I’m a brand new rv owner and driver ( class C 25 Ft). I just drove my rv home from the dealership and encountered a severe thunderstorm. With driving rain and winds, I pulled my rv over to the side of the road and waited until the storm passed. Not sure if it was the right thing to do, but the wind was really affecting my ability to keep my unit in its lane. Lesson learned through experience.
A great tip when driving big things, my Dad told me this trick, and even now close to 50 I still use it to this day, I used this trick while in the Fire Department, I'm a retired Captain, I also was an Engineer, that's the guy/lady who drives the Fire Engine, those are comparable to a Class A. Before you sit in the seat, and even after this still works. Place a finger or hand or fingers on the RV, and walk around while keeping contact. Go all the way around only stopping once you are at you starting spot. This is even better if you start at the front left door where you sit as the driver, and walk clockwise around so head across the front and to the passenger side or curb side, walk the length, around the tail, and back to where you started. What this does is it will gives you an extra mental, and visual sense, as to how big and long you are driving. You drive and will kind of have this sense what is following you and how it is on turns. It just gives you a better sense of the object you're driving. ❤ Thanks for reading, be safe everyone.
@@dadtype2339 The best way I can put it after years of running equipment Street sweepers tractors, plow trucks, sewer trucks the sooner you can mash and become one with your equipment the better operator you can be everybody has different abilities and limitations. Sometimes we have to step outside of our comfort zone stay expanding grow, this
Everyone should take the RVDriving school course. They teach you in your own motor home. They are all driving instructors with decades of experience. They are a wealth of information. They teach you how to set up your mirrors correctly, how to navigate turns, how to back in to a camping spot. Emergency braking, I was driving around the parking lot and my instructor would out of the blue yell stop. A. you will dip in the front, it could be a child or another vehicle, anything. It was a great lesson on how the RV would react. Although I had driven large trucks and my husband drove tractor trailers, this was very different. Well worth the money which was very reasonable. Last thing they do is take you onto every kind of roadway from small residential to the highway. Then to get fuel.
I like the idea but taking the after you have the RV and driving to the course can cause problems. I would pay a bit more to run through this before buying.
@@curtiscrump7153 Rent a moving truck at Home Depot and try it out. This course is specific to your rig. You can test drive at a dealership if you are in the market to buy. We test drove ours before we bought it. The classes were specific to our Accolade every rig has their own parameters. Our steering radius is 55 degrees which is normally not the case with other rigs, the instructor actually had to adjust the way he was maneuvering us because we could turn very tightly.
You said something that a lot of people need to hear… “You need to drive differently”. I drive a super C and try to stay between 60-65. I have larger RV’s with a tow behind passing me all of the time. Slow down and be safe.
I'm an RV wannabe & have never driven a Class A, but I've driven fire trucks for 30+ years. Even though they are heavier than RVs, they are roughly the same size so I've always assumed the transition wouldn't be too big a deal. One thing you didn't mention is to be careful about the angle of approach (AOA) and particularly the angle of departure (AOD). The AOA and AOD are the slopes you can drive onto and drive off of without scraping either the front or back of the vehicle on the ground. Long overhangs behind the back axle(s) can dramatically reduce the Angle of Departure (slope) that you can drive off without scraping the back end on the ground. I enjoy your videos & maybe someday I'll have an RV of my own!
I've owned a gas 36' and now a 39' diesel pusher. This the best video lesson I've seen. Thank you for you time and advice. We sometimes get complacent and need to be reminded. And we can alway learn new things.
I love seeing this and hearing this while you are actually driving. I travel all over the world but my dream is to see my country in a motor home. Dreams are important!
My first experience driving a 32' class a was absolutely terrifying! I drove 91 miles from Valrico to our home in Central Florida on I-75 and I've never been so nervous in my life! I had to stop for gas, pulled into a Flying J truck stop, made all my wide turns and by the time I got back up on 75, I felt more comfortable, but I was still a nervous wreck! The biggest thing I noticed about driving the motorhome was how bumpy the ride was! We don't have air suspension, and I thought the damn rig was going to jiggle apart. I was simply unprepared for the noise! I think we are going to invest in an upgraded suspension system and will keep air ride in mind for any further motorhomes! I guess I was expecting it to be a little more cushy ride than it was, but that's a rookie mistake. It really is just a 32 foot long truck that rides like a school bus! Thank you for these videos, I watched them before I made the drive home, and I did make it home unscathed!!!
I had a motorcyclist tell me when I was trying to park in a tight place the same thing as you said,” your bigger, don’t worry about other vehicles. Drive slow park at your comfort level.”
We have Mobile Eye installed. What a game changer! Many fleets installed mobile eye. Alerts when I get too close, a pedestrian in my path, when about to cross into another lane or off the payment. We were on a four-lane state highway doing about 65. I reach for something on the dash and it dropped on the floor. For just an instant, I took my eyes off the road look down for the object. Then mobile eye started screeching! I hit the brakes, pulled my head up to see a car stalled in my Lane that just pulled on the road. I was sure I was going to hit the car and the man inside. But, mobile I alerted me in time and I never touched him! Came close, very frightening close. I'm a believer in any kind of collision avoidance system.
I've been around buses for many years off and on. I even drove the gray dog a short time. Finally purchased a 45 ft conversion model. After all the experiences of learning and researching the skills of a professional driver and that includes a motorhome driver the one thing I find that is overlooked no pun intended..... is eyes and head and ears on a swivel. It's easy to get comfortable while cruising down the road but easier to forget to look turn and listen in any direction. I've had my moments of wake up calls and quickly realize it's not a game. Drive safely stay alert and create good habits to arrive with a smile on your face!!! Thanks for the great tips Love the videos!!!!
I just started driving a 40ft class A Your video help me to know more Including stop worrying about ppl who yell and blast their horn This one Karen followed me in to the gas station her husband got out of the car yelling If your going to use the road learn how to drive faster. I yelled back I normally ride a bike sorry He start swearing Well till I got out of my motor home He realized I am a biker coming back from the long weekend Beside my other 3 friends in the motor home A few others pull up on their bikes We all wear matching vests I am pretty sure he wet his self lol Ppl never know who is driving that motor home It not always ma and pa Ppl should keep that in mind Signed Not the person you want to honk and swear at Once again thank you for your tips It was very helpful
Great video very useful tips I just returned from a 1500 mile round-trip out west mostly four lanes and interstates I drove 60 miles per hour my wife was a lot More relaxed the Motorhome drove and handled better And averaged 9.4 MPG Which is way better than I’ve ever gotten
Y’all are so AWESOME❣️ Getting ready for my first big trip and I needed to be reminded not to worry about others behind me. Of course I will be courteous but safety is paramount. Thanks for the reminder!!! ♥️❤️♥️
I got to experience tail swing right down the side of a parked car when I was 23 yo. One tip I didn’t see and I’m figuring out is aligning the motorhome in the center of the lane especially when on a two lane road.
I’ve marked our convex mirrors with bright pink 100 mph tape that marks the pivot point on both sides of the RV so I know when my rear axle is past the point where the tail swing will be an issue it helps a lot! I just used some cones to help set this up, thanks for the great videos
You know that’s funny. I was thinking about that exact same thing when I was looking over the motorhome I thought that there’s a back part of that motorhome that’s gonna swing out and you guys put a name to a tail swing that’s perfect. It’s exactly what I was thinking about, thank you
Yes when I was training to get my class #1 ( Transport truck license in BC Canada ) the instructor told me we are the biggest vehicle on the road & not to worry about all the other vehicles around you!
You make it look easy! My husband took me out this morning for my first drive. I can't wait to learn. I'm glad you said I can take my time and not care if impatient behind me.
Many thanks for this video which helped me get the confidence to drive our new Class A which we purchased just before Thanksgiving. With our previous Class C motorhome, my husband did most of the driving, and I did a little from time to time. Not really very hard. When we considered going to a Class A motorhome, one of the musts for me was confidence that both of us could drive it safely. Also, since we have Texas drivers licenses, we needed to get non-CDL Class B licenses (there is a written test and driving test). In addition to the book recommended in the video, we took an afternoon of driving lessons which was very helpful. Both me and my husband passed our driving tests last Thursday! We now share the driving which has been terrific.
I will soon be getting a 1991 22 foot long Fleetwood Flair Class A Motorhome. It's going to be a bit different for me to get used to operating a flat nosed Motorhome. The 22 foot length will not be as much of an issue for me, because I actually drive a 38 foot long, 12 foot high, 8 foot wide School Bus for a living. I still have to watch my tail swing, wide right turns, weight, height, and width. This will be a new adventure for me.
The thing that surprised me the most driving our Class A motorhome on our maiden voyage was the air pressure from a passing semi tractor trailer. It literally moved me over a couple of inches and then I had to compensate. I knew right away a steering stabilizer was our next upgrade. Got to our destination OK dealing with the air pressure but had to reduce our speed. A couple of times I got in the middle lane and passing trucks moved me in both directions (very scary), so I learned to only be in the right lane. After mentioning this issue to a fellow RV, he suggested that I accelerate as the trucks passed by. This worked but I had to keep a eye on my rear view mirror for passing trucks. Since then I did install a steering stabilizer.
I really appreciate the “slow down” part. I pull a travel trailer and stay around 6o mph. I can’t tell you how many BIG 5th wheels, travel trailers and Class A’s go flying by me. And when they do that the wind affects me a lot more than if they’d only been 10 mph faster than me. When they fly by at 80 I can really feel it, even with my WDH set up.
Thanks guys. I am hitting road full timeJune 30th. I did a lil research and found if I drive my 30ft between 55-58 I will get 9 mpg verses 6. At gas cost people can go around.
These tips apply to pulling travel trailers too. I think a lot of crashes happen because people forget they have such a large vehicle. On one trip I was pulling my 30ft trailer down the interstate when another trailer in front of me had their cargo door open, and everything started falling out onto the highway directly in my lane. First natural reaction was to hit the brakes or swerve around, but you cannot do that in a motorhome or travel trailer. I ended up just running all the stuff right over. You have to remember, you are longer, wider, taller and heavier.
Great video for new motorhome owners, good job! You mentioned it, but I can't emphasize enough to use engine braking on downhills, especially when they are steep and/or long. Engine braking can only do so much though especially with Gasoline engines (compression braking on Diesel engines is much better), so keep speeds way down, break hard and short to slow below target speed and give brakes time to cool before using again. A good rule of thumb is for the downhill speed to be similar to the uphill speed for a given grade. Brake failure due to overheating can be catastrophic. Quebec Ferry accident from 2 years ago (video on UA-cam) is a good reminder.
Thank you we Enjoy your videos and the information you share with us. It helped me purchase the motorhome we have today. If I may share a helping hint for you. When I was watching your video I heard a rattle when you were driving down the road and hit rough pavement. I found the main culprit in my motor home comes from the screen door vibrating against the outside door. It’s very easy to resolve. What I did was I placed self adhesive weatherstripping directly on the outside perimeter of the screen door. Basically it’s between the screen door and the outside door but placed on the outside perimeter of the screen door. It creates a tight seal and stops the rattle/vibration that you hear in the background close to 100% quieter going down the road. I hope this helps you and any of your viewers who have this issue. Safe travels.
I read, watched (one of your videos was helpful) and studied before driving our class A .40 ft. I took it slow and easy, paid attention and remembered what I learned from my studies. I was a little anxious to start but after my first round trip I was thrilled to have overcome the “fear” and know I can drive as well as my husband.
Awesome stuff. I had to drive a 40 passenger bus a bit for work where the front wheels were behind the drivers seat. All of this came into play. You guys are the best!!
Great video guys, I pulled a T T for years when my husband was no longer able to drive it, he taught me well and so much of his teaching was just like what you talked about , a lot of people don’t realize how much you have to pay attn, have fun and stay safe, thanks guys
Make sure to use safe pull outs whenever possible on one-lane roads - it's also the law in many states. Passing lanes/sections are short and not always safe. You pulling off temporarily allows the vehicles going at a normal space to pass without being dangerous. You'll make everyone's day better.
Another great video. I don't drive an RV , yet, but I will. Love learning all I can before. I nearly gave up on my dream of getting one but honestly, I can't give that dream up. Just watching the prices of everything right now. You guys are awesome at teaching. Keep up the great work.
Omg 😳 - thank you for the tail swing demo!! I totally did not know about it in that direction. I assumed you meant the other direction and I had it covered. But I needed to know about this direction!!!! Thank you!!!
We bought a Entegra Emblem this January, never drove one before but after about a hour of white knuckling I finally relaxed a little and found it really wasn’t as scary I thought it would be. I had watched your previous video on driving a RV it it helped a lot. Great video, thanks for you advice.
Great tips, here in California we have some big hills the exhaust brake is a big help. Wind is really not an issue with air suspension. I am 38' and usually tow a 18' car trailer so usually don't go over 60, 55 is the limit when towing in CA but the Semi's usually do 60-63.
In August of this year 2024 we experienced a fire which consumed our 2023 Diesel F250 King Ranch toad and 2008 Newmar Mountain Aire. Unofficially the cause was the F250 Alanson transmission. While it had been in Neutral Tow, somehow it had slipped out of neutral tow although all four wheels still turned freely. We had been towing a F250 for a couple years and this was our second vehicle doing so. I say all this only to say had there been some fire protection on the F250 we most likely could have saved our Motor Home. Fire doesn't just happen while you are sleeping, and it isn't the result of something onboard your RV. The site was Rt 37 Thresa NY .
I’m not afraid to drive one! I’m ready, just need a few tips. Let the adventure begin, oh and stay off the sidewalk everyone! 😂 My family just bought one, getting ready for some adventures!
My history of cars since I began driving as a teen, Beetle, Beetle, Pinto, Chevette, Corolla, Corolla, Yaris. If I were to geet behind the wheel of one of these houses on wheels, I'd be freaking out big time. Especially thru a tunnel or narrow bridge.
Great video! A lot of great tips! My husband and I have a 5th wheel and pull it with a Ford F350 dually, I can drive the truck just fine but put our home behind it and I'm a nervous wreck. I do need to learn to drive the whole rig in case of an emergency. All these tips are 100%! Have to slow down, keep a greater distance and dont worry about the people behind you.
Thanks for the tips they will come in handy, because I will hopefully be bringing our first motorhome next week. We have to wait because the person that we are buying had to replace the rear heat pump. Thanks for the tips I will watch this video several times before next week.
Great tips, that tail swing is important. Love the drive different comment. I do about 65, but like you said, maybe 60-62 this summer to save a little gas.
Thanks for the video. I tow a travel trailer, and making a big trip to FL this summer. The part that stresses me the most is fueling up. I don't have diesel, and the gas lanes can be pretty tight & crowded. I'm going to spend time practicing in a parking lot this weekend.
Nice tips guys, we just switch from a travel trailer to a Class A. Noticed the mic receiver on the GoPro. We love our Comica X-D Wireless Mics. Been running them now for over a year. Our only issues is we forget to charge them on those long days when we are filming.
Fantastic video! Thanks for the tips! New Jersey roads aren't exactly wide. And I can't even imagine having to maneuver a Class A RV on the dreaded 'jug handles' that the state is famous for. Then you have the NJ deer and people to watch out for. So, Kudos! You both are very skilled RV drivers. 👍 Route 287 is notorious for speeding! I used to take the 287 when I worked in Morristown.
We just took 287 coming up to CT and it was not bad. Didn't worry one iota about the other drivers. Used to live up there but that was before we had this 36 ft. Class A. Was afraid at first but it was much shorter than heading north all the on i 81 to i84. Love your tips. Only driving an A since this past March.
Liquid Springs has been a great upgrade to my 2019 Jayco Precept all four corners based on your recommendation. The drivability of the Jayco is now wonderful due to Liquid Springs. Highly recommend! Great video, appreciate you both sharing the videos.
Great tips and while I have driven cars that are land yachts like a 18 foot Caddy, this is different league. My wife and I have talk about if a motorhome becomes a reality. While I would be the primary driver, she could do it if the need arises.
Excellent! In addition to knowing the height, width, and weight I always tell folks you need to know the speed rating on your tires. My coach is equipped with Michelin tires rated at 75mph. I believe some Toyo tires are rated at 81mph. Your tip about driving below 70 is spot on if for no other reason your tires can blow because they're not designed for high speed. Towable tires, particularly those that come standard with the towable have lower speed ratings.
I have had both Class A and 4 class C's One class A was enough for me.. I felt so unsafe in that unit. Both as a passanger and driver. I have been driving motorhomes for almost 30 years. I love my Class C''s. easier to drive and to control and safer..3 doors.. Less restrictive as to where one can go..also I found Class C is much easier to sell !! I drive on average between 60-70 mph.depends on the road, weather, wind...seems to keep traffic and me happy..happy rving!!
LReajjy enjoyed your tips, my wife and I have a Hurricane that is 37 foot and actually smashed a marker light by not paying attention to tail swing, great tips. Did you change out your towing option ? Thanks for your time and sharing.
We have a 31” foot Winnebago Minnie Winnie class C we just picked up from a freind of ours with 37,000 original miles and it’s a 2001 and we just took our first trip from Miami to Gainsville Florida and it was a little stressful for me driving it. The suspension feels a little bouncy in the front and also when large trucks went past me sometimes I would change lanes a little bit I don’t know if I need to replace the steering stabilizer or do some type of upgrade to the suspension
After driving a 40ft school bus my 27 foot is not had difficult 1. Turning right especially. 2. Know your rear swing. 3. Research your travel route, parking space and drive 1/4 mile ahead all the time. 4. Use your brakes wisely.
My reoccurring observation/concern is people's bikes on a toad, bare bikes, no real issues, covered bikes, the cover usually conceals the taillights on the toad completely..especially on the jeeps.
I pretty much cut my large road barge teeth in an International Paystar weighing about 22 tons. So now I have a motorhome. Tall, wide, long and heavy with generous tail swing. So nice and easy plenty of space, plenty of time, plenty of patience and the old standby, "I know english" with hand gestures etc. If that looks like it might not work then I give them the old Indian (dot not feather) palms together with a nod and some garbledurdeedoidbelempcunddoid. Peace being with you.
That looked a bit like the Wanaque reservoir?….when I was a kid we lived on top of a mountain in Kinnelon and it was the norm to see “UFO’s” over the reservoir most nights….1966-1967?….they were seen so often that we seldom paid much attention. Wonder if they still see them there.
Have a great time. We were there in April at Boyd’s. We had a blast, heading back in October. Tip--rent a golf cart in Key West easier to get around and lots of fun! A lot of the road off the mainland is mostly one lane and goes slow later in the day. We stayed in Homestead and hit the road early the next morning 3 plus hours to Boyd’s. Where are you staying?
Height? Before you ever drive it on a trip. Something very easy, put a long board 2x2 on top of the highest point, tape in place with a tape measure at the other end. Lower the tape measure take the reading. Then? print it out, laminate it, tape it, or command strip it it to the dash, you now have the height right in front of you all the time. Another easy one for height, load a distance app on your smartphone, you can then measure the height of tree limbs etc before you ever pull in to the camping site. Longer stopping? Braking Distance in a 40 to 50 foot RV at 55 miles per hour ads another 4.5 seconds. That is a total of 6 seconds and a stopping distance of 500 feet at 55 miles per hour. At 65 the distance is more than 600 feet! And even longer if you are traveling faster than 65! The average car at 60? 105 to 120 ft. Also - this might sound funny, but many good instructions in and old movie. The Long Long Trailer, just watch what they do wrong and learn while laughing! (works with motorhomes too. I've driven one for over 12 years, the tip? No issues. Practice before you go.
Nice video. We're getting ready to trade in our class c for a class A and I'm a little bit nervous. I've never driven a Class A so I have a lot to learn.
Thank you Izzy and MJ! These are great wonderful tips on how yo drive an Rv. It looks hard to drive a class A. I wouldn’t mind driving a Class C or Super C. Thank goodness for those backing up cameras. I like those. I wish I had one for my car. They are very helpful. Class As are very long. They are a very beautiful motorhome. Thank you for doing this video. The tips are very helpful. Hope you have a great day!
These are all great tips but I think I found a flaw in about the middle of the video when you stated the height of the coach it said 128 not 12 foot eight. That would mean your coach was 10‘8“ tall. Hello low Bridge love you guys. Thomyt
Hey guys, I have a question for you. How many women drive the rigs? And what kinds of rigs do they drive? Gas or diesel would be interesting as well. My wife and I are having a.... "Discussion" about this.
Haha it wasn’t too bad I bought my 32ft Gulf Stream in Las Vegas and drove it back to Albuquerque it was about 9-10 hours. Highways are all straight and turns just gotta go slow
I don’t have my motor home yet… but my biggest feat is gas stations. I’m looking at a class c no longer than 32’ probably have a tow car and I have a pilot near me but I’m not sure if it would fit. 🤔🤔
I love your videos, great info, however, I disagree with the mph on the highway. Making a sudden stop at 60 and making a sudden stop at 70 or 75 makes a huge difference. Remember, if you have to break full force at any speed, a toaster on the cupboard is going to fly at you relatively at the same speed. What happens? I would not want to guess. As you said, driving a motorhome is far different than driving a car. A 45' diesel pusher making a full force stop at 60 and 75, I would say a prayer. I have motorhomed since 1986, having seen disastrous accidents because of speed. Slow down, you should not be in a hurry when your behind the wheel of your coach.
@@EndlessRVing No worries! I wish I was 18 years old so I wouldn’t have to worry about squeezing into tight places or climbing over stuff. Let’s hash tag this #buyingrvsinour50s.
Weather you are a car ,bus ,truck,tractor trailer or anything else, you should ALWAYS BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS. Most people are not and that’s the reason there are accidents.
Thank you for demonstrating the left turn tail swing
Great video😊 I've been at it 31 years and this is the first time someone really took time to break it down for the new people😂
Glad we could help
I’m a brand new rv owner and driver ( class C 25 Ft). I just drove my rv home from the dealership and encountered a severe thunderstorm. With driving rain and winds, I pulled my rv over to the side of the road and waited until the storm passed. Not sure if it was the right thing to do, but the wind was really affecting my ability to keep my unit in its lane. Lesson learned through experience.
get yourself a steering stabilizer bar and a good wheel alignment will make your RV feel like a totally different vehicle!
You did the right thing. Safety first.
@@Studiovettewhat brand do you recommend from your comment im new to driving an rv
@@mrslaharris7128 I have a safety plus bar but they are all good. It depends on what chassis RV you buy. They are not all compatible.
@@Studiovette ok I come back to you and let you know which one I get n ty so much for all your help
A great tip when driving big things, my Dad told me this trick, and even now close to 50 I still use it to this day, I used this trick while in the Fire Department, I'm a retired Captain, I also was an Engineer, that's the guy/lady who drives the Fire Engine, those are comparable to a Class A.
Before you sit in the seat, and even after this still works.
Place a finger or hand or fingers on the RV, and walk around while keeping contact. Go all the way around only stopping once you are at you starting spot. This is even better if you start at the front left door where you sit as the driver, and walk clockwise around so head across the front and to the passenger side or curb side, walk the length, around the tail, and back to where you started.
What this does is it will gives you an extra mental, and visual sense, as to how big and long you are driving.
You drive and will kind of have this sense what is following you and how it is on turns. It just gives you a better sense of the object you're driving.
❤
Thanks for reading, be safe everyone.
@@dadtype2339 The best way I can put it after years of running equipment Street sweepers tractors, plow trucks, sewer trucks the sooner you can mash and become one with your equipment the better operator you can be everybody has different abilities and limitations. Sometimes we have to step outside of our comfort zone stay expanding grow, this
Finally! Something very informative about rvs not about showing where kitchen utensils are being stored.
Everyone should take the RVDriving school course. They teach you in your own motor home. They are all driving instructors with decades of experience. They are a wealth of information. They teach you how to set up your mirrors correctly, how to navigate turns, how to back in to a camping spot. Emergency braking, I was driving around the parking lot and my instructor would out of the blue yell stop. A. you will dip in the front, it could be a child or another vehicle, anything. It was a great lesson on how the RV would react. Although I had driven large trucks and my husband drove tractor trailers, this was very different. Well worth the money which was very reasonable. Last thing they do is take you onto every kind of roadway from small residential to the highway. Then to get fuel.
We have an Entegra Accolade XL. Tip to tail we are 39.5 ft, height of 13.6 ft, and width of 8.5 ft. We are 40,000lbs.
I like the idea but taking the after you have the RV and driving to the course can cause problems. I would pay a bit more to run through this before buying.
@@curtiscrump7153 Rent a moving truck at Home Depot and try it out. This course is specific to your rig. You can test drive at a dealership if you are in the market to buy. We test drove ours before we bought it. The classes were specific to our Accolade every rig has their own parameters. Our steering radius is 55 degrees which is normally not the case with other rigs, the instructor actually had to adjust the way he was maneuvering us because we could turn very tightly.
@@curtiscrump7153looll
You said something that a lot of people need to hear… “You need to drive differently”. I drive a super C and try to stay between 60-65. I have larger RV’s with a tow behind passing me all of the time. Slow down and be safe.
Right on.
Great video!
Thanks!
I'm an RV wannabe & have never driven a Class A, but I've driven fire trucks for 30+ years. Even though they are heavier than RVs, they are roughly the same size so I've always assumed the transition wouldn't be too big a deal.
One thing you didn't mention is to be careful about the angle of approach (AOA) and particularly the angle of departure (AOD). The AOA and AOD are the slopes you can drive onto and drive off of without scraping either the front or back of the vehicle on the ground. Long overhangs behind the back axle(s) can dramatically reduce the Angle of Departure (slope) that you can drive off without scraping the back end on the ground.
I enjoy your videos & maybe someday I'll have an RV of my own!
Im getting a 30 footer today and am crapping my pants at the thought of driving it, but this helps!
I just got one and I’m shitting my pants at the thought of driving it tomorrow as well.
@@lanceb9193 you'll get the hang of it. I did.
But man my adrenaline was maxed out for the first couple hundred miles. Go slow and you'll be fine.
I've owned a gas 36' and now a 39' diesel pusher. This the best video lesson I've seen. Thank you for you time and advice. We sometimes get complacent and need to be reminded. And we can alway learn new things.
Very welcome
I love seeing this and hearing this while you are actually driving. I travel all over the world but my dream is to see my country in a motor home. Dreams are important!
My first experience driving a 32' class a was absolutely terrifying! I drove 91 miles from Valrico to our home in Central Florida on I-75 and I've never been so nervous in my life! I had to stop for gas, pulled into a Flying J truck stop, made all my wide turns and by the time I got back up on 75, I felt more comfortable, but I was still a nervous wreck! The biggest thing I noticed about driving the motorhome was how bumpy the ride was! We don't have air suspension, and I thought the damn rig was going to jiggle apart. I was simply unprepared for the noise! I think we are going to invest in an upgraded suspension system and will keep air ride in mind for any further motorhomes! I guess I was expecting it to be a little more cushy ride than it was, but that's a rookie mistake. It really is just a 32 foot long truck that rides like a school bus! Thank you for these videos, I watched them before I made the drive home, and I did make it home unscathed!!!
Congrats on stepping out there and getting it done.
I had a motorcyclist tell me when I was trying to park in a tight place the same thing as you said,” your bigger, don’t worry about other vehicles. Drive slow park at your comfort level.”
We have Mobile Eye installed. What a game changer! Many fleets installed mobile eye. Alerts when I get too close, a pedestrian in my path, when about to cross into another lane or off the payment.
We were on a four-lane state highway doing about 65. I reach for something on the dash and it dropped on the floor. For just an instant, I took my eyes off the road look down for the object. Then mobile eye started screeching! I hit the brakes, pulled my head up to see a car stalled in my Lane that just pulled on the road. I was sure I was going to hit the car and the man inside. But, mobile I alerted me in time and I never touched him! Came close, very frightening close. I'm a believer in any kind of collision avoidance system.
Tailswing is definitely something people are not aware of , great video!
Coming from a truck driver that's been on the road for fourth years, five stars nice job on the video.
I've been around buses for many years off and on. I even drove the gray dog a short time. Finally purchased a 45 ft conversion model. After all the experiences of learning and researching the skills of a professional driver and that includes a motorhome driver the one thing I find that is overlooked no pun intended..... is eyes and head and ears on a swivel. It's easy to get comfortable while cruising down the road but easier to forget to look turn and listen in any direction. I've had my moments of wake up calls and quickly realize it's not a game. Drive safely stay alert and create good habits to arrive with a smile on your face!!! Thanks for the great tips Love the videos!!!!
Great point! Thanks for sharing that. 😊
I just started driving a 40ft class A
Your video help me to know more
Including stop worrying about ppl who yell and blast their horn
This one Karen followed me in to the gas station her husband got out of the car yelling
If your going to use the road learn how to drive faster.
I yelled back I normally ride a bike sorry
He start swearing
Well till I got out of my motor home
He realized I am a biker coming back from the long weekend
Beside my other 3 friends in the motor home
A few others pull up on their bikes
We all wear matching vests
I am pretty sure he wet his self lol
Ppl never know who is driving that motor home
It not always ma and pa
Ppl should keep that in mind
Signed
Not the person you want to honk and swear at
Once again thank you for your tips
It was very helpful
I'm always happy to hear the same rattling and squeaks while driving that I have I'm my open road.
Great video very useful tips
I just returned from a 1500 mile round-trip out west mostly four lanes and interstates
I drove 60 miles per hour
my wife was a lot More relaxed
the Motorhome drove and handled better
And averaged 9.4 MPG
Which is way better than I’ve ever gotten
Y’all are so AWESOME❣️ Getting ready for my first big trip and I needed to be reminded not to worry about others behind me. Of course I will be courteous but safety is paramount. Thanks for the reminder!!! ♥️❤️♥️
Have fun!
@@EndlessRVing Thank you❣️
I got to experience tail swing right down the side of a parked car when I was 23 yo.
One tip I didn’t see and I’m figuring out is aligning the motorhome in the center of the lane especially when on a two lane road.
I’ve marked our convex mirrors with bright pink 100 mph tape that marks the pivot point on both sides of the RV so I know when my rear axle is past the point where the tail swing will be an issue it helps a lot! I just used some cones to help set this up, thanks for the great videos
Love a man that doesnt mind his wife driving. Great video
You know that’s funny. I was thinking about that exact same thing when I was looking over the motorhome I thought that there’s a back part of that motorhome that’s gonna swing out and you guys put a name to a tail swing that’s perfect. It’s exactly what I was thinking about, thank you
Yes when I was training to get my class #1 ( Transport truck license in BC Canada ) the instructor told me we are the biggest vehicle on the road & not to worry about all the other vehicles around you!
Been RVing probably before you 2 were born & so far no mishaps...good show guys!
I never would had thought about "tail swing " we always worry about left side when making a turn but never about the other side! Thanks!
You make it look easy! My husband took me out this morning for my first drive. I can't wait to learn. I'm glad you said I can take my time and not care if impatient behind me.
Going on my first drive to an RV site this month in a Class C, Jayco Greyhawk. This video has been tremendously helpful! Thank you for posting!
Many thanks for this video which helped me get the confidence to drive our new Class A which we purchased just before Thanksgiving. With our previous Class C motorhome, my husband did most of the driving, and I did a little from time to time. Not really very hard. When we considered going to a Class A motorhome, one of the musts for me was confidence that both of us could drive it safely. Also, since we have Texas drivers licenses, we needed to get non-CDL Class B licenses (there is a written test and driving test). In addition to the book recommended in the video, we took an afternoon of driving lessons which was very helpful. Both me and my husband passed our driving tests last Thursday! We now share the driving which has been terrific.
Glad we could help
I will soon be getting a 1991 22 foot long Fleetwood Flair Class A Motorhome. It's going to be a bit different for me to get used to operating a flat nosed Motorhome. The 22 foot length will not be as much of an issue for me, because I actually drive a 38 foot long, 12 foot high, 8 foot wide School Bus for a living. I still have to watch my tail swing, wide right turns, weight, height, and width. This will be a new adventure for me.
Good luck!
The thing that surprised me the most driving our Class A motorhome on our maiden voyage was the air pressure from a passing semi tractor trailer. It literally moved me over a couple of inches and then I had to compensate. I knew right away a steering stabilizer was our next upgrade. Got to our destination OK dealing with the air pressure but had to reduce our speed. A couple of times I got in the middle lane and passing trucks moved me in both directions (very scary), so I learned to only be in the right lane. After mentioning this issue to a fellow RV, he suggested that I accelerate as the trucks passed by. This worked but I had to keep a eye on my rear view mirror for passing trucks. Since then I did install a steering stabilizer.
Liquid Spring Suspension will eliminate that effect from passing trucks.
@@EndlessRVing Where do you recommend mind this product
@@frankalonso384 contact Wayne Wells from Liquid Spring. He can answer your questions where to purchase and have installed
+1 (503) 709-8901
I really appreciate the “slow down” part. I pull a travel trailer and stay around 6o mph. I can’t tell you how many BIG 5th wheels, travel trailers and Class A’s go flying by me. And when they do that the wind affects me a lot more than if they’d only been 10 mph faster than me. When they fly by at 80 I can really feel it, even with my WDH set up.
Thanks guys. I am hitting road full timeJune 30th. I did a lil research and found if I drive my 30ft between 55-58 I will get 9 mpg verses 6. At gas cost people can go around.
These tips apply to pulling travel trailers too. I think a lot of crashes happen because people forget they have such a large vehicle. On one trip I was pulling my 30ft trailer down the interstate when another trailer in front of me had their cargo door open, and everything started falling out onto the highway directly in my lane. First natural reaction was to hit the brakes or swerve around, but you cannot do that in a motorhome or travel trailer. I ended up just running all the stuff right over. You have to remember, you are longer, wider, taller and heavier.
Great video for new motorhome owners, good job! You mentioned it, but I can't emphasize enough to use engine braking on downhills, especially when they are steep and/or long. Engine braking can only do so much though especially with Gasoline engines (compression braking on Diesel engines is much better), so keep speeds way down, break hard and short to slow below target speed and give brakes time to cool before using again. A good rule of thumb is for the downhill speed to be similar to the uphill speed for a given grade. Brake failure due to overheating can be catastrophic. Quebec Ferry accident from 2 years ago (video on UA-cam) is a good reminder.
Thank you we Enjoy your videos and the information you share with us. It helped me purchase the motorhome we have today. If I may share a helping hint for you. When I was watching your video I heard a rattle when you were driving down the road and hit rough pavement. I found the main culprit in my motor home comes from the screen door vibrating against the outside door. It’s very easy to resolve. What I did was I placed self adhesive weatherstripping directly on the outside perimeter of the screen door. Basically it’s between the screen door and the outside door but placed on the outside perimeter of the screen door. It creates a tight seal and stops the rattle/vibration that you hear in the background close to 100% quieter going down the road. I hope this helps you and any of your viewers who have this issue. Safe travels.
Thank you
This has helped me out
I read, watched (one of your videos was helpful) and studied before driving our class A .40 ft. I took it slow and easy, paid attention and remembered what I learned from my studies. I was a little anxious to start but after my first round trip I was thrilled to have overcome the “fear” and know I can drive as well as my husband.
Good for you! 🙌
Awesome stuff. I had to drive a 40 passenger bus a bit for work where the front wheels were behind the drivers seat. All of this came into play. You guys are the best!!
Love the editing and thank you for all the tips. Truly great tips
Great video guys, I pulled a T T for years when my husband was no longer able to drive it, he taught me well and so much of his teaching was just like what you talked about , a lot of people don’t realize how much you have to pay attn, have fun and stay safe, thanks guys
Make sure to use safe pull outs whenever possible on one-lane roads - it's also the law in many states. Passing lanes/sections are short and not always safe. You pulling off temporarily allows the vehicles going at a normal space to pass without being dangerous.
You'll make everyone's day better.
The tip on parking reminds me of an old military term GOAL - Get out and look
Another great video. I don't drive an RV , yet, but I will. Love learning all I can before. I nearly gave up on my dream of getting one but honestly, I can't give that dream up. Just watching the prices of everything right now. You guys are awesome at teaching. Keep up the great work.
I agree. I told my wife I'm done looking because of the prices, but I just can't give it up. I'm most likely going to have to wait for prices to drop.
Omg 😳 - thank you for the tail swing demo!! I totally did not know about it in that direction. I assumed you meant the other direction and I had it covered. But I needed to know about this direction!!!! Thank you!!!
We bought a Entegra Emblem this January, never drove one before but after about a hour of white knuckling I finally relaxed a little and found it really wasn’t as scary I thought it would be. I had watched your previous video on driving a RV it it helped a lot. Great video, thanks for you advice.
Great tips, here in California we have some big hills the exhaust brake is a big help. Wind is really not an issue with air suspension. I am 38' and usually tow a 18' car trailer so usually don't go over 60, 55 is the limit when towing in CA but the Semi's usually do 60-63.
In August of this year 2024 we experienced a fire which consumed our 2023 Diesel F250 King Ranch toad and 2008 Newmar Mountain Aire. Unofficially the cause was the F250 Alanson transmission. While it had been in Neutral Tow, somehow it had slipped out of neutral tow although all four wheels still turned freely. We had been towing a F250 for a couple years and this was our second vehicle doing so. I say all this only to say had there been some fire protection on the F250 we most likely could have saved our Motor Home. Fire doesn't just happen while you are sleeping, and it isn't the result of something onboard your RV. The site was Rt 37 Thresa NY .
Glad you were ok. Thanks for sharing.
I’m not afraid to drive one! I’m ready, just need a few tips. Let the adventure begin, oh and stay off the sidewalk everyone! 😂 My family just bought one, getting ready for some adventures!
My history of cars since I began driving as a teen, Beetle, Beetle, Pinto, Chevette, Corolla, Corolla, Yaris. If I were to geet behind the wheel of one of these houses on wheels, I'd be freaking out big time. Especially thru a tunnel or narrow bridge.
Great video! A lot of great tips! My husband and I have a 5th wheel and pull it with a Ford F350 dually, I can drive the truck just fine but put our home behind it and I'm a nervous wreck. I do need to learn to drive the whole rig in case of an emergency. All these tips are 100%! Have to slow down, keep a greater distance and dont worry about the people behind you.
Just go slow. Practice in big lots when you have the time. You can do it!
Thanks for the tips they will come in handy, because I will hopefully be bringing our first
motorhome next week. We have to wait because the person that we are buying had to replace the rear
heat pump. Thanks for the tips I will watch this video several times before next week.
Great tips, that tail swing is important. Love the drive different comment. I do about 65, but like you said, maybe 60-62 this summer to save a little gas.
Great tips! Every day I learn more by driving-my recent one was taking a dip that I should never had done.
Thanks for the video. I tow a travel trailer, and making a big trip to FL this summer. The part that stresses me the most is fueling up. I don't have diesel, and the gas lanes can be pretty tight & crowded. I'm going to spend time practicing in a parking lot this weekend.
Good video. You gave us many great things to think about and incorporate into our driving.
A great video, thank you so much! Very clear and great visuals.
Nice tips guys, we just switch from a travel trailer to a Class A. Noticed the mic receiver on the GoPro. We love our Comica X-D Wireless Mics. Been running them now for over a year. Our only issues is we forget to charge them on those long days when we are filming.
Congrats! What motorhome did you get?
Maybe a follow up video with some safety equipment /upgrades to go with these tips should follow!
Fantastic video! Thanks for the tips! New Jersey roads aren't exactly wide. And I can't even imagine having to maneuver a Class A RV on the dreaded 'jug handles' that the state is famous for. Then you have the NJ deer and people to watch out for. So, Kudos! You both are very skilled RV drivers. 👍 Route 287 is notorious for speeding! I used to take the 287 when I worked in Morristown.
We just took 287 coming up to CT and it was not bad. Didn't worry one iota about the other drivers. Used to live up there but that was before we had this 36 ft. Class A. Was afraid at first but it was much shorter than heading north all the on i 81 to i84. Love your tips. Only driving an A since this past March.
Thanks guys, I have a class c but I think all these lessons apply!
Liquid Springs has been a great upgrade to my 2019 Jayco Precept all four corners based on your recommendation. The drivability of the Jayco is now wonderful due to Liquid Springs. Highly recommend!
Great video, appreciate you both sharing the videos.
Glad you like it!
Liquid Springs should be standard equipment on a Class A gas motorhome.
LOVE and truly APPRECIATE your videos, thank you!!!
Great tips and while I have driven cars that are land yachts like a 18 foot Caddy, this is different league. My wife and I have talk about if a motorhome becomes a reality. While I would be the primary driver, she could do it if the need arises.
Excellent! In addition to knowing the height, width, and weight I always tell folks you need to know the speed rating on your tires. My coach is equipped with Michelin tires rated at 75mph. I believe some Toyo tires are rated at 81mph. Your tip about driving below 70 is spot on if for no other reason your tires can blow because they're not designed for high speed. Towable tires, particularly those that come standard with the towable have lower speed ratings.
TPMS saves lives
I have had both Class A and 4 class C's One class A was enough for me.. I felt so unsafe in that unit. Both as a passanger and driver. I have been driving motorhomes for almost 30 years. I love my Class C''s. easier to drive and to control and safer..3 doors.. Less restrictive as to where one can go..also I found Class C is much easier to sell !! I drive on average between 60-70 mph.depends on the road, weather, wind...seems to keep traffic and me happy..happy rving!!
Good informative video. I’m glad we have a class A pusher. All those rattles would drive me crazy. We Drive @ 62-65 with no problems
Thank you for this video. You have some great advice.
LReajjy enjoyed your tips, my wife and I have a Hurricane that is 37 foot and actually smashed a marker light by not paying attention to tail swing, great tips. Did you change out your towing option ? Thanks for your time and sharing.
1000000% greatly appreciate this video. Well done video.
Much appreciated!
We have a 31” foot Winnebago Minnie Winnie class C we just picked up from a freind of ours with 37,000 original miles and it’s a 2001 and we just took our first trip from Miami to Gainsville Florida and it was a little stressful for me driving it. The suspension feels a little bouncy in the front and also when large trucks went past me sometimes I would change lanes a little bit I don’t know if I need to replace the steering stabilizer or do some type of upgrade to the suspension
After driving a 40ft school bus my 27 foot is not had difficult
1. Turning right especially.
2. Know your rear swing.
3. Research your travel route, parking space and drive 1/4 mile ahead all the time.
4. Use your brakes wisely.
Great presentation!😊❤
My reoccurring observation/concern is people's bikes on a toad, bare bikes, no real issues, covered bikes, the cover usually conceals the taillights on the toad completely..especially on the jeeps.
We saw this while preparing for trip. Switched the bikes to sit between RV and toad. Now everyone can see .👍😁
@@julied.2036 visibility is a fantastic thing. Thank you for being proactive.
I pretty much cut my large road barge teeth in an International Paystar weighing about 22 tons.
So now I have a motorhome.
Tall, wide, long and heavy with generous tail swing. So nice and easy plenty of space, plenty of time, plenty of patience and the old standby, "I know english" with hand gestures etc.
If that looks like it might not work then I give them the old Indian (dot not feather) palms together with a nod and some garbledurdeedoidbelempcunddoid. Peace being with you.
That looked a bit like the Wanaque reservoir?….when I was a kid we lived on top of a mountain in Kinnelon and it was the norm to see “UFO’s” over the reservoir most nights….1966-1967?….they were seen so often that we seldom paid much attention. Wonder if they still see them there.
Thank You Thank You
Subscribed and this one is saved 🎉
Happy it helped!
Thank you I had a 26 ft travel trailer ,I shouldn't be fearing a 30 ft class A ,but I'm nervous
You’ll be fine. Go slow and practice!
Thank you for the information
Good job. Headed to Key West next weekend from Baton Rouge. A good review of safety tips for me.
Have a great time. We were there in April at Boyd’s. We had a blast, heading back in October. Tip--rent a golf cart in Key West easier to get around and lots of fun! A lot of the road off the mainland is mostly one lane and goes slow later in the day. We stayed in Homestead and hit the road early the next morning 3 plus hours to Boyd’s. Where are you staying?
Great Episode...
Glad you enjoyed it. :)
Height? Before you ever drive it on a trip. Something very easy, put a long board 2x2 on top of the highest point, tape in place with a tape measure at the other end. Lower the tape measure take the reading. Then? print it out, laminate it, tape it, or command strip it it to the dash, you now have the height right in front of you all the time.
Another easy one for height, load a distance app on your smartphone, you can then measure the height of tree limbs etc before you ever pull in to the camping site.
Longer stopping? Braking Distance in a 40 to 50 foot RV at 55 miles per hour ads another 4.5 seconds. That is a total of 6 seconds and a stopping distance of 500 feet at 55 miles per hour. At 65 the distance is more than 600 feet! And even longer if you are traveling faster than 65! The average car at 60? 105 to 120 ft.
Also - this might sound funny, but many good instructions in and old movie. The Long Long Trailer, just watch what they do wrong and learn while laughing! (works with motorhomes too.
I've driven one for over 12 years, the tip? No issues. Practice before you go.
Nice video. We're getting ready to trade in our class c for a class A and I'm a little bit nervous. I've never driven a Class A so I have a lot to learn.
Thank you Izzy and MJ! These are great wonderful tips on how yo drive an Rv. It looks hard to drive a class A. I wouldn’t mind driving a Class C or Super C. Thank goodness for those backing up cameras. I like those. I wish I had one for my car. They are very helpful. Class As are very long. They are a very beautiful motorhome. Thank you for doing this video. The tips are very helpful. Hope you have a great day!
Glad it was helpful!
Can someone explain the “tow haul” thing ?
I have a 95; is that a thing on there?
These are all great tips but I think I found a flaw in about the middle of the video when you stated the height of the coach it said 128 not 12 foot eight. That would mean your coach was 10‘8“ tall. Hello low Bridge love you guys. Thomyt
Typo
The tail swung is something I needed to see.
Yes very important to remember. 👍
Hey guys, I have a question for you. How many women drive the rigs? And what kinds of rigs do they drive? Gas or diesel would be interesting as well. My wife and I are having a.... "Discussion" about this.
I drive an Accolade XL diesel. Easy to drive handles really well. I love driving it. My husband naps in the passenger seat on the highway, lol.
May I kindly ask ,is it a gas or diesel your driving? Thank you for all you do😊 your ride sounds pretty quiet
Gas
Hi! Planning to rent an RV so educating myself…. What are the gps apps he mentioned???
Thank you thank you and thank you!!!!!!
Haha it wasn’t too bad I bought my 32ft Gulf Stream in Las Vegas and drove it back to Albuquerque it was about 9-10 hours. Highways are all straight and turns just gotta go slow
Great tips!!
Danny & Lynn
I don’t have my motor home yet… but my biggest feat is gas stations. I’m looking at a class c no longer than 32’ probably have a tow car and I have a pilot near me but I’m not sure if it would fit. 🤔🤔
If you have to question if you fit you probably won’t.
I love your videos, great info, however, I disagree with the mph on the highway. Making a sudden stop at 60 and making a sudden stop at 70 or 75 makes a huge difference.
Remember, if you have to break full force at any speed, a toaster on the cupboard is going to fly at you relatively at the same speed. What happens? I would not want to guess.
As you said, driving a motorhome is far different than driving a car. A 45' diesel pusher making a full force stop at 60 and 75, I would say a prayer.
I have motorhomed since 1986, having seen disastrous accidents because of speed. Slow down, you should not be in a hurry when your behind the wheel of your coach.
Hey guys, do you have a video of your motorhome all closed up? I’m curious to know how much room you have to walk around when all the slides are in.
Sorry we don’t
@@EndlessRVing No worries! I wish I was 18 years old so I wouldn’t have to worry about squeezing into tight places or climbing over stuff. Let’s hash tag this #buyingrvsinour50s.
Great video
Thanks!
Weather you are a car ,bus ,truck,tractor trailer or anything else, you should ALWAYS BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS.
Most people are not and that’s the reason there are accidents.