How Safe Is An RV In A Lightning Storm?

Above, lightning storm clouds near Route 66 RV Resort in Albuquerque. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since I bought The Beast seven years ago, I have experienced lightning storms while camping in it. Most notably, Route 66 RV Resort in Albuquerque and Trailer Village RV Park in Roswell (remember, a lightning storm allegedly downed a UFO there in 1947).

The question of whether an RV is a safe place to be in during a lightning storm is the subject of a new article in RV Life.

They begin it with:

Many of us have heard the advice that a car is a safe place to hide out during a lightning storm. But is the same thing true for RVs? Are these vehicles truly safe havens from lightning, or are they more dangerous than being outside? These are all fair questions, and it’s important for RVers to follow some proper lightning safety tips. 

To answer the main question: You are safe from lighting in your RV if it has an outer layer of metal. If lightning strikes this surface, it will deflect harmlessly away and will not hurt the people inside. If you are in an RV that is mainly made of fiberglass and wood, you would be safer inside your tow vehicle. These RVs will be more severely damaged by lightning strikes and could catch fire. 

To read further on, go here.