Can you use the microwave in an RV while driving? (13 safety tips)
In this article, we will discuss: Can you use the microwave in an RV while driving? We will share with you safety rules and tips for your RV trip.
Can you use the microwave in an RV while driving?
The general rule is that you shouldn’t use the microwave in an RV while driving. Doing so would imply that you are not seated in a chair with the seatbelt on. While it is true that not all 50 states prohibit walking in a motorhome while it is moving, we would recommend you to stay safe and wear a seatbelt all the time the vehicle is moving.
In the table below, you can see which states require wearing a seatbelt at all times while the RV is moving, and in which states you can move more freely in the motorhome.
| State | Primary Law | Secondary Law | No Law |
| Alabama | X | ||
| Alaska | X | ||
| Arizona | X | ||
| Arkansas | X | ||
| California | X | ||
| Colorado | X | ||
| Connecticut | X | ||
| Delaware | X | ||
| District of Columbia | X | ||
| Florida | X | ||
| Georgia | X | ||
| Hawaii | X | ||
| Idaho | X | ||
| Illinois | X | ||
| Indiana | X | ||
| Iowa | X | ||
| Kansas | X | ||
| Kentucky | X | ||
| Louisiana | X | ||
| Maine | X | ||
| Maryland | X | ||
| Massachusetts | X | ||
| Michigan | X | ||
| Minnesota | X | ||
| Mississippi | X | ||
| Missouri | X | ||
| Montana | X | ||
| Nebraska | X | ||
| Nevada | X | ||
| New Hampshire | X | ||
| New Jersey | X | ||
| New Mexico | X | ||
| New York | X | ||
| North Carolina | X | ||
| North Dakota | X | ||
| Ohio | X | ||
| Oklahoma | X | ||
| Oregon | X | ||
| Pennsylvania | X | ||
| Rhode Island | X | ||
| South Carolina | X | ||
| South Dakota | X | ||
| Tennessee | X | ||
| Texas | X | ||
| Utah | X | ||
| Vermont | X | ||
| Virginia | X | ||
| Washington | X | ||
| West Virginia | X | ||
| Wisconsin | X | ||
| Wyoming | X |
What you can do and what you shouldn’t do while the RV is moving
As a general rule, all passengers must be strapped in while the RV is moving, so it goes without saying that they are prohibited from:
- to walk freely
- to cook
- to lie down
- to go to the toilet
It is very important to secure free objects in the vehicle, to prevent them from turning into projectiles in the event of an accident.
It is prohibited to drive a road vehicle if a passenger, animal or object interferes with your field of vision or interferes with your driving.
If you have a pet in the RV, please make sure that you:
- Secure it with a harness.
- Install a safety net or barrier.
- Use a carrier, which you can secure with a seat belt.
13 RV driving tips for your safety
It is important to be safe during your RV adventure! You will protect yourself and other people on the road by being well prepared and careful. Since they are often wider, taller, longer, and heavier, driving an RV is very different from driving a standard vehicle, or even a truck.
Safety tip # 1: Check the functionality of the RV
Make sure to verify that all essential RV systems are functioning properly. Some important systems are:
- The electronics: the fares, the wipers and the horn.
- Tire tracks
- Water and fluid levels.
Safety tip # 2: know the surroundings
Check maps, road conditions, traffic conditions, road works, weather conditions and for animals crossing the street.
Safety tip # 3: find blind spots
Some RVs hide vehicles behind so relying only on mirrors can be problematic. So take the time to check where the RV’s blind spots are (usually they are 45 degrees from the sides of the vehicle).
Safety tip # 4: get out of common places safely
Common places are, for example, gas stations or parking lots. Enter traffic only when there is enough space. Remember, your vehicle is much wider and slower to accelerate. Stay patient, some drivers will even stop to let you in (wave and smile!).
Safety tip # 5: ask for guidance
Having someone out of the vehicle watching the RV and helping you navigate tight spaces or obstacles. A person guiding you can help you avoid scratching or hitting the RV. Keep the lookout for insight and agree to hand signals before you begin.
Safety tip # 6: Keep your distance
To be safe on the road, it is recommended to leave a distance equivalent to 3 seconds between two vehicles. Since you are operating a wider vehicle and the braking is a little slower, we recommend that you keep a greater distance.
If the conditions are bad, such as rain or snow, you will need to keep your distance 3 times as long (approximately 9 seconds).
Safety tip # 7: Respect the capacity of the vehicle
This is the total weight that the vehicle can support. This weight is determined by the manufacturer and must be observed. Carrying more weight than permitted can create problems for your vehicle warranty, insurance, the law, and most importantly your safety.
Safety Tip # 8: Safe Towing
If you are pulling a trailer, here are some tips for doing so safely.
- Respect the towing capacity of the vehicle.
- Make sure the weight is well distributed among the trailer (do not have all the weight at the front or back of the trailer). Generally, the trailer weight profile should be 60/40. This means that 60% of the weight is at the front of the axle and 40% of the weight is at the rear of the axle.
- Allow yourself more room to turn.
- Practice backing up home before you go on a trip.
- Check that all lights on the trailer are working properly.
Safety tip # 8: Adjust for road conditions
We recommend that you make the following adjustments:
- If there is ice, slow down and keep a good distance between yourself and the vehicle ahead.
- Slow down if there is rain or snow.
- If there is a lot of snow, you can consider putting chains on your wheels.
- Use your fares if it is raining, snowing, for fog, in the morning and during the night or even to notify other vehicles on the street.
- Avoid putting on your full fares if it is foggy.
- If conditions are very bad, such as a lot of snow, flooding, or difficult terrain, it is best to stop or return to a safe location until conditions improve.
Safety tip # 9: be careful when overtaking
Pass a vehicle only when you have enough space. It’s not worth trying to overtake when it’s really tight. Also, avoid overtaking on hills, on bends or if the sun is in your eyes.
Safety tip # 10: stay calm if an animal crosses the street
If an animal jumps in front of the RV, simply release your foot from the accelerator and focus on continuing straight ahead and staying in control of the vehicle. It is better to protect yourself than to try to avoid hitting the animal. Click here for more information on how to react when animals are crossing the street.
Safety tip # 11: be careful around corners
Turn more slowly and give yourself more room at the corners.
Safety tip # 12: be careful on the hills
Be careful on steeper slopes. You may need to change the gear.
Safety Tip # 13: Avoid muddy roads
It can be tempting to drive off-road during your adventure, but most RVs are not equipped for these road conditions. So, to be safe and get to your destination without complications, stay on paved roads.
The bottom line
To be honest, here, the only way you can use the microwave in an RV while driving is if you are sitting in a chair with your seatbelt on, facing the microwave. You are not prohibited by law to use the microwave, but it is best if you don’t and to follow the above-mentioned safety tips!
If you have any questions or comments about the content, please let us know.
FAQ on Can you use the microwave in an RV while driving?
How many people can fit in an RV?
RVs can be better than a hotel. Depending on their size and style, you can find them with a bathroom, kitchen and space to accommodate a maximum of eight people or take your pet with you.
Can you travel in the back of a motorhome without seatbelts?
The answer is no, you can’t travel in the back of a motorhome without seatbelts as long as the vehicle is moving. Even though you may not consider it dangerous, the law obliges you to wear the seatbelt even as a passenger in the back of an RV.
Can you drink in an RV?
You can drink in an RV as long as you are not the driver, do not plan on driving the RV, and you are parked at a campsite. Needless to say, it is illegal and a criminal offence to drink and drive. It is legal to drink behind the driver as long as no containers, empty or not, are within reach of the driver.
