Whatever the season, RVers are taking to the road somewhere, and they usually travel without major mishaps. However, there are several steps RVers can take to make safety a priority and avoid leaving it to chance.
Before Leaving Home
. Look for the RVIA (Recreation Vehicle Industry Association) seal on your RV. RVs made in the United States must adhere to more than 500 safety requirements for electrical, plumbing, heating and fire and life safety established under the American National Standards Institute. The RVIA requires such adherence of its manufacturing members before its seal can be used.
. Be sure that the combined weight of the towing vehicle and travel trailer or fifth wheel or the motorhome and tow car is no more than the gross combined vehicle weight recommended by the manufacturer. (See the data plate or owner's manual.) This calculation assures you that the engine, power train, brakes, front and rear axles and tires and rims can handle the weight of the towable.
. Read the safety information in the RV owner's manual. Pay special attention to the warning symbols (a triangle with an exclamation point inside).
. Make sure your RV is equipped with detectors for carbon monoxide and propane gas (also called liquefied petroleum gas, LPG, LP-gas, or autogas). Check them regularly (per the manufacturers' instructions) to make sure they're in working order.
On the Road
. Turn off the propane gas at the main valve before traveling on the road and turn it back on at your destination to prevent a possible fire caused by a spark igniting propane gas fumes. The refrigerator can use electricity from the auxiliary generator. Without electricity, if you avoid many door openings, both refrigerated and frozen foods will be protected during the day. Or you can turn the propane gas valve back on temporarily when you stop for a meal. If you choose to travel with the propane gas valve turned on, turn off that valve as well as any pilot lights and appliances before you pull into a filling station to refuel.
. Make sure all passengers fasten their seat belts to protect them from sudden stops or sharp curves.
. Wash the windshield every day, so you have a clear view when driving. Also, clean the headlights and taillights, check all lights and turn signals to be sure they function properly, check oil levels in the engine and auxiliary generator and walk around the RV to check the tires and look for fluid leaks.
. When riding on the highway in cold weather, use dash heat or the heat pump instead of the furnace. Forward motion of the RV can extinguish the flame and let gas fumes escape. If you smell propane gas (rotten egg odor), the National Propane Gas Association recommends that you "(1) exit the camper/trailer and do not use any electric switches or appliances; (2) leave the door open to air out the vehicle; (3) shut off the propane tank; and (4) call a propane gas supplier or the fire department from a nearby phone."
. Getting propane gas requires the assistance of a trained person; it is not a self-serve operation.
. Check occasionally for storm warnings or other potential emergencies. The Federal Communications Commission assigned 511 as the three-digit telephone number for traveler information, including road conditions and weather reports. To learn if you are in a 511 area, watch for roadside highway signs indicating this. Other options are various radios that give audible weather forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). In lieu of specific weather-alert equipment, tune in to local radio stations or satellite radio channels. You can also get a current weather report at www.weather.com or www.noaa.gov.
At the Campsite
. When backing up, station someone to the rear of the RV in a location where you see one another in the driver's left view mirror. Hand signals should refer to the direction the rear of the RV needs to travel.
. Unless the RV has an energy management system that automatically protects it, test the campsite outlet before plugging in your RV's electric cord. Plug a receptacle tester (available at camping and hardware stores) into the electrical outlet on the campground post. If the tester indicates reverse polarity or high or low voltage (above 136 volts or below 102 volts), do not plug in your RV's electric cord. Instead, contact the campground office and request a different campsite.
. RV safety courses and seminars are often available at regional rallies and national conventions. Search for "RV Safety" online to find informative websites. One is the nonprofit RV Safety Education Foundation, Inc., www.rvsafety.org, which offers a professional RV Safety Training Program.
Keeping alert to potential hazards and continuing to learn and practice safety measures brings enjoyable RVing. |
