One of the hardest parts about RVing is that it’s incredibly unpredictable. Dangerous situations can lurk anywhere on the interstate or in your driveway.
A couple of famous YouTubers, Changing Lanes, shared a recent experience as they arrived home. It’s a reminder that you can’t let your guard down until you’re chocked and unhitched.
Today, we’re looking at their chaotic experience and what you can do if you are in the same situation.
Let’s get started!
Who Is Changing Lanes?
Chad and Tara Florian are the content creators behind the Changing Lanes brand. They travel the country in their massive toy hauler while documenting their travels and adventures on social media.
Their videos are a mixture of education and entertainment.
Chad’s in-depth knowledge of RV and other mechanical systems has allowed him to become a trusted information source in the community.
Some of their most popular videos document their RV Travel Day Checklist, internet setup, and the essential equipment full-time RVers need.
They’re brand ambassadors for some of the largest names in the RV industry. Some brands they’ve partnered with include Lazydays RV dealerships, RVLock, and Harvest Hosts.
However, one of their most significant partnerships was designing a fifth wheel with Grand Design RV.
Disaster in Their Driveway
When Changing Lanes returned home from a recent adventure, they encountered an unforeseen obstacle.
The couple previously shared that they had purchased a piece of property to serve as their home base when they weren’t traveling.
Unfortunately, the driveway is rather steep and not necessarily the best for hauling a massive fifth wheel up a steep hill.
As Chad and Tara made their way up the drive, they lost traction approximately 500 feet from their cabin. They had placed a fresh batch of gravel on the drive months ago, but it had washed away while they were gone.
They backed up and tried another approach, which didn’t help their situation.
While things got intense for Chad and Tara, they appeared to have handled it with class. Unfortunately, they couldn’t get their truck and trailer up the hill alone.
In a last-ditch effort, the couple decided to call reinforcements.
Help Arrived to Save the Day
They started calling local tow and recovery companies until they got someone on the line. They told them about their predicament, and a truck came to save the day.
Unfortunately, when the driver arrived, he wasn’t confident he could help Chad and Tara. The driver called his boss to discuss the situation.
Luckily, the boss came and offered to offer some assistance.
When the driver’s boss arrived, they immediately got to work. They hooked their big rig to Chad and Tara’s beefy F-450 and started pulling. It didn’t take long until they unhitched their toy hauler up the hill.
The Florian’s discovered they needed to get new tires and address their driveway situation. These two adjustments will help them avoid finding themselves in this situation.
How to Get Traction on Loose Gravel
Knowing how to respond is essential if you are in a similar situation. Your decisions in these situations can help or hurt your odds of getting out of the sticky situation.
Let’s look at some things you can try to regain traction while on loose gravel.
Reduce Speed
Like most situations where you lose traction, the first thing you should do is to reduce your speed. Driving slower allows for better handling and reduces the risk of losing traction on unstable surfaces.
Instead of your tires spinning, they’ll maintain contact with the road surface and help you maintain control.
Whether it’s loose gravel, snow, or other situations, reducing your speed will reduce skidding and sliding. If you’re struggling to climb a hill or conquer a situation, keep your speed in mind. Putting the pedal to the metal isn’t likely going to give you the best results.
Use Traction Aids
One essential item that we think every RV owner should have is a set of traction aids. These can be especially helpful when your tires struggle to get a grip.
You place them in front of your wheels and then drive up onto them. They can get you and your rig out of numerous sticky situations.
However, it will be too late if you wait to order them until you need them. Again, these are essential items that you should go ahead and purchase.
It’s better to have a set and never need them than not to have them and find yourself needing them. To ensure a smooth adventure, you must always be ready.
Choose the Right Tires
The Florian’s situation reminds us of the importance of having the right tires. They mentioned that their tires were nearing the end of their useful life and knew they’d need to replace them soon.
If you’re worried about getting the most grip, choose tires rated for off-road or all-terrain use.
Having the appropriate tires can give them enough bite in loose gravel and other challenging conditions. Tires with a wider footprint distribute the vehicle’s weight more evenly.
This reduces the chances that they’ll sink into sand, mud, and other soft surfaces.
HOT TIP
Read Why China Bomb Tires May Ruin Your RV Vacation before deciding the type of tires you need.
Air Down Tires
Whether you’re stuck or want to avoid getting stuck, airing down your tires can be extremely helpful. Reducing tire pressure increases the tire’s footprint with the ground.
This larger surface area creates more contact with the gravel surface. You’ll notice increased grip, which will reduce slippage and increase stability.
However, you must be very careful when airing down your tires. Removing too much air can cause handling issues.
In addition, you can do extensive damage to the tires and wheels if you’re not careful. Remember to air them back up as soon as possible once you’re out of the situation.
Shift to a Lower Gear
Another way you can get traction on loose gravel is to shift your vehicle into a lower gear. When using a lower gear, you increase the torque output from the engine.
Doing so can push more power to the wheels and allow them to maintain better traction. It’s also easier to manage speed and keep your wheels from spinning.
Again, maintaining a slow speed can be extremely useful.
Add Weight
While you may be trying to shed a few pounds, adding weight to your vehicle can help improve traction on gravel surfaces. Some truck owners place sandbags, rocks, or bags of gravel into the bed of their truck.
This increases the downward force on the tires and can lead to improved grip and traction on slippery surfaces.
Just ensure you avoid exceeding your vehicle’s weight ratings if you go this route. You don’t want to cause damage to the suspension and other critical components of your vehicle.
Additionally, remove the extra weight when you’re out of the situation. It will likely negatively impact your fuel economy and lead to increased stops at fuel pumps.
Call for Help
Unfortunately, you’ll likely not be able to get yourself out of every sticky situation. If you’re in a challenging situation and unable to gain traction, call for help.
You can do severe damage to your vehicle if you keep pushing it.
Like the Florian’s, look for a local tow or recovery company to rescue you. It may be a good idea to check with your insurance beforehand to be aware of your coverage. Some policies will cover some of these situations.
Changing Lanes Learned a Lesson the Hard Way
Thankfully, Chad and Tara were able to get help and get out of their challenging situation.
We can all learn the importance of navigating situations involving loose gravel from them. They’ve taken the proper steps to address their problem and be ready for the next time they must navigate their driveway.
Since you’re now armed with the knowledge and techniques, get the proper equipment to be prepared for anything.
