All of Texas is bracing itself for the impact of Hurricane Harvey, which is projected to hit this weekend. Harvey is already a category 2 hurricane, which means winds over 110mph, and many experts expect it to gain category 3 stature. There could be as much as three feet of rain dumped on Texas before it’s all said and done. Now, while Harvey isn’t expected to hit the DFW hard, this imminent threat has left many people concerned about the well being of their RV. So, we wanted to take the time to give you tips how to protect your RV during a hurricane.
Our first question to prepare for a hurricane: is it possible for you to just leave the area? If it is, than you should take the opportunity to evacuate the area. The stronger the hurricane, the further you should drive. We recommend at least 150-200 miles away from a projected touchdown site of a hurricane.
If you are unable to leave the area, the first step to protecting your RV against a hurricane is to do a lot of planning. To begin, don’t plan on driving during a hurricane. As we mentioned in our blog about tornadoes, side winds are extremely dangerous to the well being of RVs while in motion. You want to reduce the risk of crashing by finding a suitable place to park your RV.
A suitable place to leave your RV is a covered storage park. Now, even this comes with a risk. High winds from a hurricane can damage the roof of a storage park, leaving your RV at risk. We still feel it is the best possible bet for your RV’s safety despite the threat.
Second, you’ll want to have all the proper precautions checked. You want to make sure all your wires are shockproof, your fire and carbon monoxide alarms are working, ensure that the holding tank is emptied, and the propane valves are turned off.
After you make sure these items, you want to start tying things down. Put down all stabilizers, board up all windows with plywood, tape the openings of any doors, slide outs, storage door, and the regulator, air conditioner unit, along with vents are covered properly. Remember to retract your awning completely, and also put extra tie straps awning arms to make sure they are in tact.
If you have a trailer with your coach, you want to tow the trailer with you after leaving your RV. Leaving your trailer while a hurricane hits is an extreme risk, not only to the trailer, but to your entire RV. Take your trailer, as well as any generator, with you in order to prevent a hurricane from causing serious damage.
One of the most important steps you can take is to make sure that you stock your RV with a medical kit and prescribed medications, oxygen masks such as CPAP, plenty of drinking water, and imperishable provisions, food, and drinks. This includes stocking up on enough water than can last you at least a week.
Again, the best course of action is to evacuate; however, following these steps can help give you a little piece of mind and help protect your RV.
If your RV is damaged during a hurricane, do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with Coach Specialists of Texas. Our shops in Mansfield and Plano are well equipped to repair hurricane damage, and our experienced staff know exactly how to effectively fix a repair quickly and get you back on the road. Schedule your repair today!