What Knowledge and Experience is Needed for RV Safety
Part I: What Isn’t Known

Susan Frissell

RV enthusiasts are quickly becoming a large group of folks, totaling nearly 30 million in 2004. Hitting the highways and byways has come back into fashion big time, making safety issues a major concern. Driving a Recreational Vehicle isn’t like driving any other vehicle, warns Greg Horn, RV expert and vice president of Material Damage Claims at GMAC Insurance Personal Lines.

"Making the jump from a 15-foot auto to a 35-foot behemoth is a formidable challenge," he notes. According to a survey of 2,500 Americans by GMAC Insurance, many RV owners are not comfortable or familiar with many of the basic road rules that come with driving a large vehicle, says Horn.

Gathering information from various state Department of Motor Vehicles driver tests and oversized vehicle operator tests, GMAC discovered the following:

*On average, 33 percent of RVers failed to correctly answer questions on the standard driver’s tests. Forty-four percent answered the questions (from the oversized driver’s license test questions) incorrectly.

*Fifty-two percent of RVers incorrectly stated that roads are most slippery during heavy rain (fact: Most slippery at the beginning of a storm due to oil on the road).

*One-in-three surveyed incorrectly stated that when passing an oversized vehicle, it’s best to slowly pass on the left (fact: Pass quickly on the left).

*One-in-10 surveyed incorrectly indicated one "should let air out of hot tires so the pressure goes back to normal."

*One-in-three surveyed indicated they were uncomfortable when turning corners.

*Many RVers indicated discomfort with basic RV operations, including backing up and parking, driving in crowded areas, vehicle height, propane safety and highway driving.

According to GMAC Insurance, the five most common RV claims on their books include:

    1. Refrigerator fires: GMAC receives at least 400 claims per year due to fires in RV refrigerators caused by leaky propane tanks. It only takes six minutes for a RV to burn up as a result of a propane leak. What GMAC advises for their customers is to NOT paint the propane tank, have the propane tank lines and connections checked each year.
    2. Gas Station Overhands and Bridge Accidents: It’s essential to know the height of your RV. If you have to, write it down and attach it to your windshield or dashboard.
    3. Forgetting about Awnings and Steps: RVers often forget to retract the steps and/or awning on their RV, taking off and leaving these parts behind! Add this reminder to your list of what NOT to forget.
    4. Tire Blowouts: Because of the size of weight of an RV, a blowout is very dangerous. Typically caused by a tire that is over-or-under inflated, making it a point to always check tire pressure once/week is a must. If it’s a camper being towed, a blowout on the camper can cause it and the car to jackknife. Regardless of how many miles the RV tires have on them, they still may need to be replaced. Tires can rot and deteriorate from exposure and lack of use. When parked, keep the tires covered to block the sun’s rays.
    5. Animal Infestation: When an RV is resting for the winter, animals such as mice and squirrels may make it their home. When this happens, not only do they make a mess, they bite through wires and lines. To avoid this possibility, make it a habit to start the RV every week. This will scare away any potential nesters.