How Did You Get Your First Ride In A DP?

Don't tell the sales person you're 'just looking'. If YOU don't feel comfortable driving it at your first look-see just tell the salesperson. No harm done.

Go the first time WITHOUT the kids as a distraction. Then you can concentrate on the ride and feel itself. Let your wife sit in the passenger seat on this test ride. It's a different feel than sitting on the sofa or dinette.

Be careful. That first ride will sell you!! :)

Our first trip was in a rented 2005 Fleetwood Expedition in 2005 (38 ft., 3 slide)....then the next year a rented 2006 Fleetwood Expedition (38 ft., 4 slide).

So, when it came time to order our first coach in 2007, I felt comfortable driving a Diesel Pusher (2008 Monaco Dynasty, 42 ft., 4 slide).

When driving a coach, like Dennis said, you have to stay a little more left (the way it feels) to actually be centered. It's the way the driver's seat is positioned. On our new coach, the driver's seating position is actually closer to the windshield and I find that when I feel centered driving it, I'm actually centered in the lane.

Safe travels,
MM.

I had never driven one before we bought our 40' 2000 Beaver PT. I made the offer contingent on an acceptable test drive.......WONDERFUL, and never looked back.

My first time driving a DP was when I got a job working as a mechanic for a bus company in the 80's... We had quite a few Prevost motorcoaches as well as a couple Eagle 5 and 10's and a few humpback GMs.. We even had a GM 4106.. Fun times..

There are lots of class A rentals, mostly gas, but I have seen a few diesel running around Yellowstone. Maybe a trip in one would provide the answers for you both. :) :)

I bought mine from RV world in Yuma. I had previously bought a 32ft gasser from them as well. When we went looking, the sales
man ask me If I wanted to take it for a test drive. I had never driven a diesel motorhome w/air and 40ft ever. He handed me the key, I didn't even know the start up procedure, jacks, slides, etc... I drove all the way from Yuma to Dome valley and back. Scared to death while he taught me about the air brakes and compression brake. It sold me and I bought it. I noticed his left forward lean in my direction from the passenger seat the whole trip. Good folks at RV world. Oh, I had an accident the day after I took delivery, and ripped the side and awning poles up a bit. I can laugh now, but felt like crying then.

I never drove one until we bought our first diesel pusher two years ago. Never really asked to drive one as there was nothing really to compare to for me other than our dually pickup and 40'ft fiver.

It's not a lot different from a trailer & truck other than the pivot points for turning, and is easier to back up than the fiver - pickup combo. The air suspension, brakes , comfort and view are the first notable difference.

Odd though, now that we have owned a DP I would definitely drive the next before a purchase especially if moving up to see if the extra money really pays off. From what everyone says the tag axle helps a lot.

In reality you never get the full feeling just doing a test drive. We had a gentlemen pull in next to us at a campground this year with a brand new gasser class A. He was very disappointed in its handling. He claimed he test drove it. I mentioned the tire pressure, weighing the coach, etc. He said he did all that.

If you never drove one how do you know what you can expect? Our's was really hard to control when we first picked it up. Tires were way over aired. Corrected that and actually added Koni shocks after the first year and it drives like a dream now. So I don't feel a test drive is as accurate as can be thought of.

If you happen to include Florida in your travels Lazy Days has a driving class that you and your wife could take. It doesn't get you out on a highway but you get the feel of things. They also let me test drive a 40 ft rig.

I drove buses for a few months in the 70s while in the Navy, my ship was in the shipyard. So I had no hesitation in driving a DP when I was considering buying one. I drove it and what a difference! Rides like a limo with the exception of those big dips like after a bridge, then not bad. First drive of a DP and I own it. Should say something. Older high end unit air suspension and a tag.

Went to two different dealers and test drove a few. The first dealer had to take the coach off the lot to a location where I was able to take over. The second dealer let me drive it off the lot. One word of advice, drive a few different brands of chassis's as they all don't ride/drive the same. JMHO