Instructions on How to Keep your RV Safe
06-02-2015
Author: Blog Editor in RV Full-Time with Us
Today I wanted to take a little time and talk about some general things you can do to keep your RV running smooth and safe. It’s important to remember that over time your RV has been driven a lot and there is a lot of bumps and vibrations in your Rig. Therefore it’s very important that you insure that your rig is in good running order and safe for you, your family and others around you.
Electrical Maintenance
I learned this one the hard way and thought that it would be a good one to start off with. In your RV you should have a breaker box. It’s usually located either under a cabinet in the kitchen or somewhere in the bedroom. It’s the box that looks just like a standard house breaker box. It houses all of the breakers for your 120v service.
These breakers feed all of your standard 120v services like your microwave, outlets for your TV and A/C units. Because of the vibrations when you are driving down the road from time to time the “Lugs” on the breakers can become loose. If this happens several issues arise.
First, the breakers will become warm or even hot to the touch, they will kick off periodically as they over heat which is what they are designed to do as well as if there is an overload on the circuit. The reason they become warm and kick off is that because they are loose they are not able to draw the proper current and actually are causing a sparking within the circuit. This is EXTRMELY dangerous situation and can cause your RV to catch fire. I know because I learned about this the hard way last Labor Day weekend when our RV caught fire because of this exact situation.
To prevent this issue from occurring you should check the tightness of the lugs on the breakers every couple of months. The procedure is relatively easy and only takes a couple of minutes, here is what you should do.
1. Turn on your headlights and do a walk around of your RV. Insure that all of your running lights, clearance markers and lights are working. If any lights are burned out replace the bulb. Next turn on your turn-signals and insure they are working. If you have a tow vehicle then I suggest you do this after attaching your vehicle to your RV. That way you can be sure that all of the lights are working on both your RV and your tow vehicle. An easy way to check that the turn signals are working without having to in and out and turning them on is to turn on the Hazzard warning light.
2. Next insure that all of your compartments are closed and secured, it’s easy to overlook locking one when you are packing up.
3. Stand back from your RV and walk around make sure that all of your vents are closed if you don’t have a cover on them as well as insure you have lowered your Satellite and Antenna.
4. Do a visual inspection of your tires, it’s a lot easier to notice something now then to be driving down the road and having a catastrophic failure.
5. Make sure your mirrors are properly adjusted and clean
6. Check your windshield wipers visually inspect to insure they do not have any cracks, broken rubber and that they are in working order.
Doing a pre-trip inspection takes less than 5 minutes and can not only help to keep you safe but also can help you to avoid a headache during your trip. I hope that you found this information to be helpful today.
Till next time, Safe Travels!
About the Bloggers: Matt and Vicki Hulbert are full time RVers who decided to begin a life on the road and enjoy the RVing lifestyle while still in their mid-40’s. With no real savings, no retirement to speak of and only a dream they took the plunge into this way of life. They like to consider their selves “21st Century Gypsies”, they figure it out as they go. It has not always been an easy road but they are living proof that with a dream, good work ethic and a little luck you too can achieve this wonderful lifestyle. Follow the adventures of Matt, Vicki and their 3 Pugs, see where their adventure takes them next. If you are one of those individuals or couples that are sitting there right now saying “one day” then maybe Matt and Vicki can help you find out that “ONE DAY” is TODAY and you too can start living the dream!
Electrical Maintenance
I learned this one the hard way and thought that it would be a good one to start off with. In your RV you should have a breaker box. It’s usually located either under a cabinet in the kitchen or somewhere in the bedroom. It’s the box that looks just like a standard house breaker box. It houses all of the breakers for your 120v service.
These breakers feed all of your standard 120v services like your microwave, outlets for your TV and A/C units. Because of the vibrations when you are driving down the road from time to time the “Lugs” on the breakers can become loose. If this happens several issues arise.
First, the breakers will become warm or even hot to the touch, they will kick off periodically as they over heat which is what they are designed to do as well as if there is an overload on the circuit. The reason they become warm and kick off is that because they are loose they are not able to draw the proper current and actually are causing a sparking within the circuit. This is EXTRMELY dangerous situation and can cause your RV to catch fire. I know because I learned about this the hard way last Labor Day weekend when our RV caught fire because of this exact situation.
To prevent this issue from occurring you should check the tightness of the lugs on the breakers every couple of months. The procedure is relatively easy and only takes a couple of minutes, here is what you should do.
- Turn off you’re A/C units and any other appliances that are running like your TV
- Go outside to where your RV is plugged in and Turn off the Main breaker then Unplug your RV
- Locate the 120V Breaker Box within your RV
- Open the Panel box and you will notice 4 Screws 1 in each corner, remove them.
- Hold the panel cover with one hand as you remove the last screw then carefully remove it by lifting it over the breakers and sit it and the screws in a safe place.
- BEFORE we go any further, DID YOU PERFORM STEP 2 IF NOT GO DO THAT NOW!
- Now look at the breakers, on the left side you will see where the wires attach with a Lug (screw) where the Black Wire attaches that Lug needs to be tight. Go down the row of breakers and insure that each of the Lugs are tight. Trust me you will know if one is loose. Do not try to overtighten them just make sure none are loose.
- Now look to the right of the breakers you will see all of the white wires attached to what is called the Neutral Bus. This is where each circuit is grounded in addition to the white wires you may see bare copper wires also or there may be a second neutral bus. Now insure that these are also tight.
- Once all of the Lugs have been secured, replace the panel cover and tighten the 4 screws that attach it.
- Go outside and plug your RV back in and turn the main breaker back on. You are good to go.
Pre-Trip Inspection:
Keeping your RV In safe running order is very important so prior to each trip you should perform a few basic inspections. Getting in the habit of checking out your RV before each trip insures that you and your family will be safe.1. Turn on your headlights and do a walk around of your RV. Insure that all of your running lights, clearance markers and lights are working. If any lights are burned out replace the bulb. Next turn on your turn-signals and insure they are working. If you have a tow vehicle then I suggest you do this after attaching your vehicle to your RV. That way you can be sure that all of the lights are working on both your RV and your tow vehicle. An easy way to check that the turn signals are working without having to in and out and turning them on is to turn on the Hazzard warning light.
2. Next insure that all of your compartments are closed and secured, it’s easy to overlook locking one when you are packing up.
3. Stand back from your RV and walk around make sure that all of your vents are closed if you don’t have a cover on them as well as insure you have lowered your Satellite and Antenna.
4. Do a visual inspection of your tires, it’s a lot easier to notice something now then to be driving down the road and having a catastrophic failure.
5. Make sure your mirrors are properly adjusted and clean
6. Check your windshield wipers visually inspect to insure they do not have any cracks, broken rubber and that they are in working order.
Doing a pre-trip inspection takes less than 5 minutes and can not only help to keep you safe but also can help you to avoid a headache during your trip. I hope that you found this information to be helpful today.
Till next time, Safe Travels!
About the Bloggers: Matt and Vicki Hulbert are full time RVers who decided to begin a life on the road and enjoy the RVing lifestyle while still in their mid-40’s. With no real savings, no retirement to speak of and only a dream they took the plunge into this way of life. They like to consider their selves “21st Century Gypsies”, they figure it out as they go. It has not always been an easy road but they are living proof that with a dream, good work ethic and a little luck you too can achieve this wonderful lifestyle. Follow the adventures of Matt, Vicki and their 3 Pugs, see where their adventure takes them next. If you are one of those individuals or couples that are sitting there right now saying “one day” then maybe Matt and Vicki can help you find out that “ONE DAY” is TODAY and you too can start living the dream!Comment
MrMarkJune 25, 2015 | 09:20 PM
Hey Matt and Vicki, just read a few of your blog post and I thing you are doing a good job and thanks for your help.
JOcchiJune 3, 2015 | 09:42 AM
Good tips. You could do a follow-up on your pre-trip inspection to make sure everything is buttoned up and secure on the inside of the coach...lessons I've learned the hard way
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