First Time Buyer...Updated 03/06/2006
This post is intended to be helpful to the first time buyer of a motor home. For those of you who don't fall into that category or believe this post is incomplete or off the mark, do us all a favor, a...
Forum Discussion
Dickvette
Being able to test drive a coach is essential in the decision process.. What most dealers will do is they will take the first turn at the wheel and then turn it over to you to test drive... They are right there with you and will be helpful giving you pointers along the way.. I have not ever experienced the situation as you describe.. With an attentive and experienced driver with you should have no difficulties driving the motorhome.
When you are driving you will need to use your mirrors so make sure they are properly adjusted before you begin to drive..Each mirror will actually have two mirrors one that give you visibility down the road behind you and the other will give you visibility down the side of the coach.. Ask the salesman what you are suppose to be seeing in the mirrors and make sure they are properly adjusted after you adjust the seat to fit your needs.
There are generally two issues that you need to be aware of if this is your first venture driving a motorhome.. The first is that depending on the length the back end will not follow the same track as the front wheels.. They will actually be on a track inside the path of the front wheels so you will need to concern yourself with making wide turns to accommodate the off tracking. The second issue is that many when they first drive a motor home will weave back and forth in the lane. This is generally caused by looking at the side of the road to close in. You will need to discipline your self to look down the road the same as you do driving any other vehicle...Once you do you will find that the motor home will behave itself..
The last issue to consider is that the motor home will be much slower to accelerate and that you will need to allow for additional room to slow down or stop...
One last thought .....If you can not drive the coach you are interested in then perhaps you need to shop for another dealer...
JohnnyT
Being able to test drive a coach is essential in the decision process.. What most dealers will do is they will take the first turn at the wheel and then turn it over to you to test drive... They are right there with you and will be helpful giving you pointers along the way.. I have not ever experienced the situation as you describe.. With an attentive and experienced driver with you should have no difficulties driving the motorhome.
When you are driving you will need to use your mirrors so make sure they are properly adjusted before you begin to drive..Each mirror will actually have two mirrors one that give you visibility down the road behind you and the other will give you visibility down the side of the coach.. Ask the salesman what you are suppose to be seeing in the mirrors and make sure they are properly adjusted after you adjust the seat to fit your needs.
There are generally two issues that you need to be aware of if this is your first venture driving a motorhome.. The first is that depending on the length the back end will not follow the same track as the front wheels.. They will actually be on a track inside the path of the front wheels so you will need to concern yourself with making wide turns to accommodate the off tracking. The second issue is that many when they first drive a motor home will weave back and forth in the lane. This is generally caused by looking at the side of the road to close in. You will need to discipline your self to look down the road the same as you do driving any other vehicle...Once you do you will find that the motor home will behave itself..
The last issue to consider is that the motor home will be much slower to accelerate and that you will need to allow for additional room to slow down or stop...
One last thought .....If you can not drive the coach you are interested in then perhaps you need to shop for another dealer...
JohnnyT
