Test Driving a Coach
How do you do it? What types of driving should you include? What should you look and listen for.
Forum Discussion
You should be able to test drive a unit without signing a contract. I've test driven several different units, at several different dealers over the years, and have never signed any contract. It's just like test driving a car. If you see something you're interested in, ask for a test drive.
Don't just test drive one, and think that's the coach. Test drive several different makes and models, preferably on different manufactured chassis. If you've never driven a class A, don't be concerned, sales people deal with first timers frequently. We've all been there.
As for what to watch and listen for:
1. Drive on a highway at highway speeds, drive on rough roads, and if possible, find a long grade several miles) to drive up and down. You'll want to see how it climbs a grade as well as descends if it has some kind of engine braking sytem. Don't just take it around the block, your spending BIG $$ for this item, make sure you like how it handles. Trust me, they're no all the same, some ride rough, while others ride nicely. Some take constant correction's on the wheel, while other tract with minimal corrections.
2. Listen for noise, wind, rattles, etc. They all have noise and rattles to some degree.
3. Pay attention to how it rides, again, some ride rough, some ride like a car.
4. If you find something you like, have a 3rd party (reputable RV garage) do a pre buy inspection.
The more you drive different motor homes, over different road conditions, the more knowledgeable you'll become, and you'll eventually will find something that you like. DON'T get in a big hurry, again, drive lots of different motor homes. Visit lots of different dealers.
Brian
Don't just test drive one, and think that's the coach. Test drive several different makes and models, preferably on different manufactured chassis. If you've never driven a class A, don't be concerned, sales people deal with first timers frequently. We've all been there.
As for what to watch and listen for:
1. Drive on a highway at highway speeds, drive on rough roads, and if possible, find a long grade several miles) to drive up and down. You'll want to see how it climbs a grade as well as descends if it has some kind of engine braking sytem. Don't just take it around the block, your spending BIG $$ for this item, make sure you like how it handles. Trust me, they're no all the same, some ride rough, while others ride nicely. Some take constant correction's on the wheel, while other tract with minimal corrections.
2. Listen for noise, wind, rattles, etc. They all have noise and rattles to some degree.
3. Pay attention to how it rides, again, some ride rough, some ride like a car.
4. If you find something you like, have a 3rd party (reputable RV garage) do a pre buy inspection.
The more you drive different motor homes, over different road conditions, the more knowledgeable you'll become, and you'll eventually will find something that you like. DON'T get in a big hurry, again, drive lots of different motor homes. Visit lots of different dealers.
Brian
