If the Serpentine Belt Breaks, What Exactly Happens?

Not only could several things cease to work, especially the power steering, but if it broke because of a bad tensionor bearing just replacing the belt won't get you very far.
I carry both a spare belt and spare tensionor. I also from experience know that a Gates belt will last about twice as long as the Dayco brand.

Belts should be replaced when they reach more than four (4) cracks per inch or the belt cogs are chunking. This is per Dayco standards. Serpentine belts are very tough and long lasting.

My wife walk home 2 weeks ago after belt on her car come off. The red light warning about charging come on and she learn by now that she should not drive long with red light. She did pull safely to parking. In her case it was idler puller, when belt slip off without grinding radiator.
I walk and drove car 1/2 mile home. Lack of PS was pretty hard even on car. Good thing drive-by braking had electric booster, but with hydraulic booster you better watch out.
Than as mention, few minuted and non turning water pump will cost radiator boiling.
I never bought the story about keeping old belt.
How long you think used, 10 or older belt will last when you reuse it?
I always carry new belt and tools to replace it.
New era belts can last 200,000 miles on cars. Don't know about RVs but once you see the cracks on ribs, you better have new belt handy.

You end up on the side of US50 in Nevada somewhere between Austin and Eureka on a Friday night the start of a three day weekend with no cell service, nothing open until Tuesday along with a two day delivery time for a replacement that takes an additional day to get a tech on site to install. Gas or diesel same effort, nothing good.

Several things may happen. But, you will definitely be stopped along the road for an emergency repair.

Hi,

Keep the old one for a spare. I changed mine in 2009 just after I purchased the unit as it was 6 years old

Gonzo42 wrote:
Several things. Most likely the water pump will not pump, making the engine overheat. Also the alternator will not charge the batteries. The A/C will not function.

Might carry a spare.

Keep the old one for a spare, coiled in the engine compartment. Mine is around the brake master cylinder. Carry the wrench size needed to work the idler (tension ) pulley.

The power steering quits and you bring the vehicle to a stop asap.

That depends upon what is being driven by the belt, usually the dash air quits, the engine water pump quits and the engine over heats.

OBTW, the belt may be cracked, but in no danger of breaking. most belts have a backing that is the belts strength, the rubber grooved portion it for traction over the pulleys.

Hopefully, Just what Gonzo42 said. If belt comes out clean, your OK. If it whips and takes something else with it, it could get expensive quickly!