A Beginner’s Guide to RV Safety

When you take your RV out for the first time, you’re going to make some memories that you won’t soon forget. Even if you’ve been traveling for years, you’ll probably experience something new on your next trip. That’s because there’s something special about the RV lifestyle, but because we enjoy it so much, there are also very important safety considerations to be made. If you’re not careful or hit the road unprepared, you could end up hurting yourself or damaging your camper.

Essential Gear

Small inconveniences might seem minor, but when you’re trying to enjoy a vacation, even something slight like a persistent headache can ruin the entire trip. You can avoid a majority of these irritants by bringing along sunglasses, sunscreen, and bug spray. 

Sunglasses are very important when you’re driving and hanging around the campsite in the middle of a hot summer day, and your skin needs protection too while you’re out there. Bug spray, on the other hand, doesn’t really need an explanation. Nobody likes sitting around the campfire and getting bit by every insect that comes their way. Also, make sure you have a first-aid kit with you. We hope you never have to use it for anything serious, but it’s still nice to have so you can clean and cover small scrapes and cuts.

Prepare for Emergency Situations

Outside of basic safety gear, you should also prepare for the unexpected with emergency equipment. Make sure that there’s a roadside emergency kit on your RV at all times. These have additional first aid supplies, but they also include tools and gear that are useful for simple mechanical tasks. 

For instance, many of them have a jack that you can use to help change a tire. Also, it’s vital that you have quick access to a fire extinguisher. At the very least, make sure you at least have one on your vehicle. However, we recommend carrying three — one in the kitchen, one in the indoor storage area, and one in the outdoor storage compartment.

Safety on the Road

Even after preparing safely with all the right equipment and gear, you still have to make sure you drive safely on your way to the destination. Whether you drive a motorhome or tow a travel trailer, your vehicle’s performance will be much different than just a regular car. For one thing, the brakes operate differently. They build up stopping power the longer you hold down the brake pedal, instead of responding to additional pressure. Because of this, always go slow, and never ride close to the car in front of you. 

We hope that this guide has been useful. If you’re still in the market for a new RV, visit Lakeside RV Sales in Anderson, SC. We welcome all our patrons visiting us from Charlotte, NC, and Greenville, SC.