While you’re out on your family vacation, the last thing you need is an accident with your RV or ATVs. Unfortunately, these accidents do happen.

Data from the Washington Post showed that vehicle accidents are the second leading cause of death in national parks, with over 250 lives claimed over a five-year study. This means you’re more likely to be killed by your RV or ATV than a bear or other wildlife.

Therefore, it’s essential to handle your vehicles carefully and arm yourself with appropriate safety equipment. Here are a few pieces of equipment that you’ll be glad you brought to your next camping adventure.

Roadside Warning Lights

If you break down on the side of the road, you must have appropriate visibility equipment. Instead of roadside flares, which could become a fire hazard and are illegal in some states, LED road lights are a great way to alert passing vehicles of your presence. Many of these lights are also magnetic and can stick to your RV or be placed on the ground.

Safety Triangles

Once you arrive at the campground, it’s important to have safety triangles on any off-road vehicles. Visibility is significantly worse in wooded areas, and a safety triangle can help protect both you and the other riders around you.

A strong ⅛-inch aluminum triangle is sturdy enough to withstand outdoor terrain and easy enough to attach to the vehicle.

Warning Whips

While a safety triangle will make your ATV noticeable on a flat surface at eye level, it’s low placement may make it difficult to see for people sitting high in an RV or if the ATV is parked at the bottom of a hill.

Therefore, warning whips add an extra level of caution as it makes your ATV vehicle more visible in a variety of different positions.

An ATV warning whip can be lighted or non-lighted and is typically about seven feet tall.

Wheel Chocks

Another essential piece of safety equipment for both your RV and your ATV is a wheel chock. Wheel chocks prevent your camper from rolling away, though choosing one can be overwhelming. 

There are two main kinds of wheel chocks. X-chocks are very secure and immobilize your RV’s wheels by locking the wheels together. Under-the-wheel chocks are the more common triangular wheel chocks placed behind the tires. 

Most under-the-wheel chocks are made of wood, hard plastic, rubber, steel, or polyurethane and are more affordable than the x-chocks. 

If you’re selecting a wheel chock for rough terrains and whether, choose a rubber, steel, or polyurethane material that is resistant to corrosion.

Tire Gauge

According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, over 700 motor vehicle fatalities occurred in 2017 due to tire issues.