Have you ever had to make an emergency stop, if so, how did it turn out? I ask because we did while traveling in Central Oregon, on our way to Palisades State Park. We were on a narrow 2 lane road, and up ahead, was a large quickly mart. The Suburban ahead of us pulled over. The speed limit was 40 mph, so I figured there could be foot traffic, or cars pulling onto the road, so I let off and was coasting. The driver got out and walked to the front of the car, when I see 2 children getting out of their side and starting around the front. I nailed the brakes, we were doing near 30 when I did this, and we stopped right now, dead bang. When we stopped, the passenger side window was even with the woman and the kids. She had extended both arms to stop the kids, and I watched them stack up on her. The kids had a surprised look on their faces until they looked past her and started looking up. We could hear things sliding around in the MH, and the seat belt hit me like a sledge. I sat there for about 10 seconds soaking in what had just happened. I was never so thankful for the mother;s for though about the kids not looking, but running for the store. When we got the the state park and set-up, we were opening the cabinets and the medicine cabinet, things were falling out, all moved the front of the compartments. But you know what, that really did not bother us compared to what could have happened. At 30, we were traveling about 44 feet per second. We stopped about 2 feet past the front of their car, now I don;t believe I'm the still that fast, so my mind must have confused what was happening, but still got the desired result.

Thankfully all went good. Just another reminder to be aware of all your surroundings when driving, especially in a motorhome that will take a bit more distance to stop completely. Some people driving their cars don't realize how different a big truck or rv is when it comes to stopping or manoeuvring.

Last Aug. I was diving down on RT 95 in Mane, as most of the time in the right lane 62 MPH with a lot of space in front, then some guy comes from the three lanes over in front of me and slams on the breaks, I had all I could do to stop, thought for sure it was going to be a hit, came very near, only that I drive in Tow Haul, I don't think I could have mad a stop. A little while later He goes pissing by me. I now have a dash camera on al the time, for sure if I hit him in his mine it would be my fault.

Add one vote for the dash cam.Our dash cam was installed all of a grand 20 minutes as we left for our first long road trip. 7 blocks away from the house, on an early Sunday morning a guy driving an old chevy PU decided he needed to make a sharp left right in front of us - so he could make the driveway to the 24 hour drug store. He must have missed our front bumper by an inch. He took out a good sized boulder next to the driveway.We slammed on the brakes. Everything went flying including the dogs. We pulled over and set our stuff back in place while we shook off the nerves. Rest of the trip was well enjoyed once we got the trauma out of the way.

My antilock brake test happened this past summer. Our kitchen is L shaped with most of the storage and drawers facing forward. The overhead cabinet emptied. Had a bottle of Olive Oil bounce off the dash along with a bunch of other stuff.

We were traveling south in a two lane road in PA. The driver of a northbound van had a medical incident. His van crossed the centerline directly in our path.Our 37' Southwind doesn't stop on a dime but, I tried. Fortunately the van continued off the road to my right and broke off a utility pole.Unfortunately, the broken top part of the pole that swung out from the impact was now swinging toward the side of the Southwind. I accelerated and the pole just missed the back of the motorhome.I was very lucky avoiding a head on collision and a swinging utility pole.We picked up our stuff on the floor and continued on our trip to the shore with no problems.

Emergency Stop | Good Sam Community

18 Replies

J-Rooster
Explorer
Nov 20, 2015
Yes, people and large animals too numerous to list in the 40 years that I've been RVing.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Nov 20, 2015
Another reason not to walk around or sleep on the bed while in motion.
wildmanbaker
Explorer
Nov 20, 2015
Pogoil wrote:
Having drove a truck for ten years and a MH. for six. I can tell you this. The more distance you leave between you and the other guy will greatly improve the quality of your drive. Yes stuff pops up but you can not drive a big RV. like a car. It will not stop in time like the OP. found out.

I see many MH. drivers tailgating and driving too fast.

Pogoil.

This all too true. No matter how carful you think you are, something may jump up in front of you. Something that really bothers me, is drivers that seem to try and hide along side the rear of the MH and just stay there. Or the ones that seem to come out of no where, and are suddenly coming into you lane when you don't have any place to go.
Pogoil
Explorer
Nov 20, 2015
Having drove a truck for ten years and a MH. for six. I can tell you this. The more distance you leave between you and the other guy will greatly improve the quality of your drive. Yes stuff pops up but you can not drive a big RV. like a car. It will not stop in time like the OP. found out.

I see many MH. drivers tailgating and driving too fast.

Pogoil.
jsmart
Explorer
Nov 20, 2015
Coming from Ocean Shores, WA toward Hoquaim early one morning going about 35 on a long corner, had two deer jump out in front of the mh, locked em up. Fortunately, both dogs were in their beds on the dash and DW was belted in beside me. Didn't measure the distance, but looked like we stopped pretty quickly. Had stuff secured pretty good, did have some stuff rearrange itself in the fridge.
Billinwoodland
Explorer
Nov 17, 2015
Houston Remodeler wrote:
Add one vote for the dash cam.

We slammed on the brakes. Everything went flying including the dogs. We pulled over and set our stuff back in place while we shook off the nerves.

I keep my dogs in a kennel which is secured inside the motorhome. In my cabinets, most everything is placed in small plastic containers and the cabinet is then bungee tied shut to prevent anything going aerial during a sudden stop. While the kennels are not ideal for the dogs safety, they are much better than the dog running loose in the motorhome and being injured during a sudden stop, or injuring you if they became aerial.
-Gramps-
Explorer
Nov 17, 2015
I made a really hard emergency/panic stop coming off I-64 to I-264 East to Va Beach, while coming around a blind curve/on ramp. There was a car stopped in the on ramp just short of the next exit. I slammed the brakes on what was then my brand new coach. We came to a stop about five feet short of hitting the car and I was doing 45 mph. The dog surfed the bathroom rug all the way to the front of the coach.
slickest1
Explorer
Nov 17, 2015
A couple years ago we were going through Lake Havasu, The traffic was heavy and I was taking it pretty easy. The traffic light turned yellow up ahead and I was slowing down when some goof pulls over right in front of me and slams his brakes on hard enough to howl his tires.
Thank god for ABS brakes,the coach just planted itself just inches away from this guy.
One thing we did learn was that we pack things the right way because nothing went flying.

Years ago when I trained new drivers on heavy haul highway trucks one thing I would make them do was to make a panic stop at 60 miles per hr. It is a real eye opener even in a coach.
Canadian_Rainbi
Explorer
Nov 17, 2015
Had to do it twice;

1) 80 KM/H (50 mpg) 4 lane highway in the right lane, car passed then pulled in very close in front of us, braked hard and pulled into a gas station. Hit the brakes then the air horns. Missed him by inches. I followed him in and had a few words. His wife said please don't yell at him we're on our honeymoon. I said I'm driving over 12 tons. Keep doing things like that you won't live to see your first anniversary.

In downtown Monclova, Mexico, approaching intersection with the green light, car in the cross street blew the light. Again, missed by inches.

Both times there would have been a collision without the auxiliary braking in the toad.
xctraveler
Explorer
Nov 17, 2015
Try to avoid situations that require intense braking, but every now and then someone will cross to close in front of me and then slow down, and that is on Freeway with 70 speed limit and I am going 62 just to avoid that kind of interaction.

Once I was going about 30 in a 45 approaching an intersection, my light was green, had been for a bit. As I approached a car hurtled across the intersection running the red. I did not come to a full stop but managed to reduce speed enough that she was able to clear the intersection in front of me. When we got to our our stopping place (can't remember if it was a campground or a WalMart) I indulged in a double dose of my favorite adult beverage, after we got everything picked up.

Forum Discussion

Emergency Stop

18 Replies

About Motorhome Group

Related Content

Emergency Stops Important

Replacing Emergency Exit Cover

Emergency flashers

Emergency Communications

Directv emergency