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.
