How to Safety Check Your RV Before Hitting the Road
RV travel is a great way to get out with family and friends to see new sights, visit new places, and meet new people. In all the excitement though, it's easy to overlook some important safety-related items with your RV, be it a motorhome, travel trailer, or 5th wheel.
Create a checklist ensure the safety of you and your family before hitting the open road.
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Things You'll Need
- Tire pressure gauge
- 1/2-inch-drive torque wrench
- 1/2-inch-drive lug nut socket for tow vehicle and RV
- A helper
Instructions
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1
Check and correct tire pressure on your tow vehicle and RV. This is one of the most important things you can do in preventing a tire blowout and a possible accident.
Under inflation is the leading cause of RV tire failure. An under-inflated tire is a tire that will run hot. Running hot leads to dramatic air expansion, and a sidewall blowout often results.
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2
Make sure the wheel lug nuts/bolts on the tow vehicle and the RV are tightened to the correct torque (see the owner's manual).
Lug nuts on the RV can become loosened over time because of how much the wheels flex during tight turns. If too loose, a wheel may fail and damage will result not only to your RV but possibly to others on the road.
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3
Be sure the hitch, coupler, draw bar, and other equipment that connect your RV and the tow vehicle are properly secured and adjusted.
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4
Check that the wiring is properly connected and not touching the road, but loose enough to make turns without disconnecting or damaging the wires. Now is also a good time to clean the wiring plug with contact cleaner to remove any dirt. Good electrical contact will ensure that the RV lights work correctly.
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Once the electrical trailer plug is connected, turn the key on in the tow vehicle and turn on the lights. Make sure all running lights, brake lights, turn signals, and hazard lights are working on both the RV and tow vehicle.
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Verify that the brakes on the tow vehicle and RV are operating correctly. To check the RV brakes, activate the brake controller in the tow vehicle and have your helper listen near the wheels of the RV. There should be a buzzing noise coming from that area. This indicates that power is being applied to the trailer's electric brakes.
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Check that all items are securely fastened on and in the RV. This includes dishes, clothing, coolers, chairs, the dinette table, propane tanks, generators, bikes, etc. Items can easily be jostled around and broken, or even fall off the RV if not secured properly.
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Be sure the trailer jack, tongue support and any attached stabilizers are raised and locked in place. Severe frame and jack damage can result if a stabilizer or tongue jack is left in the down or open position.
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Check the load distribution to make sure the tow vehicle and trailer are properly balanced front to back and side to side. You can get close by estimating the weight of items stowed but to be the most accurate and safe, have your tow vehicle and RV weighed to ensure the correct weight balance.
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10
Check and adjust your side and rear-view mirrors to make sure you have good visibility. Some tow vehicles come specially equipped with mirrors designed for towing, providing increased visibility around your RV. If your tow vehicle does not have towing mirrors, they can be purchased at most RV stores or online.
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11
Make sure you have wheel chocks and jack stands. Some campgrounds have sloping sites or uneven RV pads. Chocking the wheels will help ensure your RV won't roll down the hill you're camping on. And jack stands can both help stabilize your RV once parked and aid with a tire change in the event of a blowout.
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Lastly, check the weather and road conditions for both the trip to your destination as well as back home. Also check whether there are any bridge or tunnel restrictions for RVs on your planned route.
Enjoy the open road safely.
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Tips & Warnings
States and municipalities may require special permits and licenses based on the size and weight of your RV, especially if it is over 8 feet wide. Some states require additional equipment for the tow vehicle, such as side and rear-view mirrors. Inquire at your local DMV to find out what requirements affect you.
If you plan to travel in another state, don't forget to check its requirements also. For example, surge brakes may not be legal in some jurisdictions. In addition to licenses and permits, there may be weight, height and width limits for using certain roads, bridges, and tunnels.
Be aware of restrictions regarding the transport of propane gas and other volatile gases or fuels in tunnels.
Don't forget to contact your insurance company to make sure you have the proper coverage.
