SECTION 4
TRAVELING WITH YOUR MOTOR HOME
4-4
stop of the day. This will prevent leaving a
good parking spot once you have arrived at
your destination.
16. When driving a motor home, you may have a
tendency to crowd the middle of the road.
Check the side view mirror frequently to ob-
serve how close you are driving to the center
line.
SEVERE
WEATHER
INFORMATION
One of the more serious conditions affecting
the motor home traveler and camper is that of the
weather. Whether you travel the high mountain
terrain, the lower deserts and flatland or the
plains of the midwest, the weather is always with
you and subject to change, sometimes with little
or no warning. However, adequate warnings are
normally broadcast over local radio and TV sta-
tions.
Motor home travelers and campers often seek
secluded areas for weekend recreation or extend-
ed summer vacations. Many recreational areas
are vulnerable to severe weather situations, espe-
cially flash flooding conditions. A few simple
precautions may help lessen the hazards of flash
flooding or reduce your immediate involvement.
NOTE: We recommend that all motor home oc-
cupants become familiar with these safe-
ty precautions, and be constantly alert to
changes in weather.
·
Be alert, keep an eye to the sky because thun-
derstorms can form at any time, in any month
of the year. Thunderstorms can produce large
amounts of rain over a small area in a short
time, which may result in a flash flood. Listen
frequently to weather reports on the radio for
weather and flood conditions.
·
When camping near a stream, leave plenty of
sloping bank between you and the stream.
·
Avoid deep canyons and dry washes during
stormy or threatening weather. Be aware of
alternate exits.
·
If heavy rain occurs, move to high ground im-
mediately (at least 30-40 feet above the can-
yon floor or bottom of dry wash).
·
During a flash flood, if you cannot move your
vehicle, abandon it. Do not attempt to return
to your vehicle before the water has receded.
·
Do not attempt to wade to your vehicle if the
water is above your knees - fast moving water
exerts an enormous amount of pressure, mak-
ing it impossible to remain standing or walk-
ing.
·
Do not try to drive through flooded areas.
·
Follow instructions of local authorities.
Leave immediately when advised to do so.
Many lives have been lost because people did
not heed warnings.
·
Have on hand survival supplies for several
days, including food, water, first aid equip-
ment and necessary medications. In desert
areas during hot weather allow 3-4 gallons of
drinking water per person, per day.
·
Before you leave home, inform someone of
your destination and when you expect to re-
turn. Authorities at your destination should
be notified immediately if you do not arrive
on time.
REMEMBER THESE TERMS:
WATCH:
Severe weather may develop in the
specified area. Be alert and prepare for possibility
of an emergency.
WARNING:
Severe weather is occurring or is
imminent in certain areas. Move to a safe loca-
tion immediately.
We highly recommend that the motor home
operator obtain a weather radio. These radios of-
fer up-to-date weather condition broadcasts. Dur-
ing good weather, the latest information and
forecasts are tape-recorded by local National
Weather Service offices in messages that last
from three to five minutes. These messages are
replayed continually 24 hours a day. The record-
ed messages are revised every three to four hours,
or more frequently when appropriate.