The info. we cover is to have you Think Safety!!    and to not give a criminal an opportunity!

            Best - get vehicle weighed (Each Wheel) and check vehicle weight info tag.    (Vehicle must be travel ready)

Note: You can get weighed at Truck Stops, Gravel Pits etc. – get 3 weights there – front axle,  rear axle, all axels, and your Towed too!

          Note:  at some RV Rallys a  "Weight In"  is available   Weighting  each  Wheel  (BEST)

 (We heard of one incident where an RVer  preparing for a trip to the "Wilderness" of Alaska before leaving New Mexico stocked up with Cases and Cases and Cases of food and water etc. loading their slideout to the point of it breaking out of  it's sliderails.)

(another case of someone unhappy with the performance of their new RV - slow accelerating, rocks and rolls on turns, slow on the hills and poor fuel mileage - after the RV dealer test drove the vehicle then asked questions and learned they where fulltime travelers and "collectors"   they collected  "Rocks" - lot and lots of "Rocks")

(Overloading is not necessarily your fault though.  At one of our seminars a gentleman said he bought a new motorhome 2 months ago. when reading the manual he found that when you add a 175lb driver you are at GVW.         Also we toured an RV factory where they use Provost Buses to build MotorCoaches.  We asked how much weight can we add? We where told "You'll Never Have to Worry about That"   Well we found out as it comes out of the factory with 1/8 tank of fuel we can add 1,500lbs - that sounds good, but it can hold 800lbs of fuel and 800lbs of water +++)

TRAVEL SAFETY –   Traveling in groups or pairs is safer then alone.  (for breakdowns, directions, crime and more)

            Always keep your door locked – driving, parking lots, rest areas, lunch stops, etc.  day or night.

            DO NOT open your door until you can identify the person on the other side.  

            If you do not have clear glass in your door  - you can replace it.  

(We changed the frost or pebble glass in our past RVs with Tempered Glass then tinted it to match the others so you can see who's @ the door  -  If you still have the original window, a safe thing to do is go to a window @ the other end of your RV and stick your head out the window and say can I help you, this way you can see who and how many are @ the door without opening your door for them)

            If you like to keep your main door open + screen shut, then install a latch or door chain on the screen door.  (a $6-8 item - Priceless)

            Fire Extinguishers – You should have at least 3 (we have 6)  The first is for practice, (due to excitement!) others save property or life.

             The powder in the standard extinguisher that comes with your RV compacts as you travel -  Shake Periodically!    (every few months)

        (Our Extinguisher Placement - We have one beside the drivers seat and one in the glove compartment to help with escape if a fire starts while driving - one in the Kitchen away from the stove where a fire might occur - one in the sleeping area - one near the entry door - one in an outside Unlocked compartment.    We also have one in the car and one in our motorcycle.)    (We have had occasion to use 6 of them, luckily only once for ourselves)

There is a newly developed personal extinguisher - easy to operate, non-harmful to plants, animals and food,etc.  Check it out ---> “Fire-Out”  

                                    Lights – The more the safer  -  Headlights,  Brakelights, Directionals.   “Check Operation Often”    

           Keys  –  Do Not leave keys in ignition when fueling.      (don't give a thief an opportunity)

ACCIDENTS  CAUSES – #1 Speed  to fast (dangerous) or   to Slow  (causing passing,  lane changing  etc. for other drivers)

 #2 Distraction  Your distractions or distractions of other drivers.   

 #3 Impatience  Your impatiences or impatiences of  other drivers.   (We wonder if this is becoming #1)

 #5 Following Distance    Use the “2  Second Rule”  when driving a car.  With an RV  I do 3 to 4 seconds min. usually 5 to 8 sec.  Remember your 15,000 to 30,000 lbs. RV  does not stop like a 2,000lb car,    Anticipate what other drivers might do – so you are ready if something does happen.       (Note:  the "2 Second Rule"  is - pick an object ahead [building, telephone pole, guardrail etc]  when the vehicle in front of you reaches that object - count,  one thousand one, one thousand two - you should not have passed that point yet)

OVERNIGHTS -     Rest Areas - w/o security are NOT a safe place to stay.      “Most Dangerous”      (as commented by State Law Enforcement)

Parking Lots – Always ask to stay + Ask people or businesses about the safety of the Neighborhood you are about to stay in.      (One place we asked, they said there where 5  Break In’s on that street last night - we moved on)

Do not park @ outside edge of  parking lots     

(many say they like their privacy, so they park at the outside edge making them subject to crime from nearby woods, etc.)

                                    Park with door facing into parking lot, Not Out !!

Park directly under parking lot lighting

The busier the parking lot the safer     “Open 24Hrs”

Ask about staying in the parking lot, and tell Security too, many times they will keep an eye on you and your rig.

Don’t become a    Parking Lot Residence !    

VEHICLE SAFETY - Do a walkaround – every time you have stopped.  (Check - Tires, Wheel Bearings, Awnings, Tow Bars, Hitches etc.   and Listen + Smell)

                                    Do a walkaround – before backing up, many hazards can not be seen from inside your rig.  

                                    Do a walkaround – before you leave, (a tire could have gone down in pressure)  (We have heard where  someone will put a            broken bottle in front of your tire, then watch you drive away and blow your tire - cheap entertainment for them, but a $200 -$300 cost for you!)

Do not overload your vehicle  (get it weighed – each wheel)  

  DRIVING  SAFETY - Drive with your Headlights on –   “Be Seen”

                                    DO NOT follow to close –  2 second rule is standard -3 to 4 sec.  safer (With Our RV I do 5 to 8 Seconds)

Drive at a safe speed – RVs    especially those towing   Do Not stop quickly.

Always wear your  Seatbelts.                       Remember -  RVs Do Not Dent + Bend like steel cars.  

(While a couple traveling in New Hampshire where driving the streets of town searching for an address - they did not notice the low branch of a big oak tree.  It hit the right front top corner of the RV and tore the roof on an angle from 2ft behind the passenger to 4ft behind the driver - after a terrible noise they looked back and there was only floor from there back - no walls, cabinets or appliances)                            (another incident was a travel trailer that the driver fell asleep, they went off the road into a field rolling the trailer, leaving the frame bare and the parts where picked up by 3 dump truck loads)

If you see traffic building up behind you, always use any pullouts + slow lanes. (you Look Slow!)

                                    Always use your turn signals + allow time for  them to be seen before turning+ ** Use Your Rear View Mirrors **

                                    When night driving or driving in poor weather – reduce speed,  increase following distance and use your headlights.

Know Your Height -   Measure the highest point of your RV and add 2" then put a label on your dash so it's in sight.    

                                                 Hint:  We polish our Windshield  - for clarity daytime and during rain - we have not used our wiper on the road for over 10  years.      For more info.   Check Out --->  ENVY  Products   

                 Medical -      If you have a Medical Condition, Medical Emergency or Accident - It's good to have Personal Medical Info. handy, But How?    

   One couple told us they got 3 Rescue Facts for Seatbelts and sent one to their daughter who is Diabetic - One day while driving she blacked out and crashed her vehicle.  When Rescue arrived they started treating her as an accident victim till they reviewed "Rescue Facts" then started assessing and treating her immediately as a diabetic.      Valuable Time was Saved !     Check Out --->Rescue Facts 

Co-Pilots -   

Attention !   Co-Pilots!  Learn to drive your RV  (Just Think!!  - just a driver’s twisted ankle, and you can be stranded)  

(If your driving by a large empty parking lot - stop and you drive your rig around the parking lot  [watch the lightpoles]  get used the the feel and even backup a time or two if possible -  so that you can drive it even a few miles if you HAD TO)        Then maybe once an awhile drive on the Interstate too. 

Co-Pilots -  Don’t Walk Around !!  your rig when traveling.     (we know someone who was just getting up to get a drink when a car pulled out of a side road and the driver had to hit the brakes.  The passenger came rolling end over end and slammed into the dashboard breaking a rib, a collar bone and spraining their wrist)

TOWING SAFETY –   Every time you connect your trailer or towed vehicle check running lights, directional lights, brake lights and brakes.             (we have seen RVs towing cars or trailers that did not have operational rear lighting for Years!!)

At Every Stop  Do a walkaround - check all points of  your hitch, tow bar + all connections + tires and wheel bearings                                    

Put Locks on your Hitch  -  Tow Bar - Trailer.        (at one shopping center in Georgia police told us they had 6 disconnects within 2 weeks - where pranksters would pull your safety pins or unlatch hitches sometimes even while owners where in their RV)            (we had someone at a rest area unlatch our 5th wheel hitch and our trailer dropped as we pulled out)

(An rv pulled into a Rest Area and a woman asked them, did you know your dragging 2 cables and a cord ?  Their car was missing !!    A trucker told them "Yah, it"s the talk of the CB, it's about 100 miles back"  What had happened was the vehicle disconnected, crossed the medium, crossed the oncoming lanes, and ended up parked  in their breakdown lane.  The State Police told them they have been seeing some crimes like this involving High End RVs where they pull one of your hitch pins then follow you when you leave. When you realize a problem and pull over they pull over to help.  The Police said and they know right where the safe is!)

                                    Periodically check all mounting bolts + welds on trailer hitch + tow bar + hitch plates, etc.         

                                    (in the past 5 years we have alerted owners 8 times of their towbar or tow vehicle bracket or trailer hitch falling off - due to loose or missing bolts, broken or cracked welds and torn steel parts)

Do not tow more weight then your vehicle was designed to.  (check vehicle capacities chart) 

                                    (Most all RV manufacturers recommend  1000 or 1500 lbs max. trailer or  towed car  weight without brakes)

Install a towed vehicle braking system.   (Any  Weight Vehicle)       Check Out ---> Do I Need a Tow Brake + See a Brake System

WHY??     The laws,       Police Checks,        Insurance,        Court/Lawyers,                 For Loved Ones !!

(we spoke with one couple that where towing a car and had no tow brake and by no fault of their own, hit another car.      While in court the lawyer for the car owner ask them if they had a tow brake?  answer - No it is not required in my state.  Lawyer - what do you mean not required?  answer - my state requires a tow brake on anything over 3000lbs my vehicle weighs just 2810 lbs.  Lawyer - if you would have had a brake do you think you would have stopped sooner?  answer - I don't know, I guess.  Lawyer - do you think you would have stopped 50ft sooner? 25ft sooner?   answer - I  don't know.    Lawyer - in fact if you would have stopped just 5 ft before this vehicle this accident would never had happened would it?       The jury found them negligent because they apparently knew there where tow brakes available and what they did but did not have one.        Their insurance company paid, but if they would have been like many RVers who load their trunks and back seats for extra storage and their weight being 3,001+ lbs their insurance company could have left them on their own because they where operating illegal !!)

Did You Know a 4,000 to 5,000 Lb. Car Can Apply 16,000 to 20,000 Lbs. of  Inertia  to The Back of Your Coach in a Panic Stop            That can get interesting in a turn !!  

How fast can an accident happen ??   Look at it this way - figure your speed times 1 1/2  this equals the number of feet per second you are traveling !!

Tow Bars - Must be Level or Maximum of  4”  Higher on RV end !   Higher can put you out of Control and/or Stress your hitch, tow bar and Base Plate.        (have you ever noticed someones tow brackets on their car bent down ??      What happens to your RV in a panic stop is the nose of the RV dives and the backend raises - if your towbar is angled up this increases the angle then the towed vehicle is pushing on that angled towbar using it as a lever lifting the RV  even More, then the nose of the car dips and increases that angle even More!!      When you release the brakes on the RV  it now has to come down and the car has to be forced out of the way so it can come down.    "Stress" + Bent Tow Brackets)        

(We spoke to one woman that when she had to hit the brakes hard and the towbar actually folded under and the RV came down on the hood of the car - it took two Large Tow Trucks to lift the RV off the car !! )

Trailer Safety Chains "Crossed"-   Yes if you tow a bumper pull trailer and your chains are straight and you have a disconnect and the tongue of the trailer drops it can sway side to side effecting control of your vehicle - if the chains are crossed the trailer will drop into the "X" keeping it centered and in control !!    Note:  Several states have a law requiring chains crossed or subject to Fine!               Note: also keep your chains attached on 5th wheels and goosenecks to keep the trailer centered on the tow vehicle in the case of a disconnect.    

  TIRES -  what does  P215/65 R16  mean?    215 is Width in m/m     65 = Height to Width Ratio   R=Radial  B=Bias   16 = wheel diameter

The Sun –  does it dry and crack your tires ???      So why does your inside tire look the way it does ?? – Actually the most damage to tires comes from  Ozone + Oxygen that attack your tires and  "Lack of Use"  

Natural Polymers – in your tires work to the surface when tires flex – your tires will dry out more quickly when stored or when using most tire treatments .  

Tire Wear –  when should you change ?  Rule of thumb - Rear @ 2/32 “wear bars”   Front @ 4/32

Blow Outs –  what should you do ??    Hold the steering wheel firmly, Accelerate to the floor briefly – (to take control)  then gently take your foot off  the accelerator and allow your vehicle to slow without braking.       To Prevent over 90% of all Blowouts!      See --> Tire Monitors

Brakes -      All brakes can become hot enough to catch fire !   How hot is too hot?   If you can touch for 1 sec. w/o burning - probably 120deg (skin burns @150F)  Fade will probably begin @ 200-300   Brake Smoking 400-500degF     

                 To Prevent OverHeating -   Minimize brake use by descending long grades @ slower speeds and downshifting (use 1st or 2nd gear if you have to)  Apply brakes for short firm intervals, Do Not Ride the brakes.   The slower you go the less your brakes will heat up and you have a better chance of stopping to let your brakes cool, if Fade or Smoking is noted!    If you travel a lot in mountainous areas an  Exhaust Brake  is highly suggested.      Note -  If brakes have overheated multiple times or have Severely Smoked  the heat can damage brake linings, seals and even melt the grease out of the Wheel Bearings and Boil the Brake Fluid.

BRAKE  FLUID -  Yes brake fluids need attention too.  Did you know many European Countries during vehicle inspection they inspect brake fluid + require fluid changes.  Brake fluid will absorb moisture and it can  cause corrosion + pitting @ master cylinders,  wheel cylinders, calipers, steel lines, ABS components, etc. also moisture can reduce brake fluid’s  boiling point by 50% or more and cause BRAKE FAILURE!!   Driving in mountains can overheat your fluid too.               Recommended  change every 3 years.      Silicone is good,   Synthetic is  Best        (There have been numerous accidents in mountainous areas where when the accident investigation is complete there was no cause found, so it is listed as Driver Error - what probably happened was the brake fluid had Boiled causing Brake Failure, but when the fluid cooled the brakes would be fine again)

BATTERY REPLACEMENT -  Always replace ALL coach batteries or  ALL house batteries – not 1 or 2 @ a time. When a battery is replaced the other old batteries in the circuit will drag the new battery down and may cause it to never take a full charge again after later replacing the others when they go bad.     (Summary - it will cost you less  in the long run to change All Batteries)

PROPANE -  When  getting your propane filled  BE SURE your refrigerator, hot water heater, furnace etc. are all turned off, then close all valves on your propane tank Before Filling.     Fumes during filling can be ignited by a pilot or an appliance that auto-starts.      BOOM !!!

Electrical   Hook Ups – For your safety and that of all your electrical and electronic devices on board.    Before plugging in at any campground, rally or  where ever,  always test the power with a  Volt Meter and a Circuit Tester.  [See Them Here]  Incorrect Wiring or High or Low  Voltage can damage electrical and electronic devices.         (We spoke with one couple who where excited about being the first ones to use a nice new section of a campground, until they plugged in and got Noise and Sparks and Smoke - when they plugged in they had 220 volts going through their coach.   It cost the campground over $1,800.00 to repair their coach)            (the two cheapest pieces of insurances you can get for your RV is a "Circuit Tester"  and a "Volt Meter")    to make sure the wiring is correct and the voltage is correct before you Plug In.

LIGHTENING -  During a severe lightening storm the safest actions you can take (for personal and electrical safety)

      Unplug your electrical connection – keeps lightening from entering your coach + Raise your Jacks – your tires insulate you from grounding out.       (we have done this 3 times ourselves)

For full time protection against electrical mishaps and lightening damages there are several Voltage Controllers on the market -  Here is feature for feature,  the Top Voltage Controller we have found out there!!

Ladder Safety –     Use at proper angle – do not overload – do not climb to high up the ladder.     (The proper angle to use a ladder is:       Stand with your toes touching the base of the ladder, stand straight up and put your arms straight out "like sleep walking" the ladder step in front of you should be @ your hand, Not closer "to straight" or Not farther away "leaning to much")              Check Out the "Original" and Still the Best  Telescopic Ladder

This Information Brought To You Complements Of:             “Discount” RV, Marine + Sport Supply

www.discount-rv-marine.com