It has been a GREAT summer! No bad storms! We cannot celebrate just yet! We are not “out of the woods yet”, to turn a phrase! October is slated as the worst month for hurricanes and heavy tropical storms. Time to go over some things to prepare your R.V. to quickly evacuate from a severe weather event.
If you are taking your R.V. from the coast for the winter, you should already have some of the following important items under way. Inspecting tires for weather and usage wear. Remember, tires over 5 years old need be replaced, no matter how much tread there is! Age deteriorates the rubber, as do the miles. Doing the preparations will take a couple of days, longer if you need services on some items. So, let’s get started!!
First! Plan an “escape destination”. Good time to make that visit you have been talking about! At minimum, plan to go 100 mile inland, away from the tracking path of the storm! Time permitting, make reservations. Research the area for places to set up temporarily if sites are not available. Many areas allow temporary use of public parks and parking lots.
Check the battery, and the power connection from R.V. to your tow vehicle. Our humid, salty environment encourages corrosion which can prevent a good connection. If it cannot be cleaned, replace your connection devices. Check turn signals, and all exterior lights. Exercise slides,clean and lube rails if needed. Check the under carriage, shackles, springs, wheels, brakes, tongue and hitch for rust or any issues that could cause a problem during your pull. Check all the vents on your roof for water tight seals at the base. Make sure all vent pipe caps, refrigerator caps, and vent lids are in good shape. Check your antenna, if you have one, make sure it folds down securely. Check all exterior compartment doors, water heater, refrigerator and holding tank access for secure, working locks and latches. check the range hood vent, secure the inside shield if it has one. Check entry door locks and window latches. Check your power cord connections, at shore power and at your RV. Check your refrigerator and water heater for operation on LP or generator power. Check your holding tank hoses and fresh water hoses. When you are preparing to leave is not the time to find your water hose is firmly welded to the rv water inlet or water source by corrosion! Also not the time for a leaky, deteriorated holding tank hose to fall apart in your hands! Have a generator? Hope you have been running it under load, at least every 30 days, and have oil and filters changed! If so, obtain fuel, and a supply of oil and filters. If it needs attention, now is the time to get it serviced and operational.
Inside your RV, secure doors and drawers. Remove hanging items that may bounce off walls while in transit. Check cabinets for items that are too heavy, glass items that could break, Remember you only have about 400 lbs of weight that you can add to your EMPTY RV! Being overweight causes blowouts, overheating of brakes, axle and suspension breakage, and rollovers!
Check water pump operation. Clean the fresh water tank and check the plug! Do not fill the tank before departure! Too much weight! Plan to obtain water at your “escape destination”. After unplugging shore power, check 12V system. Great to have at least lights if you have to “boon dock” along the way! Check your tags, inspection, if over 8,000lbs, and insurance! We hope no one has to leave their rv in place! They simply don’t survive in the direct path of hurricane wind and rain!
