RE: Safety Mods

[AustinBoston]

 
I don t usually pay mutch attention to mods (I consider myself a handyman, but I m too lazy to fulfill the role).
 
 One thing I have done is to put reflective tape on the sides of our pop-up.  Roughly every 18" , I have a 2-1/2"  long by 1-1/2"  wide strip of white reflective tape.  Next to that is the same size in red.  This is down low, on the frame, not on the body of the camper.  My thinking was, there s nine (9) light bulbs on the 7-1/2 foot width of the camper, but only 2 on the 19 foot side of the camper.  This notches up the visibility of the camper at intersections and such at night.
 
 What kinds of safety-related mods have other people made?
 
 Austin

[dee106]

 AustinBoston
On our old popup we ran the length of both sides with reflective tape and the rear bumper ,we put it right below the frame, were the cap (top) and frame met. we did the same with the hybrid, we ran the length with reflective tape and across the back bumper, so if we loose the lights the reflective tape is there!

[tlhdoc]

 AustinBoston
What a great idea.  Very simple but a great safety idea.  Thanks[]

[Ab Diver]

 AustinBoston
Hmmmm... " safety-related mods" . I guess installing a Draw-Tite sway bar to keep sway under control, and McKesh mirrors so I can better see the world around my trailer, might qualify as mods-- but that would be pushing it. []
 
 Our Bayside came with safety chains equipped with open S-hooks on each end. The *trailer end* got zip-ties around the S-opening to keep the chain from falling off the trailer, and the *TV end* got those threaded D-rings so they won t come off the hitch until I take them them off.
 
 Added a battery powered Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarm for the inside of the trailer.
 
 Added a halogen magnetic-mount back-up light for the rear bumper so I don t hurt the trailer (or anyone else) at night.
 
 When LED lights drop in price, I m gunna add a third brake light to the roof of the pop-up.
 
 Good idea on the reflective tape!

[Tim5055]

 AustinBoston
Well, I don t know if they all count as mods, but here goes:
 
 Installed CO Detector
 
 Installed Smoke Detector
 
 Industrial sized Fire Extinguisher is always outside under the front bunk
 
 Fully stocked/equipped first aid kit always available
 
 For travel I always have emergency flares avaialble.
 
 You can check out my [link=http://www.title-3.com/Safety.htm]Campsite Safety Page[/link]  for more information
 
 

[AustinBoston]

 tim5055

ORIGINAL:  tim5055
 For travel I always have emergency flares avaialble.
 

 I was with you until this one.  I have emergency flares.  I would never use them.  Some states require you to have them, but they are an unbelievable fire hazard when in use.  Most won t last long enough to change a tire.  
 
 For the real world, we keep a couple of those safety triangles and a flashing " flashlight"  in the van all the time.
 
 Austin

[Tim5055]

 AustinBoston

 

ORIGINAL:  AustinBoston
 
 I was with you until this one.  I have emergency flares.  I would never use them.  Some states require you to have them, but they are an unbelievable fire hazard when in use.  Most won t last long enough to change a tire.  
 Austin
 

 For once I have to disagree with you A/B.  You just have to get the " real"  railroad flares that police and towing companies use.  They last over 30 minutes and people see them even in the daytime when safety triangles are useless.
 
 I Cliff sees this he will parobably weigh in also.

[jackgoesthepopup]

 AustinBoston
One of the best things we can all do is to get a weather alert radio. The n.w.s. has been adding stations to is weather alert system. So you are never far from picking one up.  When i bought my scanner it was a added feature.  You may never need it but it s nice to have.
 I also put in a larger size fire extinguister. and mounted a set of driving lights on the back bumper of the trailer for backing up .

[AustinBoston]

 tim5055

ORIGINAL:  tim5055
 For once I have to disagree with you A/B.  You just have to get the " real"  railroad flares that police and towing companies use.  They last over 30 minutes and people see them even in the daytime when safety triangles are useless.
 
 I Cliff sees this he will parobably weigh in also.
 

 Highway flares (and I m sure the railroad flares) will light anything on fire, and I mean anything.  (Ashpalt, gasoline spills, soaking wet wood, forests, grasslands, flying insects, damp earth, etc.)  They re hot enough to perform limb amputations in seconds, almost hot enough to weld steel.  No thanks.
 
 Oh, and once lit, you can t put them out.
 
 Austin

[jackgoesthepopup]

 AustinBoston
I am in agreement .Flares are not the way to go for roadside emergencys. I found some Strobing stand alone lights that work much better and safer.
 http://www.jcwhitney.com/product.jhtml?CATID=170759
 

[tlhdoc]

 AustinBoston
[]I thought flares were a good idea, and now I don t know.  Isn t anything " good"  any more?[]

[jackgoesthepopup]

 AustinBoston
Tracy flares are really just fine. In most situations. But you really need to have more then one type of warning equipment. If you camp out west flares in the summer time are not a good idea .Because if the area you are campnig in .You don t want to take the chance of a fire if some how your flare gets knocked over.  Flares are also not a good warning device for day time. So carry cones that are are better in the daytime. I was a cop a few years back. And this is just my take on this from working accidents. I carry all three. The best thing is to use what you a comfortable with. I will just say one thing more and then let it go. If you get a flat tire on you TV or your trailer it is best to try and pull over on the shoulder and drive to the next exit to change it. I tell my wife it is better to ruin the tire or rim then take a chance on getting hit. You can replace the tire or rim or the whole trailer ,but you cannot replace your life.

[Tim5055]

 AustinBoston

 

ORIGINAL:  AustinBoston
 
 Highway flares (and I m sure the railroad flares) will light anything on fire, and I mean anything.  (Ashpalt, gasoline spills, soaking wet wood, forests, grasslands, flying insects, damp earth, etc.)  They re hot enough to perform limb amputations in seconds, almost hot enough to weld steel.  No thanks.
 
 Oh, and once lit, you can t put them out.
 
 Austin
 

 Me thinks you go just a little overboard, but I get your point.  Yes, a flare will light any flamable product on fire, but so will a cigarette.   I probably should have been clearer in my statement; they must be used safely.
 
 As with almost everything else in life, you need to know how to use them properly.  I have instructions on my web page:
 
 

If you decide to carry flares (also know as railway flares) understand that flares can be VERY Dangerous. They work fantastic but are made primarily of phosphorus, Sulfur and wax. They are like a gigantic match the does not go out.  
 
 Always follow the instructions of the manufacturer but here are some things to keep in mind:
 
 1. If the flare has a wire stand to stand it up on the roadway, open it and adjust it PRIOR to lighting the flare. If it has a spike, jab it into pavement or soil PRIOR to lighting.
 
 2. When lighting a flare, ALWAYS hold it facing DOWN. When it lights it will begin to DRIP MOLTEN PHOSPHORUS. Set it down quickly.
 
 3. Never kick a flare into the ditch to put it out. That can result in molten phosphorus splattering you or other persons or possibly cause a grass fire.
 
 4. NEVER use a flare when you suspect gasoline fumes in the area. That is when the triangles or cones are to be used.
 
 To put out a flare either drop it into a container of water or snuff it out like a cigarette butt.
 
 

 Yes, you can put them out easly, just pick up by the bsae and walk over to the side of the road and snuff it out in the sand or even on the edge of the pavement.  No, it will not set asphalt on fire.   Maybe at the 2003 rally I can give classes[]

[jaycocamprs]

 AustinBoston
I didn t do it as a safety mod, but I did put a extra marker light on each side just in front of the wheels. I put the light under the door as a step light (that s safety related). Wired it with a double pole, single throw switch. Switch up, light on. Down it works with the regular taillights. Then just for balance, Then I also put one on the other side wired only to the taillights. I also added flood lights to the rear bumper as backup lights.

[brainpause]

 AustinBoston
I haven t really done any safety " mods"  to the camper; I just make sure all the tires are full of air, and all the side markers are working. We rarely travel at dark anyway.
 
 However, our ATV trailer is 17 feet long, and had ONLY the brake lights on the wheel wells and nothing else. So I bought a bunch of running lights or side markers and wired them up. There are now FIVE side markers on each side of the trailer, which really lights it up, especially since the trailer is black, as is my truck. Also, the folding gate at the back of the trailer now has red and white reflective tape on the bottom of it so that it can be seen from behind as well.
 
 In case of emergency on the side of the road, my truck also has strobes (white) in the taillights. They are very bright and help when stranded or during an emergency. I have thought about putting strobes in either the camper or the ATV trailer, but I haven t done it, and probably won t.
 
 Larry