17
SAFE DRIVING RULES
Your vehicle when towing will have different handling and
stopping characteristics. The following rules will help you
develop needed skills for safe driving.
Travel slowly until you have learned the handling and
stopping characteristics. Practice turning, stopping, and
backing in a secluded place away from traffic.
Do not permit a driver who is inexperienced to tow your
trailer without your direct supervision.
Drive at moderate speeds allowing for adverse highway and
wind conditions. Even under the best of conditions, do not
exceed 55 miles per hour. As speed increase driving stability,
stopping ability and the ability to make emergency maneuvers
are greatly reduced.
Reduce speed before starting down hills – even short ones -
and avoid heavy braking on downgrades. Truck stability is
reduced when traveling downhill.
Slow down before entering turns and avoid heavy braking in
turns. Truck stability is reduced in turns, and the weight of the
trailer on the truck will affect the way the truck handles. Avoid
quick steering movements that can reduce truck stability.
Maintain at least twice the normal stopping distance while
towing your trailer. The increased weight of the trailer on the
truck requires greater stopping distance.
Use lower gears on long grades. Downshift on upgrades to
avoid overheating or undue engine loads. Downshift on
downgrades to allow engine braking to assist in controlling
vehicle speed. Avoid continuous or frequent brake application.
Allow ample time for passing. Your acceleration will be
much slower when you are towing the trailer.
Become familiar with the position of the trailer in traffic, and
be cautious when maneuvering to allow for its length and
width. Always allow extra room to corner and to change lanes.
Learn to use the side mirrors to view the road behind and to
the sides. Check them often.
Allow for extra height of your trailer. Check for low
hanging tree branches or other obstructions whenever you
drive, park, or when pulling in for fuel or service. Always
check overhead clearance of overpasses and bridges,
especially if you drive with the roof vents slightly open or if
the RV is equipped with a roof air conditioner, roof rack,
TV/radio antenna, or a satellite dish. Measure your height from
the ground to the highest point on the roof. Write it down on a
piece of tape and put it in a visible place in your truck. This
will help you when you get to that “low overpass”.
NOTE: Be sure to lower TV antenna before driving.
RIDING IN THE TRAILER WHILE TRAVELING
For the safety of passengers, it is not advisable to ride in the
RV while traveling. In some states it may be illegal.
CARBON MONOXIDE GAS
Safety Precautions
Carbon monoxide gas is colorless, tasteless, and odor-less. It
is a combustion by-product of fuel burning engines. The
engines in your truck and generator system (if installed)
produce it constantly while they are running. Carbon
monoxide gas is deadly. Please read and understand the
following warnings and precautions to protect yourself and
others from the effects of carbon monoxide gas.
WARNING Exhaust gases are deadly. Do not
block the tailpipes or situate the vehicle in a place where the
exhaust gases have any possibility of accumulating either
outside, underneath, or inside your vehicle or any nearby
vehicles.
WARNING Outside air movement can carry
exhaust gases inside the vehicle through windows or other
openings remote from the exhaust outlets.
WARNING Operate the engine(s) only when
safe dispersion of exhaust gases can be assured, and monitor
outside conditions to be sure that exhaust continues to be
dispersed safely.
WARNING Do not under any circumstances
operate any engine while sleeping. Beware of exhaust gas
(carbon monoxide) poisoning
Symptoms include:
Dizziness
Headache
Weakness and sleepiness
Nausea
Vomiting
Muscular twitching
Throbbing in temples
Inability to think coherently
If symptoms indicate the possibility of monoxide gas
poisoning: Turn off engine(s) immediately. Get out into fresh
air at once. Summon medical assistance Check the exhaust
systems during routine maintenance and repair any leaks,
damage, or obstruction before further operations. Do not
modify any exhaust system in any way.
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