What Makes a Route RV Safe? Plan the Drive

A sign on a back road, warning of a low bridge in the trees, can turn a good shortcut into the longest mile of your trip. That’s the real key to a safe route in your RV. It’s not necessarily the shortest path between two campgrounds. A safe route for your RV takes into account your vehicle. It allows for changing conditions on the road. And it lets you take in the quirky and interesting places along the way, knowing you won’t be stuck at the next turn.

A route might be perfectly fine in a sedan. But if you’re driving a motorhome with a trailer, fifth wheel or travel trailer, that same route could have a low clearance, a tricky switchback, a gas island too tight for your rig, or a steep hill that your brakes simply can’t handle. Good planning for your RV starts with your vehicle. And then a route built around its capabilities.

To start, you need accurate information about your rig. What’s its height, length, width and weight? Are you towing?

What makes a route RV safe before you leave

Don’t just go by a number from when you bought your rig or what the salesman told you. Measure your rig on flat ground. And don’t forget things like air conditioners on your roof, vents, antennas, satellite dishes, bike racks and other accessories that will change its size.

Most RVers remember their rig’s height. And they should. Bridges, overpasses, canopies over gas stations, trees and parking garages all pose risks if they aren’t high enough. Leave yourself some cushion. Don’t aim for a clearance limit on a sign. Road surfaces aren’t always flat and signs can be inaccurate. And often, with a crown in the road, the clearance under it will be less than the posted limit.

Equally important are your rig’s length and turning radius. A 40-foot motorhome might be able to go through an intersection that a truck and trailer could not. And a road that appears wide on your map could lead to a small downtown, a trailhead parking lot, a loop at a campground or other place with tight corners.

Your rig’s weight will affect your route. Many older bridges, seasonal roads and rural crossings will have weight limits that would exclude a larger rig. RV-specific route planning is worth it here. With Roadtrippers, travelers can input details about their RV so they can plan for it. They can also identify good fuel stops, overnight parking, campgrounds and interesting detours along the way.

Clearance is more than a bridge number

Take seriously every warning of low clearance on the road. Even on a route you’ve driven before in a different vehicle. Navigation could take you under a canopy in a commercial area. It could take you down a local connector where it’s the overpass that limits your height.

If your route takes you past a sign, it’s more reliable to heed the sign than your route. Pull off at a safe spot and reconsider. Pay attention to trees, too. In particular, check them out on older loops around campgrounds, scenic park roads and residential streets.

A branch that wouldn’t bother a car could scratch your air conditioner, slide topper or roof. Often the most scenic roads have the oldest trees, narrow shoulders and steepest grades. With a little research you could save your day’s plans and your rig.

Some of the best driving in America is on mountain roads. But just because a road is paved doesn’t mean it’s safe for an RV.

Grades demand a braking plan

Consider grades, curves, elevation, signs for runaway truck ramps and exposure to weather. An 8% grade over a short stretch is very different from miles of downhill after a long climb.

Start slowing well before you go downhill. Shift down a gear (or, if your rig has one, use the engine brake). You want the engine to hold speed so your brakes don’t overheat.

You may notice fading brakes, feel your brakes getting weaker, or realize you’re picking up speed. In that case, pull into a safe turnout and let the system cool down. Don’t try to catch up on the grade.

Depending on your rig, your tow vehicle, your load and your comfort, the safest route up a mountain is often one with milder grades, wider lanes and more services. It might take an hour longer.

Plan your stops around your range, not the map

Planning fuel is as much a safety decision as it is a financial one. Buses, trucks and big rigs need to pull in, turn around and drive off. Sometimes a station will be along your route but it might have cramped pumps, low canopies, sharp curbs or a lot with no good exit. Before your tank runs low, think about where you might need to fuel. Most importantly, think about this in the mountains, on weekends and in the western U.S.

Leave some fuel in the tank. A detour, climb, wind or construction could affect your fuel efficiency. And a station that seems convenient might be difficult to pull into. Diesel can be in short supply off the main routes. And a propane station may well have access issues.

The same goes for food, rest stops and overnight stops. When a driver is tired, every decision (changing lanes, braking, etc.) becomes more difficult. Don’t just drive toward some distant destination. Think of places along your route where you could stop in case of bad weather or traffic.

Watch for the road conditions a route line won’t show

A route with options is more enjoyable. A navigation system won’t always show you what it would be like to drive a road. A ramp could be closed, lanes could be reduced, or there could be construction on the road. High winds can make an exposed bridge or desert highway uncomfortable. Heavy rain could wash out a low crossing. Snow and ice could make a grade you could easily handle in your rig into a poor choice.

Check the weather the night before you leave. And check it again before you start driving. Look for alerts on big cities, coastal roads, tunnels and passes.

Traffic is important, but so is its type. A snarl-up on the interstate might well be safer and easier than a detour into some back streets in a new neighborhood.

Think about when you’ll arrive at a campground. It’s too easy to walk in and start looking for a site number, hookups or a low branch. If you can, go in daylight to check in at a campground. If you know you’ll be arriving late, call the campground ahead of time and ask what to do after hours. Before you head out, check the entrance to your site and the approach to it.

Campground access belongs in your route plan

More than once, an RV trip has gone sideways in the last few miles. A campground may well be near a national park, beach or downtown attraction, but it might well have a winding road, a narrow bridge, a steep driveway or a site too small for your rig.

Don’t assume that the maximum length of RV listed for a site actually applies to your trailer, tow vehicle or slide-outs. It might only apply to the site pad.

Are the sites pull-through or back-in? How wide are the roads at the campground? Is the site level?

If you have a big trailer or motorhome, and you’re not sure about a site, call the campground. They’ll know which loops are easiest for you to access and which turns might even make experienced drivers wish they’d picked a different site.

If you’re looking for overnight parking, pick a spot that’s appropriate for your vehicle, easy to enter and exit and allowed there. Don’t assume you could park in a big parking lot at a store. Rules, policies and layout of lots vary from place to place.

Do a quick check before you drive so you catch small problems

Even the safest route can be a downer if your rig isn’t up to it. On your way out of the rig, a quick walk around can pick up problems that are easy to fix. Check the air pressure in your tires. Check for damage. Check your lights and turn signals. Is your cargo secure? Check your safety chains, hitch connections, steps, jacks, compartments.

Inside your rig, put within reach anything you’ll need during the day. Secure any loose gear. If you stop suddenly, a toolbox, pet crate or coffee maker could become dangerous. If you’re towing, check your brake controller. Before heading into tricky terrain or heavy traffic, get a feel for your trailer.

Before you head out, get your maps and plan for communication. Take offline maps of any area where you might not have good signal. Leave room for the unexpected. Keep a copy of your campground confirmation. If you’re traveling with someone, let them know what you’ll be doing that day.

And then, try not to change directions or make complex decisions on the road. Pull off safely before changing course or hunting for the next roadside attraction.

Give yourself room for the unexpected

Best routes in the RV often include margin. Margin in the fuel tank. Margin in your schedule for the day. Margin in your patience. And margin under the bridge. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take every detour or drive down every little road. It does mean pick adventures appropriate for your rig and for the day’s conditions.

If in your route you’re forced to guess, rush or squeeze, take the long way. There’s always the open road. And there’s always the oddball museum, the overlook, the pie shop and the nice campground a few miles past the safer turn.