At the danger of sounding like a dad, accidents occur — and that’s why they’re known as accidents.
The actuality is that almost all incidents have much less to do with incompetence and extra to do with forgetfulness. From leaving the range on to improperly assuming your towed car is secured, (and every thing in between), double-checking your handiwork is the easiest way to chop down on misfortune.
Here are some things to think about for a complete pre-trip security inspection that will help you get on the highway (and keep on the highway) in a single piece.
Pre-trip security guidelines
Retract slides, jacks, and awnings
Before beginning your engine, guarantee your slide-outs, jacks, awnings, and steps are totally retracted. While it’s fairly laborious to neglect a slide-out, it does occur — with some repairs costing properly north of $2,000 a slide.
Tow bar and security cables
Take time to verify your tow bar and security cables. Tighten any free bolts, and make changes as obligatory. Also, make it some extent to maintain your city bar clear and lubricated.
Check your fluids
Do a fast sweep for any leaks and ensure your oil, coolant, transmission, and brake fluids are all on the applicable ranges. Top off the place obligatory.
Test your brakes
Invest in a multimeter and often verify your brakes earlier than journeys. Should you discover any uncommon vibrations or noises, you’ll need to prioritize having them inspected by an expert. Failure to switch your brakes promptly may make for a really harmful state of affairs, not to mention a really expensive restore. Therefore, you need to swap them out yearly or 12,000 miles.
Batteries and electrical system
RVs depend on {the electrical} system and batteries to function quite a lot of completely different elements. Whether it’s lighting, navigation, the fridge, the ability inverter, or another amenity, a lifeless battery can actually put a damper in your journey. Before leaving, disconnect all energy, give your RV’s battery a fast verify, and guarantee it’s holding a cost. Replace if obligatory, however a high quality RV battery ought to final about 5 years.
Double-check the kitchen
Good Sam receives tons of of claims annually attributable to fridge fires attributable to {an electrical} malfunction or somebody neglecting to show off their oven. So as you’re packing up, give the kitchen a fast as soon as over, double-checking and turning off your range, oven, and every other home equipment.
Smoke detectors and propane leak detectors
Ensure smoke and propane leak detectors work correctly and substitute them when obligatory. Gouges, dents, or perhaps a trace of rust could cause your propane tanks to leak, creating an explosive and harmful state of affairs. For that purpose alone, all RVs come outfitted with liquified petroleum fuel (propane) detectors. Always make it some extent to check them earlier than driving. Still, in case you odor a definite odor (much like rotten eggs), really feel a headache, or show any indicators of carbon monoxide poisoning, you must instantly shut off the fuel after which take your car to the closest service middle.
Tires
Tire blowouts are among the many extra widespread accidents for RVs. Before hitting the highway, be certain that your tires are correctly inflated and nonetheless in good situation. Take notice of any indicators of wear and tear and tear, cracks or bulges, and substitute if obligatory. Generally, it’s a good suggestion to rotate each 6,000 to eight,000 miles and substitute each three to 6 years (or on the first indicators of balding tread).
Mind your environment
Blind spots are tough even for veteran RV drivers — particularly at check-out when everybody else is attempting to get out of dodge. To keep away from injury to your car or anybody else’s, make it a behavior of surveying every thing round you earlier than pulling out. If you’re backing out, have a spotter information you, or use rearview cameras and sensors to observe your environment.
Latch the bay doorways
While this one isn’t as a lot a “safety issue,” you need to nonetheless make sure you’ve latched the bay doorways lest you share your prized and saved possessions with the interstate.
Gearing up
There’s a saying in music that “You’re only as good as your sound guy.” The similar might be stated about having the fitting gear to your journey. In case of an emergency — or to stop one — right here’s an inventory of necessities to at all times preserve readily available.
- Flashlight
- Knife
- Pocket knife
- Flashlight and/or headlamp
- Water
- GPS/navigational instruments
- Portable cellphone charger
- Carbon monoxide detector
- Smoke detector
- Generator
- Leveling ramps
- Stabilizer jack
- Tire stress gauge
- Standard toolbox
- Surge protector
- Duct tape
- Propane and propane cowl
- Hoses (water and sewer)
Be prepared for something
Even essentially the most vigilant eye can’t catch every thing the highway will throw at you. The Good Sam Insurance Agency helps you discover the very best top-rated plan to cowl your important journey wants so you possibly can journey on with out worrying concerning the sudden. Sourcing protection from the highest insurance coverage suppliers, Good Sam Insurance Agency finds you the fitting aggressive plan and price.