The Ultimate RV Safety Guide

Driving RVs can be a fun way to see the world and spend time with your family. As an RV is bigger and heavier than an average car or truck there are additional hazards that come with owning and operating one. It pays to keep in mind the most basic things you can do to prevent an accident, as well as to have a plan for if something bad does happen.

Follow along and check out Excalibur Insurance’s Ultimate RV Safety Guide to help ensure that your summer plans can go off without (or on) a hitch!

RV Accident Prevention Tips

The best way to ensuring that you and your family are kept safe while using your RV is by preventing an accident in the first place. Follow these tips to increase your odds of avoiding an accident:

• Know the weight capacity of your RV. Not only is extra weight taxing for the RV’s engine, brakes and tires, going beyond the manufacturer’s recommended weight capacity can cause the RV to tip over during sharp turns.
• Perform a complete pre-trip inspection. Check the tire pressure, tread depth, headlights, taillights, turn signals, belts, oil levels, windshield wipers, hitch and other towing equipment before heading out.
• Know your RV’s height. Many RV accidents are caused by hitting underpasses, gas station overhangs and low-hanging trees.
• Watch your speed, especially at night and during dusk. Your reactions are slower at night.
• Use your high beams at night to see animals and other obstructions. Always remember to turn them off when there is oncoming traffic.

Checklist for RV Safety

Wait – before you head out the door with your bags packed, check out our checklist for RV safety. Many of these tips you can check off before you hit the road, and some even while you are already bumping along the country road.

Before Your Trip

Make sure your RV is well maintained and ready to go when you are. That’s the first step toward having a safe, trouble-free trip. See our additional points to check off before you leave:

• Install a deadbolt door lock on your RV
• Inspect all belts and hoses for cracking, especially radiator hoses. Replace as needed.
• Check headlights, tires (air and tread) and turn signals.
• Check any hitch or towing equipment
• Verify your insurance coverage
• Check your fire extinguisher and smoke alarms
• Clean your cooking vent hood to avoid grease fires
• Leave your itinerary with relatives or friends in case of emergency

On the Road               

Be sure to observe the common (but too often overlooked) principles of safety. It sounds obvious, but many of us are too occupied with our ongoing trip that we forget to keep in mind the following:

• Obey the speed limit
• Keep in mind your rig height before you go
• Keep your seatbelt buckled while the RV is in motion
• Consider switching out drivers every two hours to decrease fatigue-related fogginess
• Plan for stops in your schedule

Tools to Keep Handy

Things happen, whether or not we want them to – and even if we try our best to prevent them. In case of an emergency, ensure that you have the following tools on hand:

• Flashlight
• Jumper Cables
• Flat Repair Spray
• Road Flares
• Adjustable Wrench
• Screwdrivers
• Pliers
• Duct Tape (for temporary repairs to ruptured radiator hoses)

Severe Weather Tips

Poor weather? Sometimes, unexpected things happen. If driving becomes difficult due to severe weather or you have received an alert that severe weather is oncoming, keep the following pointers in mind:

Park in a sheltered area. In stormy weather, avoid trees or power lines that could fall on your vehicle. The safest place during lightning is inside your RV. If you’re in the path of a tornado, you are safest in a tornado shelter. As an alternative, you can park under a bridge overpass or in a ditch. Avoid parking in low areas that are prone to flash flooding.

Carry Your Insurance Information

Make sure to carry all insurance contact information with you, including a toll-free claim service number if available. If you are injured in an accident, seek medical assistance first and then contact your insurance company or have someone else make the call for you.

You would never want anything bad to happen while you are off enjoying the summer in your RV with your family. Unfortunately, bad things happen – whether we are prepared for them or not. Purchasing RV Insurance for a small price is a great way to guarantee your peace-of-mind.

Some RV Insurance plans come with roadside assistance, to cover any expenses pertaining to towing or mechanical repairs and may even cover the cost of a temporary replacement so that you can continue with your trip without worry! Contact Excalibur Insurance Group to discuss RV Insurance or apply for a free RV Insurance quote today: