Reduce the Dangers of Overloading Your Motorhome

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Better Safe Than Sorry

How to reduce the dangers of overloading, equipment failure and other RV pitfalls
By Bill Pinchak

No matter how long you’ve been RVing, you still need to plan ahead for a safe, trouble-free and enjoyable trip. When something goes wrong, it can happen far from home, in unfamiliar territory, and it can turn your journey into a nightmare. That’s why the more you know about proper load distribution, vehicle preparation and other safety concerns, the better. It’s well worth your time to reduce the potential risks you and your RV may face on the road. All you have to do is take a few RV safety precautions before you leave.

Understanding simple, but important, RV safety practices can help you move toward safer traveling. For example, did you know that driving or towing an overloaded rig is a leading cause of RV accidents? It’s true that even a slight overload or unequal weight distribution can seriously restrict braking and steering. It can also result in sudden blowouts or breakdowns. An overweight RV often creates the danger of early failure in tires, brakes, wheels, the drivetrain and other components. As if that’s not bad enough, higher fuel consumption and driver fatigue are also common side effects of taking to the road in a heavy, overloaded and poor-handling RV.

Do these RV weight problems sound familiar? If so, you’re not alone. Disturbing statistics, compiled by RV safety expert John Anderson during rally weighing exercises, show that nearly two-thirds of all the RVs weighed exceed one or more of their load ratings. Simply put, your RV is overloaded if it exceeds any of the manufacturer’s established limitations for total load, axle load, or tire loading. The gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is the maximum amount your RV can safely carry. It includes both the wet weight and the cargo weight. Be sure to check your owner’s manual for weight limitations.

Recent Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) weight-labeling requirements make it easier for new RV buyers to judge weight and carrying capacity. If you’re in the market for a new motor home or travel trailer, you’ll find this information very helpful. In the meantime, there are important steps you can take toward safer weight distribution.

Does your rig need to go on a diet?
If you’ve been gradually accumulating more and more "stuff" over the years, it’s probably time to put your RV on a weight reduction program. But, first you need to take a trip to the scales. Don’t guess at your load weight because it’s easy to underestimate by hundreds of pounds. You can have your rig weighed at a public weigh station for a minimal fee. Look in the Yellow Pages under "Scales, Public" to find the location of scales nearest you. Be sure to weigh your rig when it’s fully loaded. It’s also important to weigh each axle separately. After the weigh-in you might be surprised at how quickly the combined weight of your passengers and all your "stuff" adds up to more than you expected.

Look your RV over from top to bottom and consider what’s necessary and what’s not. Just because your rig has a lot of shelves, drawers and other storage space doesn’t mean you have to fill it up. It would be helpful to remove all your "stuff" then put back only the items you really need. When you reload, remember to store heavy items low and forward, lightweight articles high. Be sure heavy items can’t slide into the water pump or other fixed equipment. Try to balance the load between the two sides of the RV. A simple measurement of clearances on both sides can aid in proper balance. You can minimize swing, sway or wobble if you keep the vehicle’s center of gravity low.

When loading your motor home or travel trailer, make sure everything has a place and is easy to get at when needed. Experienced RVers prepare a packing map of luggage and storage areas for easy access. Secure all cargo inside and outside the vehicle. Anything rattling around loose is a potential hazard, as well as noisy.

Get ready, Get set, Go
Check over all your RV’s equipment and systems at least a week before you take to the open road. That way you’ll have time to make necessary repairs. If you leave it until the last minute, it could cancel or postpone your travels. Inspect tires, brakes, jacks, lights, oil, radiator, belts, horn, shocks, steering, windshield wipers and washers, lubrication and other vital equipment.

Tires are one of the most critical factors in safe RVing. Since most tire failures are caused by overload or underinflation, be sure your tires are inflated in accordance with proper inflation pressures for the load you’re carrying. Overloaded tires are more prone to blow out. Keep tires of similar tread patterns and similar construction on the same axles.

Along with safe tires, properly adjusted brakes are essential. Don’t forget the parking brake, because a slipping brake can drop the RV off its jack while you’re changing tires. If you’re towing anything, give the hitch and safety chains a going-over. Check the luggage racks. Are the mountings secure and tie downs strong enough to keep cargo in place?

Be sure to check LP tanks. All tanks by law must have a 10% valve. The valve releases and lets off gas in case of over-filling. If your tank doesn’t have the safety valve, get a new tank. Also, make sure you fill your LP tanks to only 80 or 90 percent of their volume - depending on the temperature.

Inspect and test all connections to every appliance. In order to check lines for leaks, just dab soapy water on fittings and watch for bubbles. Also, look at appliance vents for obstructions since it’s not uncommon for squirrels and birds to build nests in vents.

Check your fire extinguishers, smoke detector and carbon monoxide (CO) detector to make sure they are in proper working order. Some fire extinguishers have a gauge that indicates their condition, others have a test button and instructions for making a condition test. You should have two 2 1/2 lb. fire extinguishers with a rating of 5BC - one located in the galley and the other in the cockpit of your motor home or tow vehicle. Test the smoke detector’s battery, as well as your CO detector according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Be Careful Out There
More accidents are due to the failure of the driver to be comfortable with the RV, than a failure of the rig itself. Be conscious at all times of the RV’s height, width, length and weight, and be aware of blind spots and other limitations. Physically measure the dimensions of your RV, jot the figures down and tape them to your dashboard. Those dimensions must be respected to avoid overhead collisions or clipping other vehicles and objects. Always check clearances. When in doubt, get out and take a look.

Left and right outside mirrors are your most valuable equipment when you’re on the road. Use them. Set them so you get a proper view by simply turning your head or glancing out of the corner of your eye. Properly set, they should show the rear wheels in the bottom corner, as well as a distance of at least 30 feet behind the vehicle.

Make routine checks during every gasoline stop. Check tires, oil, water, wiper blades, battery, etc. If you are towing something, inspect the trailer hitch and safety chains. Tug at any gear strapped to the outside of the vehicle.

When you’re on a busy highway, stay away from the pack if possible. The more vehicles around you, the greater the chances of encountering trouble. If you’re traveling with others, don’t travel in a caravan because this often causes a traffic hazard.

Finally, remember that a properly balanced RV, safe equipment and good driving can tame almost any road. These safety tips can help make your RV trip turn out exactly the way you want, worry-free and full of fun.

EDITOR’S NOTE:
The author, Bill Pinchak, is an RV Claims Consultant with the Foremost Insurance Group. Recreational vehicle insurance is a Foremost specialty.