Drivin' the Big Rig

For most RVers, size matters. I'm convinced just about everyone who would opt for the master bedroom suite, spacious kitchen, and plenty of interior elbow room on board their vehicles on the host camping around a square dance, if they could. After all, most of us belongs to the more-is-more category, right? Of course, plenty of square footage comes at a cost, both in terms of price and driving / towing ease. Assuming that you can reconcile the added financial burden to your accountant / checkbook-strangulation of a spouse, that only leaves the pesky question of how to handle the big rig before one ends up in the driveway, wrapped in a pretty red bow. Whether piloting behemoth motor home or pulling around that monster towable, the goal is pretty much the same. How to get from point A to point B safely. Here's how.

Fear Factor
It's OK to admit it. Come on, I say, you're nervous about getting behind the wheel of a new class of bulky or towing. The truth is, you are far from being a cute little Honda you were manhandling down the highway for years. Like any new skill, maneuvering a large RV comes with its own learning curve, and scared is normal. However, if you drive this big rig you're pale-faced with fear, then it might be a good idea to examine why you bought it in the first place. But I digress.

For starters, realize that it may take some time to get really comfortable in the cockpit. And yes, you'll probably jump curve or two in the process, kind of right of passage for all of us. If it makes you feel better, I recently completed about $ 300,000 class telephone pole. Personally, I think it comes to sex. Come to think of it, maybe someone else should be dispensing advice on the subject. Nah, just kidding. We will work together kinks.

the same - just larger
No matter what you drive / tow, the basic principles of safe driving and continue to apply. It's not like one needs to attend a special school to drive the RV. Although, there are driving schools and courses available out there for the taking, which is not a bad idea. large differences largely boil down to knowing that it will take more time to drive and discipline to do less. For example, motor home drivers must now leave more distance for stopping. The pickup / fifth wheel combination missing Getty-up-and-go family sedan, acceleration is a subjective term for most RVers. Larger cars struggle up the hill, a backup is always a thrill. Fortunately, most drivers on the road giving RVers Wide berth, only one of the advantages are at the top of the food chain car.

Braking time
Learning the limitations of the vehicle is probably the best place to start. Find an empty parking lot for this experiment and do not mind the curious looks of passers by. Start with the brakes. How do they react? How many rooms do you say stop, 30 miles per hour? Each RV must be driven differently - motorized and towables need to allow more time for the brakes of any car you've ever driven. Notice (and honor), the difference in the stopping power of the empty vehicle on a full tank of fuel, equipment and crew. When the open road, the prediction is the key. Give a lot of distance to nearby vehicles. Watch for the usual signs of braking situations - the stop-lights, road construction, mergers and the like. I do not speed, slowing down the process that makes more of a challenge.

the largest of the big rigs use of the secondary braking system from the inside in the form of hydraulic or exhaust brake. Towable towable owners will have to break as well, which are of great help, especially when played down the tube deep origin. Additional braking comes in real handy when going down hills, helping you to slow without overtaxing the vehicle brakes. Primary brakes may overheat and fail in the long descents, so it's important not to overuse them. If you can actually smell your brakes, they are getting overloaded.

Around the Bend
Swing wide when cornering. Remember, what happens in the back of you is almost as important as what's going on up ahead. Take turns slowly, keeping a watchful eye on what the rest of the motor home or trailer does. higher you are, you will need to go beyond because the rear of the vehicle (s) tends to swing like to return. Take it slow and learn form the pros. Notice how 18-wheelers get around in traffic. They got down to science, broad and slow. Consider the pair of extendable mirrors as a thoughtful vehicle add-on.

Change Scene
Before changing lanes, ask yourself: "What is gained? Are you rushed, stressed, or angry that the Cubs lose? The emotional ride is always a bad position to be in, worsened when operating the country £ 25,000 boat cruise at 55 km / h. Of course, open highways mean RV can go where they want, but I'm from the less-is-more school of driving, preferring to find a nice middle lane and stay put. If relocation is necessary, and may equip yourself plenty of time, looking for a nice fat opening to block traffic. Flip signals and have at it. As noted, the fellow travelers were more scared of you then you know, and should work diligently to stay out of your way.

Back it up
I am, or smart or the world's biggest coward (or both). I back up as little as possible, and rarely pull the motor home sometime before I know the safest way. With that said, throwing is saved in reverse is a fact of life. As with these other skills, practice can make perfect, but it makes the outcome much more routine than just winging it. Again, I'm a fan of empty lots and a few trials to fine-tune one's skills. The practice of backing up straight. Repeat. Then again, repeat. When it comes down to doing work for real, just to slow. Always hop out and assess the situation first, keeping a watchful eye on not only what is directly behind you, but it surpasses the objects as well. Take a mental picture of where you want to end, looking for clues from context to inform the cockpit when you're in the position. For example, notice how when a tree stump on-line with the front tires to the back end will be in place.

a good co-pilot will not have to ask if you need help - they'll already be out there, willing to do their part. (The work of several signals in advance will keep you from running over him or her). Better yet, get some walkie-talkies or a buck for a rear observation system that would be best to avoid a picnic table and yellow Subaru in your way. When the multitude of fellow campers start to break their collective head out, do not sweat it. Take it slow, and you'll do well.

Motor homes towing vehicle is connected to tow bars and tow cranes should never attempt to back up - you will damage the relationship. If there is no other way around it, unhook the trailers first and scoot out of the way. trickiest part of the backup trailer is remembering to turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction of where you want to go trailer. nice way I learned from Joe and Vicki Kiev is a place one hand on the bottom of the wheel, and then move your hands in the direction where you want the trailer to end up. In the event that the trailer starts to go down on one side, turn the steering wheel to the "problem" to straighten out again. Take your time - this is not the speed event. Or, just grab the pull-through camp whenever possible and forget the whole thing.

Park
That face, that RV of yours takes a lot of space. I know, I know, the whole mall parking lot known. The best advice? Only beach car (e) someone out of the way, where fellow cars and pedestrians are at a minimum. need extra walking will do you good. As a rule, never to withdraw at any place that I do not know the way out. Avoid back-up when possible, especially in crowded areas such as parking lots and gas stations.

Highway-ing
I find that sitting up high in the motor home is a big advantage through both city and highway driving. The catbird seat is great for surveying the landscape a lot further ahead than any other car, a lot of warning time to react and plan your moves ahead. Unfortunately, towable owners do not receive this kind of advantage, that is unless they're cruising in one of those lofty baby semifinals that the results of the fifth wheel owners now benefit.

I find that sitting up high in the motor home is a big advantage through both city and highway driving. The catbird seat is great for surveying the landscape a lot further ahead than any other car, a lot of warning time to react and plan your moves ahead. Unfortunately, towable owners do not receive this kind of advantage, that is unless they're cruising in one of those lofty baby semifinals that the results of the fifth wheel owners now benefit.

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I find that sitting up high in the motor home is a big advantage through both city and highway driving. The catbird seat is great for surveying the landscape a lot further ahead than any other car, a lot of warning time to react and plan your moves ahead. Unfortunately, towable owners do not receive this kind of advantage, that is unless they're cruising in one of those lofty baby semifinals that the results of the fifth wheel owners now benefit.

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