You've been planning your trip through lower Canada for months. You have your destination mapped out and your RV packed up and ready to go. While there are many things to plan for before the trip, make sure you know what to do should you break down along the way. Making sure that you can easily reach a reputable towing service that will help get you to a safe destination is important. Here are a few things you'll want to do should you break down along the highway.

Pull Over Off of the Road

RVs range in size from pull-behind campers to large Class A motor homes up to 45 feet long. If your RV is a class A, it can be challenging to maneuver it off of the highway if there is any form of mechanical failure. However, getting off the road and away from the line of traffic will prevent an accident and a hefty fine from law enforcement. Some tips to keep in mind include:

• Pull onto the shoulder if one is available.
• Glance for a parking lot or driveway—this will give you more room while waiting for a tow truck to arrive.
• If you're unable to pull off the shoulder, maneuver your RV as closely as possible to the side of the road.
• Put on your emergency flashers and set up flares around the perimeter of the RV to alert oncoming traffic.

Once you're safe, call a nearby towing business. A towing company will be able to briefly troubleshoot your mechanical issues and provide service or towing to the nearest auto service station.

Don't Try to Push the RV Yourself

If your RV is still on the road and you've reached mechanical failure, it's best to call for assistance. Pushing the RV off the road or placing it in neutral and trying to guide it to another location is dangerous. The best thing you can do is make sure that the emergency brakes are engaged and you have additional brake protection by using wheel stop blocks to avoid rolling. A tow truck driver will attach a winch and secure the RV in place on the back of his truck—leading to a safe tow to its destination.

Utilize a Safety Pack

Keeping you and your passengers safe should be a priority. Including a safety pack before you embark on your trip provides an added layer of protection. Try to bring:

• Extra blankets.
• Packaged hand warming packets for instant warmth.
• Non-perishable food such as energy bars and crackers.
• Emergency road flares or lights.
• A weather radio in case you are stranded in a storm.
• A CB radio to make contact if you don't have cell service.

Placing these items together in one location will help make them easily accessible.

Contact a Full Service Towing Company

Once you've secured your RV and everyone is safe, call a towing company. Have a list of reputable companies in the area prior to your trip. If you're out of the vicinity of their service area, they'll likely recommend you to the closest company over the phone. Some towing companies provide towing services only, while others can help assist with certain roadside problems, such as changing out a flat tire. A full service towing company may provide you with temporary transportation to a safe location while your RV is being repaired.

Staying safe on your RV trip, also means planning ahead for breakdowns and emergencies. Reaching out to a towing company, such as Kingsway Towing Group, will help you get back on the road and back to enjoying your travel experience.