Safety Tips Every Motorhome Owner Should Know
Safety should be the foundation of every motorhome adventure. While the open road offers incredible freedom and experiences, it also presents unique challenges that require preparation and awareness. In my fifteen years of motorhome travel and countless conversations with fellow travellers, I've seen how proper safety practices prevent emergencies and how their absence leads to tragedy. This guide covers the essential safety knowledge every motorhome owner needs.
The good news is that motorhome travel is remarkably safe when approached with appropriate care. By understanding the risks, preparing properly, and following established best practices, you can enjoy your adventures with peace of mind.
Fire Safety: Your Most Critical Concern
Fire is the most serious threat to motorhome safety. The combination of gas systems, electrical equipment, and confined spaces means fires can develop rapidly and become life-threatening within minutes. Prevention and preparedness are essential.
Prevention Measures
Never leave cooking unattended, even for a moment. Kitchen fires are the leading cause of motorhome fires, and they escalate rapidly in small spaces. Keep combustibles away from stovetops, ensure adequate ventilation when cooking with gas, and never cook while drowsy or under the influence of alcohol.
Have your gas system inspected annually by a licensed fitter. Gas leaks can lead to explosions, and faulty appliances can produce carbon monoxide. Install a combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectorâmany older motorhomes only have smoke detection. Test these detectors monthly and replace batteries every six months.
Maintain your electrical system carefully. Don't overload circuits, replace damaged cords immediately, and ensure all connections are secure. Rodent damage to wiring is common in stored motorhomes; inspect thoroughly after any period of inactivity.
Your motorhome should have at least one fire extinguisher rated for all fire types (A, B, C). Mount it in an accessible location near the exitânot above the stove where you'd need to reach through flames. Check the pressure gauge monthly and service or replace according to manufacturer specifications.
Emergency Response
If fire breaks out, get everyone out immediately. Don't attempt to fight anything beyond a small, contained fire. Know where your exits areâmost motorhomes have at least two escape routes, including emergency windows. Practice locating exits in darkness; fires often occur at night when smoke quickly obscures vision.
Once outside, move well away from the vehicle. LP gas cylinders can explode in fires, and motorhome fires often result in total loss. Material possessions are replaceable; lives are not.
Road Safety for Large Vehicles
Driving a motorhome differs significantly from regular vehicles. Understanding these differences and adjusting your driving style accordingly is crucial for safe travel.
Understanding Your Vehicle's Dynamics
Motorhomes have higher centres of gravity, making them more susceptible to rollovers in corners or during evasive manoeuvres. Take corners slower than you would in a car, particularly off-camber bends and highway on/off ramps. Crosswinds affect tall vehicles dramatically; grip the wheel firmly when passing trucks or in exposed areas, and reduce speed in windy conditions.
Braking distances increase substantially with weight. A loaded motorhome may need three or four times the stopping distance of a car. Increase following distances accordingly and begin braking earlier than you might expect. Many experienced motorhomers use the "count to four" rule: when the vehicle ahead passes a landmark, count to four before you pass the same point.
Fatigue Management
Driver fatigue kills more Australians than drink driving. The monotony of long straight roads, combined with the physical demands of handling a large vehicle, makes fatigue a serious risk for motorhome travellers. Never drive more than eight hours in a day, and take a fifteen-minute break every two hours. If you feel drowsy, stop immediatelyâthere's no shame in pulling over for a nap.
Plan your driving for morning hours when you're freshest. Avoid driving after heavy meals or during times you'd normally be sleeping. Share driving responsibilities if possible, and be honest with yourself about your condition.
Road Safety Essentials
- Know your vehicle's height and weightâcheck before low bridges and weak surfaces
- Reduce speed in corners, crosswinds, and adverse weather
- Increase following distances significantly from car driving habits
- Take breaks every two hours; stop immediately if drowsy
- Ensure all passengers are seated with seatbelts while moving
- Secure all items before drivingâloose objects become projectiles
Gas Safety Practices
LP gas powers many motorhome appliances and requires careful handling. While modern systems are remarkably safe, complacency can lead to serious incidents.
Always turn off gas at the cylinder before driving. While some travellers run fridges on gas while moving, this practice carries risks and is illegal in some jurisdictions. Modern three-way fridges maintain temperature adequately on 12V during reasonable driving periods.
Never use gas appliances in enclosed spaces without adequate ventilation. Carbon monoxide is odourless and deadly. If you feel drowsy, nauseated, or develop a headache while using gas appliances, immediately ventilate the space and seek fresh air.
Check hoses and connections regularly for deterioration. Australian sun degrades rubber rapidly, and rodents can damage gas lines during storage. If you smell gas, turn off the supply immediately, ventilate thoroughly, and have the system professionally inspected before use.
Emergency Preparedness
Australian conditions can be harsh, and help may be hours away in remote areas. Preparing for emergencies could save your life.
Essential Emergency Equipment
Carry a comprehensive first aid kit and know how to use itâconsider taking a first aid course before extended travel. Include any personal medications with extra supply, basic over-the-counter medicines, sunscreen, and insect repellent with DEET for northern areas.
For remote travel, a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or satellite communicator is essential. These devices can summon help when mobile coverage is unavailable. Register your PLB with AMSA (Australian Maritime Safety Authority) and ensure it's properly maintained. Satellite communicators like Garmin inReach also allow two-way messaging, keeping family informed of your location.
Carry sufficient water and non-perishable food to survive several days if stranded. In the outback, this might mean 10+ litres of water per person plus reserves for the vehicle. A shade structure can be life-saving in extreme heat while waiting for assistance.
Communication Plan
Before departing for remote areas, leave your itinerary with a trusted contact. Include planned routes, expected timing, and your satellite device details. Establish check-in schedules and ensure your contact knows when to raise alarm if you miss scheduled communications.
Carry a UHF radio (typically Channel 40 for road users) for communication with other vehicles and road trains. In emergencies, many communities monitor specific UHF channels, and truckies can often relay messages to emergency services.
Personal Security
While Australia is generally safe for motorhome travellers, sensible security practices protect you and your belongings.
Trust your instincts about locations. If somewhere feels wrong, move on. Established caravan parks, known free camps, and rest areas with other vehicles are generally safer than isolated spots. When free camping, avoid locations that show signs of antisocial behaviour such as broken glass, graffiti, or dumped rubbish.
Don't advertise valuables or expensive equipment. Keep electronics out of sight, and consider curtains or blinds that prevent people from seeing inside your motorhome. Lock doors even when parked in caravan parksâopportunistic theft is more common than violent crime.
Vary your routines if staying in one location for extended periods. Predictable patterns make you an easier target. Get to know your neighbours in caravan parks; the motorhome community generally looks out for each other.
Before settling for the night: Lock all doors and windows, close blinds/curtains, store valuables out of sight, know your exit routes, have a torch and phone within reach, and if in doubt about a location, trust your instincts and move on.
Weather Safety
Australian weather can change rapidly and dramatically. Monitor forecasts and understand the risks in your region.
In storm season (roughly October to April in northern Australia), be aware of cyclone risks and know evacuation routes. Don't cross flooded roadsâfloodwaters are deceptively powerful and can sweep vehicles away. "If it's flooded, forget it" saves lives every year.
Extreme heat requires particular care. Avoid physical exertion during the hottest parts of the day, stay hydrated, and never leave people or pets in parked vehicles. Heat exhaustion can progress to life-threatening heatstroke rapidly.
Bush fire risk affects most of Australia seasonally. Understand fire danger ratings, know where to find emergency information (ABC local radio, emergency services websites), and have a plan for extreme fire danger days. Don't camp in areas that would be difficult to evacuate if fire approached.
Making Safety a Habit
The best safety practices become automatic through consistent application. Develop routines for pre-trip checks, safe driving habits, and campsite selection. Discuss emergency procedures with your travel companions so everyone knows what to do if something goes wrong.
Remember that safety and adventure aren't oppositesâproper preparation enables you to enjoy incredible experiences with confidence. Take the time to prepare properly, and you'll have stories of amazing adventures rather than narrow escapes.