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Tag: RV Safety

  • Campers Beware! Animal Encounters Endanger RVers

    Campers Beware! Animal Encounters Endanger RVers

    As summer travel reaches a peak, it’s more important than ever to remember that we are mere visitors in our parks and natural spaces. While some wildlife are featured attractions, others can turn a relaxing outing into a life-or-death situation. Two recent high-profile incidents underscore the importance of staying alert and taking the necessary precautions when out on an adventure.

    Mountain Lion Attacks Young Hiker

    A family was hiking on a popular trail in Olympic National Park, Wash., when a mountain lion bit their four-year-old child. The child’s father intervened and wrestled the child out of the animal’s mouth, according to the Guardian. Witnesses credit the father’s quick actions for his child’s survival.

    The child was airlifted to a trauma center in Seattle. He was later listed as being in satisfactory condition and station KIRO reported that he had been released from the hospital. The animal, wearing a tracking collar, was later found and put down. The GPS collar reported that it had been near a scenic lookout known as Victoria Overlook on Hurricane Ridge.

    Mountain lion attacks on humans are extremely rare – less than one a year, according to the Mountain Lion Foundation, with fewer than 30 fatal attacks recorded in North America since 1868. They typically avoid humans, though sightings are reportedly on the rise, with their numbers having rebounded after the introduction of hunting restrictions and bans.

    Bear Attacks Woman in Camper

    A woman camping in Lake Tahoe’s Eagle Point Campground awoke to find a bear in her camper. The bear was not deterred by the woman’s screams nor by her banging pots and pans in an attempt to scare it. The animal swiped at the woman, leaving cuts and bruises, before finally exiting the RV. Later that same day, the bear broke into another RV where people were sleeping.

    Ultimately it was determined that this bear was threatening to humans and was put down. According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the bear had been causing problems for months. The animal had previously triggered numerous calls to 911 on break-ins to both homes and vehicles. Authorities used DNA evidence to confirm that it was the same animal in the multiple encounters.

    Do you know the recommended safe distance to keep from common wildlife? (Credit: National Park Service)

    How to Stay Safe Around Animals

    Common sense says you should watch your surroundings and maintain your distance, but what do you look for and how far do you stay away? The National Park Service’s article on “7 Ways to Safely Watch Wildlife” has the answer.

    One tip that’s true for all animals is to help prevent them from seeing humans as a source of food. Obviously, you want to keep critters out of your picnic basket, but you should also be diligent about food waste and scraps. Even crumbs left at a picnic table can cause animals to become less wary of us two-legged creatures. Use wildlife-resistant food storage or trash containers where available or required and make sure they’re securely closed.

    Unfortunately, once they see humans as a reliable food source, wildlife can lose their inhibition and become aggressive toward people. This puts you at risk of injury and the wildlife at risk of being removed and humanely killed by wildlife managers.

    Summer is a time to enjoy the great outdoors and get in touch with nature. While stories of animal attacks are harrowing, the truth is that these animals are merely searching for their next meals wherever they can. And in some cases, that can bring them into conflict with human visitors, usually with severe consequences for the animal. Treating the local fauna (and flora) with respect and maintaining a healthy sense of caution can help ensure that they don’t see you as their next source of food.

  • How to Master Essential Maneuvers in a Motorized RV

    How to Master Essential Maneuvers in a Motorized RV

    When shopping for a larger motorized RV, one of the challenges many people fear is just driving the thing around. But it’s surprisingly less challenging than you might anticipate.

    As with so many things, practice makes perfect. Whether it’s a large motorhome or even a small trailer, putting in the hours behind the wheel can mean the difference between nerves of steel and chattering teeth.

    Read on to learn how to safely practice driving a motorized RV, and what you should focus on to help you go from mystery to mastery behind the wheel even of the largest rigs.

    Before You Start: Adjust Your RV’s Mirrors

    You already know how to adjust the mirrors on your daily driver, but adjusting the mirrors on your RV is another thing altogether. To help explain the difference, I reached out to Peter Knize of The RV Geeks, who has been a professional bus driver and is a recognized leader in training people to drive larger RVs.

    “The two mirrors – flat and convex – need to be used together as a team,” says Knize, because neither mirror on its own provides all the information you need from behind the wheel. The convex mirror lets you keep an eye on objects beside your RV, while the flat mirror lets you look farther away. When adjusting your mirrors, you want to see vehicles and terrain transition from one mirror to another – setting the “crossover point” – near the rear corner of the vehicle.

    The flat mirror on the passenger side of the RV, meanwhile, should be adjusted with the horizon visible near the top and the awning arm just visible at the edge of the glass. Read Knize’s full article for photos and illustrations to show what you should be able to see in the mirrors and what the effective field of view is, seen from overhead.

    Many newer RVs will have blind spot or proximity sensors to tell you that there may be a vehicle in the lane next to you. Though these notifications are handy, they do not take the place of your own visual confirmation using properly adjusted mirrors.

    Practice in a Parking Lot – With Cups

    When I worked at a RV dealership, something I would do with the more nervous drivers is go to an open parking lot with a package of plastic disposable cups. These things make quite a loud sound when you run them over, yet the consequences of doing so are nothing to worry about.

    We would outline the borders of a typical camp site and parking lot with the cups, then the driver would practice maneuvers that were challenging for them – with the radio off and the windows open so they could absolutely hear if they smashed one of the cups. Then it was practice, practice, practice.

    Turning: Radius and Clearance

    Large vehicles, whether they be a Class A or a towable, will obviously require more maneuvering around corners, especially in tight circumstances. Knowing how much space to give your rig around a bend is a key maneuver to master.

    If you’ve ever watched a city bus navigate a corner, it’s not much different in a larger RV where you may have to drive a bit past the corner before you start to make your turn.

    This is where the plastic cups can be very helpful in getting the exact distance down. Knowing where to start your turn can make the difference between an unremarkable change in direction and a trip-ruining run-in with local flora.

    Turning, Part 2: Off-Tracking

    This is a common term for truckers and something RV owners should learn. When driving in a straight line, the rear wheels follow the same path as the front wheels. However, off-tracking occurs when you turn the RV and the rear wheels follow a different path than the front wheels. If you’ve ever towed a trailer, you’ve seen this in action.

    A number of things affect this, but it’s primarily the distance between the centers of the axles on your RV, known as the wheelbase, and how tightly the front wheels can steer, known as wheel cut.

    So, even if you’ve navigated the front wheels around a corner, the rear wheels take a different path and can jump the curb or worse if this isn’t taken into account. According to another article from The RV Geeks, one of the most common places to see damage on larger rigs is right in front of the rear wheels where a driver didn’t account for off-tracking sufficiently.

    Again, the plastic cups can help you learn how the rear wheels of your RV follow the fronts.

    Low-Speed Maneuvering: Rear Overhang

    Even though the plastic cups are very good at letting you know when your tires aren’t where they’re supposed to be, your RV can extend quite a distance beyond its wheelbase. One of the first things operators of any larger vehicle should be aware of is their vehicle’s rear overhang. This is the portion of the RV behind the rear axle of the rig.

    When you’re turning the front of the RV one way, the back end swings the opposite direction. This is also true of larger trailers, too, and can be an area where drivers can get into trouble at filling stations and the like.

    Knowing how the back of your RV swings when completing any turning maneuver is one of the techniques absolutely worth mastering. This, again, can be practiced in a large parking lot, but you’ll want to have a spotter to point out where the outside corner of the RV goes when turning, and when it goes out of bounds for your simulated camp site.

    Keep a Departure Checklist

    Recently I was camping with a group from a rally and one of the attendees was happily setting off and waving at all of us while towing his Jeep – that was still in park. Yikes.

    The first thing I do when leaving the campground is turn off the radio and open the windows. This lets me hear anything that might be amiss, such as a vehicle being towed in park. Or even the sounds the engine and hitch – if there’s a hitch – are making.

    I also firmly believe that, no matter how experienced you are, having checklists is essential. This can really come in handy at those rallies and gatherings where you’re greeting old friends as you arrive and bidding new friends adieu when you leave. Getting caught up in all the hustle and bustle can be distracting and cause you to forget your usual process.

    As for the guy with the Jeep, I literally ran behind him for almost the whole length of the campground yelling and waving my arms like a madman. So, here’s a bonus tip: Be aware of what’s around you as you’re coming and going.

    Go to an RV Rally

    Speaking of which, one of the places where you can get experience with a professional is at some of the larger RV rallies. Many of the bigger gatherings feature hands-on driving workshops and classes that can be very worth the time.

    If you haven’t attended an RV rally yet, this might be the perfect reason.

    Hire a Coach

    If you have the budget, consider hiring someone familiar with the type of vehicle you’re driving. If it’s a large Class A, reaching out to a transit bus company and hiring one of their better drivers to sit in the passenger seat and share their tips could be a great option.

    Another idea might be to reach out to a local RV dealership and hire one of the transport drivers for the day.

    Lastly, you may even be able to reach out to the local school district and hire one of their bus drivers. If they can haul around dozens of screaming students while making all their stops without incident, they can certainly help you master your nice, quiet RV.

    Practice, Practice, Practice

    If you want to learn more about driving a large RV, the two articles Peter shared with us will help fill in a lot of the mechanics behind these maneuvers.

    Once you’re ready to put the theory into practice, setting up a closed course in an empty parking lot, attending a class at a rally, or even hiring a professional commercial driver are all ways to get time behind the wheel to help you assuage your fears and head out on the road to adventure with confidence and a big smile.

  • 7 Safety Tips For Female RVers Traveling Alone

    7 Safety Tips For Female RVers Traveling Alone

    Embarking on an RV adventure as a solo woman on the road can be a liberating experience. The freedom to explore new horizons and connect with nature is unparalleled. However, it’s important to prioritize safety during your journey and stay secure on the road. By adopting a proactive mindset and implementing a few key safety measures, you can travel with confidence and peace of mind. RV Trader is sharing seven essential safety tips specifically tailored for women traveling alone in their RVs.

    1. Research Your Route

    Before hitting the road in your travel trailer, spend time planning your route and researching potential destinations. Seek out RV-friendly campsites and parks with positive reviews. Make sure to choose places that have well-lit areas and 24-hour security. Stay informed about the local laws and regulations of the areas you plan to visit, and be aware of any unsafe areas to avoid. Utilize online forums and travel apps to gather information and recommendations from fellow women RVers. Having plenty of prior knowledge about your route and planned destinations will help you minimize risk while you’re on the road.

    2. Stay Connected

    Maintaining constant communication with loved ones while traveling is vital for your safety. Share your travel itinerary, planned stops, and estimated arrival times with a friend or family member. Regularly update them when your plans change. Establish a communication routine to make sure they always know where you are and where you’re heading. This can be as simple as sending a text each time you arrive at your planned destination. Consider sharing your location with them indefinitely in case they lose contact with you. 

    If you plan to travel through more remote areas, invest in a satellite phone to stay connected. Additionally, consider downloading and using safety apps specifically designed for solo travelers. These apps provide features like emergency alerts, GPS tracking, and virtual companionship. MayDay Safety and BSafe are two great examples.

    3. Trust Your Instincts

    As a woman traveling solo, you have to trust your instincts. Listen to your gut feelings and avoid any people or situations that raise red flags. When parking your Class B RV or other RV, choose well-lit, populated areas. Be mindful of your surroundings, both during the day and at night. Lock your doors and windows and pull down your shades, even when you’re inside the RV, and never leave valuables out in the open. Avoid sharing personal information with strangers, and don’t divulge your solo travel status unless absolutely necessary. Introduce yourself to fellow campers and park staff to establish a sense of community. Traveling with fellow RVers or joining an organized RV club can also solidify your safety by fostering a supportive network of like-minded travelers.

    4. Protect Yourself

    Carrying essential safety items and equipping yourself with basic self-defense knowledge will boost your confidence on the road. Consider enrolling in self-defense classes before your trip to learn effective techniques and build your physical and mental strength. Carry a personal safety alarm or loud whistle to attract attention in case of emergencies. Purchase a high-quality flashlight with a strobe function to disorient potential threats. Pepper spray can provide an additional layer of protection, too. It might feel intimidating to carry these items on you at all times, but it’s important to be able to buy yourself enough time to escape a dangerous situation.

    5. Change Up Your Routine Often

    Oftentimes, dangerous predators observe solo travelers to learn more about their routines, habits, daily schedules, and frequented stores and restaurants. This is why it’s so important to change up your routine on a regular basis. Stagger the times that you go hiking during the day, and rotate through a few different paths. Don’t stick to just one coffee shop. Instead, visit several different cafes at a slightly different time each day. Unpredictability is a great form of self-defense and could end up saving your life.

    6. Connect With Other Women

    It’s true that women look out for other women, and this is especially true while solo traveling. Before you embark on your journey in your Class C RV or other RV, connect with other women on the road. There are all-female Facebook groups that are dedicated to helping women traveling alone, such as Solo Female Traveler Network, Girls Love Travel, and Black Travel Movement. These resources can be helpful if you have questions about a planned destination, need help in an unfamiliar city, or just want to connect with like-minded women on the go.

    7. Don’t Stray Too Far From Town

    Boondocking can be extremely rewarding, especially when you find a gorgeous, unpopulated area off the beaten path. However, when you’re traveling solo, it’s wise to be extra cautious and choose campsites where you can easily call for help. Try to find a happy medium between beautiful, remote areas and established campsites that are well-populated. As long as fellow travelers or park staff are accessible and available, you should be good to go. 

    Traveling alone in your RV can be an empowering experience, filled with unforgettable moments and personal growth. By taking a variety of smart precautions, adventurous women can navigate the open road confidently and safely. 

    If you’re ready to buy an RV and embark on your first solo adventure, check out our nationwide inventory of new and used models on RVTrader.com.

  • The 6 Most Common RV Issues And How To Avoid Them

    The 6 Most Common RV Issues And How To Avoid Them

    Whether your RV is your home or your home-away-from-home, its primary purpose is to provide you with safety and security while you discover new and exciting places. But just like any home, your RV can experience various issues from time to time. Here are the six most common problems RV Trader has been hearing about and what you can do to prevent or safely resolve them.

    Water Damage

    One of the most common issues that RVers face is water intrusion. While it’s more of an issue with older RVs, the fact that RVs have a lot of “cut outs” by way of windows, generator ports, and other places where aftermarket accessories may have been added, creates the potential for water to seep in. This is especially true with the fact of wind-driven rain being swept by at 60 miles per hour or so, and that the bumps and bounces along the open road have a tendency to test even the best silicone sealants.

    Electrical Problems

    Electrical issues tend to come up as the second biggest issue RVers face. It’s not surprising considering there are hundreds of feet of wiring in a rig, especially the bigger ones. Again, every pothole or bump that you hit has the potential to loosen a wiring connection that could cause intermittent problems with almost anything electric in your Class A or other RV, from the headlights and slide outs to the wall sockets and bathroom fans. While electrical problems are an inconvenience, they also present potential fire hazards. Unless you are a licensed electrician who specializes in vehicular wiring harnesses, seek expert assistance immediately.

    Tire Wear & Tear

    The third most common issue is tire wear. If your load isn’t balanced, or if there is an issue with the alignment of your RV’s frame, or just because RVers have a habit of driving on a variety of surfaces, issues with tread wear could appear on one tire, the tires on one side of your vehicle, or all tires. Examine the wear pattern(s) and consult with your dealership on what could be causing the problem. Tires aren’t cheap, so you want them to provide you with as much life as possible. You also don’t want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere trying to change a flat.

    Consult Your Local Dealer

    Whether it’s a fifth wheel trailer, a Class C motorhome, or other RV, they are built to take a bit of a beating on the road, but they are not infallible. If you have any problems with the issues mentioned above, you should stop by the nearest RV dealer for service. Be sure to explain your concern(s) and anything else pertinent to the issues you are experiencing. RV technicians are familiar with and trained to resolve just about any RV problem you can throw at them. Even if it’s just a matter of them recommending the right kind of silicone sealant you should use for water leaks for do-it-yourselfers, you can have peace of mind knowing that you have the right tool for the job.

    Connect with the RV Community

    So, what about if you experience something while you’re on the road or boondocking and you don’t have immediate access to an RV service professional? You might be able to find comfort and assistance from other RVers.

    “Join an RV group on your favorite social media platform,” offers Michelle McClure who has been RVing full time since April 2021 with her husband Kelly. “Facebook and Reddit have several, even some that are brand specific. I’ve learned so much from these groups. Seeing these posts may prompt you to check on the doodad or whatchamacallit before it becomes a problem.”

    McClure adds that when a problem does happen, search the groups to get help with troubleshooting. YouTube is also a great resource for do-it-yourself fixes. If you can’t find a solution that matches your situation, post a question on your social media sites with lots of details: the type of RV, your general location (for some issues, being in Texas versus North Dakota makes a difference), if the RV has been stored for a month before the issue happened or if you are a full-time RVer, etc. The details will help those responding to you, and the answers you receive could potentially help the next person searching for the same or similar problem.

    Making More Room

    However, not all issues have to do with the rig itself. Brenda Esdohr, still considers herself as a “newbie” to the RV lifestyle, but she has some good advice for how to avoid an emotional issue that many RVers face.

    “Downsizing is an emotional journey,” said Esdohr. “As full-time RVers begin the process, it’s always suggested to start with the easy things first, like the treadmill you haven’t used in three years, the clothes that don’t fit, and all the kitchen gadgets we thought would make our life easier but only take up space. But after we’ve done the easy stuff, then there are the boxes or totes full of precious memories and the larger heirloom furniture pieces.”

    Before just donating those items, giving them away, or putting them in a storage unit, Esdohr suggests digitizing them so even when you’re in your travel trailer or other RV, you can be surrounded digitally with all the memories of items you loved.

    In addition to being able to go where you want to go when you want to go, the RV lifestyle provides a unique opportunity to meet other like-minded people who share the same interests, passions—and yes, problems—you may encounter on the road.

    If you are looking for a new or used RV to join you on your next journey, take a look at the nationwide listings of RVs available on RV Trader.

    By Barrett Baker

  • The Basic Safety Tools You Should Keep in Your RV

    The Basic Safety Tools You Should Keep in Your RV

     

     

    We all know that RVing is a great way to travel and there are endless benefits to having a home on wheels. From family bonding to enjoying the great outdoors – the RV lifestyle is one of adventure and fun. We also know that the unexpected can happen while out on the road, and it’s important to be prepared. Safety while RVing should be a top priority for every family, and if you keep these basic safety tools on hand, you should be ready if you’re ever caught in a sticky situation.

    Fire Extinguisher

    An RV is essentially a home you can take with you, which means they have more fire-related dangers than an average automobile. Having a fire extinguisher onboard is crucial and will be your first defense should a fire start. Make sure to keep your fire extinguisher in an easy to reach location, and inspect it regularly before traveling to ensure that it’s in good working condition.

    First Aid Kit

    This may seem like a no-brainer, but we couldn’t leave a basic first aid kit off of our list. You can either buy a prepackaged first-aid kit or you can customize your own. Every family is different so before you hit the road, determine what items should be included in your kit to fit your specific needs. Here are a few basic items you can include: BAND-AIDs® (all sizes), scissors, tweezers, latex gloves, thermometer, antibiotic ointment, gauze, cold pack, heat pack, adhesive tape, general medication (pain relief, allergy relief, etc.), antiseptic wipes, ace bandage, aloe vera, flashlight, sunscreen, bug repellent, and hand sanitizer.

    Roadside Emergency Kit

    Being out on the road is just one of the many benefits of RVing, but as any seasoned traveler knows, accidents unfortunately happen. From getting into a slight fender bender to having a flat tire – it’s important to always be ready. Having a roadside emergency kit in your RV can save you time and trouble when you need to pull over. There are tons of kits on the market that include items like flares, flashlights, batteries, jumper cables, and more.

    Tire Pressure Monitoring System

    Tires are the foundation of an RV, so it’s important to keep them in top condition. There are many tire pressure monitoring systems on the market, and these systems are crucial to make sure your RV tires are at their proper pressure. The last thing you want is a tire blowout to occur while driving. A blowout is dangerous and can not only damage your RV, but it has the potential to cause accidents with other vehicles. Avoid stress and gain peace of mind by getting a reliable tire pressure monitoring system.

    Basic Tool Kit

    When you are far from home and a minor mechanical issue happens, what do you do? If you have an RV tool kit onboard you might be able to avoid going to a mechanic or calling a roadside assistance service (though we do recommend being a member of one). We suggest keeping a basic tool kit in your RV including a few basic items such as: a drill, drill bit set, hammer, socket set, wrench set, screwdriver set, pliers, electrical tape, etc.

    SPOT Tracking Device

    As we mentioned earlier, RVing gives many families the opportunity to unplug and simply enjoy the great outdoors. If you are ever in an emergency situation where you do not have cell phone access/service you can use SPOT. This device uses satellite technology to provide location-based messaging and emergency notification technology so you can communicate from remote locations.

    We hope that you continue to stay safe on the road, and have confidence that you’ll be able to tackle a variety of safety issues that may arise with these tools.