3 RV Safety Updates For Your Pop Up Camper

Peggy Sue, before her remodel!

Did you buy a used camper like we did? Even if you bought your camper new and had it for several years, there are always things that you need to do for basic maintenance. These things will keep you safe on the road and help you to make the most out of your camping trips. We did a few minor things last year that make me feel better every time we take a trip.

1. Replace Your Tires

I cannot stress this enough. My cousin recently said, "Camper tires never wear out. They just die right under you." Sun exposure over time can kill tires. This is why you will see so many people covering their tires. We have a tiny camper with 2 tires. This is one way to protect your investment. You can purchase simple Camco 45323 Vinyl Wheel & Tire Protector, 2 pack. Tire protectors come in a variety of sizes and colors also.

Check your tires and getting new ones if you need them. I wish we had done this far sooner than we did, and I'm glad that nothing bad happened to us on the road. We purchased a simple set from Walmart. They were shipped to us and work just fine.

2 new tires we purchased from Walmart through E-trailer

Two Trailer Tires & Rims 4.80-12 480-12 4.80 X 12 12" LRB 5Lug Wheel White Spoke - Walmart.com

I do know that Goodyear has some new camper tires with a specialized inner liner. These are supposed to be great tires. We don't have them. But, if you have a large travel trailer or are just looking to update and feel like you need something beyond the basics, you might want to check them out. They will cost more, but the reviews are favorable and could be worth the investment.

2. Get a Tire Pressure Gauge

I listen to a camping podcast, and they recommend checking tires every travel day on your camper and tow vehicle tires. A tire gauge can cost you less than $15. It takes less than ten minutes to check all the tires. Then, you are on your way. We took a trip last year. My husband noticed our tire looked low on our camper on one side. When we checked it, there was 30 PSI in a tire that was supposed to have 80 PSI. I still cannot believe we did that! Make this part of your camping routine.

Tekton Tire Pressure Gauage

We have the TEKTON 5941 Digital Tire Gauge, 100 PSI. It is lightweight. We keep it in our glove box in our tow vehicle to use as needed.

3. Check and replace your pigtail hose on your propane tank.

Our propane tank's pigtail hose had a leak in it. You can purchase these little hoses for a minimal cost. And it will make you feel better about using your outdoor or indoor camping stove depending on how you cook. We purchased a Camco 59053 12" Pigtail Propane Hose Connector for less than $12.

Camco Propane Pigtail Hose

Your RV propane tank will not use the same kind of pigtail hose as those of a home grill. You will need a hose that is specific to RV's because the connection is smaller. I didn't know this until we had to replace this item.

Being safe on the road is something you should take seriously. It is easy to do these things. I also recommend keeping fuses with you as spares in case you need them. There are several sets you can purchase. Or just look in your RV fuse box and identify the fuses that you need a keep some for spares as needed. 10 NEW MAXI Car Truck Boat RV Fuse 20,30,40,50,60 AMP We have a box in our camper, and we actually needed them on our Thanksgiving weekend camping trip.

What have you done to update and make you camper safer as you travel? Feel free to share your ideas on camping safety! Being prepared does mean having the right camping gear for the job. It also means updating and maintaining your equipment also. With a few simple steps, you will feel good about your trip every time you pull out of your driveway to explore the great outdoors!

Be sure to share this post with other campers and as always...