Motorhomes are a wonderful way to travel. You get to be up close and personal with amazing scenery, bring along all the comforts of home, and enjoy the community feeling of RV lots and campgrounds. But there’s no denying that motorhomes are difficult to drive, and that their many conveniences also mean there are many more risks associated with their ownership.
The good thing is that motorhome insurance is wide-ranging and customizable. In addition to comprehensive and collision coverage, motorhome insurance can include personal property insurance, as well as a form of travel insurance so that if you are in an accident while away from home your coverage may reimburse you for additional expenses. Other optional motorhome insurance components include appliance extended warrantees and increased liability limits.
Smart Maintenance Habits for Motorhome Owners
Motorhomes require a lot of maintenance, which must be carried out thoroughly and thoughtfully. As motorhome drivers tend to travel very long distances off the beaten path, they are more in jeopardy than the average urban driver of being stranded somewhere help is not readily available.
It’s highly recommended that, as an owner of a motorhome, you register into some sort of driver’s assistance program.
But don’t rely solely on tow truck drivers to come and save you in the middle of nowhere. Before heading on a long journey, have your motorhome’s engine checked by a certified professional in the field. You should also regularly:
- Check your oil and have it changed within the guidelines set out by your owner’s manual.
- Check your other fluids including your coolant, windshield washer fluid and brake fluid.
- Check the air pressure on all your tires AND your spares.
- Clean out your air filter.
- Ensure all lights and turn signals are working, and that you have spare bulbs.
- Check your battery to make sure it is retaining its charge.
- Go through your emergency kit to ensure it is stocked and replace expired food and batteries.
For motorhomes specifically, additional regular maintenance tasks that should be carried out include:
- Checking your roof. The roofs of motorhomes are especially susceptible to sun damage, as well as scratches from branches that have not been trimmed up properly. Cleaning off your roof before and after a trip is a good way to prevent long-term damage, and, of course, storing your motorhome in a covered area will greatly extend its lifespan, plus could even earn you a discount on your insurance.
- Running your generator. Gasoline only has a shelf life of about 30 days before it starts to break down and potentially damage the interior of your generator. If you are taking longer than 30 days between trips, run your generator for several minutes to keep it in good condition.
- Keep the vents open. Just like every vehicle, motorhomes get hot when they sit in the sun, which can wreak havoc on appliances and upholstery. Keep the interior vents open, but the outside vents closed to keep the weather out.
- Lubricate and seal. Slide-out rails require lubrication a couple times a year to keep them operational and prevent rust. Seals on doors and windows should also be inspected and repaired often. Make sure to only use motorhome-specific sealant, as home products can’t stand up to the beating recreational vehicles take while on the road.
General Safety and Driving Tips
Here are some important driving and handling pointers to remember when on the road:
- Make sure your mirrors are all properly adjusted.
- Plan ahead for parking. Try not to take your motorhome into crowded parking lots unless absolutely necessary.
- Because motorhomes and RVs are much heavier, they require additional braking time. Increase following distances and maintain a safe speed at all times, especially at night, on country roads and during rainy weather.
- Expect other drivers to try to pass you. Keep to the right when you’re on the highway and let overtaking vehicles safely pass.
- Your motorhome or RV has a wider turning radius. Allow extra room when navigating intersections and tight corners.
If your motorhome doesn’t already have one, consider adding a backup camera system to aid in getting in and out of campgrounds and while backing up. Dash cameras are also a good idea, acting as an unbiased witnessed to all occurrences on the road and greatly adding to the overall security of your motorhome.
Trust Lane’s for Your Auto Insurance Needs
Lane’s Insurance is a brokerage, meaning that its representatives work for you, not for the insurance companies. We are able to compare and contrast the motorhome insurance policies provided by a number of Canada’s most respected providers to ensure you’re getting the advice and the coverage needed to best protect your interests – and you. At the same time, we can also make sure you are qualifying for as many discounts as possible.
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