5 bad weather RV travel tips you need to know
Well, it is no fun driving a car in bad weather but it is totally dangerous driving a big RV or Motorhome in bad weather respectively a storm.
You need to know how to behave while driving a Motorhome, a 5th Wheel, or when pulling a travel trailer. Therefore it is mandatory to know the bad weather RV travel tips in order to be safe and also not to danger other drivers on the road.
How to prepare for a trip – 5 bad weather RV travel tips you need to know
Check the forecast and if there is severe weather, just delay your trip for a couple of hours or a day. A really good help is the Highway Weather App. Just download it from the App Store to your phone, put your location and destination in and it will tell you if the weather is good to go and what you can expect in the next couple of days. It actually tells you when is a good time to leave.
You can upgrade this free App by paying $ 1.99 a month – but try it out first, it is 7 days free.
What to do while driving in your RV
In case you are on the road and severe weather is approaching you, pull over to a rest stop or exit the highway and wait it out somewhere safe.
Just be sure you don’t park your RV under or close to trees or power lines. Search for shelter, but always be aware if there could be flying objects from your surrounding, that might hit your RV.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. When you click these links I may get a small commission. It won’t cost you anything, but it helps me to run this site. I only promote products and services that I think are great and helpful. Also, read my disclosure policy.
If you are on the road for a longer time, keep a weather station in your RV.
This is a good one:
Keep an emergency kit in your RV
It is always good to be prepared for emergencies. Therefore keep an emergency kit in your RV that is easy to access.
Content of the emergency kit:
Just keep it in a backpack, so it is easy to grab and go:
- portable radio
- whistles
- rain protection/jacket
- flashlight
- bottled water
- energy bars/canned food/ can opener
- first aid kit/prescription drugs
5 critical RV bad weather tips and what you should know when driving an RV
- Drive slow, as soon as it starts to rain, slow down. Increase the distance between you and the driver in front of you. The roads become slippery and the braking distance will get longer, so keep this in mind.
- Turn the lights on so you are seen.
- If you have to slow down so much that you become a hazard on the road, just pull over and wait it out if possible. Do NOT stop near or under trees or power lines that could damage your RV.
- If you are experiencing high winds, find the nearest exit and park your RV in the safest spot possible. In case you decide to drive on, a powerful wind gust could flip over your RV and I am sure this is not a very enjoyable experience. So just stop.
- Never drive through standing water, especially under overpasses. You have no idea how deep that water may be. Just don’t take a chance.
When driving through puddles be aware of hydroplaning. Your tires are no longer in contact with the road and it will be especially dangerous when applying the brakes. Therefore just very slowly drive through the puddle and the tires will regain traction again.
If you are driving your RV in winter, be aware of snowstorms. Driving an RV or Motorhome through a snowstorm is no fun at all. Be sure you carry chains with you and be sure to know how to put them on. I would not advise driving through the snow at all, especially with a rear-wheel-drive RV.
Tire pressure monitor system
Old tires are a safety hazard and before every trip, you should check your tires, check the pressure, and the tire tread. Also, the age of the tires is important. You can find the date on the tires and it is recommended to exchange tires after 6 years.
Another great tip is to install a Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS). It will tell you immediately, should the tire pressure change. Often that means a little hole or a nail in a tire. If you get that repaired immediately, it could save you from a blowout tire with a lot of damage to your rig.
Summary of 5 bad weather RV travel tips you need to know
In case a severe storm is coming your way while traveling, pull over and find a safe campground. Stay put, away from trees and power lines, and wait it out. You don’t want to be on the highway when a storm rolls your way.
Therefore keep a weather station in your RV and take the necessary precautions to be safe.
Related articles:
51+ RV Must-Haves and Camping Accessories you definitely need for an awesome trip
