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Part of Operating vehicles safely

RVs and travel trailers

Tips for driving and sharing the road with RVs and vehicles with a travel trailer.

Overview

To make sure everyone's family rides safely, drivers need to keep several things in mind when driving or sharing the road with RVs or vehicles with travel trailers.

As long as the RV does not have air brakes, a regular Class 5 licence is all you need to drive most RVs.

Driving tips

  • Use a pre-trip checklist to make sure your RV is in good working order before you leave.
  • Check your RV's towing and weight requirements in the Recreational Vehicle Towing Guide.
  • Leave more room between you and the vehicle in front of you. It takes you longer to stop in an RV or while towing a trailer.
  • RVs take longer to get up to speed. Allow more room before entering traffic.
  • Take your time and stay to the right on multi-lane highways. On one lane highways, allow traffic to pass when it is safe to do so.
  • On hills, use lower gears both uphill and downhill. When going downhill, do not gain too much speed. Use your flashers to alert other drivers that you will be driving slowly up or down the hill.
  • RVs are tall, so be aware of bridges, overpasses, or even gas stations with low clearance.
  • RVs may have to take up more than one lane in order to make a turn. Use your signals to indicate to other drivers what you are doing. If you do not have enough room, do not force the turn. Either wait until it is safe to make the turn, or continue on and look for the next safe opportunity to turn.
  • RVs have larger blind spots. Check your mirrors frequently and look for vehicles, motorcyclists or cyclists who might be in your side blind spots. Stay far enough back from the vehicle ahead of you to allow for a gradual stop in case there is someone in your rear blind spot. This can also help prevent a rear-end collision.
  • When backing up or parking have someone outside direct you.
  • If you are towing a trailer with your RV, make sure the hitch is suitable for the trailer's weight and is fitted with approved safety chains or cables. Any trailer weighing more than 910 kg must be fitted with its own set of brakes.
  • If you are towing a trailer with your RV, make sure the hitch is suitable for the trailer's weight and is fitted with approved safety chains or cables. Any trailer weighing more than 910 kg must be fitted with its own set of brakes.

Sharing the road

If you see an RV on the road, keep these tips in mind.

  • It takes RVs longer to stop. Do not cut them off. If you are passing an RV, do not pull in front of it until you can see the entire front of the vehicle in your rear view mirror.
  • Do not drive in the RV's blind spots at the rear or sides. If you cannot see the side mirrors of an RV ahead of you, they also cannot see you. Also avoid driving right beside an RV.
  • Be patient. RVs may be driving slower than you wish to go, especially on one-lane roads and on hills. Give them room, and only pass when it is safe to do so, and remember not to cut them off.

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