Driving a recreational vehicle: How to avoid emergencies

Holidays with a motorhome or caravan mean freedom and adventure, but even for experienced drivers they present a particular challenge, especially after a long season break. No matter if you are a new camper or have been touring for many years – an emergency can happen at any time. In this article, we provide tips on how to avoid such dangerous situations on the road.

Key points at a glance

Reduce the risk of emergencies by practising your driving skills and making sure your loading is correct.
If you encounter a dangerous situation while driving, remember the “three Fs” for correct braking: fast, firm and full-lasting application.
Safety systems can assist when driving a camper and are usually easy to retrofit.

Test drives on familiar routes

Try driving your recreational vehicle first on familiar, less busy routes. This is a good idea whether you have just bought a new camper or are returning after a seasonal break. Practice always increases safety.

If you want to improve your skills further and be fully prepared for potential hazard situations, a driver safety training course, such as those offered by the ADAC, is recommended. Such training is designed to familiarise you with the vehicle and the safety components built into it, and enable you to practice the correct response in dangerous driving situations.

Correctly loading your recreational vehicle

Whether you have a panel van, motorhome, or caravan: correct loading is one of the most important factors for safe travel. Even small, lightweight items can become genuine hazards in an emergency stop or a potential collision. What’s more, your vehicle is more likely to skid if the load is not distributed properly.

Drive proactively

Adopting a proactive driving style is always the best precaution to avoid accidents. This includes timely braking as well as avoiding unnecessary overtaking manoeuvres. Smooth steering also helps reduce the risk of skidding.

Evasive manoeuvres and emergency braking – the right way

No matter how careful you are on the road, at any time you may need to perform an emergency stop or an evasive manoeuvre, even if you are not at fault. For braking, the “three Fs” are your essential memory aid: fast, firm, and full-lasting! The sooner and harder you brake, the sooner your vehicle will come to a complete stop. The correct arm position – both hands on the steering wheel at a quarter-to-three position – also enhances stability and helps you avoid cramping as a driver.

The importance of well-functioning and correctly adjusted brakes is self-evident. AL-KO VT service manager Florian Vorreiter and Dennis from Gogo4Camper show in the following videos how to brake properly with a caravan and trailer. In part 1 they explain the function and technology of the overrun brake, and in part 2 they discuss situations and mistakes that should be avoided.

Using supporting safety systems

No matter how much driving experience you gain, innovative technologies can still assist you when driving your recreational vehicle.

AKS stabiliser coupling from AL-KO VT

The AKS stabiliser coupling from AL-KO VT noticeably reduces snaking and pitching movements right from the start, ensuring safe and relaxed travel with trailers up to three tonnes in total weight. The AKS particularly dampens snaking movements caused by factors such as uneven road surfaces, side wind, or leaving the slipstream of a truck. The stabiliser coupling is mounted on the drawbar of the caravan in place of the coupling head.

ATC anti-snaking system

The ATC anti-snaking system also helps to increase driving stability. Caravans present a large area to side winds and tend to react more sensitively than passenger cars to influences such as evasive manoeuvres, overtaking, or gusts of wind. The result: risk of snaking. The ATC detects and corrects a snaking movement before it becomes a problem for you. The system is installed on the rear axle. Built-in sensors detect when the trailer is dangerously swaying, and actuate the trailer brakes via Bowden cables. Briefly braking the trailer straightens out the combination and brings it back into line. This reduces lateral acceleration and calms the driving situation instantly.

Self-adjusting drum brake AAA

The self-adjusting drum brake AAA (AL-KO Automatic Adjustment) for caravans comes into play whenever the gap between brake shoes and drum becomes too large due to wear. If a firm service brake application then follows, the gap is automatically reduced again. Of course, a basic adjustment of the brake and strict observance of the maintenance intervals with the necessary expert servicing are essential.

Support systems are recommended for driving a recreational vehicle, as they help to counteract or even eliminate potential driving errors in extreme situations – and can also be retrofitted conveniently in older vehicles. We wish you a safe and relaxed journey to your holiday destination in your camper!