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Alaska is one of the most naturally beautiful places on the planet and a great place to explore from your recreational vehicle (RV).  Our incredible state can also be a bit of a challenge, offering rough terrain and remote destinations with little in the way of modern comforts.  That's why Alignment Center suggests these RV tips with the great state of Alaska in mind:

 

1.  Check Your Tires - Unlike your car tires, RV tires have to should a massive amount of weight and a rather top heavy vehicle.  The risk of failure is high if your tires are underinflated or damaged.  Keep in mind that the recommended tire pressure when loaded may be different than when your RV is empty.  Alignment Center will be happy to check your tire condition and set the pressure to the factory recommendation when loaded for travel. 

 

2.  Carry a Spare - Also, make sure you have a good spare and effective tools if you do have tire trouble on the road.  Some factory provided lug wrenches are nearly useless.  Consider a long breaker bar with the proper socket or 4-way lug wrench to give you extra mechanical advantage when removing a re-applying lug nuts.  Dished heavy duty wheels require a lot more torque to tighten them properly.  Go ahead and practice a tire change in your driveway, where you can make sure everything works and you know what you are doing.  Learning to change a tire on the road is a bad deal.  The good folks at Alignment Center will be happy to go over the steps to safely change your tire as a courtesy.

 

3.  Safety Inspection - Extreme weather is not uncommon in this part of the world and with it comes some very challenging driving conditions.  Start with a safe, reliable RV by having a qualified service center go over it with a fine tooth comb.  At Alignment Center we offer a comprehensive full-vehicle inspection including fluids, belts, hoses, lights, battery, alternator function and more, much more.  RV engines do a load of work and need the oil changed more often than your car.  Have us change the engine oil while you are in for inspection.

 

4.   Weigh Your Rig - Packing your RV for travel adds a lot of weight.  An overweight motor coach can be a safety hazard and can land you a ticket and a hefty fine if you are not within the regulated maximum weight for your vehicle.  Check the weight rating on your registration and then stop by a truck stop with a certified scale before you hit the highway.  While you are at it, check the overall height of your vehicle, including the giant air conditioner on your roof, so you don't get stuck under fuel awnings or low bridges.

 

5.  Proper Towing - If you plan to tow a vehicle behind your RV check with your dealer or Alignment Center for proper towing tips.  Some vehicles cannot be towed on four wheels without doing transmission and differential damage and must have the driveshaft removed for safe towing.  Alignment Center can walk you through the steps of driveshaft removal and replacement.

 

6.  Check Your Batteries - Your RV has at least two batteries, sometimes more.  They are responsible for starting the engine, running lights, appliances and accessories and then starting your rig again when it is time to move on.  Have your batteries checked at Alignment Center to make sure they are up to snuff.  Consider carrying a spare battery for emergency starting or installing a generator to give your batteries a break.  If you are staying at an RV park, always use their electrical service to save your batteries for travel.

 

7.  Three Kinds of Radios - Cell service can be very spotty out in the Alaska wilderness.  You should have three kinds of radios in your RV, one for entertainment and weather information, one 2-way radio for long distance emergency communication and a set of walkie talkies for personal communication. 

 

8.  Know Where You Are Going - We all rely on GPS to get us where we are going, but a lot of roads in our home state are uncharted and there are areas where your GPS may not function properly.  Get an old fashioned paper map of any area you plan to visit.  Use internet map services like Google Maps to chart out your route before you leave.  You should also rely on locals at restaurants, shops and fuel-ups to give you the inside scoop on safe passage in unfamiliar territory.

 

Before you head out on your dream RV excursion make sure your rig is road worthy with a scheduled inspection and repair service at Alignment Center.  Taking the proper steps to insure the condition of your RV will give you peace of mind while traveling and can keep the dream from becoming a nightmare far from home.