RV NOW: Why RVers Should Do Safety Walk-Arounds

Saturday, September 8, 2007

Why RVers Should Do Safety Walk-Arounds

RVers who do a safety walk-around inspection every time they stop at a rest area, fueling stop or for the night will catch problems before they become catastrophes. Check out this video to see why:

Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing, Dr. of RVology and ROAD Scholar

12 Comments:

ahhh...hey Doc, can you tell us...what was the problem??? Silly us, but we watched the video 4 times and still missed it.... and you left that part out.

By Anonymous, at September 15, 2007 7:39:00 PM PDT
obviously something is hanging down to the ground between the motorhome and the toad.possible breakaway box came loose.

By Anonymous, at September 15, 2007 7:51:00 PM PDT
I must need to get my glasses replaced...I didn't see what the problem was. Disconnected safety cable?

By Anonymous, at September 15, 2007 11:11:00 PM PDT
This was not a good clip---it is very subtle on what was intended to be shown and left the viewer wondering why the tape was made.

By Anonymous, at September 16, 2007 9:30:00 AM PDT
Looks fine to me :) The video wasn't clear, but it looks like a lock hanging on the chain to me. What's wrong with that?

'98 Allegro (yeah. I know about the recall)

By Anonymous, at September 16, 2007 6:37:00 PM PDT
I couldn't see it either. I did brighten my computer monitor and was finally able to see what someone else posted about a breakway box coming loose. It would have been more beneficial if the created had indicated what the problem was in the video.

By Anonymous, at September 16, 2007 6:40:00 PM PDT
I, too, think the video is unhelpful. I didn't see anything at all after looking at it numerous times.

This one gets a failing grade from me.

By Anonymous, at September 16, 2007 7:13:00 PM PDT
A driver videotaping out of the window, and a slow moving vehicle in the middle lane are also unsafe.

By Anonymous, at September 16, 2007 10:24:00 PM PDT
It looked to me like the toad moved much farther to the right than the tow vehicle. I would check the hookup.

By Anonymous, at September 17, 2007 10:33:00 AM PDT
I see the item hanging down from the tow chain but after I adjusted the photo contrast, color and brightness I noticed smoke coming from behind the tow car "like locked up brakes" ?

By izk, at September 17, 2007 2:59:00 PM PDT
I agree with the posts. While the intent was good. Dr. RV did not do a good diagnosis of the problem. Something was hanging. Is there a 2nd half?

By Anonymous, at September 17, 2007 3:36:00 PM PDT
Thanks guys. I appreciate you comments. Yes, I didn't say what it is because I don't exactly know what it is. I think it is a safety cable that is not connected. It is NEVER good to have anything hanging while you are driving. The whole point of the story is to get people thinking about doing a walk-around safety inspection. I know you guys do this, but if I can prevent one accident or help one person by drawing their attention to this important aspect of RVing, then I've been successful. Again, thanks for your readership and viewership, I am humbled. Jim Twamley

By Jim Twamley, at September 22, 2007 9:00:00 PM PDT