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Friday, May 30, 2008

RVers beware of aggressive tree branches

RVers have a love/hate relationship with trees. We love them because they provide shade on hot days and loathe them when they reach out and grab our RV while we're backing into or pulling out of a campsite. Here is an example of how a tree limb can remove RV siding with surgical precision. Tree limbs are also brutal on rubber roofs causing punctures, rubbing and tearing on roof edges. A good patch kit will fix the rubber roof, but the siding will need more extensive repairs. I've seen RVers on their roofs with saws and pruning hooks trying to avoid the embrace of a tree. It's fine if you want to hug a tree, but it's not a good thing when a tree hugs your RV. To avoid these unfriendly encounters with wood I suggest you always check the overhead clearance before you pull into or out of your campsite. Helping you branch out in RV safety - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

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posted by Jim Twamley at 5/30/2008 06:38:00 PM

6 Comments:

  • we've had our aluminum ladder, our toilet exhausts, and one time the air condition body scraped and/or broken because of trees. NO BUENO. We're getting better at avoiding it now.

    By Anonymous Rikki - Traveling12Feet.com, at May 31, 2008 7:57:00 AM PDT  

  • Or, you could always force your way into a spot, and utilize some loppers like this guy.

    By Blogger LiveWorkDream, at May 31, 2008 12:12:00 PM PDT  

  • what about park regulations ??? Can you cut limbs in the trees ?? I was under the impression that most have strict rules on cut or any thing else that has to do with the trees in the camp grounds . let me know what you think .

    By Blogger j.d., at June 14, 2008 9:47:00 AM PDT  

  • do not cut trees in parks, period.
    as a veteran rv'er i learned the hard way with the air conditioner top removed from my roof many years ago by a low branch.
    just like you look behind when backing you need to watch the uppers as well. look at the service station roofs they have the footage usually marked. Know the height of your rig! defensive driving is right, left, right, up and down.

    By Anonymous telephonebill, at June 14, 2008 11:02:00 AM PDT  

  • We carry an extendable tree saw with us at all times. When we check into a campground I specifically tell them my length and heigth and inquire about low hanging limbs. If the park tries to put me into a sight with limbs so low I think they could damage my RV I trim them or if I am being led into a site by a park employee I ask them if they are going to trim the limb or I will do it.

    It has not happened yet, but, if they tell me it is against the park policy to trim limbs, I will tell them they have just assumed all responsibility for any damage to my RV if they insist on putting me where any limbs could damage my RV.

    I have never had a park complain and one park even thanked me for trimming the limbs.

    By Blogger Al, at June 14, 2008 3:01:00 PM PDT  

  • I have a extendable limb-lopper that can cut 1.5" limbs with no problem. Has come in handy more than once not only in getting vertical clearance but also to trim back any limbs that may scratch the sides when the wind is blowing.
    I have considered billing the parks for my labor but figured it wasn't worth it.

    By Anonymous Bill Vaglienti, at June 15, 2008 9:11:00 AM PDT  

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