RV accidents and how to prevent disaster - here's help preventing the most common and costly rv mistakes
Accident Free RV Living
and Travel
Top five accidents people had resulting in an insurance claim being filed and how to avoid them. After investigating RV insurance claims I discovered what the top five problems people have with RV's are. Here's a list of the problems and how to prevent them.
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FIRE Leaking LP - I found that over 350 insurance claims each year were from cases relating fires that occur from behind refrigerators. If your using your refrigerator in the LP gas mode, with an open flame, you surely wouldn't appreciate a leaking LP gas line. To avoid having this problem I suggest that you take your RV to an authorized RV repair facility once a year and have them run an entire LP |
gas system examination. RV technicians have the appropriate tools to check the structure for leaks and to make sure the LP gas pressure is adjusted according to your systems requirements.
To occasionally inspect for LP gas leaks yourself
you should visit an RV repair center and ask about an approved LP leak detector
solution. To verify if your system has a leak or not you should turn on the main
gas supply without lighting any pilot lights or other burners. Use the LP leak
detector and apply it around all gas fittings. If you see any bubbling around
the fitting then there is a leak. If there is any bubbling around the fitting,
you can try tightening the fitting. If you still have a problem, your last resort
would be to report to an RV repair center to have it replaced or repaired.
Tire Blowouts - Tire blowouts are another problem I've found to be
very disturbing and dangerous to yourself and other drivers. Overloaded, under
inflated, or just plain old tires are the main reasons for a tire blowout.
Along with your RVs tires, axles have load ratings also. In order to keep
from overloading your tires check for the tires weight limit the maximum ratings
are visible on the side of the tires. You should have your RV weighed to make
sure the tires are not being overloaded. Another way to know if a tire is overloaded
is to use scales that allow you to weigh the tires individually along with the
axle weights, and the RVs overall weight. Under inflation is a leading cause of
tire damage. The weight limit for a tire is only precise when the tire is inflated
suitably. Extreme heats build up when a tire or tires are under inflated. A tires
appearance could look relatively normal, but damage within the tire isn't noticeable
which means the tire could blow at any moment without any forewarning.
Preferably tire inflation should be one of the most important chores before any trip. It would be a good idea to check the PSI of your tires once a week. The only accurate way to measure your tires inflation pressure is with an inflation pressure gauge. A good investment would be a precise inflation pressure gauge. If you have dual tires, than a pressure gauge with a double angled foot would be the best solution. Another reason for tire failure is old tires. When your tires reach the 5-7 year age limit, you should always have them replaced. A DOT number is located on the inner or outer walls of all United States manufactured tires. If you haven't been able to locate the DOT number on the tire or just don't trust the number you have found, have your tires checked by a qualified tire center.
RV awnings and steps - RVs outside steps are a problem when you forget to put them away before traveling. Your awnings being properly stored while traveling, and the stowing of your awnings during questionable weather are also problems to be dealt with.
Forgetting the RVs steps or awnings is fairly easy to do. I have a
couple suggestions of how to prevent these problems .You should always make a
list of "things to do" the day before a trip. Also you should always
examine the entire RV at least twice before leaving. Make sure when you look over
the RV you check off the things you have done that were on your list.
Concerning the awning, you should always store it correctly before taking a trip.
The awning should be fittingly stored against the RV, and the lock device should
be in withdrawn position. Check the awning locks are secure, and check the knob
on the awning support. When maneuvering your RV in close lodgings, like a campground,
make sure to steer clear of any objects that could tear the awning.
Any
wind over 20 miles per hour will normally cause some sort of damage to the awning
and to the RV. To prevent any damage during a sudden storm, you should tie down
the awnings or better yet retract them and clamp them to the RV.
Clearance
and height driving mistakes - RVs hitting bridges and gas station overhangs
are a huge problem. People forget or never knew the pinnacle of their RV. Then
they mistakenly enter places that don't have enough overhead clearance to go under
and that could mean severe damage to the air conditioner or even more of the RVs
top half. Visit RV dealers for help choosing the
right RV the first time.
First, measure your RV. Or you can probably find this information in your RVs manufacturing booklet, make sure the height includes the air conditioners measurements. Just to make sure you don't have any "close ones," add an extra 12" to the height noted. To constantly remind you where you can drive safely write this information somewhere it can be easily seen while driving your RV vehicle. If you travel on smaller "back roads" be sure and check clearances on all overhead bridges or railways before attempting to cross under them.
Pests, bugs, rodent infestations - Another disturbing problem is to have some type of rodent infest your RV. This is especially common when your RV is being stored for any period of time. Mice, squirrel, and many other types of rodents are well known for making a meal of your vehicles plastic, or rubber lines, along with wiring. This could in some cases prevent your vehicle from running all together.
You will find that keeping these rodents from infesting your RV all together would be the best solution. You should first examine your RV from top to bottom of your RV for any openings or crevices. To keep the rodents from entering in through these places fill them with expanding foam or silicone. When these substances dry they can expand a great deal more than you would expect so make sure to experiment on something else than your vehicle to get an idea of how to use them. Before calling the job done, make sure that you have checked the drawers and cabinets along with the entrance holes of any wiring. Next, make sure not to leave behind any food or things that might attract any animals to your RV while its being stored. Make sure to park your RV on a concrete slab or some type of solid surface and if at all possible try keeping it from being parked under any trees, or wooded overhangs. Run your RV frequently to keep any rodents from making a home in your vehicles engine compartment where those vital wires are located.
I'm sure that the best solution to keeping animals from living in your RV while it is not occupied is to use standard mousetraps and check for pests every couple of days. The only problems with traps are, the bait attracts mice, but if you already have an evident problem, than this might be a last resort. If you use poison the rodent will have time to go and hide, before its dies and if this was to occur you might always have an odor problem. If you decide to use poison substance, make sure to keep from any pets reach. Rv accidents can be prevented. Educate yourself today and have fun forever. Visit bus accident lawyers and truck accident lawyers for information on bus or truck accident representation.
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