There are 2 types of people in the world: People who stay home for the holidays and people who enjoy being out on the road for the holidays. I tend to believe that most RVers fall into the second category. After all, it’s why we spend our time and hard-earned money on our RVs. Winter is the time of year when weekend RVers tend to park their rigs in the driveway and call it a season, waiting for sunnier skies and warmer temperatures. With the major holidays happening in the Winter, and with the lighter traffic, it’s also a perfect time to strike out on your own and find a good campsite to take up residence in for an extended vacation. Before you hit the road, there are a few tips to keep in your mind as you make the decision to spend some time away from home for the holidays.
Watch Out For Ice
Ice is a big concern for anyone driving around during the Winter, but it’s an even bigger one if you’re pulling an RV. Ice can cause havoc when you’re driving down the road and just happen to catch a patch. We hear stories all the time about wrecked and damaged RVs that was caused by ice on the road. If you’re traveling when the temperature gauge is below 32 degrees, be super careful before you get behind the wheel. If you insist on driving, make sure the de-icing crews have come through and poured salt on the roads. The best way to counteract the effects of ice on the road is to keep your RV in the driveway until it’s safe.
Double Check Your Traffic
There are plenty of apps out on the market that will give you real-time updates for traffic in the direction you are headed. Google Maps, Waze, Mapquest, plus many others, will tell you if there’s a major traffic jam, accident, construction or a quicker way to get where you are going. During the holidays, you’ll experience more traffic and more cars on the road means more headaches for us RVers. Stay one step ahead and download one of the many map apps that keep you out of traffic and on your way to your campsite.
Make Sure Your RV Is Freeze-Proof
When you’re out on a campsite during the holidays, you’re more than likely in an area that could encounter freezing weather. Being prepared and making sure your RV is ready for the low temperatures is the best way to keep your holidays from turning into a disaster. Always check your RV’s heater to make sure that there are no parts that need to be replaced and it is keeping your unit warm. Also, make sure there is as little standing water in your RV’s water tanks as possible. The less standing water there is, the less of a chance of ice forming. If you must have standing water, use an RV specific anti-freeze to lower the freezing temperature and keep your pipes from bursting.
