RV Safety: Know Your Recreational Vehicle, Maintain It, and Use It Safely

RV safety means knowing your recreational vehicle, maintaining it, and using it responsibly.

The safety of your RV rides on its tires. Know how much pressure should they should have. Keep them inflated to the level. Besides adding to your safety, the proper tire pressure can increase your fuel mileage.

Know your RV’s weight limits. What is its gross vehicle weight rating? What is your rig’s cargo carrying capacity – the weight of things you can safely add? Stay within the limits.

Know the height and width of your RV. If you’re not good remembering numbers, make a cheat sheet. Write the measurements on a note card and tape it to your visor. It will be there for easy reference when you need to see if you can safely go through a tunnel or under an overpass.

Know where the fire extinguisher is in your RV. Bounce it every few months, have it inspected annually, get it recharged on schedule.

Check your smoke alarm. Make sure it has a good battery.

Service your house batteries. Make sure they have adequate water.

If you have a motorized RV, do (or have someone do for you) regular fluid checks – oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, anti-freeze, window washer solution.

Drive safe speeds. The posted speed limit is the fastest allowed speed limit, not the speed you are required to drive.

Slow down when road and weather conditions dictate. An RV doesn’t handle the same on a wet or snow covered road as it does on a dry road. Beware of the wind.

RV safety demands respecting other vehicles. Watch for motorcycles, as well as the big trucks.

Keep passengers seated while the RV is in motion.

Heat with approved heating appliances. The open flame of the galley range burners is an accident waiting to happen.

Keep a window or vent open a little.

Stock your RV for emergencies. Take along warm clothes and bedding. Carry enough food to last for a few days.

These are some of the basics of using a recreational vehicle safely. Find more detailed RV safety articles on the following pages.

Go to Prepare Your RV for Emergencies: A Ready To Go Shelter In the Storm Prepare your RV for emergencies so you can use it for temporary shelter. You’ll have utilities, food and clothing, your important papers, medications, pet supplies, tools, and cleaning supplies.

Go to Stock Your RV for Emergencies: Have It Stocked and Ready To Go Stock your RV for emergencies so you can use it for temporary shelter. Part 2 of Preparing Your RV for Emergencies article. Keeping your RV well stocked can reduce stress during an emergency.

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