Safety Tips for Van Travel

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Van travel is one of the most exciting and unpredictable travel experiences. You can drive from state to state, stay at a campsite, or simply take a long road trip. However, there are some important safety tips for van travel that can make or break your vacation. Taking these precautions can prevent flat tires, getting stuck, your battery dying, or worse – getting your van stolen.

Here are some of my best Safety Tips for Van Travel:

Road Safety

When traveling on the road, there are some things you’re going to need for your safety. First, investing in a good set of tire chains will help you crush those icy roads without putting yourself in danger. They’re cheap, easy to install and remove, and will save your butt in the winter. Even if you’re traveling someplace warm, it never hurts to have tire chains in your van travel arsenal. 

Second, investing in roadside assistance for things you can’t fix such as your engine smoking will come in handy. There are plenty of roadside assistance plans you can pay that you can call if you run into an issue. This way, you won’t be stranded or pay hefty fees to get out of your predicament. 

Third, always have a full gas can in case you run out of gas. Nothing is worse than your engine slowing down and you having to pull over because you forgot to fill up. Investing in a high-quality metal jerry can guarantees you’ll have plenty of gas for your trip.

Fourth, get a pair of jumper cables. You never know when your battery will suddenly die on you and you don’t want to be left stranded. 

Lastly, invest in an air compressor. I can’t tell you how many times our van’s tire pressure gauge has come on while we’re on the road. Especially if you’re traveling somewhere cold, having an air compressor ensures you won’t get a flat tire or ride on tires with low air. 

Van Security

It’s likely your van has a lot of valuables in it when you’re traveling. Investing in van safety and security measures will ensure your stuff stays where it is. First, you’ll want to purchase a lockbox for your valuables. You can keep the key with you, knowing any wallets, phones, or other valuables are hidden away for safety. Second, getting padlocks for your side door and back door guarantees no one will be able to get inside your van. These padlocks can be easily installed for maximum safety. Investing in a steering wheel lock is another great van security measure. The last thing you want is someone stealing your entire van because the steering wheel wasn’t locked. This one will guarantee the only person driving your van is you.

Investing in a pocket alarm is another way to ward off danger by drawing attention to your van. My last piece of van security advice is to get a vehicle GPS tracking device. Worst case scenario, if your van happens to get stolen and you don’t have a tracking device, the only thing you can do is call the police and give them the license plate number. If you want to guarantee you’ll get your van back, having a tracking device will make the process a lot quicker and easier. 

Environmental Safety

Many environmental dangers come with van travel. You can avoid these if you take the necessary precautions. For example, if you’re okay with picking up hitchhikers, make sure you don’t do it at night. Any honest hitchhiker wouldn’t be wandering around at night looking for a van to pick them up. You also don’t want to leave your van unlocked. Random strangers might be looking for unlocked vans they can take things from. Next, don’t leave anything valuable in the front seat. Don’t leave things like your phone, wallet, family photos, or anything that means something to you in plain sight.

Another safety tip is to never park when it’s dark. It can be hard to see your surroundings when it’s dark outside and you don’t want to end up someplace sketchy. You also want to make sure you keep your phone charged at all times. You don’t want to be in a situation where you can’t call for help if you need it. My last piece of advice is to educate yourself on the common travel scams that people try to pull on van travelers. There have been many times where I’ve noticed something was off and I avoided it simply because I knew it was a scam.

Takeaway

Taking the necessary safety precautions for van travel guarantees you’ll have a smooth ride. Trust me, it never hurts to be overcautious when traveling. Some people may surprise you with their generosity, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be aware of your surroundings. Let me know if you like these tips and if I should add any more to the list! Happy travels and stay safe!