My Test Drive

[JudyJB]

OK, everyone keeps saying to use the side mirrors.

I was so nervous and focused on watching where I was going when I test drove the Class C on Saturday that I confess that I NEVER ONCE looked in the side mirrors!! I did keep trying to look out the rearview mirror out of habit, but of course saw nothing. The salesman couldn't get the rear camera to work so I didn't use that either.

It was such a weird feeling--like I was driving the front 1/4 of something and the rear was just following. Is this normal? On a positive note, I did remember to swing wide and make sure I had lots of room turning. I just didn't have time to be looking at how the rear of the coach was doing during the turns. I did not hit anything or run over curbs.

And how long does it take for you to be able to watch for everything at once??

[longdog2]

How could you turn without using the mirrors to see if anything was beside you???????

[Acadianmom]

I hope you didn't change lanes without looking in the side mirrors. I have been driving a Class C for a long time and changing lanes is probably my biggest worry. Little cars can get beside you and it's very hard to see them. My mirrors have the little convex mirrors that help you see down. My motorhome is on an E-450 van and I find that the side posts and big mirrors hide something coming from the side at an intersection. And I hate intersections that angle me to the left. Because the coach is wider than the cab I can't see to the right. My motto is look, look and look again. Depending on how long the motorhome is you have to watch that you don't turn too sharp and hit something with the rear end. You have to be careful of those posts they like to put around gas pumps.

Martha

[pattyk]

That's why I like my class A. The visibility is great. I had a problem learning to use the right side mirror but without a rearview mirror I learned quickly. I keep the blinds up on my windows on the side so that I can also see out of them. I didn't like the C because the box was wider than the cab.

[BirdbyBird]

You carefully drive it to a large empty parking lot with a dear friend that you can bribe later and slowly drive around things and back around stuff. Lines on the pavement. Orange cones that you remembered to bring along......you get the idea.

You learn what is wider than what and when it is important. Our brain is a wonderful instrument.

I remember Bethers making a comment about waiting to pull out in traffic and when she finally pulled out she had the AH HA moment when she remembered that she wasn't driving her rig and toad......only her car and could have pulled out long ago..... We learn what we need to earn.

[JudyJB]

Now that I think of it, I must have looked a little. Except the dealer was on a rural road next to the expressway. We pulled out and I turned right, then left onto another road, which was also a two-lane road, so no one could be beside me. After driving down that road maybe a half-mile, I turned left onto a road and then immediately onto the expressway, and kept in the right lane until I exited a few miles further. Turned around staying in my lane and got back on the expressway back to the dealer. Probably not the best test drive.

I kept looking in the rear view mirror out of habit, which obviously didn't help anything since all I could see was the inside of the coach. Why do they even put those things on?????? Check on kids sitting in the back?

Guess my first stop after I buy this thing is going to have to be that parking lot!!! Will have to find something to act as orange cones. I'm sure my son will help me, but no little people along this time. (Three-year old stayed with her dad in the dealer so did NOT come on the test drive.)

[AlmostThere]

The first few times I drove my little 23 ft motor home I panicked when I tried using the rear view mirror and saw only the inside of my coach! It takes a few times driving to get your mind wrapped around the strangeness, but it does happen. I'm lucky in that I don't have to worry about the tail swing, but do have to keep in mind the width/height and also about tail strikes when entering and exiting businesses and gas stations.

[VickieP]

You can also use big boxes if you don't have any cones.

[JudyJB]

AlmostThere, that is EXACTLY what I was doing, so I am glad someone else had this problem!!

I did use the left mirror when I was merging onto the freeway, but I expected to see the entire side of the vehicle and I couldn't see much. Is it possible that the mirrors were not sticking out far enough??? Maybe I did not take enough time at first to adjust them properly.

Overall, I was nervous about keeping up my speed on the freeway and watching ahead of me. And then I kept looking stupidly in the rear-view mirror and realizing all I could see was the bathroom door which had popped open.

I think I need that large parking lot before I drive this thing very far.

[mitch5252]

...Our brain is a wonderful instrument.

Just to be clear, you're NOT talking about Vickie, right?

..

[longdog2]

If the mirrors don't have power adjust, you may need someone else to adjust them while you sit in the driver's seat in your normal driving position. Adjusting the mirrors to fit you is very important. If you are real nervous, you may want to take someone else to the parking lot besides your son. Then he won't be so worried about you when you take off on your own.

[BirdbyBird]

I like the way you think ahead Colleen..... regarding not alarming grown children unnecessarily.

[Readytogo]

Judy, I was afraid to drive the one I already had for a very long time ,then when I did it was not nearly as hard as I thought. Take some time adjusting the mirrors, you should br ablr to see pretty well out of them. Does it have big mirrors? I notice some have the smaller ones, I would guess most have power mirrors. I just check all around and then give myself a little time to check again. Find a little gap in traffic before changing lanes. I too wonder what the heck is the rear view mirror for? If I say it gets easier then it really does. The only real concern of mine is getting into tight spaces and not being able to go anywhere I want, altho most will say you CAN go anywhere you want. If I got more comfortable with it, I know anyone can. Wendy

[Bethers]

I got in mine - with a drive from WI to AL ahead of me. By a couple hours in I felt very comfortable But I had driven uhauls, etc - very similar.

Unlike Paulette - I am much more comfortable driving the C than an A - that would take more getting used to for me. I get uncomfortable sitting in a bus with how close things are lol - even though my sides are as wide, having the truck front is more comfortable for me. But I'd get used to the A also, if I had one. And you'll get used to this. Faster than you think. It's just a matter of doing. And doing some more.

Just like I'm sure you used at least your drivers side mirror - just like you would in your car - without even realizing it.

[bluepinecones]

Good for you at giving it a try!
I did very few short test drives before buying my 1st RV a few weeks ago. Never having driven anything larger than a mini van, I was terrified.
No power mirrors or back up camera on mine and like you, I am having hard time with using the side mirrors and am still mostly avoiding backing up. I agree the driving forward part, as long as you don't have to change lanes, is much easier than expected.
At least you tried the freeway. I made it all the way from south FL to north AL without getting on an Interstate, going thru any big towns, and only using reverse twice!