Tips for RV Driving in the Rain

Driving an RV takes a special set of skills. Managing a vehicle of such a large size is more complicated than heading down the road in any old SUV. There are even special RV driving classes you can take to learn how to handle your home on wheels with confidence. But even the most confident RV driver may find themselves getting tense when heavy rains come into play. Here are a set of tips for RV driving in the rain to keep in mind.

#1: Check Your Lights (and Turn Them On)
It is always a good idea to check all your vehicle and trailer lights before you hit the road. That said, this step becomes even more important in rainy weather. Although it may mean pulling out an umbrella or poncho, be sure to take the time to walk around your rig, checking each and every light, including turn signals and brake lights.

Once on the road, turn those lights on. Even if there is still sunlight, conditions such as rain, fog, and overcast skies can all make it difficult to see things clearly. Turning your lights on helps fellow travelers see you from a distance.
Related Read: Know Before You Tow – Dinghy Installation

#2: Replace Your Wipers
Windshield wipers aren't something many of us think about until we need them. Unfortunately, old, worn out wiper blades simply do not work as well as a newer set would. Therefore, it is crucial that you change your blades regularly, especially if you'll be towing in the rain.

Having trouble remembering to do this task? Try setting up a reminder on your phone, or start doing it every time you get your oil changed.

#3: Watch Your Tires
Fishtailing with a trailer is a scary experience that nobody should ever have to go through, and the fact of the matter is that it’s much more likely to happen when you’re traveling during wet weather.

Luckily, you can actually do a few things to prevent this from happening to you. One of the most effective things you can do to prevent fishtailing (as well as other potential problems) is to keep up with your tires. Before every trip, check your tires for tread wear and replace tires that show signs of wear or other visible issues. Additionally, you'll want to check your tire pressure and ensure each tire is properly inflated before you get out on the open road.

Even if your tires show absolutely no signs of wear and tear, you will still want to replace them if they are more than 6 years past their manufacture date. This will help prevent blowouts caused by tires weakened by time.
Related read: Staying Safe When the Rain Comes Down or Weather Turns Severe

#4: Try a Repellent
Rain repellents such as RainX are perfect for keeping water off your windows and mirrors. This will increase your visibility, making for a safer driving experience. All you have to do is spritz the product on your windows and mirrors and you'll be good to go!

#5: Take It Slow
Obviously, you're going to want to slow down when towing in the rain. This is especially true right as the rain begins when the water is bringing old oil up out of the pavement, making things extra slick.

That said, applying a slower speed for all wet-weather towing is a good idea. After all, rain tends to reduce your visibility, decrease tire traction, and can cause hydroplaning should you hit a puddle at the wrong angle and speed. Slower speeds reduce the risk of accident and make for a more relaxed driving experience.

Of course, there is such a thing as driving too slow on the highway. If you find yourself going slower than those around you, consider putting on your emergency lights to let people know to go around. If you need to go below a reasonable highway speed, you may even want to take back roads or pull over until the rain stops.

#6: Leave Space and Don't Slam Your Brakes
Besides going a bit slower, you'll also want to leave a nice, large gap between you and the person in front of you. As mentioned before, the rain can reduce tire traction, making it a bit harder to stop. Slamming on your breaks actually only makes this worse and can cause you to fishtail. Leaving a good gap and paying close attention to what’s ahead will remove the need and temptation to slam on your brakes.

When you do need to brake, pump your brakes steadily until you stop or reach the desired speed. This rule is especially important if you find yourself hydroplaning or skidding.

#7: Stop When Necessary
Sometimes the rain is pouring, you can't see a thing, and driving conditions simply are not safe no matter what you do. In these cases, just pull over. Arriving at your destination late is better than not arriving at all, and you should have everything you need to pass the time in that home-on-wheels you happen to be towing behind you.

Unsure where to stop? Well, in really bad weather, you may want to pull to the shoulder, turn on your hazard lights, and wait until the rain slows at least a little. However, if you can see well enough, it's much better to get off the highway and out of the way of other drivers. In these cases, look for a rest stop, truck stop, Walmart, Cracker Barrel, Cabelas, or Camping World. All of these have spots big enough for most rigs, and most are happy to accept RVers.

There you have it! By implementing these simple tips, you'll be driving much more safely the next time you need to tow in the rain. Give them a try and let us know your thoughts!