RV Mountain Driving Tips That Will Save Your Life
This week thousands of RVers will converge on Redmond Oregon for the Good Sam rally. It’s a great rally full of fun, entertainment, vendors and seminars, but first you must safely navigate over mountain roads to get there.
Before you leave make sure your brakes are in good working order. If you have a diesel with an exhaust brake use it! Many mountain highways and roads have 6% or greater down grades which require you to maintain a safe speed while 30,000 plus pounds of steel, fiberglass, glass and plastic are pushed perilously down the grade at ever increasing speed. 
Use you lower gears and your exhaust brake to save your regular brakes. Don’t wait until you are going too fast to engage the exhaust brake, go ahead and turn it on at the top of the grade. Allow yourself plenty of room between you and guy ahead of you. Here my brother-in-law Todd Elkins is driving my rig through the mountains while I relax - which reminds me, don't drive when you're tired - take a short nap (after you pull off the road) or get a cup of coffee or walk around until you wake up - NEVER drive tired!!!
Remember, as you come barreling down a grade behind a commercial truck, they may be slowing down using their exhaust brake and their regular brake lights may not be illuminated. If that is the case, you will be in for a surprise, so keep it nice and slow down steep grades. 
Passing trucks while going up hill is a chore since you are both going slower. Give yourself plenty of time and distance to pass a truck going uphill. In Oregon you will see many trucks pulling three trailers which require more distance to pass. 
Also, since it is summer many of the roads you travel will have road construction. Going from California to Oregon requires you to “thread the needle” on the bridge going over Shasta Lake. 
Take your time, don’t be rushed, give yourself plenty of room on both sides of your RV to navigate through these barriers. 
Also, try not to hit cones, especially at high speeds, because they can go under your RV and tear out electric, plumbing and gas lines. 
Be safe out there as you drive your RV this summer. Jim Twamley
Before you leave make sure your brakes are in good working order. If you have a diesel with an exhaust brake use it! Many mountain highways and roads have 6% or greater down grades which require you to maintain a safe speed while 30,000 plus pounds of steel, fiberglass, glass and plastic are pushed perilously down the grade at ever increasing speed. Use you lower gears and your exhaust brake to save your regular brakes. Don’t wait until you are going too fast to engage the exhaust brake, go ahead and turn it on at the top of the grade. Allow yourself plenty of room between you and guy ahead of you. Here my brother-in-law Todd Elkins is driving my rig through the mountains while I relax - which reminds me, don't drive when you're tired - take a short nap (after you pull off the road) or get a cup of coffee or walk around until you wake up - NEVER drive tired!!!Remember, as you come barreling down a grade behind a commercial truck, they may be slowing down using their exhaust brake and their regular brake lights may not be illuminated. If that is the case, you will be in for a surprise, so keep it nice and slow down steep grades. Passing trucks while going up hill is a chore since you are both going slower. Give yourself plenty of time and distance to pass a truck going uphill. In Oregon you will see many trucks pulling three trailers which require more distance to pass. Also, since it is summer many of the roads you travel will have road construction. Going from California to Oregon requires you to “thread the needle” on the bridge going over Shasta Lake. Take your time, don’t be rushed, give yourself plenty of room on both sides of your RV to navigate through these barriers. Also, try not to hit cones, especially at high speeds, because they can go under your RV and tear out electric, plumbing and gas lines. Be safe out there as you drive your RV this summer. Jim TwamleyLabels: Driving
posted by Jim Twamley at
7/16/2007 03:16:00 PM
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