Nearly half of all vehicles are stolen because owners neglect a few simple precautions.

If you have never driven a motorhome before, you may find it to be quite a disorienting and daunting prospect. Driving a motorhome safely is a bit more challenging than driving a smaller vehicle safely. But it is not too hard to learn, and you should adjust relatively quickly.

Following are some tips which can help you get started on the right track for a pleasant and safe motorhome vacation.

1. Be prepared for long, wide turns

The most obvious difference between driving a motorhome and driving a smaller vehicle is that the large size of your vehicle means that you will need to be making long, wide, slow turns.

If you need to make a tight turn, the trick is to do two things:

Put more width between yourself and the obstacle you need to pivot around.

Start your turn earlier rather than later.

That second step may seem counterintuitive, and may make you feel uneasy. But if you watch videos, you can see these principles demonstrated.

If you are ever in any doubt about your ability to make a particular turn, do not do it. If you absolutely must, get someone outside the vehicle to help you.

2. Do not follow other drivers too closely

Because it takes longer to stop a motorhome, you need to make sure that you are putting more distance between yourself and the drivers in front of you. Following closely puts them and you at risk.

3. Be prepared for longer brake times

Even if you have an open road in front of you, you need to keep your longer brake times in mind constantly.

Say for example you are driving down a hill starting at the top. If you start at the same speed you would normally in a car, you will probably be surprised by how fast you are going by the bottom. Start out slower so that your brakes have less to do. Use the appropriate gear as well.

4. Make sure you are centered in your lane

Because a motorhome is also wider than a regular vehicle, it can be difficult at first to gauge your position in your lane. One thing which can help is to stick with driving in the lane closest to the shoulder. That way if you veer too far to the right, at least you will not veer into traffic.

Plus, this is the lane you are expected to drive in if you are going more slowly, which you probably will (and should) be. If there are cars piled up behind you, do use the turnouts. This is courteous to other drivers. It is also safer, since you will then not have angry people trying to pass you. This will reduce tailgating as well.

5. Do not pull into spaces without someone outside to help

If you are trying to park your motorhome, whether in a parking lot or an RV park, you should not attempt to do so entirely on your own.

You need to have somebody outside to help you gauge the distance between the motorhome and other vehicles, as well as how aligned you are with the space.

Even experienced motorhome drivers do this, so as a beginner, there is no excuse not to. If you are traveling by yourself, ask a staff member at the RV park to assist you. Most park staff will not hesitate to help you out.

6. Never make assumptions about clearance

It’s very easy to forget that you are driving a vehicle which is quite a bit taller than you are used to. Always check clearance for tunnels, bridges, petrol stations, and so forth before you proceed in your rented motorhome. This is also something to keep in mind when you are planning your routes.

7. Be aware of the “tail swing”

The construction of motorhomes means that sometimes the front and back of the RV are actually comprised of separate pieces which turn at slightly different rates. This results in a “tail swing” which may be as high as 30 inches.

Be aware of how tail swing can affect the way that your vehicle turns. Compensate for it so that you can make your turns safely.

8. Watch out for wind

When driving a motorhome, your vehicle’s centre of mass is higher off the ground than it would be in a regular car. That means that wind can have more of an impact on your vehicle, causing greater instability.

Winds which a car would be able to handle with little difficulty can be quite problematic for a motorhome driver. So do not make assumptions about what you will be able to deal with. If the wind is giving you trouble, just pull over until it passes.

8. Use Caution and Common Sense When Driving Your Hired Motorhome

You now have some important tips to help you out while you are learning to drive the motorhome you hire for your next vacation. Take it slow, and do not be afraid to pull over when you need to. You should get the hang of it pretty quickly, and will be able to enjoy a safe and smooth motorhome experience.

Source: campervanfinder.com

You could see fireworks every night for a week in MA

To watch the holiday’s fireworks shows done safely and professionally, here is where you can go to see them from Tuesday, July 1, through Sunday, July 6.

Tuesday:

• Haverhill: Fireworks will start at 9:15 p.m. at Riverside Park at 163 Lincoln Ave.
• Stoughton: Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. at the Stoughton High School field at 232 Pearl St.
• Worcester: Fireworks will start at 9 p.m. at the Worcester Community School’s athletic field at 170 Belmont St.

Wednesday:

• Boston: Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. at the barge off Long Wharf at 66 Long Wharf.
• Chatham: Fireworks will start at dusk (9 p.m.) at Veteran’s Field at 150 Depot Road.
• Cohasset: Fireworks will start at 9:15 p.m. at the barge off Sandy Beach at 345 Atlantic Ave.
• Foxborough: Fireworks will set off at 9 p.m. at Parking Lot 51 at Patriot Place at 2 Patriot Place.
• Lexington: Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. at the Lexington High School football field at 112 Worthen Road.
• Mashpee: Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. at the golf course at 2 Red Brook Road, near the New Seabury Country Club.
• Orleans: Fireworks will start at 9:15 p.m. at the barge off Rock Harbor Beach at 11 Bay View Drive.

Thursday:

• Andover: Fireworks begin at 9:20 p.m. at Andover High School at 80 Shawsheen Road.
• Attleborough: Fireworks will start at 9 p.m. at Hayward Field at 73 North Ave.
• Fitchburg: Fireworks will kick off at 9 p.m. at 46 Pratt Road.
• Freetown: Fireworks will start at 9 p.m. at the Assonet Burying Ground on South Main Street.
• Gloucester: Fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m. at Stage Fort Park at 1 Hough Ave.
• Hadley: Fireworks will start at 9:15 p.m. at the Warrent McGuirk Alumni Stadium at 300 Stadium Drive.
• Lawrence: Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. at the field across from Lawrence High School, at 71 North Parish Road.
• Lynn: Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. at the barge near Red Rock at 76 Marine Blvd.
• Mashpee: Fireworks start at 9:15 p.m. at the golf course at 130 Willowbend Drive.
• Mattapoisett: Fireworks will start at 9 p.m. at the golf course driving range at 63 County Road.
• Needham: Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. at the Needham High School parking lot at 609 Webster St.
• New Bedford: Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. at the barge in New Bedford Harbor at
• Pittsfield: Fireworks will start at 9 p.m. at Camp Winadu at 700 Churchill St.
• Randolph: Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. at the Randolph High School baseball field at 70 Memorial Parkway.
• Rutland: Fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m. behind the ballpark at Marsh Field at 17 Pommogussett Road.
• Sharon: Fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m. at the barge on Lake Massapoag at 196 Pond St.
• South Deerfield: Fireworks begin at 8:45 p.m. at the open field at Tree House Brewing at 1 Community Place.
• South Hadley: Fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m. at Michael E. Smith Middle School at 100 Mosier St.
• Tewksbury: Fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m. near the Saunders Recreational Area at 286 Livingston St.
• Walpole: Fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m. at Joe Morgan Field at 220 School St.
• Webster: Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. at Memorial Beach near Thompson Road.
• Weymouth: Fireworks will start at 9:15 p.m. at the barge off Wessagusett Beach.
• Worcester: Fireworks begin at 9 a.m. at Institute Park at 82 Salisbury St.
• Fireworks will also go off during the post-game in the outfield at Polar Park, at 100 Madison St.

Friday:

• Acton: Fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m. behind Nara Park at 25 Ledge Rock Way.
• Agawam: Fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m. at Picnic Grove at Six Flags New England at 1623 Main St.
• Amesbury: Fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m. at Woodsom Farm at 223 Lions Mouth Road.
• Bellingham: Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. at Bellingham High School at 60 Blackstone St.
• Beverly: Fireworks will start at 9:15 p.m. at the barge near West Beach at 121 West St.
• Boston: Fireworks will start at 9:40 p.m. off five barges in the Charles River.
• Bridgewater: Fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m. at Legion Field Bridgewater, behind Williams Intermediate School at 200 South St.
• Edgartown: Fireworks will start at 9:15 p.m. at Edgartown Harbor at 1 Morse St.
• Fall River: Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. off the barge in the Taunton River at 1338 Davol St.
• Falmouth: Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. off the barge at Falmouth Beach on Gifford Street.
• Greenfield: Fireworks kick off at 9:20 p.m. at Franklin County Fairgrounds at 89 Wisdom Way.
• Harwich: Fireworks will start at 9:15 p.m. off three barges near Wequassett Resort & Golf Club at 2173 MA-28.
• Lowell: Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. from the pedestrian walkway on the Aiken Street Bridge.
• Marblehead: Fireworks will start at 9:15 p.m. off the barge in Marblehead Harbor, near the Commercial Street Wharf.
• Nahant: Fireworks will start at 9 p.m. at Bailey’s Point Park near Bass Point Road.
• Nantucket: Fireworks will start at 9 p.m. off the barge near Jetties Beach.
• Newton: Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. at Albemarle Field at 250 Albemarle Road.
• North Adams: Fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m. at 400 Curran Highway.
• Pittsfield: Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. at Wahcona Park at 105 Wahcona St.
• Plymouth: Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. off three barges in Plymouth Harbor.
• Provincetown: Fireworks will start at 9 p.m. at MacMillian Pier at 24 MacMillian Wharf.
• Salem: Fireworks kick off at 9 p.m. at Derby Wharf at 160 Derby St.
• Springfield: Fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m. at the Memorial Bridge.
• Wakefield: Fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m. at the end of Beacon Street.
• Williamstown: Fireworks will start at 9:15 p.m. at 215 South St. near the Clark Art Institute.
• Winthrop: Fireworks will start at 9:20 p.m. at Coughlin Park at 31 Bay View Ave.
• Worcester: Fireworks begin during the post-game in the outfield at Polar Park, at 100 Madison St.

Saturday:

• Agawam: Fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m. at Picnic Grove at Six Flags New England at 1623 Main St.
• Charlton: Fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m. at Tree House Brewing Co. at 129 Sturbridge Rd.
• East Brookfield: Fireworks will start at 9:15 p.m. at the landfill on Connie Mack Drive.
• Franklin: Fireworks begin at 10 p.m. at Franklin High School at 218 Oak St.
• Greenfield: Fireworks begin at 9:35 p.m. at Poet’s Seat Tower on Mountain Road.
• Methuen: Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. at the off-ramp at Exit 4 at Route 213.
• Middleborough: Fireworks begin at 10 p.m. at Battis Field/Pierce Playground on Jackson Street.
• Milford: Fireworks will start at 9 p.m. at Clark Island.
• Osterville: Fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m. off two barges in Tims Cove on Cove Lane.
• Salisbury: Fireworks kick off at 10:15 p.m. at Salisbury Beach.
• Wrentham: Fireworks will start at 9 p.m. off the barge in Lake Pond at 41 Woodford Road.

Sunday:

• North Andover: Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. at Hayes Stadium at North Andover Middle School at 495 Main St.