Having your own Recreational Vehicle is a great way to take road trips in comfort. If you’ve had an RV for several years, or if you are thinking of getting into the game, we would like to share a few tips that will keep you safe while on the road. As with most aspects of life, a little bit of preparation goes a long way, so take a few minutes to brush up on your RV safety with these guidelines:

Have the Right Tools

Recreational vehicles are larger than the typical car, and that makes it more difficult to plan your route. You need to know the clearance of bridges and tunnels along your route to know whether you will fit under them. That’s where a road atlas made specifically for large vehicles like RVs and semi-trucks can come in handy.

Another important tool to have on hand in your RV is a first aid kit. You never know what might happen while you’re out having RV adventures, so make sure that your kit is stocked with the essentials – especially if you plan on doing any RV camping.

Realize the Value of Maintenance

An RV is like a car and a home in one – and that means that maintenance is doubly important. To make sure that you follow your manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule, write it down in your calendar. Make sure to include checking under your hood, as well as your lights, tires, and hitch. Also remember to maintain the living area of your RV, including cleaning your cooking vent and changing the batteries of your smoke detector and checking your fire extinguisher.

Make Your Plans Adjustable

Weather can be dangerous, even for regular sized automobiles. Your RV’s size makes it even more susceptible to the dangers of heavy rain, fog, and ice. If you know that you’re heading for an area that can fall prey to bad weather, make sure to give yourself plenty of time to make the trip. That way you won’t feel rushed, and can decide to postpone your trip if the weather gets bad.

Have a Breakdown Plan

You never expect to break down, but having a plan will make the situation much less stressful if it ever occurs. Have emergency telephone numbers (including the ones for our agency) saved in your cell phone, as well as written in an accessible location in your vehicle. Also make sure that a friend or family member knows your travel plans in case of emergency.

And remember – the best way to protect your RV and its precious cargo is with a Massachusetts RV insurance quote from the insurance experts here at Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency. One quick call to 617-298-0655 will get you on the path to the protection that you deserve. Don’t even think about hitting the road again without at least calling for a free insurance evaluation from our experts – we can evaluate your current policy and alert you if there are any gaps in your coverage. Don’t leave yourself open to disasters, call our agency today!

Whether your car is your ‘baby’ or just a way to get from Point A to Point B, you need to make sure that it stays in shape. The only way to do that is with regular maintenance. While it’s true that every make and model of car will have slightly different needs when it comes to their occasional tune-ups, the following maintenance schedule is a good basis for most automobiles.

Whether you perform these tasks yourself, or prefer to trust a professional, this maintenance schedule is the starting point to keeping your vehicle properly cared for:

Check Often:

• See if any dashboard indicator lights are lit.
• Check to make sure that all the car’s lights are working. This includes your headlights, turn signals, tail lights, and brake lights.
• Inspect your tire’s air pressure, making sure the PSI is within your car’s suggested range.
• Evaluate your tire’s treads, replacing if there is significant wear.
• Top off your windshield wiper fluid and engine oil, if needed.
• Check your car’s windshield for cracks and chips – repair or replace as needed.

Check Every 3 Months:

• Check your automatic transmission and power steering fluids. Instructions for checking these fluid levels is often included in a car’s manual.
• Test your car battery and cables.
• Inspect belts and hoses for wear and tear, or have a professional do so.
• See if you need a new air filter for your engine or cabin.

Check Every 6 Months:

• Ensure that your chassis has the proper lubrication.
• Replace your windshield wipers, if they are beginning to show wear or streak.
• Check your car’s exhaust.
• See if you need a tire rotation – these can significantly extend the life of your tires.

Check Every Year:

• Make sure that wheels are properly aligned.
• Check your vehicle’s steering and suspension.
• Examine your coolant level.

While this general maintenance schedule will keep most cars up to date on their routine maintenance, it is important to follow your manufacturer’s instructions when servicing your vehicle. Also make sure that you ask a professional for advice and assistance in any job you are not comfortable performing yourself.

And don’t forget – the state of Massachusetts requires that all vehicles registered here receive a yearly safety inspection. Mark your date on your calendar, and when the time comes, find an inspection station near you!

It is also important to remember that the weather fluctuations that we get here in New England can wear on a car. Prepare your car for incoming warm weather in the summer, and the frigid winter temperatures in the fall. Doing just a little bit of preventative seasonal maintenance can significantly increase the lifespan of your vehicle!

To help make sure that your car is protected against anything the world throws its way, call 617-298-0655 to get an auto insurance quote from the Massachusetts insurance experts at Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency. We will ensure that you and your car have full coverage. We can even review your current coverage to see if you are sufficiently protected – and the insurance review is free! Don’t wait, contact Vargas and Vargas Insurance today.