With cooler fall weather gracing the sunny state of Arizona, lots of families are preparing for the upcoming holidays and vacation time. If your family owns an RV, fall is the perfect time to round everyone up and hit the road for a long weekend or winter break trip. Road trips can be fun and exciting, with tons of beautiful sights and places to explore along the way, but there are also many hazards.
Many road trip disasters occur because families didn’t take enough time to prepare. Putting extra miles on the RV, traveling to places with few residents and limited cell phone reception and being out on your own can turn dangerous fast if something happens to the RV.
Before you hit the road this season, take time to follow these road trip safety tips:
- Get a tune-up: One of the best ways to prepare your RV for the many miles and long hours of driving ahead is to take it to an auto shop that specializes in RVs for a tune-up. The tune-up will verify that the engine, brakes, electric components, connections and other components work how they should so you can minimize your risk of having a problem on the road.
- Pack an emergency kit: Every vehicle or RV should be equipped with an emergency kit, just in case the worst happens. Your RV should definitely have a spare tire or two, jumper cables and other automotive tools, but there should also be a kit designed to keep your family safe. Pack a bin with water, warm clothes, a blanket, flashlight, flares and a first aid kit. It’s also wise to bring a charged reloadable cell phone or extra battery packs.
- Make a plan: It isn’t wise to head out on the road without some sort of plan to guide you. Identify where your destination will be and what general route you’ll take to get there. If you’re planning on driving for long hours, make a plan of where to stop to refuel, sleep or switch drivers. Tell someone you know in your hometown about your plan, just in case.
- Note the number for roadside assistance: A mobile RV service in Flagstaff, AZ can provide a great number of services for your RV should you get stuck on the side of the road with a mechanical problem. Tire blowouts, battery jumpstarts, brake changes and parts replacement are just some of the problems these services are equipped to handle, so you’re able to get back on the road as quickly as possible.
- Check the tires, fuel and battery: Just before you head out, double check that the tires are properly inflated, your fuel tank is full and the battery is functional and the wires aren’t corroded. When you’re too excited to check these things, you might run into trouble before your trip even starts.
Maclin Truck & Trailer is a dependable mobile RV service in Flagstaff, AZ. If you’re spending a lot of time on the road, be sure to call us if you run into trouble. We specialize in roadside repair and maintenance for RVs, commercial tractor-trailers and large commercial trucks and can get you back on the road in no time.