Preparing Your RV For A Hurricane

Here on the Gulf Coast, we’re prone to receiving bouts of extreme weather, particularly in the summer. One of the near-constant threats we’re exposed to is hurricanes. These windy, rainy storms howl up the coast, so whether you’re a resident or a visitor, you’ll want to be prepared to deal with them. Your camper is small enough that it’s fairly vulnerable to taking on damage from one of these massive storms, so taking the time to thoroughly prepare it for a hurricane will save you from shelling out money on serious repairs or even replacement of your rig. 

As your local camper dealer, Howdy Ranch RV of Mathis, TX, is well-versed in inclement weather preparation, which is why we’ve drawn up this guide to preparing your RV for a hurricane. If you plan ahead, you’ll be ready to handle the worst the weather can bring.

Form A Plan

Your first step will be to plan where you’ll go when a hurricane is on the horizon. Family and friends further inland who have the space to host your RV are ideal. Make sure you know how to get there, and have an alternate route in mind in case of traffic or road closures. 

Maybe you’d rather find a campsite instead; be warned that these will likely overflow with campers during the peak season. If you sense you’re going to need to head out of town, book your campsite as far in advance as you can, even if you don’t end up using it. 

Prepare your rig for the possibility that you’ll have to dry camp without hookups by stocking extra propane and water aboard.

Give Everyone A Task

Your family needs to be ready to act when disaster strikes. Give everyone a task they’re responsible for in an emergency, from your first-grader to your teenager to your partner. Anyone you’re traveling with should know what they can do to cut down on prep time so you can make your escape.

For example, you can assign one or two people to crate pets and bring them aboard, then have someone else be responsible for medicines and first aid kits. Practicing your evacuation plan once a month with everyone performing their tasks will keep them fresh in their minds so they don’t even have to think when the warning comes.

Prepare In Advance

Keeping your camper maintained and in good condition will save you from having to tune things up at the last minute. You want your rig to always be in drivable condition; a breakdown on the highway during a hurricane is really bad news and could leave you stranded in the storm.

To prepare, fill your gas tank, keep your oil changed on schedule and topped up, inflate your tires and inspect them for embedded objects or damage. Carrying a small toolkit, an air compressor and some spare parts is a good idea so you can handle anything the storm might throw at you.

Pack An Emergency Kit

It’s smart if you live in a hurricane-prone area like Corpus Christi to pack some supplies on your rig in advance of bad weather so you’re ready to go when the time comes. A week’s worth of food and water will be necessary, so stow some dry goods in your pantry and have bottled water at the ready to supplement your freshwater tank. You’ll need extra propane for fuel, a hand-crank radio to keep you abreast of what’s happening should your phone not get service, extra gas and a first aid kit.

With some preparation and planning, you can protect yourself and your RV in the event of a natural disaster like a hurricane. If you have any questions, bring them to us! When you visit our dealership in Mathis, TX, you’ll find that our friendly staff are ready and willing to help you with any RV issues. We can also show you our full inventory of new and used RVs and campers for sale. Howdy Ranch RV welcomes our customers coming from the areas of Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Rockport, Laredo and Victoria, TX.