ROGER’S PREPARATION FOR TRAVEL

A CHECKLIST TO HELP YOU AVOID DISASTER, ENSURE SAFETY, AND GIVE YOU CONFIDENCE WHEN HITTING THE ROAD!

Let’s take a walk with Roger Hunckler, owner and inventor of Magne Shade®, as he provides his personal tips for how he prepares for travel in his coach. We will examine the motorhome from top to bottom, front to back, inside and out! Roger has nearly 50 years of experience driving many different motorhomes and he has seen and experienced a lot along the way, so he is well suited to help you gear up for a successful trek! You’ve heard it many times before…. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!” The last thing that you want to have happen when setting off on your journey is to get distracted from driving with questions and doubts about the preparation of your motorhome and tow vehicle.

So let’s get to it!

OUTSIDE:

First, Roger begins by examining the roofline. During this inspection, he is looking for any satellite dishes, antennas or open vents that may be protruding. Check for anything that is sticking up or is open that shouldn’t be. So often, drivers forget or simply bypass this crucial first step, and the result is evident as they pass under that first low bridge. Pieces and parts are skimmed off of the roof, the driver panics, and accidents from close-by vehicles may ensue. It is totally worth those few extra seconds to check the top of your RV, despite what your warning lights may show.

Next, Roger moves on to check the wiper blades for proper function, as well as integrity of the rubber. He also recommends checking the torque of the wiper arms, as well as inspecting the bolts to make sure that they are nice and tight. You do not want to find your wipers flying off while in use, and you certainly do not want to find them hanging down sadly from the front of your motorhome rendering them useless in a time of need! Roger speaks from experience when he says to ALWAYS carry a spare set of RV wiper blades with you! It never fails … when you’re trucking along and the wiper blades give out, you will not be able to find them anywhere nearby, leaving you stranded in your RV until the weather passes. Keep extras on hand (and a rain jacket…)!

After Roger has given the windshield items a good once-over, he proceeds to an inspection of the motorhome tires and rims. Inspect the sidewalls for any cracks or signs of fatigue. It is very important to take a look in-between the tag tires so you are able to spot any potential issues that won’t be seen just by walking around the coach. Ensure that the lug nuts are tightened, and ALWAYS check your tire pressures before your trip! He recommends keeping a tire pressure gauge on hand in the motorhome. Once you’ve inspected the outer tires, get down low between the tires from the back of the motorhome and peer down towards the front of the motorhome, inspecting the inside tires for any bulges. Roger recommends making a habit of walking around your motorhome and inspecting your tires between travel while stopped for rest. Do not be foolish and rely solely on your dashboard alarms to tell you when something has gone awry. Be prudent and do an inspection for yourself, as your eyes may capture a bulging tire before it becomes an issue that sets off an alarm!

Once the tires have passed visual inspection, Roger moves on to check all the sliding trays in the bays, as well as the bay doors. Ensure that the doors are indeed LOCKED! Many times, when closed, they may make a “click” sound, but they may not actually be locked. It would be a pity and a danger for them to slide open while making a turn or winding around a curve! Talk about potential disaster for many more than just yourself! Also make sure to inspect all of the windows and close and lock any that should not be open.

Inspect your engine compartment, including the radiator. Check all fluid levels and ensure a proper oil level is present. Always inspect the integrity of your fan belts, and ALWAYS carry extras!

If you’re towing a vehicle….or if your RV is the tow vehicle, ALWAYS CHECK THE TRAILER HITCH AND TOW BAR. Inspect for cracks in all the welded areas. Give the towbar a good kick (but don’t hurt yourself…). It is a wise idea to have your towbar serviced regularly between travel.

• Personal experience – While traveling to Houston years back, Roger nearly lost his tow vehicle. When he reached his destination, he realized that his tow bar had cracked and the vehicle was being held on by 1 inch of metal. Talk about near disaster. And if you’ve driven in Houston and been shook around your vehicle on the rough roads and potholes, then you would REALLY be able to appreciate that the tow vehicle was still hanging on when he stopped.

Once you have completed one side of the motorhome, complete the same steps on the opposite side.

INSIDE

Once all exterior factors have been checked for safety and security, Roger moves into the inside of the motorhome. He recommends checking to make sure that anything that closes, such as the refrigerator, shower doors, drawers, etc. are closed (especially if you have a younger, less attentive crew…eh-hem kids… who are into everything). Roger, an experienced father and RVer, states that “If it’s not tied down or locked down, it’s going to come down.” Secure everything into place!

TIPS

Never leave without a full tank of water and empty grey/black tanks. Some people argue that full water tanks are just more weight and that they should be filed at the RV park. Roger would argue that the weight is negligible and that by having full water tanks, you will be much more prepared if you find yourself stranded on the road. Roger also likes to fill up with water from his house as the water at RV parks is not always the best, even with a filtration system.

Roger NEVER lets his fuel get under ½ tank.   Roger notes that the generator stops when fuel gets down to around a quarter tank. Always keep fluids up. You just never know when something might go awry.

• Personal experience – Know your RV! Back a “few” years ago when Roger was a spring chicken of 15 years old, he was driving across the Golden Gate Bridge with his dad. Roger panicked when he ran out of gas! He did not know that there was another tank until his dad flipped a switch to use the 2^nd tank. Panic and anxiety are dangerous when driving, especially when you are operating a large vehicle such as a motorhome. It seems simple, but understanding your RV and all of its controls will allow you to stay more calm and confident in a hairy situation.

GET A DASH CAM! If you don’t have one, stop what you are doing right now and buy one. Roger shares this advice from personal experience. You never know when an accident will happen that you did not cause. A dash cam can be monumental in defending your case and protecting your wallet and investment!

• Personal experience – In 2022 Roger and his son was heading back from shows and rallies out West. He had his turn signal on for quite some time before merging into another lane. When he went to merge, after checking all of his mirrors and camera multiple times (8 times to be exact), he ended up colliding with a car on the passenger side , which then spun out in front of him and was drug down the driver side of his coach! Luckily, his dash camera was up and running, and the entire event was recorded and handed over to the police. He was not at fault! GET A DASH CAM!

Be extra cautious when stopped at rest areas and truck stops (or wherever you take a break)! Roger notes that he is approached by strangers all the time. He warns that if you are approached, be cautious and do not be naive. You just never know who may be lurking in the shadows. When fueling up, Roger always keeps his back to his motorhome so that he can scan the area around him. He warns that all it takes is on person to distract you while the other person goes in for assault or theft. SAFETY is always of the essence!

PREPARE FOR TRAVEL - CHECKLIST

OUTSIDE:

• ROOFLINE:
• Check for satellite, open vents, anything protruding that should be stowed away/closed up.
• Blades and rubber in good condition  
• WIPERS:
• Functioning properly
• Wiper fluid level
• Rubber in good condition
• Torque and bolts of arms in good condition
• SPARE set on hand
• Magne Shade stowed away in easily accessed location
• TIRES
  
  • DRIVER SIDE:
• Check sidewalls for cracks, bulges, signs of fatigue
• Check from between back tires looking towards front tires for bulges on interior tires
• Lug nuts tightened
• Tire pressure

• PASSENGER SIDE:
• Check sidewalls for cracks, bulges, signs of fatigue
• Check between back tires looking towards front tires for bulges on interior tires
• Lug nuts tightened
• Tire pressure

• BAYS AND SLIDING TRAYS
• Closed
• Locked
• Stocked TOOL BOX on hand for potential disaster or occasional “oops”

• WINDOWS:
• Closed
• Locked

• ENGINE COMPARTMENT:
• Fluids topped off
• Radiator in good health
• Fan belts in good condition
• EXTRA fan belts on hand!!!

• TOW BAR & TOW VEHICLE:
• Service is up to date on tow bar
• All welded areas are free of cracks
• Installed properly on coach
• Tire pressure monitoring system on tow vehicle

• TANKS:
• • Water tank - Full
  • Gas / Diesel Tank (Don't go below 1/2 tank)
  • Grey tank - Empty
  • Black ta - Empty

INSIDE:

• Cabinets closed/locked
• Refrigerator/freezer closed/locked
• Bathroom doors closed
• Shower doors closed
• Drawers shut tight
• Counters are free of clutter / everything is securely stowed away
• Animal cages or any children’s seats are secured into place
• GAS/BREAK pedals free from clutter/loose objects
• DASH CAM installed and working
• Double check windows for closure/locked position

Things to Have for Your RV

RV Dash Cam: https://rb.gy/ki50q

Tire Pressure Monitoring System: https://rb.gy/e0k9r

Volt Meter: https://rb.gy/f3gdx

Extra Def: https://rb.gy/qz5v6

Air Compressor: https://rb.gy/7o7yn

Tire Pressure Gauge: https://rb.gy/cb4d6

CB Radio: https://rb.gy/zxo9x

Ground Plain Antenna (for CB): https://rb.gy/3a1q3

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