Although we like to think that everything associated with camping is fun-filled and magical, the truth is there are plenty of things that can go wrong when you are on a camping trip. If you are an RV owner, this is even more true, especially when you are carrying one or more propane tanks on board. If this is the case, we ask that you take the tips below into consideration to avoid a potentially disastrous and deadly situation.
PROPANE STOVES ARE NOT FOR HEATING YOUR RV
Every year there are multiple tragic stories on the news about recreational vehicles blowing up when the owners try to heat the space with a propane stove or oven. Clearly, this practice ends poorly and therefore we would not recommend ever using your propane cooking appliance for heat.
ALWAYS HAVE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER ON BOARD
Just as you always have a fire extinguisher in your kitchen at home, you should always have one on board in your RV. Unfortunately, sometimes unexpected things happen and you wouldn’t want to experience an impromptu fire just to discover you never got around to storing a fire extinguisher in your vehicle.
CHECK THAT THINGS ARE IN WORKING ORDER, THEN CHECK AGAIN
You can never be too cautious when you are dealing with something as flammable as propane. Be sure to have a certified technician perform a timed pressure drop test at least once a year to make sure everything is working the way it should. Additionally, make sure to always check containers and line connections to ensure they are secure and tight.
BE AWARE OF POSITIONING
When you are positioning your propane tanks in your RV be very aware of how they are sitting. Make sure that the open part of the container guard faces the trailer. This protects the container from being hit by rocks or other debris while you are driving.
PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR PROPANE DETECTOR
Not only do we recommend you pay attention to the propane detector for your safety on a daily basis but it is also important to check it on a monthly basis and note the “replace by” date so that it is never defective.
NOT WHILE DRIVING
Always, always, always remember to turn off your propane tanks before you turn on your car and begin driving. While it isn’t safe, it also happens to be illegal to drive with your propane valves open as it is a huge risk when you are driving through tunnels.
We love having our park filled with recreational vehicles filled to the brim with adventurous families, looking for fun at Jellystone of Estes Park. On the other hand, we want to make sure that all of the people being transported in these RVs are safe and will remain that way for the remainder of their stay with us, as well as their trip in general. Check back to our blog for more tips on camping and RV safety. We are camping experts and we want to pass our knowledge to you so that you can make the most of every camping trip you take with your family.
