Therefore, knowing the width of your RV before you start driving is always a good idea. If youre driving an RV, chances are youre on vacation. Our eventful drive was filled with many lessons learned, and I felt much more confident and prepared for all the driving to come. As we set off on that first drive, I felt the absence of my safety net our RV salesperson calmly guiding and reassuring me during our test drives. By swinging out and going further into the intersection before turning, you will avoid the insurance claims required to answer for all the damage. Chances are they wont be where they need to be, and since it can be so hard to see behind you in an RV, your mirrors are a super important tool. Cheers to your own first drive! The truth is there are certain situations that require special attention in order for you to stay safe on the road in an RV. Is It Hard to Drive a Class A RV? What You Need to Know Take this into account when planning your travel days, and stick to shorter drives whenever possible. For example, to navigate corners, you will have to swing out to some degree, in order to give the rear half enough room to clear the corner. And, if youre anything like me, youll find the extra walking will do the body good. Generally speaking, we like to stick to roads with a 6% grade or less, especially if the incline lasts for miles (and especially if were in a large RV). It seems like working out a deal one-on-one with a private RV owner could be a much longer, more drawn-out process. The math wasnt adding up. PARK SLOWLY. Driving A Class A Motorhome For The First Time | Campanda Magazine Be watching for them. While I welcomed the change, I was already feeling more comfortable in fast, heavy traffic. If you find the rear end sliding and that youre losing control, pump the brakes to regain control. The perk of a GPS unit is that it allows you to download routes to ensure you have accurate directions even if no cell connection is available, and some even provide extra features such as a campground search. You can move over one lane to let traffic in and then change back to the far-right lane, but since youre already on the highway, you have the right-of-way. We rented ours from Outdoorsy, it's like an Airbnb for RVs. Privacy Policy (Read this article to find out how to choose the right RV for you .) First time driving a motorhome? Making corrections for wind is similar to the steering adjustments needed when being passed by a big rig, or driving on ice or rough pavement. Driving a motorhome for the first time - Forest River Forums Youll find that in an RV, your blind spots are much larger than they are in a car. Less than a month before hitting the road to travel full time, we took a 250-mile weekend test trip from our home in Orange County, California to an RV resort on the Colorado River near Parker, Arizona. Think about day-to-day life in the RV, where everyone will sleep and sit, and how your family will fit into each floor plan you consider. Driving a motorhome for the first time Click Here to Login: Portal: Register: Library: Registry. If something is in your path, brakedont swerve. Before your trip, check the weather report. Operating an RV for the first time can be easier when you prepare properly. 3 Things to Know When Buying an RV for the First Time They tend to offer the most living space but also have the biggest learning curve when it comes to driving them. You can see more of her work on her personal blog, Wonder Wherever We Wander. All RV types need additional space to slow when braking, compared to a car! The RV GPS should help you with this one. And the notion of directing something that large down the freeway at 70mph seems more like navigating a run-away train that could easily destroy everything in its path. Hey all, I'm hiring a motorhome for a weekender in a couple months. I often have to park by myself because Marissa is taking care of our Toddler. We had a lot thrown at us on our first drive and were fortunate to learn many valuable lessons that have served us well ever since. If youre on a road trip, gas stations can be few and far between. The bigger tanks you can find, the better off youll be, but keep in mind the fact that vans and other small rigs will almost certainly have smaller tanks. Low-clearance bridges and tunnels exist all over the country. Chances are, once you take the leap and secure your first RV rental, your only regret will be that you didnt do so sooner. Enjoying the RV lifestyle is meant for everyone. Take your time, and keep an eye on your rearview mirrors. Well, that doesnt work in a Class A motorhome. And yet theyve all apparently mastered the skill. This video is a good place to start in your quest to learn how to safely drive a motorhome: Must read: 12 Ways Driving An RV Is Completely Different From Driving A Car! Ever walk through a snowy landscape without sunglasses? My other interests include cooking, living with an aging dog, and dealing with diabetic issues. Turn the water on slowly and adjust as needed. The CCC on a class C can be very limited, so keep that in mind as you shop. Its important to know your RVs vital information. Real Helpful. Plan your journey, find amazing places, and take fascinating detours with our app. If for any reason you need to brake suddenly, distance becomes your best friend. They typically dont have slides and there isnt much room for many amenities or extras. First: relax, slow down & enjoy the journey. RVs don't drive like carsthey accelerate and brake slower, and your blind spots are much larger. When in doubt while backing up, get out and look. They think theyre simply going to slip behind the wheel of this great, big thing theyve never driven before and set off toward their destination, no problem. BRAKE EARLY. My other interests include cooking, living with an aging dog, and dealing with diabetic issues. I learned to drive stick shift for the first time | Popular Science The big picture-window windshield broadens your range of vision, and the high front seats place you higher than regular automobile traffic. The Guide to Getting a Germany Driving License - To be an expert driver, a business driver's permit alongside . The convex mirror (if you have one) lets you see the side of the vehicle all the way to the back and up to 12 feet out to the side, but there will always be a blind spot. What started out as a sunny, summer day turned dark and threatening. Because RVs are such small living spaces, storage space is very valuable. For this reason, were using this section to explain the benefits of both smaller RVs and larger RVs. 2 gas bottles are better than one- if you have space in your gas locker, get a second bottle. To date, Ive shared my RV knowledge in over 300 articles here at The Fun Times Guide! 3 MIN READ this experience You Don't Have to Buy an RV to Get the RV Experience, Just Rent One! Since that initial lunch break discovery, Ive learned quite a bit about the drive day experience: Feeling rested from our break, we headed back down the federal interstate freeway before turning onto a two-lane state highway across the desert. Don't get poop on yourself If there's a toilet in your rig, you're going to need to dump the waste - the aforementioned black water - at some point. The First Drive When my wife Camille and I started test driving Class A motorhomes, I had barely been in an RV, let alone driven one! How To Drive A Class A Motorhome For The First Time (A Full Time RVer's If you really dont want to drive an RV, there are lots of RVshare rental owners who will drive it for you! Our coach also felt solid on the wet roads and we had no trouble with our tire traction. Defensive driving with an RV is the best way to drive stress-free. It is an experience. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Take the bare bare minimum. 7 Thoughts while Driving a Big Motorhome for the very first time Driving a motorhome for the first time Top 10 Tips But it wont be so bad, and it will be crazy beautiful. Guide to Driving a Class C Motorhome | Outdoorsy.com When you can see well ahead, then you have more time to avoid road hazards and can more easily gauge the traffic ahead. Driving Your Motorhome For The First Time - Everything About RVing I will never forget that first mountain pass we drove over in our 42-foot RV. RV travel is an unforgettable and relatively inexpensive way to see the country. Be sure the curriculum includes: Some RVers enjoydriving at nightbecause theres less wind, traffic, and noise from passengers. I do all of my own repair work. Curtis I've been involved in RVing for over 50 years including camping, building, repairing, and even selling RVs and motorhomes. Disconnect all wires and pipes, shut off appliances (except the refrigerator). And in a rear-wheel drive vehicle, that means you have less control and traction. Get inspiring road trip stories, extraordinary destinations, and special offers sent right to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter. Now that you have an idea of how to get from point A to point B, lets talk about the next step of RV operation: setting up camp. Remove Ads Before you drive your rig Put Together Your RV Budget When buying an RV for the first time, you should determine a price point you are comfortable with and your budget allows. Once you have your electric hookup sorted, its time to turn your attention to the water. 5. The only real difference is the size of the vehicle and the amount of room needed to maneuver such a big rig in, through, over, and around various spaces. Additionally, the repairs on a diesel vehicle tend to be more expensive. If you buy thru these links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Driving A Class A Motorhome For The First Time - Campo America Keep in mind that your rig is much heavier than a typical car, and has a LOT more momentum pushing it forward, so its going to take longer to stop. Police said they think it was a drive-by shooting. One of the main reasons we're looking at buying a motorhome is because she just wasn't comfortable driving the truck & trailer com. Everyone knows that the Honda Civic offers practical, efficient, reliable transportation for the masses, but many of them are genuinely fun to drive too. #2 - Rain & Wet Roads. Take your time, and make sure you find the perfect position that puts everything you need within reach. Even the boldest driver can be a little nervous when it comes to driving a vehicle thats more than twice the size of your day-to-day car. I then made small steering corrections to get us back on course. I have faith in you! RV Road Trip From Flagstaff, Arizona To The Grand Canyon North Rim, The Best Boats For RVers Who Enjoy Camping And Fishing, RV Refrigerator Stop Working? Finally, there is the class B RV, or campervan. And youll have access to all the gear to make fresh hot chocolate the moment you reach your destination!). What luck! On the first few trips, turn off the radio/music player and any mobile phones. Even if you routinely skip the snow tires on your day-to-day vehicle, youll want to spring for an upgrade in your RV. Dont worry if youre holding up traffic behind you. If you want to drive a larger motorhome - in excess of 3,500kg or 7,500kg, depending on your licence - you will need to take an extra driving test. Some popular amenities include a bathtub, an RV prepped for solar, lithium batteries, heated seating, and fold-away furniture. (OK, maybe thats overstating it a bit. Pick a speed around 55 or 60 mph and stick to it. If the bad weather is sticking around, reroute or change your plans. I've owned, used, and repaired almost every class and style of RV ever made. This post contains affiliate links. RV travel is more demanding, so youll want to take more breaks. Some parking lots simply will not be able to accommodate you, and squeezing into others will be dangerous and tedious. With . There are things to know and ways to practice before you leave on vacation to make sure you are ready to face any challenge ahead. The change from driving a car to "piloting" a Motorhome requires some special attention and concentration. I had to unlearn some habits from years of driving a car. If you can combine a grease monkey with a computer geek, throw in a touch of information nut and organization freak, combined with a little bit of storyteller youve got a good idea of who I am. Anything you plan or save automagically syncs with the apps, ready for you when you hit the road! Of course, you will need to refuel from time to time throughout your journey. Here are a few tips to guide you as you prepare for driving a Class C motorhome for the first time. Traveling in second or even first gear will provide resistance as you cruise down the hill. Make sure you evenly distribute items on either side of your RV. You'd be amazed, how many travelers forget wives and kids. When the time comes to back up into unfamiliar surroundings be sure and be safe! Ive owned, used, and repaired almost every class and style of RV ever made. After about an hour and a half on the road, traffic began to thin out as we left the Southern California metropolitan area and got out into the desert. Dont let other drivers pressure you into moves your vehicle cant handle. Of course, if you want a towable, you will need to make sure you have a truck capable of pulling it safely. Have you rented a moving fan and driven it across town? The Truth About Driving an RV for the First Time In no time, youll be zipping along with the best of them. Lessons include: -. In the early days of the pandemic, open roads and short-staffed police forces invited bad driving habits habits that have been hard for drivers to break, according to IIHS. If you turn the wheel immediately when you reach the corner, you will find yourself running over curbs, road signs, pedestrians and small dogs. Whether youre looking for a Class A or a smaller motorhome (which are easier to drive! This may take a while, depending on how full it is. Its helpful to have your RVs length information handy, especially for parking situations (more on that below). These motorhomes are engineered and built using heavy-duty materials in the frame and chassis. I wanted to yell out, Dont you see me? Find out with today's video as Marissa gets behind the wheel as we travel to Tennessee. Heres a great tip: On the freeway, dont concentrate on the middle line, or the white line on the side of the lane. Although the sheer weight of the RV might make it feel as if youre steady on the ground, most of that mass is in the front wheels. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Our preferred travel distance is around 250 miles and never more than 300 miles. My arms and shoulders were starting to ache from the road vibrations and my tight, two-handed grip on the steering wheel. Not to worry, we have more things for you to consider. You should also consider sharing your trip with family and friends as a safety precaution while youre on the road. That said, there are some smaller roads that do get quite narrow. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. If youre driving your RV at night, make sure you adjust your headlights, clean your windshield, dim the cabin lights, and use fog lights. Copyright 2022 RVshare.com Side mirrors on both sides of the RV are your main source of outside information rearward. Ive owned, used, and repaired almost every class and style of RV ever made. For this reason, we highly recommend keeping a running checklist of all the things you need to pack, as well as the steps you need to take when setting up camp and when breaking it back down. Didn't they know it takes larger vehicles more room to stop? Maybe youre attracted to the idea of walking onto a commercial rental dealership lot in the morning and walking away that afternoon with the keys. Class Bs are perfect for solo travelers or couples. But there are a few things you can do to make your first RV driving experience a positive one as you head off on your well-earned vacation. We highly recommend using an RV-specific GPS or GPS app like RVlife. She has written for such well-known sites and companies as Do It Yourself RV, RVLife, Fulltime Families, and Coach-Net, and loves sharing her experience and knowledge here on the RVshare blog. I do all of my own repair work. Instead, make a point of navigating around cities. RVing is such a fun and special way to travel, and we hope this post has helped quell any fears that may be keeping you from getting started on your journey. Regularly check the side mirrors or wireless observation camera screen to make sure no one is in your blind spot if you have to change lanes. Simply shift to a lower gear at the top of the hill. START SLOW. Realizing that youre the biggest thing around will help you avoid such places as narrow alleyways, parallel parking, and low parking ramps. Most people try to activate this power band prior to climbing the hill. Obviously, you will need to unhitch if youre pulling a trailer or a tow car, and you should level the rig using leveling blocks under the tires. Driving a RV for the first time - tips on how to drive a RV. Diesel RVs tend to be stronger and do better on mountains. Gas stations are a common place where RV newbies can get into trouble. Flip the breaker back on and you should have power. So, lets dive into RV Basics 101! If you end up on a campsite with only one amperage but you need the other, you can always invest in an adapter. Driving in the right lane also means that traffic enters the highway in your lane. Also, if you do encounter mechanical problems, you may not find repair shops or auto parts stores open. First time driving a motorhome? : r/GoRVing - Reddit Keep in mind: The far end of Walmarts parking lot always has plenty of space. You come to a steep downhill section of the road. In our opinion, this is one of the most fun parts, so be sure to enjoy this process. Not only were we 42 feet long, but we were also towing a motorcycle and a car. How To Drive A Class A RV Motorhome - RVshare The side mirrors and the rear and side view cameras were put there for a reason and I was going to have to use them! I try to take a break every 75 to 100 miles to get out for some fresh air and to stretch my legs. You might be surprised just how heavy an RV can be. Slowing yourself down, leaving plenty of space between yourself and other vehicles, and hanging out in the right-hand lane whenever possible will make your travel a lot less stressful and a lot safer. Real Experiences. Know Your Size. The next step is to plan your trip. In an empty parking lot, you can minimize the risk of doing any major damage. Most of the time the reason RVs cant take these routes is because of size. Just like stowing carry-ons on an airplane, its smart to secure heavy items so they arent loose if you hit a bump in the road. The types of RVs out there. Rent an RV on Campanda for your next trip. Soon you will locate this spot with no practice at all. It's ok to be nervous about driving a motorhome for the first time. If you have to, try to find a bigger parking spot. Driving a Motorhome or Campervan for the First Time - Top Tips Posts: 5 Driving a motorhome for the first time . Do you have a new Class A or C that you're nervous about driving? Remove the cap, connect a freshwater hose to a potable water spigot, place the other end of the hose inside the freshwater fill (or connect it if necessary), turn the water on, and fill it until the control panel indicates that the tank is full. Leave way more space between yourself and vehicles in front of you than you are used to with a normal car.4. An affordable luxury motorhome costs around 150 per night and comes with several benefits in terms of freedom to move around and explore places you may have never considered otherwise. When the wind pushed me, I let it. To figure this out, find a parking lot and park the left side of the RV up against a white line on the pavement, or draw a chalk line on the pavement along the side of your RV. Or is there hope for the first time motorhome driver? If youre feeling unsure or unsafe, stop. Secure heavy objects for travel, and ensure that your cargo weight is evenly distributed. Finding parking for an enormous rig can be a pain in the neck. You climb into the driver's seat, putting the keys in the ignition. After a few lane changes, I learned to trust that I could actually see everything. That way, you can quickly double-check them before you drive under a low overhang or turn onto a narrow road. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Here are some tips for RV driving for the first time: Driving an RV for the first time is a lot like driving a car for the first time. Go slowly, brake easily, and leave tons of room between you and the car ahead of you. That's especially true for . Underestimating the dimensions of your vehicle is one of the most common causes of accidents involving motorhomes. RV Operation: The Basics of RVing for First Timers - RVshare I'm by no means a pro when it comes to driving a motorhome, but here are a few things I've learned in the last 9 months with our 39 foot Newmar gas motorhome.1. Drive off-road. Driving A Class A Motorhome For The First - ViaRV Services Drivers cut me off or wouldnt allow me to change lanes. After thirty minutes of white-knuckle driving, I actually got more comfortable. Remember to adjust your speed, tap your brakes, and downshift as needed. These are must-have items for the travel day portion of RV operation. Operating an RV for the first time can be easier when you prepare properly. If youre driving on a windy day, drive slowly and pay attention to your vehicle. These are the motorhomes that look like buses and are often referred to as coaches. If you go fast you could lose control. will help you determine what size site you need when choosing a campground. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Class A RVs have much higher CCCs than class Cs or class Bs, making them the best bet if you need to carry a lot of people and/or stuff. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. The First Drive When my wife Camille and I started test driving Class A motorhomes, I had barely been in an RV, let alone driven one! I do all of my own repair work. Driving a Motorhome - There's a First Time For Everything No matter who your are, any skill you have now, whether it's cooking, driving, or even walking, you had to be acquire at one time or other. For this reason, youll likely want to look into a larger motorhome that allows everyone to spread out and have their own space. Meanwhile, big rigs will need 50-amp. That said, with practice and time, youll become as comfortable behind the wheel of an RV as you are in your SUV or sedan. Having a rear camera on the RV has been priceless.3. You take precautions to winterize your home, right?. On the contrary, in fact: not only does RVshare help you find cheap RV and camper rentals, but it can also lead to lasting friendships and even make you fall deeply enough in love with RVing to buy a rig of your own. Just be careful not to let your RPMs go too high. If your rig has a manual transmission, avoid using the brakes when possible. If you buy thru these links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. These tips for driving an RV will get you on the road safer, and sooner. Keeping a safe distance is important, but so is staying alert. Driving An RV For The First Time? 12 Ways RV Driving Is Completely Car drivers tend to drive faster than RV drivers and take fewer and shorter breaks. Just because the salesman says it handles like a car, doesnt mean you should believe him not completely anyway. These are a great choice for large families or full-time living. Thankfully, traffic was very light and I got a better feel for where I was within my lane.
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