22
On the Road
SAFE DRIVING GUIDLINES
Outdoors RV does not recommend transporting passengers in your RV while traveling.
Your tow vehicle will have very different handling and stopping characteristics when it is towing an RV.
The following guidelines will help you develop needed driving skills for safe towing.
Know the height of your RV.
This is very important as there are many low-clearance
overpasses that your RV may not completely clear. Hitting a bridge overpass could potentially
cause an extreme amount of damage to your RV. Have a friend help you measure the overall
height at the air conditioner or highest point to the ground. This should be done with the RV
unloaded; tires aired up properly and hitched up. Make note of this to keep handy in the tow
vehicle in the event you encounter a low overpass.
Travel very slowly
if you are new to towing, or if you have a new RV or tow vehicle, until you
have learned the handling and stopping characteristics of the tow vehicle and RV combination.
Practice turning, stopping, and backing in a secluded place away from traffic.
Do not permit a driver who is inexperienced at towing to operate your tow vehicle and RV
combination without your direct supervision.
Remember its slow speed for beginners.
Tow at moderate speeds
allowing for adverse highway and wind conditions. Even under the
best of conditions, do not exceed posted speed limits for vehicles towing trailers. As speed
increases, trailer sway stability, stopping ability, and the ability to make emergency maneuvers
are greatly reduced.
Reduce speed before starting down hills,
even short ones, and avoid heavy tow vehicle braking
on downgrades. RV towing stability is reduced when traveling downhill and is further reduced
by tow vehicle braking.
Slow down before entering turns
and avoid heavy braking in turns. RV stability is reduced in
turns, and the weight of the RV tends to push the back of the tow vehicle outwards in turns,
which can cause loss of control and jackknifing.
If it is windy or passing vehicles are affecting handling, slow down
until full, comfortable
control can be maintained. RV sway can be started by crosswinds and winds from passing
vehicles, especially trucks and busses passing from the rear. Reduced speed improves RV
stability and handling.
Do not use cruise control while towing.
These devices can interfere with your ability to slow
down in an emergency.
Avoid quick steering movements
that can start the RV swaying.
Close, lock and dead bolt entry doors
and secure all windows and slide-outs before traveling.
Plan your trip and map out the roads you plan to use.
Find out any hill grades in the areas
you will be traveling. Some mountain passes have extreme change in elevation and curves you
may prefer to avoid.
Rain or snow/ice conditions require extreme caution when towing.
Vehicle speed should be
reduced, and, in some cases, towing should be avoided.
Maintain at least twice the normal stopping distance while towing your RV.
The increased
weight of the combination of vehicle requires greater stopping distances.
