🚨12 Rookie RV Accidents You Don't Want to Make
- Watts On Wheels (Karen)
- Sep 4
- 4 min read
RV life is exciting, but it’s also full of surprises — and not always the good kind. The truth is, most RV accidents are completely preventable if you know what to look out for. Here are 12 rookie mistakes we’ve seen (or even experienced ourselves) that can cost you money, time, and maybe even a little dignity. Stick around for a free printable checklist at the end!
Antenna vs. Tree Branches – Forgetting to lower the antenna seems harmless… until it meets a tree limb or bridge. A snapped antenna or torn roof seal is no fun to fix. We've seen videos where a whole chunk of roof trim dangling like a sad streamer.
Oops, Steps Still Out! – Driving with the steps out is a surefire way to bend them or dent a post. Do a quick walk-around before you roll. And no one wants to see your door fly open like ours did one time.
Blowout Blues – Tire blowouts at highway speed aren’t just scary; they can shred wiring, plumbing, and fenders in seconds. We recommend a TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) and upgrade your tires to a higher rating (we recommend Continentals). We’ve had our fair share — one left rubber confetti all over the road.
Still Plugged In? – Driving off with your power cord, water hose, or sewer line still attached is embarrassing and expensive. Checklists save lives (and wallets). We’ve seen hoses stretch like a bungee cord before snapping free — campground entertainment nobody asked for.
Awning = Giant Kite – One gust of wind and your awning is toast. If you’re not actively outside enjoying it, keep it rolled in. We’ve seen the “big gust show” live… it always ends with flapping fabric and a sad wallet.
🎞️Video: When your awning thinks it’s a kite
Backing Into Hidden Stuff & Watch That Tail Swing – Picnic tables, posts, and yes, even gates love to hide in blind spots. Plus, that tail swing on your trailer or coach can easily whack fences, poles, gates or trees you thought were out of the way. We’ve caught close calls ourselves — and yes, we’ve got the video proof of one gate that didn’t make it.
Slides Out, Drive On – It happens more often than you’d think. Moving the rig with slides out, or one that inches it's way out, can cause thousands in damage. Many RVs have slide locks to prevent them from creeping out — if yours does, use them every time. We’ve actually seen rigs barreling down the interstate with a slide half out — hmmm, maybe someone wanted to get a sandwich.
The Gas Station Squeeze – Low canopies and tight lanes are mirror-munchers and can give you a haircut you don't want. Stick to truck stops or scout with Google Street View first. We once pulled into one that turned into a finger-crosser.
Tow Checklist, Every Time – Forgetting hitch pins, safety chains, or tow bar locks can be disastrous. Double-check everything. Dave tugs each latch twice — he calls it “paranoid insurance,” Karen calls it smart.
Clearance Counts – Know your rig’s height to the inch and stick it on your dash. Low bridges don’t forgive guesswork. We've seen videos where RV's peel their rooftop A/C units off like a sardine can — unforgettable, for all the wrong reasons.
Tailgate Trouble – After you hook up your fifth wheel, always remember to put the truck tailgate back up. Leaving it down can mean crushed panels, bent hinges, or even ripping the gate clean off when you make your first tight turn. Not to mention, the tailgate can slice into the front of your RV.
Skipping the Tug Test – After hitching your fifth wheel, always do a tug test. That means gently pulling forward with the trailer brakes engaged to be sure the hitch is fully locked. But don’t forget — keep your front landing legs just an inch or two off the ground while testing. That way, if the pin isn’t latched properly, the trailer drops onto the legs instead of smashing into your truck bed. And always make sure the hitch pin is secure — if you have a backup safety pin, use it too. Skipping this step can turn into one of the most expensive rookie mistakes out there. We’ve seen more than a few tailgates end up looking like accordions from these mistakes.
👉 Between us, we’ve had a blowout, a tight gas station squeeze, and some near misses that made our stomachs drop. Check out the videos link in the pics if you want to see how a few of those really played out — we lived through them so you don’t have to!
💡Tip of the Month:
Always do a final walk around before pulling out of the site. Check slides, steps, hook-ups and antennas. Look under your RV too. And don't forget to check your tow hook-ups and lights. It only takes a couple of minutes, but it can save you thousands of dollars, and a lot of embarrassment.
👉 Want a handy reminder for travel days? We’ve put together a detailed walk-around checklist and a short quick-list you can print and keep in your RV. These little sheets can save you a big headache!
Thanks for rolling along with us — and may your steps always be in, your slides always be locked, and your tailgates always be up!
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