Never forget - SAFETY FIRST.
'THERE IS NO SHORT CUT TO SAFETY.'
Let us review 7 New Safety Actions to have a prosperous RV adventure.
1. Safety first and foremost
2. Make a risk assessment – THINK before Action.
3. Pre-plan every action - Have OPTIONS before decisions.
4. Execute plan safely – LISTEN for inside and outside Noises while moving.
5. Be aware of every action – VISUAL while moving vehicle.
6. Safety is NOT automatic – WORK to be Safe.
7. Be careful of your Perceptions and Perspective while being in a RV Environment.
BEFORE MOVING MY RV
1. I will do a pre-trip inspections. (oil dipstick, lights, signals & mirrors)
2. I will set my mirrors before driving. (clean mirrors, windows, lights)
3. G.O.A.L. - (before backing) I will -
GET. OUT. AND. LOOK.
4. I will remind myself to watch for tail swing when turning corners in my mirrors.
5. I will not drive distracted. (no ear buds or loud noises) listen for outside noise.
6. I understand stopping distances with my rv vehicle.
7. I review every intersection before entering & existing.
8. I will get a weather report before moving.
9. I will pre-plan my route of travel - Read a map.
10. **Safety is team work **
11. **Treat Safety with 'Respect' **
12. **Trust in Safety. It can keep you safe. Then you can experience the results.**
LET ME ASK YOU QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR RV
How high is your RV?
All Interstates and State Highways bridges are guaranteed to be 13 feet 6 inches. Unless posted! This makes them safe for semi-trucks to travel on those roads. [called Truck Routes] Truck/trailer is 13 feet - 5 inches high.
County roads do not have the same standards. Check inside map book for low bridge heights on your route, per state.
How wide is your RV?
Anything, 102 inches or less is legal. A semi- truck is 102 inches wide - legal size. [not including the mirrors]
How long is your RV trailer + pulling vehicle or motorized single unit + trailer ?
A semi-truck & trailer on average is 65 feet long from front bumper to rear bumper on trailer, combined. Without having special signage to haul oversize. Inside the map book cover is charts that refer to lengths of combined vehicles. This includes rv's too. Allowed on which roads, in that state.
What is empty weight of RV? What is combined empty weight of RV + pulling vehicle? What is full weight?
Any weight you take for granted by manufacture data plate is 'sometimes' incorrect. Go to truck stop with weigh scales. You can get your weights by axle at the same time.
Understand the correct meaning of Road Signs. Good information of road signs are inside the front cover of a good highway map book or truck route map book.
There are many signs that have meaning and purpose that most do not understand.
That have been dictated to us since 1940's from the Department of Transportation.
Knowing height & width will help you look for LOW BRIDGES and proper routing for your travels.
You call ahead. To that rv park and ask for correct directions to park. To prevent low overhead clearances or short cuts given to you by your gps.
FOR AN EXAMPLE: The interstate has a tunnel ahead. This tunnel goes under a river for seafaring ships. **Low tunnel clearance ahead - 12' 6" ** - - >>Truck Route exist here. << What do you do? ...... If you hit a pothole inside the tunnel and the rebound bounce is 1" - you could lose or scrape a air conditioning unit.
Large vehicles like a semi-truck and trailer have different turning radius than you do when driving your rv and trailer. "You are not a semi-truck." Trucks have less steering capibilites to turn a corner than you do. A truck also has a 40-45 feet spread to rear tires that pivot differently than your rv. A semi truck/trailer needs more room to turn with less turning radius.
Please do not over steer every corner.
Your RV can turn sharper, pivot better and bend in the middle better than a truck/trailer. Practice makes perfect.
Lane Management
Before turning in either direction move away from the corner direction to give turning a larger area to pivot, in that lane.
Your mirrors are the first things you use when turning a corner and last thing you use when recovering from turning. Use just enough space to pivot trailer wheels next to or away from the curb. Danger is when You think you are back in your lane, and your trailer is still over the center line. You turned too wide or used too much of the other lane. There is still on-coming traffic and you did not use your mirrors. You have taken Safety for Granted! You have lowered your safety guard.
Think what to do before stopping at the corner [Lane Management]. Set yourself up in the lane before stopping.
Think after the stop. Review the intersection for unexpected movement from others.
Think as you look going around the corner using both mirrors. Use all the road / lane that you need. Don't shrink your possibilities of space.
Think as you recover from making the corner while using both your mirrors.
Thinking is a drivers full-time job while driving! - - learning a better method to turning corners.
See - Know - Do.
Train Yourself Everyday to Learn Something New.