Ottawa Valley RV Inc. - RV Safety Tips

RV Safety Tips

The safety of you and yours should always comes first

RV Safety First
RV Safety First

Safety - where do we start? Memories should include times of joy, meeting new friends, seeing new places and fulfilling enjoyment of your RV. Any novice or long time RV owner should take the time to ensure the safety of you and yours when using and/or storing your RV. The lists are endless when it comes to checking your RV safety. A quick "RV checklist" on the web will render myriads of results. You'll find that they are all quite similar, as is ours. A PDF of our checklists can be accessed through the links at the end of each section.

If you have a safety tip that you'd like to share with us please feel free to do so. We may be experienced but it doesn't mean we know everything.... yet! :)
Lets start with the outside shall we?

Pre-departure - outside safety tips

  • You can't go far on under-inflated and/or weather checked tires
  • Make sure the fluid levels in your motor home or towing vehicle are topped up
  • Make sure that you have stored a clean fresh water hose
  • If you are going to using your fresh water holding tank please make sure that you have prepped it before filling
  • Ensure that all slide/tip outs and all awning/slide-toppers are in locked travel position
    - Prior to closing them make sure nothing obstructs them on the inside
  • Check all running lights before leaving
  • Inspect your tow vehicles hitch assembly - ensure lock pin is secure
  • Inspect the RV's hitch, tow safety chain/clasps and emergency breakaway brake cable.
  • * The rest of our exterior tips are on the Ottawa Valley RV Checklist Main Checklist

Pre-departure - Interior Safety Tips

  • Properly install all slideout travel lock bars
  • Make sure the door/s, windows and ceiling vents are closed and bathroom vent fan is off
  • Make sure the AC, furnace, water heater and stove are all OFF - including the stove & oven pilot light
  • Freshwater pump should be off
  • The frig should be either off or if necessary set to auto
    - You take on added risk running the frig while travelling but it can be done
    - Note that due to jostling during travel, operation of the frig can also be adversely affected during travel
  • Make sure that all doors, drawers are secured
  • Secure any potentially loose items
  • Make sure the interior door/s, windows and ceiling vents are closed
  • Turn off all interior lights
  • * The rest of our exterior tips are on the Ottawa Valley RV Checklist Main Checklist

Arrival Setting up Tips

  • Choose as flat and level a location as possible - it sure saves having to fuss about levelling
  • Attempt to park your RV within reasonable connecting distance to the service post
  • Once unhitched, place a pad under each jack (wood, RV pads etc) and level with your jacks
  • Remove all slide out travel locks and make sure nothing will obstruct the slide-outs extension
  • Plug your RV into the service outlet and extend all slide-outs
  • Connect your freshwater hose to the "city water inlet"
    - if applicable attach your water filter between your fresh water hose and the source
  • * The rest of our exterior tips are on the Ottawa Valley RV Checklist Main Checklist

Seasonal Site Tips

  • I think one of the most important tips is maintenance of your battery/s. Charge them at least once during the winter and check their charge before installing them to start your season.
  • Before you head off to open your seasonal site go through the checklist to make sure you have everything, or close to it
  • Once there opening up is an important procedure to ensure that your season will be memorable
  • You've probably bought all the groceries you'll need right? Best to double check before you get there and realize you forgot toilet paper!
  • Go through an exterior inspection of your RV to look for any weathering that needs to be addressed, which includes the condition of your city water hose and sewage piping and definitely the roof!
  • Once satisfied the interior needs just as much inspection - any signs of mouse or squirrel damage?
  • Go through the opening checklist - before you get there.
  • * The closing checklist is included in the same Ottawa Valley RV Open & Close Checklist. Open & Close Checklist

For inspection requests you may go to our Help Me! page and complete one of the Inspection Request Forms. For information only simply click on the "Information Only" form button below.

  • Information Only Request    RV Parts Catalog


Ask us about our opening and closing services We have old school values - we will not take shortcuts. We've built our reputation on it.