Review of RV Driver's Training

[des1954]

The instructor was VERY knowledgeable & informative!

The morning session (9:00am-10:45am) was classroom instructions with a ton of details. I wished I had videoed this session. I took some notes - but there was so much, I'm sure I missed something.

We took a two hour lunch break which I used to tour some of the new Winnebago/Itasca MH's. As a Lazy Days Lifetime Member (not Crown Club Member - mah MH is too low class for that league) I took advantage of the free lunch which was 3 slices of boiled ham & one slice of american cheese on a hamburger bun with a side of the most bland cole slaw I have ever had. But hey....after buying 4 MH's from them, should I expect steak? I went over to Camping World to see if there was anything I couldn't live without - which there wasn't.

Then to the FUN part!!! We got to drive a 38' Fleetwood Class A Expedition around Rally Park. I learned a lot about judging where your MH is in relation to where you want it to go, and most importantly, I learned the proper way to back it in to a campsite!!! (Which is the main reason I went in the first place)

I can say with conviction that I now believe I can drive my little 32ft Itasca to FtW & back it into a site with no problems and no spotter. (Not even Wynottah Ottah-Spottah)

If any of you purchased your MH at Lazy Days, this class is free to you and I would recommend taking advantage of it. Even if you are a "seasoned" driver, I think there are some useful tips you can pick up.

The class is also open to non-Lazy Days customers, but there is a fee of $75.00 per person. If you are a novice driver, it is worth the money. If you are a seasoned driver - it's not worth $75- spend that $$$ for a night at the Fort.

There was a young couple in the class that had just purchased their first Class A (Itasca Horizon - 40'), they live in Gainesville and go to FtW all the time. (They traded their 27' TT in on the MH). Neither one had ever driven anything like this before, and they aced it!!!

All in all, it was very much worth my time to take the class. (2 thumbs up)

 

[disney92]

Great job!!!! Sounds like it was well wort it..

Now when is your first trip driving and backing up?

 

[BradyBz12]

Ooh when we eventually trade up to a class A or C I am so doing this! I have no problem with the driving part (even when we towed the behemoth TT a bunch of years ago) but it's the judging distances from the MH and the backing up that I am just no good at all at.

Great to know and sounds like a fun day - minus the stingy lunch.

 

[Gatordad]

go back for part II and learn how to back in my 5'er so I can lay Donnie off.

 

[des1954]

go back for part II and learn how to back in my 5'er so I can lay Donnie off.

Actually Pete, I did ask if there were any classes for 5'er & TT owners, and unfortunately there are not. IMHO, a MH is much easier to handle & back than a 5'er, and definitely easier than a TT. And with what some of the tow-behind's cost, they should offer some sort of training - even if you had to pay for it. The "hand's on" driving part of it may not be very practical because of different sizes & types of trailers, but I'm sure there are "tricks" to backing and pulling just about anything. It'd be nice if they just had classroom sessions.

 

[auntie]

Sounds like it was worth it Deb


We expect to see pics of your motor home backed into your site at FW. (don't let Wyonottah drive..no matter how much she begs..)

 

[2goofycampers]

oops, double post

 

[2goofycampers]

If everyone learns how to back in their own MH what are the otters gonna do for beer $ ?


Good job Deb.

 

[OK GRUMPY]

Well they can come over and help back up my 5ver!!