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



An RV is an ideal evacuation vehicle. It can provide comfortable, temporary – or long-term – housing. You’ll have utilities, food and clothing, your important papers, first aid supplies and medications, pet supplies, tools, and cleaning supplies.

Prepare your RV for emergencies before you need it.

Keep your RV prepared, stocked and ready to go. You’ll eliminate the need for last minute scurrying around to find your essentials and get them packed. You’ll have a head start in a time when minutes make difference.

Clean the inside of your RV after you use it. Empty the garbage. Make up the beds with clean linens. When an emergency strikes, you won’t have time to do these cleaning tasks.

Fill the fuel tank. Check the pressure in the tires and fill them if they are low. Check vehicle fluids – oil, power steering, transmission, antifreeze, windshield washer solution.

Empty the black water tank. Empty the gray water tank. Fill the fresh water tank. Adding a tablespoon of chlorine bleach to the tank will keep it fresh during storage. These are vital steps to preparing your RV for emergencies.

Fill your propane tank. Service your vehicle and house batteries. Consider putting a small solar charger on them if you don’t use them regularly. Fill your generator’s fuel tank. If you don’t have a generator, consider getting a portable one. Photovoltaic (solar) panels and an inverter will give you electrical power when the main utilities are out.

It is good to have a battery powered radio and fresh batteries. It is better to have a crank powered radio. A pair of hand held, two-way radios will let your family communicate at a shelter or if you become separated. Add a 12-volt charger for your cell phone. If you use a notebook computer, add a wifi card for connecting to the Internet from your RV when you are away from your regular connection.

Keep copies of your birth and marriage certificates, vehicle registrations, and insurance policies in your RV. Have a list of your bank and credit card numbers, and contact information for these financial institutions. Have a list with account numbers and contact info for your home telephone, electric, gas, and other utilities. Put these important papers into a small, fireproof safe that you lock.

If you have pets, remember their food, leashes, bedding, and litter box. Toys and treats will make them more comfortable. If they are on medication or need special supplies, add these things. Scared pets may try to run away or it may be necessary to have them crated in a shelter, so add carriers or folding kennels.

Prepare your RV for emergencies today. If there is an emergency, your preparations will save you much precious time. You’ve heard the saying, “your shelter in a storm.” With a little planning, your recreational vehicle can be that shelter. Not only in a storm, but also for whenever you need emergency shelter.







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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