Another thing that fits better in a bigger motorhome? When booking those campsites in advance, make sure you know what kinds of hookups youre looking for, as not all campsites include all hookups. When the vehicle in front of you passes a point of reference (for example, a light pole by the side of the road or a mile marker), start counting to four. The last thing you need is the surprise of an unexpected low-clearance bridge. Im here to tell you every truck driver, fireman, and construction worker had a first time, too. Thankfully, traffic was very light and I got a better feel for where I was within my lane. The best way to sharpen your skills in a hurry is to find yourself a big empty parking lot, take some simple markers (like old magazines), create a parking space, and practice pulling into it (frontwards) and backing into it (from 90 degrees). This is a much smaller rig, typically built into a cargo van. Turn the water on slowly and adjust as needed. FALSE! The one thing youve looked forward to is that day you could hit the road and travel with the wind. Don't drive your RV through rush hour city traffic unless you want to raise your blood pressure a few points. You dont want to get a ticket, but more importantly, you dont want to be on roads that cant comfortably accommodate your RV. Not only does the seat need to be forward and backward to the correct location, but up & down and tilt are just as important for long distance comfort. Most campsites have a water spigot. Youre going up a steep incline. Do not ride the brakes or you will cause excessive wear. These tips for driving an RV will get you on the road safer, and sooner. Your cargo carrying capacity (CCC) is how much you can safely carry. Your final destination will still be there when the weather clears up. You should reach four before you reach the light pole. First published on . Have you rented a moving fan and driven it across town? Bright lights reflect off snow, disrupting your vision. RV travel is more demanding, so youll want to take more breaks. It gives you the opportunity to wander off the beaten path, stay in the moment, and stay comfortable as you do so. So, lets dive into RV Basics 101! All RV types need additional space to slow when braking, compared to a car! One of the main reasons we're looking at buying a motorhome is because she just wasn't comfortable driving the truck & trailer com. If you plan to do a lot of boondocking on undeveloped land, this can be a major bonus, so be sure to keep camping locations in mind when choosing the size of your RV. If you have specific amenities in mind, make a list of those so you dont accidentally miss any. It's no good setting out on a trip to realise a few miles down the road that you have a flat tyre or an issue. Well, there are several benefits to having a larger home-on-wheels as well. And even though the lane was wide enough for our vehicle, I had less margin for error. We need your email address to send you trip itineraries and other updates. First time driving a Class A motorhome going to get a little propane. This will help you avoid rear-ending other vehicles, keeping you and those around you safe. One of them is . Youll find that getting comfortable in the captains chair is also an important part of your pre-drive routine. One of our best planning tips is to use an RV trip planning app. 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. Most motorhomes utilize rear-wheel drive, as opposed to the front-wheel drive common in most smaller passenger vehicles which means that many of the tactics youd use to divert a slippery situation in your car wont work the same way in your rig. Driving a Motorhome for the First Time - YouTube Driving a Motorhome for the first time! (Camper driving Tips for You also have more buttons and knobs in a motorhome that youll need to access. Additionally, you may want to request pull-through sites at first until you get some practice with backing your RV up. This will help you further narrow down your options so you know just what youre looking for when you start shopping for an RV to rent or buy. They will ensure youre safe along the way and that you always know where youre going, no matter where you may wander: Once you arrive at camp, these are the items youll want to have on hand in order to get set up and ready to enjoy your stay: One of the biggest fears people have when operating an RV for the first time is that theyll make a huge mistake and mess up the rig. 11 Top RV Driving Tips - Camper Report Many use the same frame or chassis of a commercial bus, which allows them to be as long as 44 feet or more. Your RV journey will take longer than you expect. After all, you cant very well know which kind of RV youd like without knowing what your options are. 5. First, be sure to don some disposable gloves. Drivers cut me off or wouldnt allow me to change lanes. Your flat mirror lets you see alongside and behind your vehicle, as well as way behind you (like the side mirror on your car). 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. Choose a time when there is a minimal amount of traffic and take the time to practice. Todays seats adjust about 6 different ways, so try to make full use of the seats capabilities. Youll find that in an RV, your blind spots are much larger than they are in a car. The right lane also gives you the opportunity to pull over off the highway quickly if any mechanical trouble should arise, and it provides you easy access to any exits you may need to take. Digital Accessibility at RVshare, Last updated on June 14th, 2023. My other interests include cooking, living with an aging dog, and dealing with diabetic issues. Many of them have over 25K shares. Of course, if you want a towable, you will need to make sure you have a truck capable of pulling it safely. 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. If the bad weather is sticking around, reroute or change your plans. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Swerving in an RV can cause an accident. If you go fast you could lose control. So before you set out into the frozen tundra, heres what you need to know. That said, its pretty hard to know the answer to this without understanding what the pros and cons of each are. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Yes, I want to receive promotional emails from RVshare. Derailing your travel plans might be a bummer, but its a whole lot better than sliding off the road into an icy ditch, or worse. At first I was startled, but after easily avoiding them, I broke out in laughter. I try to take a break every 75 to 100 miles to get out for some fresh air and to stretch my legs. If for any reason you need to brake suddenly, distance becomes your best friend. Here are a few tips to guide you as you prepare for driving a Class C motorhome for the first time. You may be at similar eye level, but the wind suction when a semi truck passes may still be enough to pull you toward them. Or is there hope for the first time motorhome driver? FAQ: Community: Calendar: Today's Posts: Search: Log in Page 1 of 2: 1: 2 > Thread Tools: Display Modes: 06-05-2015, 09:35 AM #1: jlfigola. The most difficult kind of traffic for an RV driver especially a new one is what I call fast-and-busy traffic. I caught myself looking over my shoulder to check my blindspot as I do in my car when making lane changes. Give yourself room to do that, and make sure to think ahead when pulling into gas stations, ensuring you have room to get out again. Ever walk through a snowy landscape without sunglasses? As an option, some motorhomes will have rear vision cameras, giving you a clearer picture of whats happening behind you. Our coach also felt solid on the wet roads and we had no trouble with our tire traction. It was about six in the evening and we had been on the road for close to seven hours. This post contains affiliate links. 1. On top of that, fuel stops can take much longer in a large vehicle such as an RV. 7 Thoughts while Driving a Big Motorhome for the very first time You come to a steep downhill section of the road. Keep in mind: The far end of Walmarts parking lot always has plenty of space. Most people try to activate this power band prior to climbing the hill. Dont wait till the moment of crisis. For this reason, we highly recommend booking all of your campgrounds in advance, especially on your first few trips. The eight-time MotoGP world champion is listing his team's motorhome on Airbnb for one night, allowing fans to experience a truly one-of-a-kind, behind-the-scenes race weekend. 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. Real People. (OK, maybe thats overstating it a bit. We couldn't find an existing Roadtrippers account using that service. RV Masters How to Drive an RV - New Driver - First things to do! It was terrifying. Manage Settings Safety should always come first. 6 Tips for First Time RVers | Go RVing If you have to, try to find a bigger parking spot. If it means getting out of the drivers seat numerous times to walk back and verify that youre not going to hit something, just do it. Here are the unique scenarios that youll want to familiarize yourself with before your first solo driving adventure behind the wheel of an RV: With many new drivers entering the RV lifestyle every single day, theres no reason for you to feel that youre the only one whos nervous about pulling out onto the highway for the first time. That way, you can quickly double-check them before you drive under a low overhang or turn onto a narrow road. To do this, locate the freshwater fill label on the outside of your RV (sometimes labeled as city water or similar). Youll also want to look at the tow rating of each drivable RV you consider. Just know that when plugging a 50-amp RV into a 30-amp outlet, you will need to carefully watch how much electricity you use at any given time. 2 gas bottles are better than one- if you have space in your gas locker, get a second bottle. Originally published on March 17th, 2021. For this reason, a trip that should take 5 or 6 hours according to the GPS can easily take all day. Youll also need to consider your cargo weight, including passengers. I drove at a steady and predictable speed when possible. But the world of RVing can be overwhelming for those who are just jumping in. Driving Your Motorhome For The First Time - Everything About RVing 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. Here are a few pointers that should make the transition a little easier for you. First: relax, slow down & enjoy the journey. Driving An RV For The First Time? 12 Ways RV Driving Is Completely Some RVs will also require that you put down stabilizer jacks. I got very close to doing that a couple of times, but I felt in control and we pressed on. In the Bronco, there's a mechanism that sits on the stick shift like a turtleneck that can slide up and down. When your tanks are full enough to dump, open your black water tank valve first, allowing everything to drain from the tank. If youre turning to your right, the rear of your RV is going to push out to your left. The Truth About Driving an RV for the First Time When the time comes to back up into unfamiliar surroundings be sure and be safe! When it comes time to unplug, flip the breaker back off, pull the surge protector from the socket, and put the surge protector and power cord away. To plug into the electric box, simply ensure the breaker to the outlet you wish to use is flipped to Off, then plug your RVs power cord into a surge protector, which in turn plugs into the socket. Until youre really comfortable in your RV, try and stick to fueling up at truck stops. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. They can also navigate you using the aforementioned truckers road atlas should the GPS be out of service for any reason. Handling an RV is a totally different animal. Underestimating the dimensions of your vehicle is one of the most common causes of accidents involving motorhomes. I also needed a mental break from the hours of intense focus. FALSE. Practice parking, turning, completing K-turns, and doing other maneuvers that take practice to learn. Do a test run. A large vehicle needs more time to respond. Manage Settings This water will be accessible from your sink(s), shower, and/or toilet once youve turned on your RVs built-in water pump. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Thats where a wireless observation camera can help. This information has probably given you a decent idea of what youre looking for, but there are more things to consider. Driving a motorhome for the first time Top 10 Tips Theres a simple way to make sure youve got enough room to keep things safe. We were just a few miles to our destination when one last test was thrown our way. For this reason, were using this section to explain the benefits of both smaller RVs and larger RVs. Its responsible for more accidents at the gas pump or in other tight-maneuvering situations than anything else. You can usually find your RVs specs online, but its good to double-check them for yourself. Class B RVs, for instance, are built into traditional truck chassis, so it feels almost exactly the same as driving a pickup truck. They offer plenty of storage, sleeping space and amenities that you can't find in smaller motorhomes. Should you give up your dream of traveling in luxury and stick with the motel routine? Do you have a new Class A or C that you're nervous about driving? I do all of my own repair work. Not only were we 42 feet long, but we were also towing a motorcycle and a car. If youre boondocking, you can keep a pencil thin stream of water running to help. First Time Driving a Class A RV - YouTube Take the bare bare minimum. If you have an automatic transmission the engine will do most of the down-shifting for you. Driving downhill in an RV is dangerous and can be more challenging than driving uphill. Side mirrors on both sides of the RV are your main source of outside information rearward. Connect your sewer hose to the dump pipe on the outside of your RV by twisting it on. Think about it this way: driving an RV doesnt require a special license, so how much different from regular driving can it be? It is perfectly natural to feel a bit nervous. 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. Confidence will come with practice, but remember that RVs are meant for recreation. What you need to know before driving your RV for the first time These are must-have items for the travel day portion of RV operation. BRAKE EARLY. If you stay within the power band you will limit the stress on the engine, and you will climb the mountain safely. 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. RVs need to be winterized too. Make sure there is no rain or snow in the forecast, as both of these things can make driving a big rig much more dangerous. Youll be a lot less stressed getting accustomed to driving a large vehicle if you arent trying to do so on top of meeting pre-arranged reservations for your dream trip, and if you decide you hate it, you wont have to face a long journey back. Driving a Motorhome For The First Time. Keep it between the lines. Going downhill can be difficult driving. That said, regular gas is almost always cheaper and is easier to find anywhere. Weve learned to slow down and enjoy the drive. We test drove several motorhomes over two months before buying our RV a 2016 Tiffin Allegro Open Road 32SA gas-powered motorcoach. The big picture-window windshield broadens your range of vision, and the high front seats place you higher than regular automobile traffic. Driving your Class C isn't all that different. Our owners offer unique and comfortable RV listings in every state in the country, and all the information you need is right there on the front page no need to worry about any last-minute fees or surprises. It is an experience. And then we merged onto one of Southern Californias notorious freeways. You might be surprised just how heavy an RV can be. 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. Below is a compilation of the most important RV basics for beginners. Diesel RVs tend to be stronger and do better on mountains. Class C RVs drive a lot like a van, making them relatively easy to drive, but they also tend to be smaller than class A RVs. Keep a list of these stats in a spot thats easy for you and your co-pilot to see when youre driving. And in a rear-wheel drive vehicle, that means you have less control and traction. You get a bird's eye view of your surroundings, you can see the scenery a lot better and you be comfortable as you drive. 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. The first place to practice is a spacious parking lot, not the open road. ), youre sure to find the perfect RV for your vacation. When you can see well ahead, then you have more time to avoid road hazards and can more easily gauge the traffic ahead.Todays motorhomes drive as easily as any car on the road. 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. PARK SLOWLY. I often have to park by myself because Marissa is taking care of our Toddler. Other people will go around you, but thats okay. Its helpful to have your RVs length information handy, especially for parking situations (more on that below). Youll want to check both the wind speed and direction. If you really dont want to drive an RV, there are lots of RVshare rental owners who will drive it for you! If youre driving your RV at night, make sure you adjust your headlights, clean your windshield, dim the cabin lights, and use fog lights.
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