Category: RV Safety

Whether you are carrying your licensed firearm with you for hunting or for protection you will want to make sure that you have it stored safely and securely out of harms reach. This is true when RVing as well. The first thing you will need to know is each states particular laws when it comes to owning and transporting a fire arm. It is also important in some states to define whether your RV is a vehicle or a residence. This website will help you map your route and know the rules.

Once you are at a campsite you will want to keep your gun secure. You can do this with either a locked safe in your vehicle or your RV. Many people also go the extra length of bolting the safe to the floor in either a storage bin or the back of a closet. Remember to keep your gun unloaded as with the bumps, twists, and turns can be treacherous and dangerous. In some states it is illegal to store the ammunition with the firearm so be sure to check on all of the rules and regulations pertaining to your weapon. And as always be smart and safe when dealing with any firearm or weapon.

Preparation is key when dealing with treacherous weather but unfortunately sometimes the best laid plans go awry during a storm. It is important to have a plan of action, supplies, and a calm demeanor when navigating a storm in an RV.

One of the best and most practical items you can have with you wherever you go RVing is a battery powered weather radio. This can keep you up to date about impending weather and alert you if you need to take further action. Unfortunately just having one of these radios is not enough. You also need to take note of the county you are in and all surrounding cities. The radio will be of no help with an approaching storm if you are unsure of your whereabouts. You will also need to know the difference between a storm watch and a storm warning. A watch means that the conditions are favorable for a storm, tornado, hurricane, etc to occur. A warning on the other hand means that dangerous weather is actively threatening the area.

When checking into a campground one of the first things you should do is ask where the “designated storm shelter” is located. If they don’t have one or don’t know find out where the nearest strong shelter/structure is and if it is accessible 24 hours a day. Finding a shelter before a storm is infinitely easier than finding one during. Unplugging your RV from the campground electricity is also highly recommended. Power spikes can and do occur during thunderstorms or even during high winds and can fry some of your circuit boards, appliances, etc.

With the spring months quickly approaching and with it tornado season this is just a few tips to help make you a more aware and safer RVer.

Going on a vacation or a long road trip is one of the best experiences in life but it could become one of the worst if you don’t protect your home without wheels. All too often people leave tell tale signs that they are away, practically inviting a potential robber to help themselves. But there are some things you can do to ensure that your home stays safe and sound and you can rest easy knowing that you have taken all of the necessary precautions.

The first thing to do is to have the post office hold your mail and the newspaper delivery do the same. It is a big red flag if your mail and paper box are bursting at the seems. Also have a neighbor or friend come by as often as possible to make sure there are no take out menu’s or coupons left on or around the door. Thieves will often leave these and come back around to see which ones are still there.

Also you will want to set your lights onto timer switches. These are a very inexpensive investment that makes your home appear to have people residing in it even when you are away.

This next step might sound obvious but it is incredibly important and that is to make sure that all of your doors and windows are locked. This includes the basement windows, windows on the second floor, and even screen doors. Burglars aren’t wanting to do break into somewhere difficult, the easier the better so don’t make it easier for them.

And last but not least don’t broadcast your departure. What I mean by this is in today’s ever connected society it is tempting to blast your vacation plans on twitter, write up an itinerary on Facebook, and post pictures of you and your family at each new campground on instagram but try to hold off bragging about your vacation until you are home. It’s like a personal invite to potential burglars to come raid your house.

So follow these easy precautions and hopefully you will secure your home and protect your valuables.

Let’s face it we all feel a bit invincible when it comes to our RV getaways. We just know we won’t get stuck in that upcoming hail storm, or get a flat tire, or run out of gas. But the truth is that there will come a time when we have to deal with one of all of these (hopefully not all at the same time) so it seems like a good idea to be prepared for whatever the road can throw at you.

The last place you want to be during treacherous weather is racing down the interstate. But if you are unaware of the potential storm then that’s where you very well might be. The best way to keep yourself informed and out of harms way is to invest in a Pocket Portable Weather Radio. This will let you know way in advance of any rain, snow, tornado warnings, etc that might be in your upcoming path.

A flat tire can also really derail your trip if you are not prepared. So often people think that just because they have their spare tire on the back that they are totally prepared for changing a tire. What some people fail to remember is to buy and pack a jack for their RV. Without that there is no way to get the flat tire off of your trailer. In addition many people go years and years without a flat tire and therefore never check their spare. It is important before you head off on any trip to check the air pressure in your spare tire as well. It won’t do you any good to have a flat spare tire.

I have also found it handy more than once to keep a few gallons of gas safely stored in our undercarriage of our RV. This is especially true when we get out into the middle of nowhere out west and end up further away from civilization than we had intended. Having that extra gas is what we needed to make it to the next gas station and boy were we happy we had it.

Being prepared really is the key to success whether it’s in life or enjoying that successful get-away. Like John F. Kennedy once said, “The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.”