Test Driving a Coach

2oldman wrote:

Dale.Traveling wrote:
h. Reasonable wind, road, engine and house noise.

Wind noise will drive you nuts.

HOw much wind noise is unaccetable.

What can you do to reduce the noise?

the bear II wrote:
I would take it through the paces.... rough roads, panic stops, aggressive lane change, backing up into tight spot, parallel park, freeway/highway on ramp (merge into traffic) hill climb and down grade at least 6% grade.

Find the blind spots....

Listen for silence....the quieter the better.

If it sounds like an old pickup full of pots and pans with a few pigs thrown in then shy away from it. Squeaks, groans, squeals, bangs are not good...

Good advise I suppose but I am glad no one showed up to look at any of my coach's and took it through the paces. I sold both through private sale with test drives etc. Not saying it is abusing the coach it's more that I always baby my equipment and it would be difficult watching someone drive it aggressively.

Dale.Traveling wrote:
h. Reasonable wind, road, engine and house noise.

Wind noise will drive you nuts.

Dale.Traveling wrote:
I got lucky when I was shopping. Salesman handed me the keys and said have fun just don't run it out of gas. Just the Navigator and myself in the coach and I drove it like I stole it. Navigator got a lesson on limiting movement inside a moving coach and then I got a lesson, which include verbal and physical feedback, on how to tell her what I'm about to do.

My bigs on the drive -
a. Straight line stopping and a functional antilock (ensure passengers are ready before standing on the brakes).
b. Smooth shifting thru the gears, both up and down.
c. Smooth acceleration of the engine. No hesitation or drop outs.
d. Reasonable visual blind spots.
e. No steering wheel shake at both low speed (bent wheel) or high speed (wheel balance, front end wear).
f. Reasonable lane wonder (suspension, alignment).
g. All dash indicators function properly.
h. Reasonable wind, road, engine and house noise.
i. Reasonable steering null (how much input before the coach moves).

I was shopping used so there was some expectation of noise, vibration and such which is why I stated reasonable. Each prospective owner will have limits on what might be acceptable and what isn't. Some evals may need a knowledgeable drive to assess also. Remember anything you don't like you can walk away from or use to negociate the price down. Lane wonder could just be over inflated tires but use it as an unknown that will cost you to have checked post sale.

This is a good list, thank you

I got lucky when I was shopping. Salesman handed me the keys and said have fun just don't run it out of gas. Just the Navigator and myself in the coach and I drove it like I stole it. Navigator got a lesson on limiting movement inside a moving coach and then I got a lesson, which include verbal and physical feedback, on how to tell her what I'm about to do.

My bigs on the drive -
a. Straight line stopping and a functional antilock (ensure passengers are ready before standing on the brakes).
b. Smooth shifting thru the gears, both up and down.
c. Smooth acceleration of the engine. No hesitation or drop outs.
d. Reasonable visual blind spots.
e. No steering wheel shake at both low speed (bent wheel) or high speed (wheel balance, front end wear).
f. Reasonable lane wonder (suspension, alignment).
g. All dash indicators function properly.
h. Reasonable wind, road, engine and house noise.
i. Reasonable steering null (how much input before the coach moves).

I was shopping used so there was some expectation of noise, vibration and such which is why I stated reasonable. Each prospective owner will have limits on what might be acceptable and what isn't. Some evals may need a knowledgeable drive to assess also. Remember anything you don't like you can walk away from or use to negociate the price down. Lane wonder could just be over inflated tires but use it as an unknown that will cost you to have checked post sale.

I don't think I would ever agree to buy a vehicle before the test ride--even with a new one. I ordered a 2015 Corvette from my local dealer and after it arrived I insisted on a test drive it before we signed the paperwork.

Executive wrote:
Most likely the dealer's insurance required the contract prior to allowing a test drive. As long as there's a "weasel" clause, you shouldn't have any issues with it..I know I wouldn't....Dennis

Normaly you give great advice

The weasel clause in a contact means you can higher an attorney to combat the opposing parties attorney to finally agree the contract is void. I need that like a whole in my head.

You want to drive the coach at highway speeds and on bumpy rods. You want to see how it turns - but be sure you know how to make a safe turn. There are videos on the web about how to drive a class A. It is a good idea to review them before you go.

I would not go anywhere that forces you to sign a purchase agreement before you drive the coach.

You have to have good depth perception when driving a RV.

Most likely the dealer's insurance required the contract prior to allowing a test drive. As long as there's a "weasel" clause, you shouldn't have any issues with it..I know I wouldn't....Dennis