How hard are these RVs to drive?

Out on the road, not much difference driving any of them. Go slow, give yourself plenty of room to break and take turns a bit wide.

Backing either in isn't that big of a deal once you get the hang of it. Plan on using a spotter and it should be fine.

At 30ft you will feel like you are driving a van. In most cases your Class C or Class A will drive just like any other vehicle, and probably a lot easier than a U-Haul (not knocking U-Haul) but for kicks you can rent a large U-Haul and drive it around the block a few time....an RV will be so much easier as the steering and suspension are designed for comfort not utility. At 30ft even 32ft you don't have much of a rear to worry about and the coach will track just like a van. You are wider, but you get used to it real fast. You accelerate slower and stop slower, so you learn not to pass and to leave plenty of space in front. In our family I drive, my wife drives (probably better than I do) and all my adult children take and drive the motorhome.
Enjoy, and Happy Trails.

I started out with a 10 year old 1985 Class C, and it would not tow anything! The engine tends to overheat a little bit on a hot day, so I had to do some modifications to cool off the transmission, and that took care of the engine overheating a little bit.

I traded that in on a 30' Bounder without a slide, I still have it. Paid for, and nothing with a larger bathroom, so I will keep it for a while.

I agree that it is much easier to back a 30' motorhome into a campsite than to back up a 25' trailer behind a 20' long truck!

You can pick out a class C in the size range you are looking at, and they have some great layouts now that you can also get a slide. I recommend starting out used at first, but who knows?

Good luck!

Fred.

Trackrig wrote:
Yes, renting one is a good idea. Something cheaper would be to rent a 20-24 foot box van from U-Haul for a couple of hours to get the feel for driving the size of a class C.

Bill

sounds like a good idea to me. the main advantage in renting a rV would be to rent a Class C and discover that you get tired of climbing up into the bunk every night.
bgumpy

Yes, renting one is a good idea. Something cheaper would be to rent a 20-24 foot box van from U-Haul for a couple of hours to get the feel for driving the size of a class C.

Bill

Renting is a great idea. We did on a Class A for a week. Also going big depends on you. Started out with a HDT and a 35 foot 5th wheel the fall of 2004. Will say was a little nervous the first time the wife took us down a skinny little two lane blacktop road with no shoulders and a 8 foot ditch on each side. Was doing about 45 mph. Was a little nervous from all the RVers saying how scary Monarch Pass in Colorado was. Until I ran it and didn't understand what all the fuss was about. Didn't drive the truck like I would a car, took my time, slowed down way before I had to for stop signs. Well still do that. Learned from riding motorcycles you are invisible. Still have the same truck and trailer.

Good luck.

Get what you need. If you're not comfortable driving the size you need, then look for a driver training course before you buy.

If you get smaller than you need because of fear of driving, then one of two things will happen:

1. You'll end up going bigger far sooner than is economically feasible; or
2. You'll be miserable in the small space, still be afraid of something larger, and will just stop RVing.

It's actually easier to get used to driving a larger vehicle than it was to get used to driving period. Relax, practice, and enjoy.

I think if you're nervous about driving one it may be wise to rent one first to get the feel of it. You will take quite a hit on depreciation if you buy and don't like it.
Our first trailer was a 30' 5th wheel. It took us several months to decide. Considered everything. For various reasons we decided on a diesel truck and 5th wheel. A little over a year ago we went to a 35.5' 5th wheel. Very pleased so far.
Good luck.