Safety isn’t expensive, it’s priceless.
Anon
RV life is exciting, but honestly frustrating too! A few items can help minimize the frustrations by making your trips safer and more comfortable. It’s not fun to spend money on some of these things, but a few items can make your trips better!
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Disclosure: some of the links below are affiliate links. If you purchase a linked item, we will make a commission, at no extra charge to you.
Let’s start with hitching up to your travel trailer. Your trailer probably came with an anti-sway hitch so why should you upgrade? We tow well below our capacity and with a lighter trailer; however, when we added the Hensley Hitch we noticed a HUGE difference. You can feel it from the passenger seat and see it in the turn radius when you arrive at those tighter-than-expected parks. Their copy states sway elimination while boasting zero sway-related accidents in their decades of business. It is a product that you don’t think you need until you need it! It is an investment, but well worth it for peace of mind. Find out more about the Hensley here.
It’s somewhat shocking that travel trailers do not come with TPMS (tire pressure monitoring systems). After all, every car on the market today offers this standard for safety. Adding a system will run you a couple of hundred dollars (depending on the number of tires), but give you security in knowing a tire is low or running hot (hopefully) before a trailer damaging blowout.
Towing Your Travel Trailer or 5th Wheel
Whether it is a slow leak or flat tire, you will quickly find that the gas station air compressors are not adequate for inflating larger tires. You will want a portable unit capable of inflating to your necessary pressure.
Miscellaneous RV Safety Items to Keep in Your Garage
Headlamps come in handy if you arrive at a camp spot late or have an emergency on the road.
LED flares are great to keep in your garage in case of a roadside emergency.
We keep roadside safety vests onboard as well. We actually got ours at IKEA, but they are similar to these.
Grab some extra fuses to curb the frustrations when one inevitably blows.
You will need a flashlight or two. Even if you are staying in the nicest resorts with every amenity there will come a time when you cannot see those valve pulls.
Weather-Related Road Trip Safety
Weather is something you will undoubtedly deal with while on the road. If you are relying on your phone to alert you during severe weather you may be surprised at the delay. Pick up an NOAA weather radio or better yet two-way radios with NOAA capabilities.
Be sure to freshen your fire extinguishers per the manufacturer’s instructions.
You can also read about keeping your furry family members safe on our Essentials for Traveling with Dogs article.
Luck runs out, but safety is good for life.
Anon
If you’re looking for more RV maintenance and safety information, check out Changing Lanes on YouTube for in-depth tutorials on nearly everything RV-related.
Always check your owner’s manual for manufacturer instructions. Hensley Hitch offers great trailer-specific information as well. Your rig will be different than our rig, so there is no one right answer (unfortunately).