Before you prepare to drive the vehicle, perform a walk around. Scan under the vehicle for leaks, or items that you may have stowed out of the way. Check the tires, confirm that all bay doors are latched, rear engine compartment is closed, and nothing is in front of the RV or towing vehicle to impede your path of travel. Sit in the driver's seat and adjust the mirrors. Have someone walk down each side of the vehicle to confirm that the rearview mirrors provide a full view. Confirm that the antenna is stowed, satellite dish is down, and if the vehicle is equipped with a rear view camera, that the system is functioning as designed.

Evenly distribute cargo loads. Learn the dash gauges and perform frequent scans. Employ towing vehicles of the correct size and hitch rating to pull travel trailers and fifth wheels. Keep the fuel tank filled to half to avoid low fuel situations at inopportune times. Sometimes locating the fuel station with the lowest price may not be worth the savings if the RV gets stuck in due to a fuel island that is too small, or has an overhang that is too low.

Practice as often as possible to get a feel for how the RV handles. Spend some time in an empty parking lot or someplace off the beaten path getting a feel for backing up, turning, and how the brakes affect stopping distance. While driving, use the rear view mirrors and painted lines in the road to gauge where the vehicle is positioned inside the lane.

Take your time. Plan the route before you leave to avoid confusion. Use common sense. Navigate through large cities and freeways during times of the day when traffic is not apt to be so heavy. Give the vehicle ample time to brake, change lanes, pass slower traffic and merge. Make wide turns. Employ the turn signals. Eliminate distractions, including pets that may wander around the cockpit area. Read all highway signs. Use thru-lanes when available.

Before backing up, get out of the vehicle and visually scan the area. If possible, position someone outside to assist with backing. This person should pay attention to all areas, including above the RV. The person on the outside should be visible in the rearview mirror at all times. If you lose sight of the person, stop the backing process.

Proceed with caution through a tollbooth or entry gate. Before entering be sure that the bay doors are closed and tightly latched. In a really tight squeeze it may be helpful to fold in the rear view mirrors for additional clearance. Pull over as soon as possible after exiting the narrow passage to return the mirrors to their proper position.

Use a lower gear and minimum braking when descending a steep mountain pass. Frequent application of the floor brake may cause the brakes to quickly overheat. Use the exhaust brake to assist slowing the vehicle. It may be necessary to use the foot brake and lower the gear to raise RPM's, because an exhaust brake is more efficient at higher RPM's.