Products for Increased Visibility on the Road

Excellent visibility is one of those aspects of RV life that must be taken seriously as it is of utmost importance for the safety of the driver, any passengers on board and all other road roamers out there. A lack of proper visibility can be the difference in making a correct driving decision in enough time to keep you out of harm’s way. The nature of RVs being much larger than other passenger vehicles means these big rigs take longer to stop, slow down and maneuver. A drivers’ reaction time to any obstacle or adverse scenario is the first step in reducing potential danger and harm to themselves and others. Maintaining proper visibility to increase the drivers line of sight is a necessity and should be a major focus for any RV enthusiast.

The front end of any RV is, obviously, where this visibility begins but it involves much more than just a clean windshield. In addition to the quality of glass in the cockpit, attention needs to be given to the state of the headlights, headlight housings, windshield wipers and mirrors – all being crucial elements for a driver to clearly see their surroundings as much as possible. A cracked windshield can cause a terrible sun glare. Dim headlights won’t let you see that deer in the middle of the road. A bad blind-spot in a mirror can lead to an otherwise avoidable accident. It’s simply not worth it to mess around with poor quality products or neglect an easy issue when it can lead to a life or death situation. Here are some ideas and products for increased visibility on the road to help you get to your next camp spot safely and keep those wheels rolling for many miles to come.

Windshield

RV windshields are enormous. This large glass enclosure allows you to view the wondrous wilds as you drive but also to see and react to different driving conditions and any obstacles. Replacing a windshield can be expensive but having one that is crystal clear and free of cracks is the only way to go. I like one with a decent sun tint up top to reduce glare when heading directly into the sunrise or sunset. There are many local glass providers who can install a new windshield. If you have large cracks, get the window replaced before your next trip. If you have a few rock chips or dings, those can also be fixed by a professional before they develop into major cracks, saving you money if caught and addressed in time.

Headlights

Driving at night inherently decreases visibility making headlights a fundamental factor in the ability to drive when the sun goes down. Older RVs often have pretty disappointing headlight systems but new lighting technologies make it pretty easy to upgrade to an option that will be much brighter. Old headlights are usually a sealed beam style and these can easily be updated to a HID (High Intensity Discharge) or LED (Light Emitting Diode) style bulb. Upgrade kits are available online or at an auto shop and are not too difficult to install if you relatively handy. Both HID and LED styles emit more light on less wattage and have a longer lifespan than the sealed beam bulbs. HID is the preference of this writer as they emit a light more closely resembling daylight but there are suitable LED options out there.

Another consideration affecting the brightness and capabilities of your headlights are your headlight housings. If these plastic or glass enclosures become dirty, scratched or cloudy it can really impair your lighting and how you see the road. Sometimes, if the housings are damaged or severely scratched or broke, you’ll need to replace the entire covering. Replacing is not a difficult task but a good cleaning or polishing is an easy solution if your housings are simply dirty with road grime. A decent rubbing compound applied to the plastic or glass and polished with a brush or rag can get things cleaned up with a little elbow grease. Headlight restoration kits are also available for the job.

Related Read: Why You Should Consider Switching Your RV Headlights to LEDs

Windshield Wipers

When bad whether hits, and it surely will at some point, having properly functioning and in good condition wipers is important. Wipers are easy to replace and fairly cheap so it is good practice to change them at least twice a year. Check your wipers often – if the rubber strip is cracked at all or seems brittle, it’s time to replace them. Some good windshield wiper brands to check out are Trico and Wiper Technologies. Also, be sure to check that your wiper motor is functioning properly before leaving on a trip. These units can fail from time to time and leave you without wiping abilities, which is a big problem. If you hear any strange noises when the wipers are on or there seem to be any issues with the function of the blades have it checked out or replaced.

Related Read: Staying Safe When the Rain Comes Down or Weather Turns Severe

RainX is a product that is highly recommended and should be on board every rig and applied to every windshield. Simply spray this stuff on your windshield, wipe clean and watch rain drops slide off of the glass like they are scared of you! I had a wiper motor fail once in a severe rainstorm in the North East. It grounded us for the night and we woke up to news that the storm was sticking around for the next few days. A fellow RVer at the campground we were staying gave me a bottle of RainX, hyped it and told me to apply to the windshield. We were able to drive through a terrible rain storm without wipers at all and I was amazed at how this stuff works! It’s not recommended to push through without operating wipers but in a pinch, it worked wonders and I now apply the product before any trip as it cleans the window and works its rain repelling magic at the same time.