Archive for the ‘Safety’ Category

“Our Existence on this planet depends upon the existence of all life around us, and that includes snakes.” — Okefenokee Joe

Snakes FEED on insects, rats, mice and other rodents and reptiles, and snakes are FOOD for raptors, coyotes, bobcats, foxes and other wild animals. The United States is home to four poisonous types of snake families… Coral Snakes (3 species), Copperhead Snakes (at least 5 species), Cottonmouth, (Water Moccasin, 3 known species) and, of course, Rattlesnakes (31 species).

That sounds like a lot of bad snakes, but MOST snakes are not dangerous. In fact snakes are afraid of humans and given space when startled by a human will slither off.

When boondocking with your RV be aware of the area around you. Avoid parking and setting up camp by piles of shrubs, dead branches and refuse or other places snakes might find shelter or food. On cool days snakes like to warm their bodies in sunshine. On hot days they seek to cool themselves in shady spots. Be alert to these.

When hiking in desert lands or other habitat appealing to snakes one should definitely stay alert. If a snake is sited, stop and do not approach it. Make no sudden movements. Don’t try to catch it, kill it or tease it, and if you recognize it as a venomous one give it space.

Most snakebites occur below the knee. Wear appropriate clothing when in snake territory. Get a field guide book so you can identify poisonous from non-poisonous snakes and their habits and habitats.

What to do about a snakebite:

• Make positive identification of the snake, if possible.
• If you are certain it is not a venomous snake, get away from the snake, clean the area and the bite and watch for signs of infection.
• Venomous snakebites can be very serious. Get away from the snake to avoid a second bite. Immediate medical aid is needed for a poisonous snakebite.
• Remain still and as calm as possible.
• Identify the type of snake if you can and call 911.
• Remove constricting items (clothing, jewelry) from the affected limb or area as it will quickly begin swelling.
• Wash the bite area with soap and water. To reduce danger of the venom flowing to the heart, keep the limb or bite area below heart level.
• If 911 is not reachable, get to a medical facility as soon as possible.
• DO NOT eat or drink anything, including medication or alcoholic beverages. DO NOT put ice on the bite area. DO NOT apply a tourniquet or cut over the bite area and DO NOT ever, under any circumstances, try to suck the venom out by mouth.

While most snakes are NOT dangerous most humans fearful that they ARE. Coexistence is possible. Try to develop a respect for them and their contribution to nature’s balance.

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Did you know that tires have a maximum speed rating? They do. This isn’t a big deal for passenger, light truck and motorhome tires because they usually have a MPH rating well above typical highway speed limits.

But nearly all Special Trailer (ST) tires used on all but the larget RV travel trailers and fifth wheels have a maximum speed rating of just 65 MPH.

You can drive faster than 65 MPH but in order to do that, however, you need to increase your cold inflation by about 10 psi (without exceeding the maximum PSI stamped on the tire) for every 10 mph over 65 that you are going, as well as decrease your load carrying capacity by 10%.

So, for example, a Carlisle ST225/75RR15 Load range E (10 ply) tire, has a load carrying capacity of 2830 lbs at 80 psi. But you will have a load carrying capacity of 2,547 lbs at 75 mph.

If you’re maxing out the load rating of your trailer’s tires it’s imperative that you keep your speed at or below 65 MPH. Driving faster will, at the least, shorten the life of the tires and may result in tire failure in the road.

What I’d like to have, and would be willing to pay for, is the full 2830 lbs load carrying capacity of the LRE tires and be able to drive at a more reasonable speed. Tire manufacturers should realize that RVers aren’t pulling 1960′s travel trailers anymore.

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