RV life gets talked about a lot in sunsets and scenic overlooks, and it should.. that's a huge part of why we chose this life. But it's not the whole story, and I want to be honest about the part that doesn't make it into the highlight reel.
On August 10th, we got a firsthand lesson in just how serious an Arizona monsoon storm can be.
What happened
The winds picked up fast. Really fast. Local reports put gusts in that storm at up to 70 mph in parts of the Phoenix area, and it did real damage. We are talking: trees down, debris everywhere, power outages across multiple cities. We were parked, the wind was slamming into the side of our rig, and it did not feel safe to stay inside.
So we didn't. We got in the truck and sat there, watching the lightning, until it passed.
We were shaking. We were scared. And honestly? That's the truth of RV life that doesn't get posted enough. It's not all unicorns and rainbows. There's a real, physical vulnerability that comes with living in something on wheels when severe weather rolls in. But we got through it safely, and we came out the other side with some real lessons about how to handle it better next time.
Why RVs are especially vulnerable in storms
An RV is lightweight compared to a house, has a high profile that catches wind like a sail, and isn't anchored to the ground the way a permanent structure is. High winds, hail, and lightning all pose a real risk, and it's something a lot of new RVers (us included, apparently) don't fully think through until it's happening in real time.
What we learned: real RV storm safety tips
If you're new to RV life or just want to be more prepared than we were, here's what we've since learned from other RVers and RV safety resources:
- Know the forecast before you park, not after. Check the weather for your route and destination daily during storm season, and keep an eye on alerts once you're set up.
- Retract your slides and awnings at the first sign of a serious storm. Awnings especially catch wind and can tear or rip clean off the rig.
- Lower or retract your TV antenna and secure anything loose outside: chairs, mats, grills, anything that can become a projectile in high wind.
- Know your evacuation option before you need it. If winds get severe, a hard-sided vehicle (like a truck) is safer than staying inside a lightweight RV. We didn't think this through ahead of time, we just reacted in the moment, and it worked out, but having a plan beforehand would have made it far less scary.
- Avoid parking under or near large trees or power lines, if you have any control over your site placement.
- Keep your tow vehicle accessible and not blocked in, especially during storm season, so you're never stuck if you need to move quickly.
- Have a battery-powered weather radio or a reliable weather app with push alerts. Cell service isn't always reliable in a storm, and Wi-Fi can go down with the power.
- If your RV starts rocking noticeably in wind, get out and into a sturdier structure or vehicle. Don't wait to see if it gets worse.
Real life happens, even on the road
We've said it before and we'll keep saying it: RV life is full of whimsy and freedom and jaw-dropping views, but it's also just... life. Storms happen. Scary nights happen. The difference is we get to have those moments while parked somewhere new every few weeks instead of in the same driveway… and honestly, going through something hard like that storm just reminded us how much we look out for each other and how resilient this lifestyle has made us.
We made it through safe, the rig was fine, and we're still out here.
If you're new to RV life or planning your first big trip, I'm always happy to talk through routes, timing around storm seasons, and general trip planning.
Message me on Facebook or reach out here.
Additional RV storm safety reading: General RV's guide to camping during a severe thunderstorm, RV.com – how to prepare for severe weather while RVing
