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The information provided in all "Your RV" pages are only suggestions and anecdotal stories.  The information in these pages is a generic peace of work and is meant only as a general guide, it should not be taken as absolute fact. The information provided in these pages can change at any given day.  Please read our RV Manual page for more information.

See and Be Seen

Most of us are probably thinking "Simple enough", but, in reality, the opposite is true. Seeing and being seen require attentiveness on your part. Not looking and seeing properly are major causes of accidents. "Be seen" by using your lights, even during daylight hours. This will reduce the chance of your going unnoticed by other drivers and minimize part of the problem. Now, let’s examine the other part…seeing.

Being a safe driver includes knowing what is going on all around your vehicle…ALL the time. First, look ahead. Looking ahead is highly important, but are you looking far enough ahead most good drivers look 12 to 15 seconds ahead. In other words, look ahead about as far as you will travel in 12 to 15 seconds. At low speeds in city traffic, that could be only about one city block, but at highway speeds, it may be about a quarter of a mile…or more. Keep an eye out for vehicles entering the highway, moving into your lane, or turning. Watch for brake lights on slowing vehicles. By seeing these things, you may be able to adjust your speed or move into a different lane if necessary to avoid problems.

Watch for hills, curves —anything you might have to slow down or change lanes for. Pay attention to traffic signals and signs. That green light which has been on for so long will more than likely turn red soon, so start slowing and be ready to come to a stop. Don’t just speed up in order to get through the light, for doing so is a deadly practice.

Know what’s going on behind and to the sides, as well. Check your mirrors regularly. In an emergency, you may need to change lanes and those mirrors are going to help you…if you use them. You’ll be able to spot overtaking vehicles, see open spots into which you could move, and see things which may help you avoid danger. Use those mirrors effectively 

Communicate

Use your turn signals and signal well before you turn. That way, others won’t be so inclined to pass you. Don’t cancel the signal until you have completed your turn. When you get ready to change lanes, signal, check your mirrors and, if it’s safe, change lanes slowly and smoothly. Then check your mirrors again and cancel the signal.

Warn other drivers behind you when you see that you will need to slow down. A few light taps on the brake pedal should be sufficient. If you must stop, or travel very slowly, consider using the hazard flashers. But be sure it’s legal. Some states don’t allow the use of hazard flashers in this instance, so check with the local DMV to be sure. Many folks don’t realize how slow you may have to go to complete a turn, so give them plenty of warning by braking early and slowing gradually.

Don’t direct traffic. If you try to help others by signaling when it’s safe to pass, you could cause an accident and find yourself to blame

Warning Devices

If you have to park on the side of the road for any reason, be sure to turn on the hazard flashers. This is extremely important at night. Other drivers have crashed into the rear of parked vehicles because they thought it was moving normally, so don’t trust the tail-lights to give adequate warning.

Your warning devices (triangles, lanterns, reflectors, and/or flares) must also be put in place within ten (10) minutes, so you should know how to set them up and place them properly. By the way, when setting up your warning devices, hold them between yourself and the oncoming traffic so other drivers can see you.

Speed Control

If you double your speed, it will take about four times as much distance to stop. Your vehicle will also have about four times the destructive power if it crashes. High speeds increase the stopping distances so, by slowing down, you gain a lot in reduced braking distance.

There are four distances with which you need to be familiar…

Perception Distance: The distance you travel until your brain registers a hazard.

Reaction Distance: The distance traveled until you actually begin to brake.

Braking Distance: The distance it takes to come to a complete stop.

Total Stopping Distance: Add all three above together.

At 55 MPH, your rig takes about six seconds to stop and your vehicle will have traveled about the length of a football field. Perception distance = about 60 feet. Reaction distance, with an average reaction time of .75 of a second = another 60 feet. Braking Distance at 55 MPH can take another 170 +/- feet. The total distance covered from the time you recognize a hazard until you come to a complete stop adds up to approximately 290 feet.

Never Tailgate

If you’re driving a car or pick-up, the general rule-of-thumb is to allow at least two (2) seconds between you and guy ahead of you. That usually gives you adequate time to stop or slow in the event of some emergency ahead. However, if you’re driving your RV, it would be better to allow 4 seconds or more between you and that guy in front of you. The weight of your rig dictates longer stopping distances as mentioned above. Think about it.

Never tailgate. Some folks tend to stomp on the brakes when they see another vehicle following too close behind them.

If someone is tailgating your vehicle, simply slow down. Sooner or later, they will pass. Then you can observe their accident instead of being an active participant.

Driving at Night

This is a problem that occurs only at night — overdriving your lights. Use your high-beams except when there is a vehicle ahead within at least 500 feet, or an oncoming vehicle within 500 feet. It may take longer for you to see a hazard at night. You probably won’t see it until your lights illuminate it, and most likely it’ll be within 200 to 300 feet. 55 MPH may then not be a safe speed at which to drive. 40 MPH may well be more appropriate for nighttime travel. The sort of hazard that may present itself could easily be one or more deer, elk, or other animal that feeds after dark and before dawn. Who wants to drive at night anyway I’m usually parked in some RV park or campground by about 5 PM and asleep by 10 PM. We’re RVers, remember We’re not supposed to be in a hurry.

Motorcycles

Operators of other types of motor vehicles must be ever alert for motorcycles. They are everywhere, especially during the late spring, summer, and early fall seasons, on every road, highway, and trail there is. Driving a bit slower than the speed limit is not a bad idea. It gives a driver more time to look around - no, not look at the scenery - but look at things that may be around, like other vehicles. Being aware of what's in the vicinity of your vehicle may be just the thing that prevents injury or death, and none of us wants to responsible for something like that.

Here are a few simple guidelines which may help

1. During heavy traffic, don't get in a hurry.
2. Look around. Be aware of what's in your vicinity.
3. Use your mirrors.
4. Use your turn signals. Never let someone guess what you're going to do.
5. During warm weather, be especially on the lookout for motorcycles. They have as much right to use the highways as anyone else.

Please read our Driving an RV page for more information.

Tips for Safe Driving:

1. Do a personal attitude checkup. Don't drive if you have a bad attitude -- or if your copilot has same. Worst accidents when you're preoccupied, angry, etc.
2. Daily checklist: oil, coolant, hydrolic fluid. Tire pressure. Look for leaking. De-park -- pick up jack pads, jacks up, TV antenna, doors. Lights, turn signals, etc. Start engine, walk around look and listen w/engine running. Parking brake (in gear w/some pressure). Shouldn't move an inch. Test electric brakes on trailer by manually applying brake. Power steering -- crank wheel over each way and listen for unusual noise
3. Take a break at the end of each two hours' of driving. Find a rest stop and walk around. Engine still running, so do a walkaround. Sense heat and note smells.
4. Safe & Legal.-- No state is giving citations for persons w/wrong license. Know your own RV's weight.  Engineers are forced to rate things at their top capacity. So really you need to build in your own safety rating by going only to 90% of rating. Salesman will often sell you an RV which is at the ragged limit of weight capacity. Problem is not acceleration, but rather stopping or maneuvering under unusual circumstances.

RV Tips

• Note the vehicle weight ratings for your RV,  you really should weigh your vehicle to find out what the real story is.
• Lug nuts on RVs: Be sure to use a torque wrench to tighten them periodically. Tighten them to about 85 pounds.
• Dual Tires: Be certain that both tires, if not the same type, are within one fourth inch (diameter) of each other at maximum inflation. Otherwise they will wear unevenly.
• Check your trailer brakes. Check preloaded bearings and grease them.
• The Hinsley Hitch for large travel trailers will greatly improve the stability for those who tow regular trailers.
• Fifth Wheel drivers: Don't over extend the landing gear. If you do, it will bend. Use blocks to build up the space below them.
• If you use caster wheels in the back of an RV to protect against the long overhang, rubber wheels will last about a day. Use steel!

Be Aware of your Surroundings

Look ahead, down the road to see where you will be in 15 to 20 seconds. This is to sense potential problems. When turning, remember that you will need more head and tail room than a car does. Your rear tires track inside your front ones. Use your mirrors to look behind every 8 to10 seconds. Your convex mirror should take care of the “blind areas along the sides of the coach, but be aware that small cars, bikes, etc. can creep up beside you.