Are you and your family planning to embark on a grand road trip in your new diesel motor home? Well, when you’re planning a lengthy motor home vacation, you should be ready for anything. With a little prep however, you can enjoy a stress-free time on the road, come what may. It would be wrong to assume that you will be able to complete the entire planning in a jiffy, so always start well in advance. Here is how to get started:
Rest Before You Start
In the opinion of road-safety experts, the number one danger on the road is distracted driving. And know what? It’s not always the noisy kids on the backseat or chattering friends around you that are to blame. In most cases, it’s your fatigue that’s the main culprit. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drowsy-driving causes more than 100,000 accidents annually. And when on the highway, a split second’s distraction can prove to be dangerous. So avoid fatigue at all costs. Get a good night’s sleep before the day of the journey. It is always better to be accompanied by another adult who can drive. In that case, you can switch your seats every few hours. If you have nobody to share the task, take halts at regular intervals. Get down from the RV, stretch and relax before you resume the journey.
Check Your Rig’s Health
Diesel motor homes are complex machines. Unless you are a qualified automobile engineer, it’s not possible to detect any glitches with naked eyes. NHTSA recommends that you hire a professional mechanic and get the tires, battery, belts, fluids, and air conditioner thoroughly examined prior to the journey. Make sure to load the right engine oil – one that is suitable for warm climate. If you are towing a boat or trailer, use a motor oil variety with higher viscosity.
Deal With the Weight Problem
When you are manipulating a vehicle that is over 40 feet long and weighs more than 20 tons, you should be careful about the proper distribution of weight. As a rule, stash the heaviest items low inside the belly of the motor home. Don’t put anything in the overhead open cargo place. You won’t want your suitcases or strollers to fall on you or the other passengers when the rig comes to a sudden halt, will you?
Make Sure Everything Is in Order at the Back
If you are traveling with your kids, make sure everything is fine behind your back.
Make sure that the child safety locks work properly on windows and doors, and all hazardous or poisonous items are out of reach of your kids. Keep all the sharp and hard objects away. Make it clear to them that they must wear seat belt when the rig is on the move. When everything is going fine at the back, you can better concentrate on your driving.
Get Your Emergency Kit Ready
Never leave your home without an emergency kit, which must include:
- Jumper cables
- Flares
- Tools to change a tire
- A fully charged cell phone
- A first-aid kit
- Water
- Blankets
- A flashlight
And yes, if you have not subscribed to a roadside assistance plan yet, do it immediately. Before signing up for a plan, ask what kind of coverage you are entitled to get under the policy, and where to call in an emergency. A cell phone is your best friend during the trying times, so keep a charger handy. In addition, download road-safety applications offered by AAA and other non-profit organizations. These apps enable RV-ers to request help online.
Safety is of utmost importance when you take to the road with your family. So before you hit the open road in your newly bought diesel motor home, take a few minutes to remember our tips. Have a safe and fun-filled journey.