A little OT - How hard is it to drive an RV?

[CrzyforPiglet]

I wasn't sure where else to post this but I figure someone here might have some good advice. DH and I were thinking of renting an RV and driving through parts of Utah next spring with our 2yo son. The largest thing either of us have driven is an SUV and while we definitely want to try RVing we're both a little scared that it'll be more than we can handle. The one we were thinking of renting is about 25 feet. My husband called a local place and they told him that it they're pretty easy to handle but wouldn't let us test drive one - long shot but we figured it couldn't hurt to ask. So now I wanted to turn to my fellow dis'ers to see your thoughts. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

Laurie

 

[ftwildernessguy]

No matter what we do, there has to be a first time for everything. I really don't remember the first time I towed a trailer, but there must have been one and I did okay. I have driven many large vehicles in my military career, and for the most part, I found it took a few miles before I would feel comfortable, but I was never intimidated to the point of failure. For the most part, it is a variation of the same basic driving skills you use everyday, just applied to a much larger vehicle that needs more room to turn and takes longer to stop.

 

[Shannone1]

I wasn't sure where else to post this but I figure someone here might have some good advice. DH and I were thinking of renting an RV and driving through parts of Utah next spring with our 2yo son. The largest thing either of us have driven is an SUV and while we definitely want to try RVing we're both a little scared that it'll be more than we can handle. The one we were thinking of renting is about 25 feet. My husband called a local place and they told him that it they're pretty easy to handle but wouldn't let us test drive one - long shot but we figured it couldn't hurt to ask. So now I wanted to turn to my fellow dis'ers to see your thoughts. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

Laurie

You'll be fine. I drive our 36ft motorhome and when we tow our minivan too we are at about 55 ft. It's looks worse than it is, really. You need to account for wider turns and your extra height and width. It will be an adventure. I would rent it 1-2 days earlier than your trip so that you can drive it around and become familiar with it before starting your trip. You'll be hooked before you know it and you will be driving on down to the fort !!

 

[Cousin Ed C]

If nobody around will let you test drive one, why don't you rent a similar size U-Haul for half a day. The peace of mind would be worth it.

Personaly I don't think it is too hard to do. Our 38' MH towing our pickup is about 60' all together. It takes some pratice but then it's simple.

 

[des1954]

I wasn't sure where else to post this but I figure someone here might have some good advice. DH and I were thinking of renting an RV and driving through parts of Utah next spring with our 2yo son. The largest thing either of us have driven is an SUV and while we definitely want to try RVing we're both a little scared that it'll be more than we can handle. The one we were thinking of renting is about 25 feet. My husband called a local place and they told him that it they're pretty easy to handle but wouldn't let us test drive one - long shot but we figured it couldn't hurt to ask. So now I wanted to turn to my fellow dis'ers to see your thoughts. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

Laurie

You are going about it the correct way (IMHO)! Renting an RV gives you a true take on if you would be interested in owning one! Me? I can't imagine life without a MH. If the one you're renting is 25' in length, it sounds like it's probably a Class C (van cab). That is the easiest MH to drive.

You HAVE to use your side mirrors when you drive any kind of MH, as you have no true rear view mirror, and a rear camera is only good when you are backing up. You also have to keep at least two other things in mind.... (1) You have 25' behind you - keep this in mind when changing lanes and making turns. (2) Your vehicle is HEAVY - which means longer stopping distance so - do not tailgate !

Once you get on the road, you get comfortable behind the wheel. If you are able to, rent it a couple of days before you plan to leave on your trip and practice driving around your town & go to parking lots & practice backing up. You'll be glad to have a little experience under your belt before starting your vacation.

After you go to Utah, you will have to come to Ft. Wilderness!!!

Have fun!

Debbie

 

[ang38]

If my hubby could drive one you can drive one!! We still laugh about our first trip and all the little mistakes he made: made a turn too fast out of a gas station and almost everything fell out of the cabinets ..sent me flying when I tried to walk to the back..things like that. Think of it as another adventure and you'll do fine. Just remember the height when driving under bridges and do NOT go through a drive through window

 

[CCIntrigue]

You're received some good advice already. I'm in my 50s, haven't driven anything this big since my teens. If I can handle our MH, anyone can! Enjoy.

Just one word of warning - once you rent an RV you'll be hooked! Be prepared to purchase one. The lifestyle is incredible, and you won't have any desire to stay in a hotel again!

 

[bradisgoofy]

All good points, and one more, if you must make a sharp turn, the rear of the coach will swing out not just follow the turn. That swing could clip something if you are too close. ( voice of experience )

We have a 39' Fleetwood Class A Diesel Pusher and it is easier to drive then our previously owned fifth wheel.

 

[PenskeSth1]

Also watch for cross winds! The wind likes to push around high profile vehicles. Once you get the hang of it you will find out it is pretty easy!

 

[CrzyforPiglet]

Thanks for the replies! I feel much better now and am getting excited to plan our trip! We've talked about buying an RV especially if our family of 3 becomes a family of 4 - airfare is just too darned expensive - so I'm anxious to see if we'll like RVing and how that goes. Maybe someday we will be down to Ft Wilderness in our own RV.

Thanks again everyone,
Laurie

 

[emoose]

I personally find driving Class C RVs easy.

A suggestions - Rent a 24 or 26 U-haul for an in town move. drive it around for one day. It will cost you $50 or less and it is a very similar experience to driving a C (minus the amenities) In reality the RV is easier (better mirrors, shocks, handling, and visibility) but the turning radius and length will give you some good ideas.

You just have to learn to remember not to try to go through th McD's drive through and that you aren't going to park in a compact cars space when you stop somewhere. Be careful when backing up and avoid it when possible.

No driving with a 30' trailer with a truck? That can get a little hairy for my tastes but everyone is different.

 

[Mr Man]

Good info on this thread (especially the U-Haul trial run). It is not difficult at all to handle (even backing up). Just take your time and don't make any fast moves and you will be fine.

A bit of hard earned advice. Ensure the RV you rent has air-bag suspension installed. We drove a 36' RV to FW from Houston for Spring Break '07. Crossing Louisiana about killed us. The rough road conditions combined with the standard RV suspension gave us the impression that we traveled equidistance "in the air" as "on the road". Granted, this was a rental RV but mileage was not high. I have ridden in an RV w/air bags. The difference is notable. Some RV's also have "air-assisted" seats. I think these are only in high end RV's though.

18 wheelers blowing by us at 85 mph did cause some sway in the 36' RV but this was a fairly simple steering correction Again, this could be specific to the rental RV we had but was much more than I noticed in the 28' Class RV we rented the year previously.

Best of luck.

 

[snugglepeas]

the pp suggested you might want to rent it a day or so before you leave, when i was younger my parents had a 27 foot Class C and a few years back they upgraded to a 37 foot class A and the first long trip we took my father clipped the mirror going through a toll booth. and this is a man who has had a bus licence for over 30 years,

 

[Stevelp]

One way to go is to go to a couple of local dealers and ask them for a test drive. That way you could find out if you want a class C or a class A. It could save you some time and money. Once you use one yopu will want to buy. If you end up with a class C and a few months later decide you really "need" a class A, you could loose some money on the trade. You might want to rent a class C first and then rent a class A latet. Like I said, RVing is addective. Once you do it once, you are hooked.

 

[emoose]

I like the idea of going to a dealer for a test drive but if you aren't a stronger person than myself you Walking into a dealer leads to driving home in a new RV.

That being said - If you are RV'ing for an extended period of time - it can be cheaper to buy "good priced" used RV, drive it on vacations, and sell it for a little less, same, or more than you paid for it. You have to be pretty knowledgeable about what you are buying to do this.