Photo Courtesy of Alaska-In-Pictures.com
RVs are huge. I realize that’s an obvious statement, but let’s be serious here. RV’s can weigh a few thousand pounds and and if they aren’t driven by an expert, you can very easily lose control of them and severely damage your vehicle and RV, not to mention the other people on the road. Driving your RV on the interstate seems like it would be a pretty easy endeavor, but I assure you, it’s more dangerous than you think. Sure, the idea of getting on the highway and just driving a straight line sounds like a perfect trip. When you factor in traffic, construction, other drivers, and road conditions, driving on that highway just became a dangerous idea. Here are a few tips I’ve compiled that may make you a better RV driver on the highways.
1. Don’t Be Afraid To Stay In The Right Lane
The right lane on an interstate is designed for slower moving vehicles, like your RV. If you get in a hurry, you tend to change out of the right lane and then you’re causing more traffic back-ups than you solved by getting around the person in front of you.
2. Get Your Rest
Getting enough rest the night before a big trip is one of the easiest ways to avoid accidents and cause delays. If you feel sleepy, don’t hesitate to find a rest-stop to catch some ZZZs, or let someone else drive. Studies have shown that we make irrational decision when we are tired, we tend to drive too fast and make boneheaded moves, like cutting off that big rig.
3. Stay Off The Road If The Weather Is Bad
I realize that sometimes this can’t be avoided, but if you have the time to wait out a bad rainstorm or the possibility of ice, then stay where you are. The last thing anyone needs is to have their RV sliding across a lane of traffic.
4. Know Where You’re Going
Getting lost is always a nightmare. If you take the time to plot your course and use your GPS or smartphone to guide you where you are going, you reduce the risk of making a wrong turn and having to make some decisions you’d really rather not have to, like making a u-turn on a 2 lane road. Not an easy task for anyone, let alone you AND the RV behind you. Most GPS and smartphone apps will redirect and plot a new course you if you happen to make a wrong turn, follow their instructions and let the technology get you where you need to go.