Traveling Alone? Safety Tips for the Solo Traveler
Jane Blair is a single fulltimer who travels the country by herself. She frequently gets asked how she does it alone, and replies in a handy article in a recent FMC Magazine. I wish I could repost the entire thing here, but it just ain’t right. Consider a FMCA membership if you’re a motorhomer. The main reason I signed up was in order to access Coach-Net, the renowned emergency road service.
Safety Tips For the solo traveler
- Carry a cell phone
- Carry a handheld CB radio that will run on batteries and 12-volt power
- Jot down the emergency telephone numbers posted on road signs when you enter a new state or county
- Travel with all doors and windows locked
- Have two ignition keys for your towed vehicle
- Seek permission to overnight in a non-organized camping area
- Park near streetlights and other RVers; lock doors; be ready to leave at a moment’s notice
- Stop before nightfall
- Get to know your neighbors in organized campgrounds
- Travel with friends and family when possible
- Have 24-hour RV emergency road service
- Keep your motorhome serviced
- Carry a list of emergency contact numbers
- Regularly check tire pressure, oil, and fluid levels
- Learn to read and understand dashboard gauges
- Refuel at a half-tank
- Keep the towed vehicles gas tank full
- Carry flares/warning lights to use in emergency situations
- Keep ample groceries onboard
- Keep propane and water tanks full
- Dump whenever possible
- Remove the key from your towed vehicles ignition when you stop
- Take breaks in well-populated areas
- Lock your vehicle when you leave it
- Let friends and family know your whereabouts at all times
[FMC Magazine, November 2005 Vol. 42 No. 11]
(FMCA Membership Required)
