Shopping for your Newmar? Let us help.
We’re here to help you find the perfect coach for you.
Now is the time for the great American road trip. Why fly over states when you can drive through them and experience the culture and nuances that make America a great place to live?
Before you gas up the RV, though, learn about RV road safety. You can join the 25 million Americans who go RVing every year to camp, hike, boat, and fish. You’ll support the outdoor recreational economy and see the world from the luxury of your home on wheels.
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about RV road safety.
Shopping for your Newmar? Let us help.
We’re here to help you find the perfect coach for you.
There’s no doubt about it, RVs are the most comfortable way to travel. You have your home right with you, on top of the wheels that take you from site to site where you see beautiful scenery in between.
The twenty-first century RV is not your 1980s jalopy that chugged down the road. RV features make some recreational vehicles more comfortable than traditional homes. Features like dropdown bunk beds, large residential showers, designer fabrics, footrests at workstations, refrigerators, slideouts with full tile, and even dishwashers make the RV just as comfortable as a small home.
Plus, when you open the door to greet the day, you have new scenery every time.
But what about RV safety?
Over 70,000 people are involved in RV accidents every year. This includes the drivers and passengers of the RV along with other drivers and individuals in the accidents. You do not have to be one of those statistics if you follow basic tips for RV road safety.
You passed a high school driver’s education with flying colors. You may even have a CDL. This does not fully qualify you for RV driving.
If you want to drive an RV safely, find an RV School near you that will teach you basic RV safety tips and how to maneuver. Picture yourself in Chicago-like traffic or driving on tight, curvy roads in a mountain range. Both scenarios offer their own challenges, and a driver’s ed course will help you navigate them more successfully.
Plus, you’ll learn how to back up a 32-foot RV with ease. You will understand what to do and how to drive in inclement weather.
As you plan out your trip, consider the weather patterns, road conditions, closures, and possible construction for where you want to go.
You may want to travel to the Smoky Mountains, for example, and stay in a rustic campground. To do this, you’ll need to be able to navigate mountain roads, steep uphills and downhills, and tight corners. Make sure your RV can handle the rough road conditions that lie ahead so you don’t find yourself stuck with a big class A bus.
Go to the US Department of Transportation‘s website to see where the road construction is and what the traffic conditions are for your location and the road in between.
If you’re using an RV and plan on having a bike rack or other accessories attached, make sure you secure your outside load. Have a proper amount of bungee cords or ratchet straps to keep items secure as you drive.
When you stop to spend the night, do not leave any goods outside. You might trust the people in your campground, but wildlife has a tendency to take ownership without asking. Do not leave food outside on the table or in an insecure area.
There’s nothing more shocking than waking up to see a bear rummaging through your cooler.
Use the seatbelts in your RV. Many RVs come with seatbelts in the captain’s chairs as well as the recreational chairs. It’s fun to travel in a home on wheels, but the entire family needs to remember you’re barreling down the road at over 60 miles per hour.
Keep kids secure in car seats or in seat belts if they are older. If you have pets, practice RV pet safety by keeping your pets kenneled as you’re moving.
While you’re securing your children, keep your goods secure as you travel. You don’t want things rolling around or flying across the RV when you have to take a sudden turn or stop suddenly.
Keep your cabinet doors shut, and make sure all of the door locks work.
Be aware of where you’re traveling. Will there be good cell service? Do you have a wi-fi option?
If you’re traveling in a remote area, have a backup plan like a satellite phone. A secondary means of communication will give you the peace of mind you need to enjoy the views and wildlife that await you.
When you follow basic RV road safety tips, you can increase the chances of a fun, and positively memorable trip. You’ll remember the views you saw, the culture you experienced, and the time you spent together instead of the broken-down RV on the side of the road.
For all of your luxury and basic RV traveling needs, contact us. We have the RV that will help you see the world in style.
