RV Safety
By Perry Mack
What Doesn’t Kill You – Can Injure You Horribly
Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche was a German philosopher who is often quoted in movies and television - “Was mich nicht umbringt, macht mich stärker.” Or “What doesn’t kill me, makes me stronger.” My mother was German. She used to say something similar, “Touch that again and I’ll kill you”. Nietzsche believed the central task of philosophy was to help us become who we are; my mother’s task was to teach me some safety concepts so I could live long enough to find out.
Back in the good old days, as in the 1800’s, there weren’t so many safety considerations. What happened? Have we become overly safety conscious?
No. In the past, people were seriously injured or died! Fortunately, we’ve learned from the mistakes of others and shared the rules that prevent accidents. In addition to what our parents taught us, new life enhancing technologies require that we acquire new safety procedures and systems. Some safety accessories have become so ingrained in our daily lives at home that we take them for granted. But life on the road isn’t life at home. The shake, rattle and roll (not to mention heat, cold and wet) take a toll on our RV’s, and boon-docking can put us far from auto clubs, ambulance, and fire departments.
Some of us are driving or towing vintage RV’s which predate many of the safety systems inherent in newer models. The smart RV’er insures the systems and accessories he has are working, and installs or packs the ones he doesn’t have. How safe are you?
Safety Accessories
Tire pressuring monitoring systems are standard equipment in many new vehicles today. Proper tire pressure reduces tire wear and improves fuel efficiency. So what - neither of those are safety issues, right?
Everyone who has spent time on the road has seen shredded chunks of tire strewn across the asphalt, indicative of a catastrophic tire failure. This can happen to you, especially in a motorhome or large trailer.
You’re cruising down the highway without a care in the world. But one of your tires has developed a slow leak. As you drive the tire pressure drops. The more the pressure drops, the more the tire flexes – as it rolls from the flat spot when it is under load, to it’s round shape when it is not (about 435 times every kilometre at 100 kph).
Every time it flexes it generates heat and the tire gets hotter. If you’re driving on a hot day, at a faster speed, and/or under heavy load (sound familiar?), the tires’ temperature rises more quickly. Every tire will shred into vulcanized strips of rubber carcass when they get hot enough. Remember the Firestone tire recall for Ford Explorers in 2000? Over 250 deaths and 3,000 serious injuries as a result of tread separation - usually at higher speeds, in hot climates and under heavy load.
Tire pressure monitoring systems are available as an aftermarket item for your motorhome, truck and trailer. You can often install them yourself and an alarm will sound if one of your tires is too low. Some will give you a tire pressure readout so you can inflate any low tires to the proper inflation. Now you are safer, more fuel-efficient and you’ll save money with improved tread life.
Tire Repair Kit and Air Compressor
You’re out boondocking, out of cell range and get a flat. Depending on your type of RV, the first flat you can change with your spare. The second? This is when a tire repair kit and On Board Air (OBA) can make the difference between a miserable or life-threatening experience (and one seriously irritated significant other), and a minor inconvenience.
Tire repair kits are inexpensive and with a little practice you can become an expert. OBA is either a compressor, or a tank of compressed gas. Not only will it inflate flat or low-pressure tires, but it can also run air tools, and inflate water toys, air mattresses, etc. without any foot stomping and sweating.
I suggest we all avoid complacency, and take a proactive approach to the safety of our family, friends, others and ourselves while we enjoy the RV experience. Forget about German philosophers, but remember the advice your parents gave you, and the suggestions from one of your fellow travelers on the road of life!