How Did You Get Your First Ride In A DP?

[mtofell1]

Basically, my situation is that I/we (wife & a herd of kids) are TT/5th wheel campers. My wife is much less into the camping aspect but likes to travel. My current TT is 90% me and the kids with my DW coming along every once in a while.

Some day when we have more time and $$ to travel I'd love to get a DP but am wondering how to be sure my wife likes it. She hates sitting in the truck, gets motion sick on curvy roads and jokes that if it's more than a 2 hour drive she'll fly and meet me there.

All of this makes me wonder how people decide to drop The big $$ on DP? I thought of renting a class A gasser but have heard the ride is nothing like an air suspension DP so it could backfire.

How did you folks with the big DPs get started and decide it would work? It seems like a lot to ask of a dealer to take me out for a ride when I'm really not that serious of a buyer. I guess I don't even know if I should start planning for a DP and am wondering where to start. The good news is I have plenty of time to figure it out since the kids are still fairly young.

Thanks for sharing any past experiences.

[Twomed]

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. 🙂 🙂

[Valkyriebush]

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.

[et2]

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.

[GWK]

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.

[gemert]

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.

[s_N_s]

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

[gbopp]

Greyhound Bus. 🙂

[Executive45]

First, to answer your question..we went from a 27' Winnebago Chieftain to a 40' DP. It's much bigger, wider, higher, longer etc...I just went :E:E:E. I spent several early morning hours driving around Houston getting some seat time before heading home to California. By the time I arrived home I had enough seat time to be comfortable with it. When we decided to go full time 6 yrs ago, we purchased our current coach. The tag axle makes a world of difference in stability and comfort of the drive. Of course we also went from a 300HP diesel to a 525HP too...:W.

While I think your wife will enjoy the ride and comfort of the DP, there are some cautions. She will enjoy being able to get up and move around the coach even while underway. The DPs are really stable, especially ones with a tag. She'll also enjoy the view from being up so high and looking out that huge picture window we call a windshield.

Now for the caution: The passenger seat in diesels sits over the front steer wheels so the perception from that seat is different than that which she is used to. In fact, it appears, from that vantage spot that you're over to the right farther than you really are. If you're one of these right shoulder huggers, she'll think you're constantly driving OFF the road. This can be disconcerting to many people, so keep that in mind. If she learns to drive it, and I recommend that, a lot of that goes away.

I test drove my first tag at DeMartini RV in Grass Valley Ca. We looked at the coach and asked for a test drive. They would not allow me to drive it off the lot, the salesman has to do that...insurance I believe. After a short drive to warm things up, we switched seats. Our test drive was about 45 minutes.

Another idea would be to hook up with a friend for a weekend camping trip. They drive and you pay for fuel and camping fees. Win/Win for both and you and your wife get a chance to enjoy the ride and comfort.....good luck...Dennis

[mtofell1]

Thanks guys.... I hadn't even thought about me actually driving it 🙂 I'm mainly just wanting to get a ride in one so my wife can see what it's like.

I'll be ready when the times comes.... After hauling around beastly TTs/5th wheels over the years some people tell me the class A is a nice change. Also, the newer ones seem amazing with all the mirrors and cameras and such.

[S-n-L]

I took my first test drive at a dealer. I told them I had never driven anything larger than a u-haul moving truck, maybe 25 feet.

They told me no worries and let me drive a new 45 ft dp. The sales guy coached me along the way. Before doing this I did some reading about how to drive it so I had some idea as to what to expect. After the first test drive I purchased the rig in my signature.

[viajante]

I have never had a problem getting to take Class A Diesel for a drive. I have driven quite a few, but haven't yet taken the plunge, largely because of the $$$$$$$$$$. I currently have a 35 foot Class A gasser. You are correct that there is no comparison between the ride in a gasser and a diesel. I would just tell them you are considering getting a diesel. You don't have to tell them how soon.

We previously had a Class C. In my opinion, a Class A is much easier to drive. Just go for it and have fun. The only danger is that you might fall in love with it.

[Bigdog]

Normally a dealer won't let you take one out for a drive, especially if you haven't driven one before. In fact about 10 years ago, we looked at a Class A gasser and even though I had been driving a school bus for 5 years, I couldn't drive it off the lot. The salesman had to drive it off the lot and down the street to a place we could change drivers in a large empty parking lot and I had to show him that I really could drive it. When we bought the diesel several years later, we didn't get to drive it at all,just ride.
We went from a 32' Cougar TT and an Excursion diesel to the Class A. We've had some problems with it,it's a 2001 with 111,200 miles, but would never go back.
Actually a large Class A DP is easier to manouver than a school bus as the steering cut is about 55 degrees and the school bus is higher. However,the school bus has better visibility with all those windows, A tad bit louder inside though.