November 1, 2023 – Traveling with Rich & Julie
RVing on BUMPY roads
RVing is a great way to see the country and explore new places. You have the freedom to travel wherever you want, whenever you want. Life on the road in an RV can be a dream come true. But there’s one downside to RV life that can be a real pain: bumpy torn-up roads. They can be extremely tough on your RV home.
If you’ve ever driven an RV down a bumpy road, you know how jarring it can be. Everything inside and outside shakes and rattles, and if you’re not careful, things can fall and break.
We know this firsthand, because we live in an RV motorhome, and have driven on some of the roughest roads in America. Many highways and roads are in poor condition and are constantly under construction. We’ve had things fall off the shelves, break in the cabinets, and had nuts and bolts come loose. We’ve had drawers fly open while driving down the road and one time the refrigerator door wasn’t properly latched and it flew open spewing all its loose contents onto the floor.
Over the years, we’ve learned a few things about how to keep our moving home from falling apart because of bumpy roads. How do we do it? Here are a few things we have learned over the last two years.
Secure everything.
This includes cabinets, drawers, shelves, furniture, and appliances. Use bungee cords, straps, and latches to keep everything in place. Put away all your dishes, pots, pans, and other loose items. Put locks on your cabinets and drawers. This will prevent them from opening accidentally while you’re driving down the road.
And store fragile items in padded containers. This will help protect them from all the bumps and shocks. If you don’t secure everything, it’s likely to fall and break when you hit a bump.
Slow down
Drive slowly and carefully. The faster you drive, the more likely things are to come loose and break. The slower you go, the less damage the bumps will do to your RV. Avoid driving over potholes and other large bumps. If you can’t avoid them, try to drive over them carefully and at an angle. The faster you’re going, the harder the impact will be when you hit a major bump. So, it’s important to slow down when the going gets rough.
Inspect your RV regularly
Check your RV for damage after driving on a bumpy road. This means looking for loose nuts and bolts on your furniture and appliances, cracked caulking, and other signs of wear and tear. Check your nuts and bolts regularly. Make sure that they are all tight and secure. Inspect your RV regularly for any damage. Look for cracks in the walls and ceilings, in addition to loose nuts and bolts.
You should also have your RV inspected regularly by a qualified mechanic. This will help identify any potential problems before they cause a breakdown.
Additional tips
Use a heavy-duty hitch and tow bar. This will help keep your tow vehicle attached to the RV and prevent it from swaying back and forth. And check the connections every single time you stop at a gas station or rest area.
Be prepared for flat tires. Bumpy roads can cause your tires to wear out more quickly and increase the chances of a flat tire. Keep a spare tire and jack on hand and know how to change a tire. Check the tires every single time you stop to make sure they are properly inflated.
Conclusion
Living in an RV and driving on bumpy torn-up roads can be challenging, but it’s also rewarding. Despite the challenges, we love living in the RV. It’s a great way to see the country and experience new things.
By securing everything ahead of time, slowing down, and inspecting all your connections regularly, you can help to keep your RV from falling apart on bumpy roads and enjoy your RVing experience to the fullest.
Be patient. Driving on bumpy roads can be frustrating, but it’s important to keep your eyes on the road, slow down, and drive carefully.