Before you can enjoy your RV trip, you'll need to get your RV to your destination. This involves driving yourself, your passengers, and your rig on the road. Even if you own a small and compact trailer, there can be safety risks associated with driving with an RV. Below we cover some beginner's tips to help reduce risks and keep you and your family safe on the road.
Get Familiar with Your RV
Before you take a trip with your RV, you will want to spend some time getting familiar with your rig. See how long it takes to come to a full stop with your rig. See how wide of a turn radius it needs. Build up your comfort levels transporting your RV. It'll help you feel more confident on the day of your trip. Spend plenty of time driving in an empty parking lot or low-traffic residential road before you hit the highway.
Practice Safe Driving Strategies
Adopt defensive driving approaches while you drive your RV around. Leave plenty of space between you and other vehicles just in case they suddenly slam on their brakes. Try to keep lane changes to a minimum. Look out for hazards, such as potholes or animals darting in your path. Stay aware and stay safe!
Get a Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Your RV's tire pressure is an important part of safe driving. When tires are not inflated properly, you can face a higher risk of a blowout. It can also cause your tread to wear down faster, which hurts your RV's ability to maintain traction on the road.
Sure, you could manually check your RV tire's inflation before and during your trip. But this is time consuming and tedious work. A better approach is to invest in a tire pressure monitoring system. This is an easy RV upgrade that gives you real-time information about your tires as you drive your RV around. The system also stores the data, so you can spot changes over time that could suggest a mechanical issue.
Pack a Roadside Toolkit
It's possible to encounter an RV repair big enough to require some attention, but doesn't have to be a professional mechanic. Packing a tool kit allows you to handle those minor repairs so you don't have to stop your trip. Make sure your roadside emergency toolkit includes jacks, a spare tire, and other common items in a tool kit.
Look at the Weather
It's important to check the weather forecast before you hit the road. Surprise storms can creep up and you don't want to get caught in one! Check the weather to see if there are any potential hazards, such as high winds or heavy rains. If there is going to be an issue, you'll have time to adjust your trip. Maybe you leave at a different time than planned or take a long break while waiting out the storm. Be prepared to make adjustments due to weather to help ensure a safe journey.
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.