Summer is one of the most popular times of the year for roadtripping, and for good reason. The sunshine and warm weather can inspire the wanderlust in all of us, but this season is also one of the most likely to spurn dangerous storms and crazy weather out of nowhere. Traveling and being away from home during poor weather conditions can already be a dangerous situation - but RVing in a storm is in a ballpark all its own.
That being said, these storms often take us by surprise while we’re enjoying our vacations, so being fully prepared for them and knowing what steps to take in emergency situations is the only way to travel with the utmost peace of mind. Check out these tips for RVing in bad weather, and you’ll be fully set for a safe vacation in no time.
Tune into local news stations, and know what county you’re traveling through. Many weather alerts are released by county, and guessing your area can turn into a serious poker game when it comes to maintaining the utmost safety for those in your RV.
Be aware of local shelters and have evacuation routes mapped out, so you’re well prepared ahead of time if a storm pops up out of nowhere
Be ready to go when a tornado watch is issued, but be well prepared before that. Winds greater than 30mph can cause severe damage to motorhomes, especially with awnings and slideouts extended. Be sure to secure these and have your unit stabilized if a tornado is even remotely possible.
In cases of flooding, don’t try to cross water higher than your ankles, and never try to drive through water of questionable depths. As a popular safety saying goes, “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.”
Have safety and weather apps downloaded to your phone, such as NOAA Radio, NOAA Weather Alerts, and the Weather Channel. Be sure to enable audio alerts, so you don’t only find out about a tornado or oncoming storm when you remember to check your phone - because by then, it might be too late.
With this, keeping your phone charged is obviously a must. But ‘having it charged’ at the moment isn’t enough. Invest in a mobile battery pack that will provide a healthy number of additional battery hours, and have it charged and reserved for emergencies so you’re prepared whenever you might need it. This way, even when you lose power, you’ll always have a means of communication at your fingertips.
Keep extra flashlights and headlights in your mobile home at all times, and be sure to check the bulbs before heading out on a trip.
Never, ever, ever try to outrun a storm. Even when it may seem easy to do, the worst storms often happen out of nowhere and can accelerate quickly, covering distances at speeds surpassing that of your vehicle.
Be sure you have sufficient insurance to cover your home on wheels. When worse comes to worst, you want to have the peace of mind knowing that you took care of everything you could before crazy weather caused damage to your unit.
Above all else, stay calm, and don’t panic. Keeping your cool will help you make the best decisions for both your own safety and that of those traveling with you.
Armed with the above tips and tools, you can rest assured knowing you know what to do if bad weather does surprise you on a road trip this year.
This information is for educational purposes. VIARV shall not be responsible nor retain liability for RVer’s use of the provided information. Prior to making any RV service decision, you are advised to consult with an RV professional.