RV Guidelines: Be Safe Than Sorry
by SUZANNE MACGUIRE
If you think your small lightweight RV is safe, then review your thoughts once again! Safety is not confined to size and weight. Careful planning and preparation is highly essential to negate any hazardous circumstances and to ensure a pleasurable RV ride. Both new and experienced RV enthusiasts need to monitor their journey and inspect their vehicle before embarking on a journey. A few precautions ahead of your journey are sure to make your vacation a truly memorable one.
To begin with, RV travelers should avoid overloading their vehicles. An overloaded rig might result in brake failure, unsafe steering, or tyre puncture and thus be the cause of a major accident or breakdown. In case you are unsure about the capacity of your vehicle, you can refer to your owner's manual or manufacturer's data plate. Adequate information can also be accessed from the Internet, from where the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) for your vehicle can be derived. If you are still clueless as to the carrying capacity of your RV, taking it to the nearest public scales is advisable. Once figure out your rig's carrying capacity, you can load then it in accordance with its GVWR ratings.
Once the loading issue has been sorted out, a close vigilance of the RV parts becomes necessary. Repairing the worn out parts before initiating your RV ride is obligatory. Given below are some of the RV machinery parts that need to be checked:
(i) Brakes: Make sure the brakes have not worn out. Brakes should ideally be replaced once a year.
(ii) Tyres: Tyres should be inflated and should not carry signs of tread wear.
(iii) Lights: Proper illumination and operation should be ensured. All brake lights should be in good condition.
(iv) Storage Compartments: Do not forget to check the locks of the storage compartments for safety.
(v) Propane Gas Tanks: Remember to check for any leakage in the tanks.
(vi) Appliances: It's advisable to check the equipments within the RV (gas, stove, refrigerator, furnace) prior to every trip to avoid any accidents due to short circuit or pressure build up.
(vii) Safety Chains: Safety chains should be inspected at regular intervals. If unsure, consult a trailer dealer for proper installation and use.
(viii) Safety Items: Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers must be in good condition. If they battery operated, make sure the batteries are fresh. Fire extinguishers should be kept in the kitchen area and in the tow vehicle.
(ix) Mirrors: The mirrors should be fixed properly for the drivers to view the rear wheels and a distance of 30 - 40 feet behind the rear of the towed vehicle.
(x) Balance: Once you are through with other arrangements, check the overall balance of the RV to ensure that the weight distribution in the front is equal to the back.
It's certainly necessary to keep an eye on the functional parts of your rig. However, it is even more important to study your vehicle operations well and consult RV dealers in case you have screwed things up. A little precaution and good preparation �C that��s all you need for a carefree journey. So avoid feeling sorry later when you can actually follow RV guidelines and have the greatest time of your life!
