Handy Safety Tips for that Memorial Day RV Get Away

My colleagues at Nationwide have some good tips to offer for folks getting ready to hit the campground circuit this Memorial Day Weekend.

I know that I'm looking forward to taking the family pop-up camper on the road this summer, but I also know that I'm not 100 percent confident pulling that puppy behind the mini-van. There are some pretty good tips to consider for any RV owner getting ready to hit the road, as well as some advice for folks who are going to be sharing the roads with the recreational vehicle crowd this weekend and all summer long.


Provided by Nationwide Insurance

Here are the Top 3 tips for those of us sharing the roads with the RV crowd this summer:

1. Recognize that RVs need 20 percent more room to brake, so watch ahead and behind, according to the Recreational Vehicle Safety and Education Foundation.
2. Keep a safe distance between your vehicle and an RV. A good rule of thumb is to keep three seconds between you and a recreational vehicle on the highway.
3. Give an RV plenty of space when it turns.

And here are the Top 4 tips if you are getting ready to hit the road this weekend with your RV:

1. Tire problems account for nearly 60 percent of Nationwide’s RV claims. Poorly balanced loads and tire maintenance are the most frequent cause of blowouts. RV operators should check tire pressure and tread before hitting the road.
2. Gas stations are potential trouble spots for RVs. One in seven claims occurs in those crowded spaces. Drivers frequently misjudge the length, width and height of the RV and clip awnings, hit poles and back into posts. Drivers need to be alert to not only hazards on the ground, but overhead as well.
3. RV drivers need to be alert to their surroundings especially in new places. One in 10 claims is from roof damage, Nationwide data reveals, that occurs when drivers misjudge the height of their RV or forget they are driving something taller than the family car.
4. When turning, RVs cut a wide path and not always gracefully. More than 15 percent of RV claims are the result of failing to stop or turn correctly. Make sure you have enough room to turn.