Severe Weather Information - Winnebago 2005 Rialta Owner's Manual

SECTION 4
TRAVELING WITH YOUR MOTOR HOME
6. Keep an eye on the water and holding tank
levels. It is a good idea to dump the holding
tank at least every two days.
7. When traveling with children, it is helpful to
plan their wardrobe for a week. Place each
days clothing in a plastic bag and label the
bag with the child's name and day of the
week for use.
8. Use sleeping bags whenever possible. They
save laundry and take up less storage space
than bedding.
9. Make sure all compartment doors have been
closed and the door step has been stowed in
the correct position before moving the vehi-
cle.
10. Before traveling, make sure the refrigerator
door has been secured. Use care when open-
ing the refrigerator door after the vehicle has
been stopped. Any articles that have shifted
may fall out when the door is opened.
11. During peak tourist season and holidays, it is
best to phone ahead and make reservations at
the park or campground where you plan to
stop.
12. Some states or cities will not permit vehicles
with LP gas tanks to pass through highway
tunnels. If your route includes a tunnel, check
with the highway patrol or department of
highways to avoid inconvenience.
13. Do not leave food or odor-causing material in
your vehicle for extensive periods of time.
Always allow damp clothing, swimwear,
hunting gear, etc., to dry before stowing.
14. Become familiar with the fire extinguisher
and make sure it is always fully charged. Re-
move and replace it and read instructions so
you know the correct operating procedure be-
fore an emergency happens
15. Make a list of all groceries, fresh meats, veg-
etables, newspapers, etc., that you may need
and try to pick them up during your last fuel
stop of the day. This will prevent leaving a
good parking spot once you have arrived at
your destination.
16. When driving a motor home, you may have a
tendency to crowd the middle of the road.
Check the side view mirror frequently to ob-
serve how close you are driving to the center
line.
4-4
SEVERE
WEATHER
INFORMATION
One of the more serious conditions affecting
the motor home traveler and camper is that of the
weather. Whether you travel the high mountain
terrain, the lower deserts and flatland or the
plains of the midwest, the weather is always with
you and subject to change, sometimes with little
or no warning. However, adequate warnings are
normally broadcast over local radio and TV sta-
tions.
Motor home travelers and campers often seek
secluded areas for weekend recreation or extend-
ed summer vacations. Many recreational areas
are vulnerable to severe weather situations, espe-
cially flash flooding conditions. A few simple
precautions may help lessen the hazards of flash
flooding or reduce your immediate involvement.
NOTE: We recommend that all motor home
occupants become familiar with these
safety precautions, and be constantly
alert to changes in weather.
• Be alert, keep an eye to the sky because thun-
derstorms can form at any time, in any month
of the year. Thunderstorms can produce large
amounts of rain over a small area in a short
time, which may result in a flash flood. Listen
frequently to weather reports on the radio for
weather and flood conditions.
• When camping near a stream, leave plenty of
sloping bank between you and the stream.
• Avoid deep canyons and dry washes during
stormy or threatening weather. Be aware of
alternate exits.
• If heavy rain occurs, move to high ground im-
mediately (at least 30-40 feet above the can-
yon floor or bottom of dry wash).
• During a flash flood, if you cannot move your
vehicle, abandon it. Do not attempt to return
to your vehicle before the water has receded.
• Do not attempt to wade to your vehicle if the
water is above your knees - fast moving water
exerts an enormous amount of pressure, mak-