| During his ten years
of field work for NASA, Mark Helmlinger has rented many
RVs and driven them under every possible circumstance.
His tips, derived from hands-on experience, are a must-read
resource for anyone considering renting a recreational
vehicle. |
DRIVE SMART
Anticipate what the traffic around you -- and especially
ahead of you -- will do. Use your higher vantage point
to see farther down the road, and allow plenty of extra space
between you and the vehicle ahead of you. Read "Uncle
Bob's" tips for driving safely.
Assume that every car on the highway wants
to get around you. Let them do so gracefully if at all
possible. Do not travel in the "blind spots" of
other vehicles, especially big trucks. Keep an eye in the
rear-view mirrors. Try to anticipate unexpected or sudden
behavior.
On the freeway, beware of drivers passing
on the right while speeding up to shoot through the tiny
gap between you and the truck just ahead in the other lane.
Remember to think about tailgaters as well the traffic ahead
of you, and allow plenty of stopping distance. Merge politely,
but firmly. Do not hesitate. Reacquaint yourself with right-of-way
rules. Use your signals and remember to turn them off.
Truckers are your friends. Treat them
with respect. Know how to thank them by flashing your parking
lights. Some RVs have a special switch for this. Observe how
good truckers drive and take notes. Drive smart! The laws
of inertia cannot be broken!
ALWAYS REMEMBER
You are driving a big, heavy, high-center-of-gravity vehicle
that does not respond like a car. It is critical that
you allow sufficient time to check out your rental RV thoroughly.
An RV is far more likely to give you the vacation you're hoping
for if you take the time to get prepared.
Mark
Helmlinger
8/1/05
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