RV Safety Tips
Warm weather is here and you're ready to get your RV on the road. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind before heading out on a road trip.
RV Safety Tips
1) Get Plenty Of Rest!
It’s important to get plenty of sleep before going on an RV trip. Only bad things will happen when you are tired behind the wheel. Pull over and get some rest. According to the National Sleep Foundation’s 2005 Sleep in America poll, 60% of adult drivers (168 million people) have driven a vehicle while feeling drowsy in the past year, and more than one-third, (37% or 103 million people), have actually fallen asleep at the wheel!
2) Check Weather Conditions
Try to avoid driving in adverse weather conditions. It’s always safer just to pull over and wait it out. Invest in a weather radio or check conditions ahead of time.
The United States Department of Transportation reports 17,000 injuries each year from backovers and over 200 deaths. The majority of these accidents (60%) occur in larger vehicles like a truck, van, SUV, or RV. These accidents occur because these larger vehicles create large blind spots. While mirrors and windows help reduce on these blind spots, a backup camera system can completely erase them.
3) Brake Safety
As you probably know, braking is different in an RV than in a car. If you are towing a vehicle, then your trailer may have brakes wired into the vehicle’s braking system. Know your vehicle and drive slow, giving yourself plenty of time to stop. Take care of your brakes.
4) Plot Your Route
Plotting your course ahead of time will reduce future headaches. This way you won’t be surprised by turns you need make or exit numbers you need to watch for. This increases overall safety and gives you peace of mind.
The cool thing about RVing is that there is always something new to learn, someone new to meet, somewhere new to go. Follow these tips and don’t forget to have fun on your trip. See you on the road!
5) Get A Backup Camera
To say that driving a motorhome or other type of recreational vehicle of its size is difficult is something of an understatement. In addition to the wide turns that you're forced to take, the blind spots on these vehicles can be rather large - all of which makes it incredibly difficult to know exactly where other drivers and pedestrians are at any given moment.
Why A Backup Camera?
- Protect Lives/Eliminate Blind Spots – All vehicles, especially large vehicles including minivans and pickup trucks, require backup cameras to eliminate blind spots. Consumer Reports recommends installing aftermarket backup camera systems on all vehicles to increase convenience and safety by eliminating dangerous blind zones.
- Better Driving – Backup cameras make difficult driving maneuvers easier. Rear cameras increase pedestrian visibility and overall safety conditions for passengers and operators.
- Save Money – A cost efficient backup camera system not only keeps you safe by preventing accidents, it saves you money in the long and short term.
- Video Evidence – Dash cameras and Mobile DVR’s record all cameras installed. This footage can be used in case of an accident for insurance reasons or to present to a court, they can be used to dispute traffic tickets, and they are a great way to record all the priceless moments on the road.
130° ultra wide viewing angle
18 Infra-red lights - 50ft of night vision
Completely waterproof camera - IP69K
Built-in mic and speakers for audio
Rear View Safety offers a wide variety of wired and wireless backup camera systems to fit any specific needs. Our cornerstone backup camera system, the RVS-770613-NM has been named an editor’s choice for best RV backup camera by US Auto Authority. The system was also awarded Best 2019 RV Backup Camera by Smart RVing.
