Another question - Learning to drive a motorhome

[JudyJB]

I hope you are all not getting irritated by my questions. Anyway, here is another. My thoughts so far have been to buy a Class C motorhome that is about 28' long at the most so it would be easier to drive without a toad. I also want to stay in state and national parks more easily.

So, when I went to Indiana and looked at models that size, BUT I also ended up looking at slightly bigger models--namely one that is 30' 9" that I REALLY like. It has a couch and a dinette directly across from it that could be removed and replaced by a recliner and a small table. (I hate dinettes and really need a comfortable chair that reclines because of my back.)

I have never driven anything bigger than a full-sized van. HELP!!! I am planning on renting a Class C, maybe a slightly smaller one, next spring, so that will help, BUT....

Are there any motorhome driving schools where you don't have to actually bring your own motorhome? I would fly out somewhere if I had to, but I'd like to learn to drive one of these huge things with some guidance, but BEFORE I actually buy one. (Getting some instruction would help me make a decision.)

Thanks!!!

[Bethers]

Send a pm to Seeyagal - and see if her husband can help you. I don't know if he'd be able to if you don't have a rig, but I'm not sure - and he does teach people to drive the big rigs. If he can't help, he might know who can.

Now, for me, the best school was getting behind the wheel and simply driving one.

Decide which is more important to you - the parks where you need to be smaller, or the inside layout - because it will vary if you decide on the longer rig. We all have to have our "musts" and our "wants". I have less "musts" than I used to - but the ones I have are written in stone. You won't actually know some of them till you get out there.

Good luck.

[Readytogo]

Judy, there ars so many preferences and choices it is hard to answer this for someone else. But I must say this, my husband passed away and I was left with a 31 ft class C motorhome and I refised to drive it for a couple years. Then i got behind the wheel and IT WAS NOT AS HARD AS I THOUGHT! I missed a lot of fun trips I could have taken before i did this and have kicked myself often. I still kind of stress aboout it before every trip, but when i get moving wonder what that was about. I would like a smaler one just for reasons of getting around in and out of parking lots etc. sometimes. But if you want the 30ft, I say if I can you can! I also got a DVD from rv bookstore that was helpful just for an overview. Wendy

[Readytogo]

PS Judy, if you want that DVD send me your address and Ill send it to you. Wendy

[sharon]

I really haven't heard of any of the driving schools that have rv's for you to drive, especially the small class C's. I would suggest that you ask to test drive the one's you might be interested in , explaining to the salesman that you've never driven one and you want to make sure that you can drive it. They'll want to make a sale and will probably jump at the chance to show you how easy it is.

My other suggestion, and I tell all of the newbies this, is to take your car out, forget you have a rearview mirror, and practice backing up straight using only your side view mirrors. When you can back straight, practice backing into your driveway, then around corners on the street or parking lot. Going straight ahead is easy, it's the backing up that gets most folks.

And like Wendy said, it's practice, practice, practice! And state of mind. I've got about 70,000 miles under my butt, and I still have about 10 miles of nerves when I haven't been out for a while. But you can do it, girl!!

[retiredhappy]

I have a 30' Class C and I learned to drive it by just doing it. The more I drove, the more confident I got. Now as for using it as a sightseeing vehicle, I wouldn't recommend anything 28' or longer. You can't just whip those babies in and out of parking lots. I even have trouble sometimes finding a gas station I can get into and out of easily especially with all those new gas stations with angled pumps. The rear end of a 28' or 30' rig swings pretty wide. I tow a Chevy Cobalt and its not all that hard. BUT you DON'T back up when you're towing!! When I was looking at mine the salesman took me for a test drive with me driving. Funny thing was he took me down the street and told me to turn into the cemetery cause you entered in one gate and made a big circle and came out another gate so it was the easiest to turn around. Afterward when I stopped to think about taking my test drive in a cemetery I laughed myself silly. I'm still not comfortable driving my rig in heavy traffic on a freeway but then I don't like driving my car in heavy traffic on a freeway. I much prefer to drive secondary roads and the scenery is much better.

[Rufflesgurl]

Practice, Practice, Practice!! When I was test driving RVs, I pretty much knew what I wanted but had absolutely NO experience driving a RV. I must have scared some of those sales people half to death. - because I scared myself too. LOL You can do it. I don't take it out much and each time I do I get a little leary for a few miles. Still apprehensive about the backing up but with a spotter, I certainly can do it.

Have fun looking.

Linda

[BirdbyBird]

And if you ask them they will drive it over to some large empty parking lot (church/school/closed store) so that you can initially drive there...and practice turning and watching white lines, etc. Then most of them will encourage you to drive on the road. They know that if you can't imagine mastering the driving thing, they won't make a sale!

[JudyJB]

Great suggestions.

Another question: Is there really any difference in driving a 28' versus a 30' Class C motorhome? The 30 foot would get me a separate bedroom and more space up front for a recliner AND a table, assuming I could take out the dinetter, which seems to be very possible on a couple of units.

I am planning on full-timing without a toad, fyi.

Can't wait for my ticker to keep ticking down!!

[sharon]

Great suggestions.

Another question: Is there really any difference in driving a 28' versus a 30' Class C motorhome? The 30 foot would get me a separate bedroom and more space up front for a recliner AND a table, assuming I could take out the dinetter, which seems to be very possible on a couple of units.

I am planning on full-timing without a toad, fyi.

Can't wait for my ticker to keep ticking down!!

Nope! 2 feet makes a lot of difference inside but not much for driving down the road. Might make some diff in where you can park in a parking lot or backing in, but not that much. Go for the size you feel most comfortable in...go test drive both sizes.

[bigmamma6868]

I am a newbie, The 2 ft difference is not enough you will probably not notice!!! I have had my 31 ft Class C motorhome for a little over a month now, and I had driven U-hauls before, and its about like it. You do have to take wider turns, and like (retired happy) Sharon says, some of the gas stations, I have had to skip pulling into them because of the way they are angled, but you learn to look ahead. Right now I do not tow, but I am looking, because not having anything to take off in, is a bummer! Right now, I have a bike, but I cant seem to get it together right ( I bought it in the box-it was the only one they had and it was on sale), (I tend to do this kinda stuff) its not rideable, and I don't have a ride, (boo hoo) anyway, I bought the camper in Kansas, and I am now on the beach near the gulf in Texas! It likes gas (9mph) but its been GREAT.... having a blast. Good luck and GREAT travels to you, afterwards.. .. Jacque

[BirdbyBird]

It is all doable driving but the longer you get it will change what you can do and how easily you can do what you can do. Two additional comments: If you are anticipating taking furniture out of a unit be sure to check under all of it and find out if there is a hidden storage box, fresh water tank, and electrical switch box, a heating duct....you get the drift. Some spaces are not up for rearranging. The second comment is to recommend that you carefully check the weight limits on the larger class C. Especially if you are planning to full time. How much "stuff" will you actually be able to bring with you. Big beautiful storage compartments are nice but useless if you can't put anything beside extra paper towels in them.... Some of the longer class C's with 450 engines roll off the line near their capacity (especially if they are going to carry gasoline, some fresh water, extra batteries, extra solar panels.... ) Read the fine print carefully.

[JudyJB]

Thanks, Tina. I am checking weight limits. I learned this past trip that not all models list it. The one factory told me it would be listed on the door at delivery--not good enough!!! My son filled me in on difference between gross and loaded and whatever weights.

I also looked under the one dinette by lifting the cushions and there was absolutely nothing. They (factory guy) said I might even be able to order it without the dinette so as not to have to worry about holes, but I did forget to ask if it was glued down as well as screwed down. Glue would be a problem. This was a Coachman Leprechaun.

Need to check the one other model I liked--Forester 2861. But i did see models in several stages of assembly, and I don't remember anything being there. Also need to look in more ovens since it was only the last one that I actually thought to open it up and look inside!

Luckily I am only one person and used to packing and living light. (I went to Scotland once with a carry-on suitcase and a very small laptop/electronics backpack for a three-week trip.)

[JoanE]

Judy, I bought a 26' Class C and currently do not tow. The 26' is plenty of space for me and my dog, Maggie but I have regretted not having other means of travel when I am camped somewhere for a while. Breaking camp to go get groceries or do local sightseeing is a pain. I have also found that having a large vehicle is problematic for parking at some venues. On the other hand, if I am just staying on the move, not having a tow is not a problem. So how you intend to camp might be an important consideration too. Like you, I have traveled to Europe with a carry on so if carrying lots of stuff is not critical for you, think carefully about the size rig you buy.

[Getupngo]

I agree with Joan on the on-the-go traveler vs. the "drive-and-stop for a while" variety. I'm in the latter category. I had a 29-foot Class C and I felt stranded in each place. It was a pain to level without the hydraulic levelers, and if I wanted to go to the grocery store -- heck, anywhere! -- I had to unhook utilities and re-level it when I got back. That's when I went up to a Class A for living space and decided to pull a toad. It's all a matter of preference.

Now, if I had one of those smaller Class Bs, I'd be popping in and out of the campground in it and driving around town.