this, check your tire inflation at least once a month and always before you start a trip.
- Make sure to check your tire pressure when you haven’t been driving – tires fresh off the road are usually hot, which temporarily increases tire pressure. Never remove air from a hot tire, which may result in under inflation when the tire cools.
- To avoid cracking and remove build up, regularly wash tires with mild soap, water and a soft brush.
- Replace tires that are more than five years old, even if there is no apparent tread wear.
- Keep tires covered (including the spare) when your RV is not in use.
Don’t blow it: essential propane tank know-how
Many hazards such as overhangs, low branches or anything sticking out of the ground are not visible from the driver’s seat of an RV. Invest in external cameras to help see obstructions from the driver’s seat. You can also enlist the help of a passenger to stand outside of the RV to help guide you into a confined or congested area.
Tips for backing up and maneuvering in tight places
While propane tanks are safe for RV travel, there are some tips to help ensure a safe ride:
- Never refuel with any propane appliance or the engine running.
- Don't travel with the stove, oven or heater burners lit.
- Never paint your tank a dark color, which can absorb the sun’s rays and cause the tank to overheat and explode.
- Make sure older propane tanks are checked to ensure that they have an overfill protection device.
- Check the intake and exhaust vents for blockages.
- Install a propane gas detector.
- Have your propane tank checked regularly by a certified dealer to ensure that lines are in good shape and not leaking.