8 Important RV Driving Tips You Need to Know

Did you know that there are over 18,000 campgrounds all over the United States? If you are looking to take your family on a trip this summer in an RV, you are in the right place. We will give you our top RV driving tips to ensure you have a fun and memorable vacation.

Keep reading to learn more about driving an RV.

1. Know Your RV

You must know how much your vehicle weighs and how tall it is before you embark on your adventure. Your RV’s size will make a difference when planning your route. You can’t go over certain bridges because of your weight or tunnels because of your height.

While getting gas on the road, you will also want to look for gas stations where you can fit in without a problem and get out easily.

While you are buying your RV at a reputable dealer like Leisurelandrvcenter.com you will want to make sure that you ask the salesperson for these details for every RV you are considering buying.

2. Wide Turns Are Your Friend

While driving any type of RV (towable or motorhome), you want to ensure that you always take wide enough turns to not go over curbs. If you take a sharp turn, your rear tires can go over someone’s lawn or hit the curb.

3. No Speeding

Driving around in an RV is not like driving a race car. Take your time and enjoy the entire ride. If you are speeding and have to brake suddenly, your chances of ending up in a collision are higher because, with that much weight behind you, you will need more time to brake all the way.

Slowing down will also save you money on gas or diesel. If you drive slower, you can reduce your fuel consumption, reducing how much money you spend at the pump.

4. Practice Practice Practice

We all know the saying “practice makes perfect,” and it’s no different with driving an RV. The more you drive it, the better you will get. Before you head out on a road trip, find a big empty parking lot to practice turning your RV and maneuvering it.

Doing this will not only give you more practice, but it will also boost your confidence in driving around. If you feel nervous about going on a long trip, sign up for an RV driving course to ensure you feel comfortable enough to drive around.

If you get out there and practice every day and learn the ins and outs of your RV, you will gain much more experience than you might realize.

5. Pay Attention to the Weather

Although not every day you hit the road will be sunny, you want always to be aware of the weather conditions. If there will be strong wind gusts all day, it might be best to postpone your trip by one day if possible. Driving an RV in super windy conditions will not give you a pleasant ride.

If the weather is great when you leave but suddenly gets bad while driving to your destination, find somewhere safe to pull over to wait out the bad weather.

6. Get Enough Rest

The night you drive the RV, you want to get enough rest. Do not drive when tired because this is dangerous to you, your passengers, and anyone else out on the road.

Driving an RV will require your full attention, especially if you have not driven it around much. If you feel tired while driving, find a rest or truck stop to pull over and nap.

7. Stay to the Right

Staying to the right on a highway will allow faster vehicles to pass you. It is best to stay out of everyone’s way when you cannot drive as fast as them.

Staying to the right will also have you closer to the shoulder. It will be much easier if you suddenly stop for mechanical issues. Driving in the right lane will also give you the best visual from your driver’s side mirror to help you stay safer.

8. Brake at the Right Time

Although this might sound like common sense, many people make the mistake of not breaking on time. The average RV is heavy, plus you add more weight with everything you put in it.

Trying to stop an average of 7,000 pounds of metal is unlike braking in your small car. There are no such things as sudden stops because if there is something in front of you, more than likely, you will collide.

You have to be alert at all times to hit the brakes way ahead of time because it is going to take some time before the RV comes to a complete stop. Braking can’t be taken lightly if you want to avoid hitting something with so much weight behind you.

Time to Apply These RV Driving Tips

Now that you have our top RV driving tips, we hope you are feeling more excited and comfortable about your upcoming trip. An RV is all about enjoying the great outdoors while you have the comforts of home with you.

Did you find our article helpful today? Please come back soon to always stay in the know.


Yvan Lebrun
Yvan Lebrun

Yvan Lebrun is a trusted expert in the field of product & service reviews. With over a decade of experience analyzing and comparing services online, he shares his valuable experience with readers at GoodSitesLike so consumers can make educated decisions before making a purchase.

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