RVers enjoy truck rodeo at Indiana State Fairgrounds

The RV campground at the Indiana State Fairgrounds is a great place to stay while visiting Indianapolis. It’s also a great place to see events like the Indiana Truck Driving Championships. RVers share the road with professional truck drivers and when you attend a truck rodeo you come away with renewed respect for these drivers. To be eligible for competition the driver must be accident-free the previous year and a full time truck driver. Most competitors had flawless driving records and millions of miles of accident-free travel. These events not only test driving skill but promote safety in the profession. The course problems are designed to simulate conditions drivers encounter every day. They don’t get to drive their own trucks or pull their own trailers. This is the only time you will see a WalMart driver in a UPS tractor pulling FedEx trailers. Drivers are also interviewed and judged on their attitude and character. Some of the problems include Expanded Parallel Park, Side Park, Alley Dock, Front Stop Line, Right Steer Tire, Left Turn Duck (don’ hit the duck), Straight Line Right Side Tires and Right Steer Tire Scale. Check out the video to see how these drivers tackle some of these problems. Professional drivers are great folks, like Robert Harmeyer driving for Batesville Casket Company. He was excited to compete at the event for the first time. Transportation Manager and RVer Keith McWilliams watches the event with his son Ben as they take shelter out of the rain under their 5th wheel. WalMart had their safety truck on display and many of the top name carriers were represented. The rain let up long enough for the event to proceed and the diehard fans had a great time. All you professional truck drivers I want you to know we RVers salute you for you skill and commitment to safety. Keep on truckin’ - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Are RVs under electronic freeway surveillance?

Do you realize how many times your RV is scrutinized as you journey along to your next RV destination? Hidden in the pavement are sensors that report data to state highway departments. Thousands of sensors are located on roadways throughout the country. These sensors are attached to poles and overpasses and embedded in the pavement and include passive infrared, active infrared, passive magnetic, Doppler microwave, radar, passive acoustic and pulse ultrasonic not to mention photo and video. It’s a fact of life, modern travelers live in an era of increasing electronic surveillance. Most surveillance equipment gathers information like frequency of use, vehicle weight, traffic congestion and helps state and local transportation departments improve overall road quality.
Most of you have see these alien looking objects reaching over freeways across America but don’t have a clue what they are. I thought they were speed measuring devices and always checked to make sure I was legal when driving under them. I contacted Shelly Haney at the Indiana Department of Transportation and it turns out these devices are actually “PrePass” transponder readers. “These are deployed before our weigh stations as part of the PrePass program. There are 10 scale locations in Indiana, all of which have the PrePass equipment,” she said.

I was talking to members of the trucking industry while attending a commercial truck rodeo and discovered these “PrePass” transponders are saving truckers thousands of dollars each year. Trucking companies pay a monthly subscription fee which allows them to participate in the program. Each truck is then equipped with a transponder which sends a signal identifying the truck. There are weight reading sensors embedded in the road and when the truck passes by the “PrePass” transponder reads their ID and allows them to continue without having to waste time and fuel pulling into the weigh station. If they are overweight a signal tells them to turn off for inspection. It’s a good thing they don’t require RVs to do this otherwise there would be long lines of RVs at weigh stations. Keeping an eye on the spies - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Rest stop parking can be confusing for RVers

We recently stopped at an Indiana welcome center and I was somewhat confused about where to park. I have a 40 foot motorhome with a towed vehicle which adds another 25 feet. Here is the sign that greeted me as we pulled into the rest area. Because my rig is almost as long as most commercial trucks, I opted for the truck parking area. Had I stayed to the left I would have seen the RV parking area and driven past it to the truck parking area because the RV spaces were too short to accommodate our size. I know if I follow the trucks I'll be able to park and maneuver so as a general rule I always go with the trucks to be sure. By the way, welcome centers are great places to pick up free state maps and information on attractions. Resting up for the next road trip - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RVs Sharing The Road With Truckers

RVers and Truckers share something in common besides the road. We both have control of large and heavy vehicles which require more forethought when maneuvering through traffic. Today's smart and safe RV tip is to merge into the center or left lane when approaching a truck weigh station. The next time you come to one of these commercial transport weigh stations you'll notice the truckers who don't pull off moving into the center or far left lane. They do this because they know chances are high a truck will be emerging from the re-entry ramp on the other side of the weigh station as they pass by. They are too large and heavy to accelerate or brake quickly and if another vehicle is in the left lane preventing them from moving over it could create a problem. So to avoid all this, they simply move over well before they get to the weigh station re-entry ramp. RVers should follow suit and practice this same safety procedure. Driving with at least one eye on the road - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Oh The Things You See From Your RV

We're RVing in southern Texas and while driving from Del Rio to McAllen we captured this photo.
I should be immune by now, but for some reason I continue to be amazed at what I see moving down the road. This fellow is obviously an outdoor metal furniture vendor and has probably transported his wares like this hundreds of times without incident. I do get nervous when an old truck with multi-colored hood and doors and no tailgate comes flying by with junk stacked to the sky held in place by some flimsy cord. Frequently the driver attempts to conceal the junk with the ubiquitous blue tarp. Within a few miles the tarp shreds and flails in the wind as trash blows out the back. I've seen numerous items fall off these junk haulers and go sliding down the road. I usually slow down or change lanes or pass in order to give myself a safety corridor. The other day a commercial truck was attempting to pass me on the left when I noticed a long piece of re-bar protruding about six feet into my lane. Had I allowed him to pass me I would have had a nice long gouge in my RV. I stepped on the accelerator and jumped on CB channel 9 and told him what was happening. He pulled over and took care of the problem and my paint job is still intact. I would be interested in hearing from you about some of the unusual things you've seen while on the RV road. Just double click the blue "comments" below and tell us your experiences. Knuckleheads abound on the road today so when others drive offensively your best bet is to drive defensively. Leave yourself plenty of room to maneuver and stay alert at all times while behind the wheel. Helping you stay safe and arrive in one piece - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Forget Your RV Turn Signal No More

If I had a dollar for every time I forgot to turn off my RV turn signal I could almost buy a gallon of diesel. Sometimes road noise, wind or another distraction like dropping half a cheeseburger into my lap prevents me from hearing the wee little song my turn signal makes. I’ve caught myself just cruising down the highway advertising to everyone for 50 miles I’m preparing to make a right hand turn. Vivian Grybko had this same problem so she yanked out her old turn signal indicator and replaced it with “Turn Alarm.” The new turn signal sounds off with an audible “beep” in the 2300 hertz range. If you can’t hear this baby you need to see an audiologist. You can order one here Turn Alarm.

Sounding off for the RV lifestyle - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Tips on Driving a Motorhome or Large RV

RVing is more than enjoyable, it’s downright fun! Because of size, some folks can be intimidated by RVs. Even the smaller RVs are larger than the average car so people who have never driven large vehicles can feel overwhelmed at the idea of getting behind the wheel of an RV. Be sure to watch the video for a firsthand look at what it’s like in the cockpit of a motorhome. Let me assure you that pulling a 5th wheel or travel trailer or driving a motorhome (no matter how large or small) is easy. If you’re a novice I recommend finding some personal instruction available from RV dealers, RV & truck driving schools and through videos and DVDs. Follow these few suggestions and you’ll be well on your way to enjoying the RV experience. Remember that you’re living large and heavy and need to put more distance between your RV and the rig in front of you. Never tailgate because you do not have the same stopping distance as you do in a car (you shouldn’t tailgate in a car either). Positional awareness is very important in keeping your rig in the center of the road. Pick a point on your windshield that is always there like a decal or a fixed point on the dash and line it up with the fog line. Get out of your RV and look at where that visual reference places your rig in the road. Adjust this visual reference until you are dead center in your lane. This little exercise will help you keep yourself moving straight down the road when you are having to thread the needle through construction zones and narrow bridges. In the video I show you how to make a tight right hand turn with a 40 foot motorhome with an additional 18 feet of towed car. I say I’m turning into the “right lane” when it is actually my left lane that I’m moving into in order to give myself room to make the sharp right angle turn. Watch trucks and other RVs make these kinds of turns and it will give you a better idea of what to do and what not to do. So please don’t write in the comments section that I don’t know my left from my right, it’s kind of hard to drive, talk and make a video at the same time and get everything perfect. I do make mistakes (just ask Mrs. Professor). Make sure you check both mirrors before you make any lane changes and keep in mind that you do not have the same kind of acceleration as a car. You will need to adjust your driving habits to include thinking well in advance of where you want to turn and give yourself plenty of room to execute your turns. Know how tall your RV is so you don’t tear off an air conditioner going under a low bridge. Don’t be in a hurry, take your time, practice safe driving habits, wear your seat belt and enjoy the ride. If you find yourself tense, gritting your teeth or over-gripping the steering wheel take a few deep breaths and tell yourself, “I’m in my happy place - my RV” relax and think about all the people who would give their left arm to be where you are right then.

Helping you own the road (after all we did pay for it) - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Follow These Fuel Saving Tips All the Way to the Bank

RVers are feeling the pinch at the fuel pump these days and it doesn’t seem likely the pain will vanish anytime soon. So, for the prudent RVers out there I have a few fuel saving tips I’d like to pass on. There really isn’t much you can do in the area of aerodynamics because that decision has mostly been made for you in advance by the manufacturer. Computational Fluid Dynamics and wind tunnel testing prove a deflector shield can give meaningful fuel savings if it is close to the towed trailer (the closer the better). A big fuel saver is proper tire inflation which also improves steering, stopping, traction, and load carrying capability. Tire rolling resistance accounts for one-third of your RV fuel consumption so make sure your tires are properly inflated. Advanced technology such as a good tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and a good GPS will more than pay for themselves in fuel cost savings. Another fuel saving tip is to plan your trip through high traffic areas when traffic is less congested. Stop and go driving seriously eats into your fuel economy. Driver habits are another area where you can achieve fuel savings. Don’t drive with your foot on the brake pedal (enough said). Drum roll please…. Reduce your freeway speed and eliminate all non-essential stops. A general rule of thumb is that every one mile per hour over 50 cuts fuel mileage by 0.1 miles per gallon. Slow down a bit and enjoy the scenery more. Proper vehicle maintenance is also very important to overall fuel economy. Keeping your tires properly aligned, replacing air and fuel filters, servicing your transmission and changing your oil at manufacturer recommended intervals all contribute to your fuel efficiency. To prevent getting dirty fuel try to purchase fuel (especially diesel) from vendors that sell high volumes of fuel such as busy truck stops and high volume gas stations. If you have more ideas that will help us squeeze more mileage out of our dollars please click on the “comments” section below and tell us. Helping you get more bang for your buck - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

RV Noise Can Drive You Crazy

Did you know there is such a thing as “aeroacoustic noise” sources in your RV? That’s how scientists describe noise in your rig caused by outside wind forces. Do you suppose when one of these scientists is out driving his motorhome he turns to his wife and says, “Honey where’s that aeroacoustic noise coming from?” Since this is a blog it’s also a kind of “forum” for sharing information. We would like to know about wind noise or any other kind of noise you’ve had in your RVs and how you fixed the problem. Your information could help other RVers identify and fix their aeroacoustic noise before it drives them crazy. Just click on the light blue word "comments" and leave us your story. Looking forward to hearing from you - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Department of Transportation Tries to Bump Me Off!

I’m enjoying the drive in my motorhome today when a huge pothole appears out of nowhere like a grade “B” science fiction movie and “slam - bam” my tires drop in jarring my dog’s eyes around like a cartoon. That can’t be good for my tires or my alignment. My dog just wandered back to get a drink. My wife woke up and gave me one of those looks like, “We in heaven yet?” Bumps in the road are just part of RVing, but what’s the deal with the “Bump” signs? The bright orange signs that simply say, “Bump.” Now, I’m all for warning people that they are about to drive off a miniature cliff, but half the time we drive by these signs at 65 mph on the interstate and you’re already over the bump by the time you read the sign. Most of the time I don’t even feel the “Bump” they advertise. How about putting those signs about 1/2 mile in front of that pothole? Hey, now there’s an idea DOT people! The sign could read, “Meteor Crater Ahead, Small Cars Not Advised.” While I’m on the subject, how come toll roads have more potholes than non-toll roads? Aren’t they supposed to use all that toll money for repairs? Apparently not! Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing and Road Scholar.

Long RVs Must be Careful When Entering and Exiting Parking Lot Driveways

RV operators don’t like it when they pull into a gas station and they hear a dragging/grinding sound. Study this video I shot and you'll better understand the dynamics associated with transitioning from a street into a parking lot. I always look for deep grooves in the pavement next to the parking lot and if I see them, I'll take a different route if I can. Always approach these kinds of situations slowly. Sometimes it helps If you come at the driveway from an angle. If you do drag a sidewalk, then it's a good idea to stop and inspect under the coach to make sure you didn't tear up any hoses like a gas or hydraulic line. So, be careful, take it slow and keep an eye out for these kinds of hazards. Jim Twamley the RV Guy

RVers Are You Driving According to the New Vatican Rules?

RVers are great drivers right? Well, most of us are, and sometimes it pays to review the rules of the road. Recently the Vatican weighed in with a list called the “Ten Commandments” for motorists. Though this list is intended for all vehicle operators, I thought I would pick out the few that are applicable to RVers in general. Commandment #3 is, “Courtesy, uprightness and prudence will help you deal with unforeseen events.” Now that is good advice for everything in life, not just driving, but I’m all for more courtesy on the road! Commandment #4 states, “Be charitable and help your neighbor in need, especially victims of accidents.” That pretty much sums up the “Good Sam Club” motto and is a value that most RVers already live by. All the other Commandments for motorists are obvious and easy to understand. Then there is Commandment #5 which states, “Cars (and presumably RVs) shall not be for you an expression of power and domination, and an occasion of sin.” How many horsepower is your engine? OK, ok, so I get a little adrenaline rush when I step on the throttle and hear that turbo diesel wind up like a 747 ready for takeoff. So I feel a little aloof when passing a rice burner and watch in my mirror as my vortex pulls him close to the line. Ah, I feel the thrill and exhilaration of sounding my massive air horns when someone is stumbling down the onramp talking on a cell phone not seeing a 32,000 pound giant motorhome thundering down upon them with no room to pull into the far lane. Yes, my fellow RVers, I am a sinner, and thankfully there is ample grace to cover my occasional violations of Commandment #5. Nobody’s perfect, so I’ll just have to keep working on it. Keeping you up to speed on RV theological issues – Jim Twamley

RVers be Careful When You Sail by Oversized Loads

RVing allows me to enjoy seeing interesting loads being transported on our interstate system. You see all kinds of stuff being hauled around like giant tanks, long windmill blades, military vehicles, aircraft and huge pipes. I always wonder where they are going and what they intend to do with all that stuff. It makes the time pass – and speaking of passing, please study this photo and think about what you see. When you begin to pass the picture begins to become more clear.
Now you see that the sail mast is sticking way out in back of the boat but you didn’t notice it at first unless you have really good observation skills. My point is that you need to be careful around these rigs because there is usually more than meets the eye. Be careful out there and happy RVing! Jim Twamley

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

Will $4.00 Gas Put RVing On Hold?

The sad fact is that gas is headed to $4.00 a gallon and perhaps higher. Most oil industry analysts have already warned us, claiming lack of refinery capacity as the culprit. There is some truth to this because no oil company has built a new refinery in the US in the last 30 years. There is also the issue of profit playing a role in this price increase. Most of the time I feel like I’m being “gouged” at the pump, but then I remember that when I was living in Europe folks regularly paid $5.00 per gallon and were happy to do it. It’s all relative. Will I slow down my RVing? No!

Will I slow down? Yes!

Do I care if people honk at me for going 55mph in the slow lane? No!

Will I buy oil stocks to make me feel better when I fill my tank? Yes! OK, so there you have it. What do you plan to do? Please leave us your thoughts by clicking on the “comments” section (written in pale blue letters) below this article. Drive safe out there! Jim

Vote For The State With The Best and Worst Roads

Conversations around the campfire often lead to the topic of which state has the worst roads. The states with the best roads don’t come up in discussion because the good roads don’t make a lasting impression in our memories. It isn’t until we are jolted, thrown and undulated on cranky roads that our memory kicks in and marks that road in our brain’s hard drive. Therefore, in the spirit of fairness I would like you to nominate the state you think has the best roads and the one with the worst roads. My personal nomination for best roads (including, smoothness, rest areas, signage, passing lanes and beauty) is the state of Oregon. My nomination of the state with the worst roads is Missouri. Click on “Comments” below and tell us your choices.

Do You Flash Truck Drivers?

It’s hard to describe to people that driving our RVs isn’t like driving a car. It’s more like driving a commercial truck!How many times has a little car zipped around you and then pulled back in front of you only to put on the brakes? They have no idea that they are putting their lives in jeopardy. We all know that a small car is going to come out on the “short side of the stick” in a tangle with a big rig. What we need is better manners on the road! What can RVers do? How about lending a helping hand to those we share the road with?

Most truck drivers are appreciative when you help them out. Keep in mind that these folks are on the clock and earning a living. One of the best ways you can help them is when they are passing. Flash your headlights once when they are well clear of you and it’s safe to reenter the right hand lane. Most of the time they will “flash” you back with their tail lights signaling their appreciation. I usually watch the truck driver’s right hand mirror and when he looks in the mirror to see if she is clear, that’s when I flash my headlights. These folks drive hard and they bring us our food, our medicine and everything else, so please be kind to them. What to do about the foul mouthed truckers? Turn off the CB or change the channel, what else can I say? That’s an area where truckers need to police themselves. Every profession has its share of bad apples, but overall commercial truck drivers are a good lot! Be safe out there! Jim

Are Cobblestone Roads And RV Pads In Our Future?

You probably don’t think much about the type of road you’re driving on unless you’re avoiding pot holes. As an RVer you might want to think about the new pavement technology that is coming down the road. The new technology is called permeable pavement and is friendly to the environment. It really isn’t new, because mankind has been using cobblestone pavement for centuries. What this new pavement does is allow rain water to seep back into the ground instead of running off the road, into a ditch and then contaminating a stream. The new pavement traps oils and metals from runoff and prevents them from entering the water system. These new streets (the way they are currently constructed) will not be used for high speed freeways because they fill the holes between the bricks with gravel. This new pavement is being used for residential streets and parking areas. It is good for snow areas because it allows the snow to melt and drain into the ground. Maryland and the District of Columbia will begin using permeable pavement on road upgrade projects next year. What does this mean for us RVers? Well, you might notice a slightly different ride and if you open the windows you may notice a little more noise. Charles Taylor, general manager of Advanced Pavement Technology tells me this pavement can stand up to the weight of commercial trucking and RVs without buckling. For you RV park owners out there, I’m thinking this pavement system would make really good RV parking pads. You can read more about this new pavement here: Advanced Pavement Technology
(The above photos used by permission of Advanced Pavement Technology)

Want to Pay 75 Cents a Gallon For Diesel Fuel?

This story is about biodiesel you can make yourself in your backyard or in the RV park (assuming you get permission). Yesterday at the diesel fuel pump a guy was telling me about his friend who purchased a biodiesel kit and makes his own fuel in his back yard using the used deep-fat oil from restaurants and bakeries. Always thinking I decided to research this and see if it could be done in the RV environment.

How can a motorhome, 5th wheel or travel trailer utilize this system while on the road? Currently you need the storage space of the equivalent of four or five 55 gallon drums in order to make and store this stuff. So, if you have a Pickup with a long bed that you tow behind your motorhome you may be in business. Also, a toy hauler would accommodate this system. But frankly, the system is too bulky to be effectively used in the RV lifestyle unless you are willing to give up lots of storage space. But I know you RVers because I “R” one and I know how much you loathe the price of fuel right now, so I wouldn’t be surprised at all if I see you trying this out. It takes two and a half to three days to make a batch of 40 gallons and over that period it requires one hour and 15 minutes of your attention to the process. The company EZBiodiesel is at the forefront in this technology EZBiodiesel . Yellowstone National Park uses their equipment to process the oil from the concession restaurants for conversion to biodiesel. It burns cleaner, lubricates better with no power loss and best of all it’s cheap! The start-up cost is $2,795, but if you drive as much as I do, you’ll recoup that in about 7 months. This is the smallest unit they sell, but they have many other units that make even larger quantities per batch. You can download a free and informative book here:
FREE PDF Biodiesel Book Anyone having experience with this type of system please leave a comment. Thanks for your readership. Jim

Drivers in Danger & CB Channel 9

If you've spent any time driving on our highway system you've probably seen the tail end of a set of commercial truck trailers slightly swerve over the right hand lane shoulder line onto the “wake-up track” of beveled pavement. (see example below)This is a common event in my experience and I don’t give it a second thought until it happens twice within a few minutes, then I get on the CB. This can be caused by many things, mostly driver error. They are eating, talking on the CB or cell phone, looking at a map or GPS system, pouring coffee or being distracted by any number of things. No problem if it happens once. However it becomes a BIG problem is the driver is falling asleep. One major trucking company whose rigs you see every day was under investigation recently for its safety record. This particular company, on average, is involved in a fatal wreck every 12 days.

So what can we RVers do? (Many RVers by the way are retired commercial drivers). Get on the CB, usually the trucker channel 19, and talk to them. Let them know what’s going on. If they are sleepy maybe you can talk them into pulling off for a nap or at least talk to them on the CB to help keep them awake. Many truck drivers don't like talking to RVers (I have no idea why - but sometimes they won't answer you). In this case go up on the CB emergency channel 9 (often monitored by police) and get their attention! This is PUBLIC SAFETY we are talking about here! I consider this situation a real emergency, so use channel 9 if you can’t raise him or her on the usual trucker channels. Who knows, you might save the drivers life and the lives of another family that they don't hit.

If you are a commercial driver reading this you should know that I am pro-trucker and this is in no way a poor reflection on your profession. This is a public safety issue - one that I'm sure you and your family will appreciate. Let's work together to keep our roadways safe! Jim

Winter Driving & RV's

My advice for winter driving is simple, "Stay clear of snow and ice!" The above picture was taken in the Nebraska panhandle on October 17th at a nice Passport America RV park in Chapel, NE. A winter storm can strike at any time and it is better to wait it out than to try to drive in it. As we drove through Wyoming the next day, we saw multiple truck and RV rollovers because of the icy conditions the night before. We saw the shell of a 5th wheel box that had rolled over scattering debris all over the side of the road. We try to stay far enough south so this is not a concern. However, you never know when you might get caught in a winter driving situation. I carry tire chains only as an emergency procedure. I have not had to use them, and I don't intend to have to use them but I am a firm believer in Murphy's laws so I try to be as prepared as possible. One of the best ways to be prepared is to consult your CB weather radio, get a weather update on the internet or your satelite radio weather channel. Truck drivers are also a good source of information if you have a CB radio. It is better to stop like we did in this situation and wait until the ice is melted off. Don't get up at the crack of dawn and expect the ice to be gone, instead, take your time, have a liesurly breakfast and let the sun do it's job. Mountainn passes are the most unpredictable because at higher elevations a light rain can easily turn to snow, so check the weather before you go. If you get caught driving in these conditions, SLOW DOWN - don't be tempted to try to outrun the storm. Find a safe place to camp as soon as possible and wait it out. Truck stops are great "harbors in a storm" for this situation. Drive defensively and be safe!

Bridge Clearance

Ever notice the battle scars on the bottom of highway and railroad cross-over bridges? On a recent tour through Moline Ill. we came upon an highway bridge that had a clearance sign stating it had 12 feet 2 inches clearance. We could not go under this bridge because our rig is 12 feet 8 inches tall. Had I continued on I would have lost my air conditioner unit and left a gaping hole in the roof of my 5th wheel. There was not enough space to turn this beast around on the two lane divided road and it was about a mile to back up to a suitable turn around spot. What did I do? I cranked the wheel and backed the trailer crosswise in the street with the rear wheel of the 5er at the edge of the shoulder. I unhooked the truck that was pointed toward the bridge, drove up the ditch and back on the other side of the 5er facing away from the bridge, hooked it back up and easily pulled the rig out going back the way we came. This didn't take long, and the folks that had to stop and wait for me were kind and understanding. You can't always avoid this type of thing happening, though I now have a GPS system that tells me where most of the low bridges are in the USA and Canada (I will do a post on this at a later date). However, you can keep yourself from accidentally going under one of these low bridges by doning one simple thing - MEASURE the height of your rig from the tallest point to the ground. When you have the correct height of your rig, add two inches to it and put a label with this height on your instrument column. This does 3 beneficial things for you. 1. It keeps you from embarassing yourself. 2. I prevents you from panic wondering if you will make it under that fast approaching bridge. 3. It will help your marriage as you reasure your spouse that, "Yes, honey, we are at least 4 inches shorter than the bottom of that bridge." Happy Trails. Jim