Journeying through the mountains in your RV is a worthwhile adventure. It can be tricky to navigate some of those mountain roads if you don’t know how to go about it properly. Luckily, we’ve put together a brief list of tips for traveling safely through the mountains via RV. Check them out and set yourself up for a successful trip.
Downshift Before Ascending and Descending
One of the first things you need to know about RVing safely through mountains is the importance of downshifting before ascending or descending. In other words, if you’re traversing a significant incline, it’s best to shift into a lower gear.
When ascending a steep grade, your engine can overheat. When you downshift, it mitigates the heat by helping your transmission stay at a consistent speed. Similarly, downshifting can save your brakes from severe wear and tear when descending a steep incline.
Minimize Braking To Prevent Burnout
While it may be your first instinct, keeping your foot on the brakes while RVing through the mountains can do serious damage. Essentially, the more you brake, the faster they will burn out. This is especially true when you’re navigating steep inclines and narrow passages.
Obviously, this can be a detriment to your safety. So rather than braking constantly, downshift your gears as previously discussed. Trust us; it’s the best way to slow your vehicle and minimize the usage of brakes throughout your trip.
Take It Slow and Use Your Hazards
Something else everyone should know about RVing safely through mountains is that there is no shame in taking it slow and using your hazards. You are navigating steep inclines, from significant heights, in a vehicle considerably larger than most others on the road.
Sometimes, the best strategy is driving slowly and putting your hazards on—especially if you dip below the speed limit. If the vehicles you share the road with rush you, then pull over and wait for them to pass. It’s also wise to stay in the right lane when there are multiple lanes. Doing so ensures the safety of you and everyone on the road with you.
Keep Your Engine Cool and Pull Over if You Have To
When RVing in the mountains, you must be aware of your engine’s temperature. When you push your engine up and down steep inclines, it causes overheating. Downshifting can help mitigate this. But the only surefire way to cool your engine is by pulling over and waiting. So look at your dash and take note.
If you notice that your engine is much hotter than it should be, pull over. Patiently wait for your engine to cool off. In the meantime, double-check under your hood to ensure everything else is working. You can even take the time to check your RV’s other systems and accessories like your pipes and RV pipe heaters if it happens to be cold where you are.
In any case, navigating mountain roads in your RV correctly is integral to your safety and the success of your trip. Hopefully, we provided some valuable information on how you can minimize risks and ensure that things go smoothly on your journey through the mountains.