The camping season has arrived! Is your vehicle up to the task?

13 June 2022

The things you need to check - or get checked at your garage - to reduce the potential hazards of camping...

People will soon be heading off on vacation, as we can FINALLY travel more this summer! Camping is a perfect way of discovering the untouched regions of our belle province. Do you have everything that’s needed? Here’s a list of items that can prove highly useful (french only).

You probably already have a first aid kit in your bags, but have you considered getting an emergency kit for your vehicle (French only)? Because camping often brings us to more remote regions, it’s always a good idea to be prepared - no one wants to have a breakdown in the middle of the forest.
Luckily, most mechanical problems can be prevented, by simply taking a few minutes to check your vehicle’s condition before you head off.
Given that back roads are mainly gravel, the most frequently encountered problem is a flat tire. To limit the risks of this happening:

Make sure your tires are in good condition (without too much wear): a flat is more likely with a highly used tire, seeing as the tire tread surface is smaller.
Put air in your tires (if necessary), as per the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding tire pressure. (French only)
Modify your driving to take the road surface (gravel) into account.

How should one drive on a gravel road?

Simply said, slower. This is important to allow for greater control of your vehicle (given that your tires aren’t adhering to the road as well) and to decrease the likelihood of getting a flat.
Modify your driving:

Slow down when you go from an asphalt road to a concrete one, and vice versa. There are often large potholes in these areas. Make sure to check your rearview mirrors before slowing down or braking, to avoid a vehicle hitting you from behind.
Avoid all abrupt movements that could cause you to lose control.
Don’t tailgate; stay at a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you. Not only will you avoid driving through dust clouds, but you’ll also limit the risk of a rock hitting and damaging your windshield.

With a few precautions, the small road mishaps you could encounter while on vacation will become funny stories instead of events that could well ruin your trip.

The camping season has arrived! Is your vehicle up to the task?

How should one drive on a gravel road?

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