Fifth Wheel Safety Items
Safety Checklist for Your Fifth Wheel
Taking a trip in your fifth wheel is the perfect time to kick back and relax. But just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take safety seriously. Camping in a fifth wheel can expose you to many potential dangers, and if you’re not prepared to deal with them, you might find yourself in serious trouble. Your campfire, the ax you use to chop wood, the trip to the campground; it can all be hazardous. We here at Golden Gait Trailers put together this short checklist of safety items that every RV owner should have. Read on to learn more, and if you need maintenance for your fifth wheel, stop by our dealership. We’re located near Charlotte, North Carolina, serving the areas of Columbia, Raleigh, Hickory, Asheville, Myrtle Beach, and Greensboro, North Carolina.
Fire Extinguishers
It’s important to have at least one, but preferably several, fire extinguishers. You’ll want to keep one near the front door of your fifth wheel so you can easily reach it if there’s a fire outdoors. You should have one in your bedroom, too, so that you can fight your way out of a fire if one starts in the night. Remember that there are several types of fire extinguisher. Some are meant for putting out chemical fires, others electrical fires, and others grease fires. It can be a good idea to purchase a few different types.
Surge Protectors
There are two main purposes for a surge protector. First of all, it will protect your more expensive electronics from a faulty powerbox or an electrical surge. Surge protectors are also helpful because they help to keep wiring separated out and tidy. This will reduce the chances of a fire starting.
Emergency Radio & Charger
If a big storm comes or some other accident befalls your camping trip, you’ll want to have a radio so that you can have some level of access to the outside world. One of the best options is a crank-operated radio because you don’t have to worry about burning out the batteries or using an outlet when the power is out.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Under all the weight of your trailer, your tires can experience some serious strain, and a blown tire can be very dangerous. One of the clearest indicators that a blowout will happen is tire pressure. A tire pressure monitoring system will allow you to monitor the pressure of your tires in the cab, in real time.
Smoke & LP Alarms
Just like in your house, it’s crucial that you keep a few smoke alarms and gas alarms in your RV. This is especially true if your RV’s appliances run on propane. A propane leak can be a silent killer, so you don’t want to be caught by one because you didn’t buy an alarm.
Road Safety Kit
The trip to the campground can be hazardous, so you’ll want to have a road safety kit. These kits often contain things like signal flares, reflective road markers, and flashlights.
First Aid Kit
A first aid kit is another extremely important item to bring along. Make sure yours has all of the basic medications for nausea, allergic reactions, stomach problems, basic pain relievers, and anything else you might personally need. It should also come with some bandages for treating cuts and abrasions, as well as cold compresses for treating contusions or fevers. A roll of medical tape can come in handy for many uses.
GPS Emergency Signal
One piece of modern technology that can be helpful is a GPS emergency signal beacon. This device will send out a help call with coordinates to your exact position so that emergency services can track you down quickly. This is especially helpful if you like to go boondocking away from established campgrounds.
Having the right safety equipment on your next fifth wheel trip can make the difference between a good outcome and a bad outcome when an accident happens. If you’re new to the world of RVing, stop by Golden Gait Trailers. We’ll show you our supply of the best RVs on the market today. Located near Charlotte, North Carolina, we proudly serve the areas of Columbia, Raleigh, Hickory, Asheville, Myrtle Beach, and Greensboro, North Carolina. Stop by today to learn more!