Step 1: Get to a safe location
An RV stopped in or near a traffic lane is a serious hazard. Your first action after any breakdown symptom is to get the vehicle to the safest available location before it stops completely.\n\nIf the RV is losing power gradually, navigate to the nearest exit, rest stop, or wide shoulder. Even a partially functional vehicle is safer to move than to stop in a dangerous location. A quarter mile of slow driving to a rest area is far better than stopping on a highway shoulder with limited clearance.\n\nIf the vehicle stops suddenly — complete power loss, tire blowout, or major mechanical failure — steer to the right shoulder as far as possible. Keep the wheels pointed toward the shoulder so the vehicle rolls further off the road if it moves.\n\nOnce stopped, do not exit the vehicle into traffic. Assess whether you can safely open the door away from passing vehicles before anyone gets out.
Step 2: Get occupants safe and deploy warning devices
Once the vehicle is stopped, your next priority is getting all occupants out and away from the road.\n\nAccount for everyone in the RV — check sleeping areas, the bathroom, and any rear bedroom. Then get everyone out of the vehicle and move to a position at least 100 feet away from the RV and away from the traffic lanes. Behind a guardrail is ideal. Do not stand between the RV and traffic.\n\nDeploy emergency warning devices before you leave the vehicle area. Road flares or reflective triangles placed at 100, 200, and 300 feet behind the RV alert approaching drivers. An RV is large but can still be difficult to see around curves or in low light until drivers are dangerously close.\n\nTurn on all hazard lights. If the RV has running lights along the roofline or sides, turn those on as well — anything that increases the vehicle visibility to approaching traffic.
Step 3: Call your RV roadside program
With everyone safe, call your RV roadside assistance program. This is the most important call you will make.\n\nHave your membership number ready along with the vehicle information — year, make, model, and length of the RV. Provide your exact location: a highway mile marker, exit number, or the nearest cross street. Tell the dispatcher the nature of the breakdown as specifically as you can.\n\nAsk the dispatcher to confirm the type of equipment being dispatched and the ETA. A Class A motorhome requires a heavy-duty wrecker — confirm this is what is coming, not a standard tow truck.\n\nIf you do not have a roadside membership, call an RV dealer in the nearest town and ask for a heavy-duty operator referral before calling random tow companies. This saves the time of having an unqualified operator arrive and then having to start the process over. See how to find RV towing near you if you need to locate an operator independently.
Step 4: Manage logistics while you wait
While waiting for the operator, several logistics tasks move the overall situation forward.\n\nCall your insurance company if the breakdown is related to a mechanical failure that may be covered or if you need authorization for towing costs. Many RV policies include roadside assistance or cover towing under specific conditions — understanding your coverage before the invoice arrives is valuable.\n\nIdentify your destination. Where do you want the RV taken? A nearby dealer that handles your brand, a trusted independent RV repair facility, or a storage location while you make longer-term decisions. Having a destination ready when the operator arrives speeds up the process and prevents the vehicle from defaulting to a tow yard.\n\nArrange transportation for your group if needed. If the RV is going to a shop for several days, your group needs a way to get home or to continue the trip. Rideshare, rental car, or a family member driving to meet you — have a plan before the tow operator arrives.
Step 5: Document and follow up
Before the RV is towed, document the vehicle condition with photos from all angles. This establishes the pre-tow condition and protects you if any damage occurs during transport.\n\nGet a written receipt from the tow operator showing the vehicle, pickup location, destination, and cost before they leave with the RV. Confirm the storage or destination address and get a direct contact number for the receiving facility.\n\nFollow up with the repair facility within 24 hours of the vehicle arriving. Confirm they have received it, ask when a technician will assess it, and establish communication for the repair timeline. Proactive follow-up prevents your RV from sitting unassessed in a shop queue for days. See what RV towing costs to plan your budget. See your full RV roadside assistance options.