Three things every RVer should have on board

Spring is here and RV travel is in full swing.  There are many things you can do to make sure your RV is ready to hit the road, such as changing your oil and transmission fluid and a regular check of your battery.  I do it every three months – the more you use your RV, the harder the batteries work and the more corroded they tend to get.
One of the biggest issues RVers deal with when it comes to problems on the road is underinflated tires. Insurance companies see many claims for accidents related to this as well.  I tell every RV traveler I know that there are three aftermarket items you should not be without in your RV:
1. A tire pressure monitoring system.  Properly inflated tires increase your fuel efficiency, reduce accidents and save wear and tear on your tires.  The best tire monitor system sold today monitors tire pressure and temperature in the tires of both the RV and the vehicle being towed. The read out is mounted on the dash in plain view of the driver, and gives a constant digital read out and will sound an audible alarm if there is a problem.
2. An Electrical Management System (EMS).  An EMS is either permanently installed (ideal) or plugs in, and monitors the power to the RV.  It performs a diagnostic test of the electrical shore power when the power cord is plugged in, and will not supply voltage to the RV if there are problems like low voltage, high voltage, reverse polarity, open ground, etc.  An EMS also will turn the power off for the same reasons.
3. A tow brake.  Installed in the towed vehicle, a tow brake takes braking load off the RV.  Because the RV is not stopping the extra 3,000-4,000 pounds of weight, the stopping distance in an emergency situation is reduced by around 30%.
I also keep an online “diary” of when I service my RV.  It has built-in reminders so I know when to check my tires and battery or change my oil, for example.  You don’t need anything fancy, just a simple spreadsheet will do.