If you’re a frequent RV camper, chances are you’re going to encounter rain and maybe even travel in a wet region, such as Washinton state or upstate New York. For the unprepared camper, rain can be miserable and can even bring a trip to an unexpected end. But that doesn’t have to be the case if you’re ready for wet weather.
Safety
Like snow and ice, rainy weather requires special considerations for the RV driver, and it’s important to take care of certain details before you leave for a trip and also to maintain safety precautions while on the road.
Before you Leave
- Check that your tires are properly inflated and that the treads are good. Tires in good condition provide more control in inclimate situations.
- Have your brakes checked. It goes without saying that this is important before any trip, but because rain makes braking more hazardous, your brakes should be in good condition.
- Check your wiper blades. If your wipers are in bad condition you should replace them or if they are just a bit dirty wipe them with a wet paper towel. You might also consider a product such as RainX to increase visibility in rainy conditions.
- Check all lights are in good working order, including brake lights headlights, and parking lights. Lights are not just for seeing in rainy conditions but also for being seen by other drivers.
- Have an emergency kit on hand with road flares and a reflective vest in case you’re stranded by the roadside in heavy rain.
On the Road
- Drive slowly and steadily. Stopping an RV in rainy conditions requires more distance and increases the possibilities of hydroplaning. Slower speeds give you more time to react and decrease the chances of a slide.
- Increase following distances. Because you’ll need more time to stop, it’s important to allow greater distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.
- Use your lights. If your wipers are on, then your headlights should be too. In heavy rain, you might turn on your emergency flashers to allow vehicles behind you to see you more clearly, or better yet, pull off the road. But leave those flashers on so that passing vehicles can clearly see that you are parked on the fringe.
Comfort
Rain doesn’t have to spoil your enjoyment on your next camping trip. You just need to have a few extra items so you can still enjoy the outdoors and have a little fun while you’re at it.
- Tarps and/or a pop-up canopy. You can provide a substantial dry outdoor space by putting up tarps or a pop-up canopy, particularly if you place them next to your RV awning. An extra tarp is always good to have anyway to provide a makeshift wall on your canopy if a bit of wind is blowing rain in. Be prepared, of course, to take everything down if the wind gets too strong.
- Ponchos or other rain gear. Having quality rain gear can go a long way toward making your rainy day an enjoyable one.
- Non-cotton clothing. Cotton doesn’t repel water at all and takes longer to dry. The resulting dampness and cold will make your day that much more uncomfortable. Wool or polypropylene are better bets on rainy days.
- Entertainment: Board games and cards a great way to pass the time on a rainy day. You can even create a makeshift tournament to make your rain time a little more interesting.
Convenience
The last consideration for RV traveling in the rain is being prepared for the inevitable muck and mess of rain. With a little planning, you can save yourself a lot of clean up.
- Bring a mud rug. You can purchase a heavy duty mat to be place outside the RV door (you can even stake it down in case of wind) that your fellow campers can use if they have to go inside for a bathroom break, change of clothes, or a snack.
- A boot tray. It’s great to have a plastic boot tray just inside the RV door so that muddy, wet boots go no further than the entry to your RV.
- A collection of towels. You’ll want both old towels that can be used to wipe off gear or boots, and clean towels in case of wet hair or clothing.
- A large tote or waterproof bag. It’s always a good idea to have a place to stow wet jackets or other items so that they don’t create puddles in your RV. Then when the weather changes you can carry it all out and hang it up to dry.
–Written by Ivan Young in partnership with Faxage online faxing services.
