Escapees May June 2015 Demo

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30 .ESCAPEES |May/June 2015 |
Tips
Helpful Hints, Ideas and Solutions for Today’s RVer
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Mountain Bend Shutdown
You’re driving up a winding, two-lane mountain grade and
your engine, though struggling, performs as advertised.
Although there’s no traffic immediately behind you, there
could be at any time. Then suddenly the engine quits with-
out warning and your vehicle comes to a complete stop.
Now you’re halted on an up-grade at a sharp bend, and a
vehicle coming up behind you could easily plow into the
rear of your RV.
The sudden engine stop could be due to any number of
things, such as running out of gas, water or other contam-
inants in the fuel or fuel pump failure. It could also be a
simple vapor lock. Whatever the reason for the failure, the
situation is dire and requires immediate action.
The obvious first option would be to try and restart
the engine. Even if you’re out of gas, maybe there’s just
enough left to get you forward out of the danger zone. But,
if lady luck isn’t with you on this occasion, it’s time to
move to plan B. After setting the brake and engaging the
emergency flashers, you and all passengers need to exit the
vehicle immediately.
If you’re a good “what if” planner, you’1l have distress
flares and/or emergency beacons handy (under the driver’s
seat, for example), ready to grab on your way out the door.
Other passengers may trek around the bend for about 100
yards, ready to flag down an approaching vehicle as you set
out your emergency illuminations. These devices will be
needed, especially at night.
With these immediate measures taken, you can then
think about coasting the vehicle back around to the nearest
turnout, on your side of the road or the other. If you decide
to try backing up, keep in mind that backing around a steep
mountain curve can be tricky. Also, your power brakes will
probably not function without the motor working. If it’s
night time, you may not be able to see where you’re going.
It may be a tough call, deciding whether to stay in your
hazardous situation, or try to back your way out of danger.
If you have a trailer or tow vehicle, the backing option
becomes even more dicey. If possible, roll onto a wide spot
in the road on the opposite side, in which case you would
need to put out caution lights and a passenger flagger ahead
of the vehicle as well as behind.
Only after you have stabilized the situation and elim-
inated immediate danger to you, your passengers and
approaching vehicles, should you start seeking emergency
help from others.
Ron Swartley, Guest Contributor
Tips