How to test drive a Class A ??
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โJan-31-2015 10:08 AM
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Class A
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โMar-02-2017 02:35 AM
The big things we noticed was noise level, it was missing! The second thing was the ride, Air ride VS Springs. Much smoother. For us floor plan was critical, we were going to have a bunkhouse, this is our third so that was no issue. What we were looking at was could we get to the head with the slide in? Could we sleep in the master bed with the slides in? Could we get to food and eat with the slides in?
If this is your first 'A' you need to consider floor plan, engine, OAL. Seating positions. SIT AT THE TABLE, Stretch out on the sofa, look at the TV, can you? Try to do a day in the life in an hour. If you can't stand to sit at the table, if the sofa is 6" too short, and so on, better to find it out before you buy.
For your test drive, try to get at least half an hour. Freeway, Two Lane, side road, at least one that is not a perfectly smooth flat road, you want a bit of road crown. Windy day? Better yet.
Don't be afraid to walk off, come back another day and compare what you thought to what you see on day two.
2008 Jeep Liberty (aka FireToad)
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โMar-01-2017 05:02 PM
bcforce wrote:
I currently have a Montana 5th wheel, and the wife and I are considering going to a Class A. We know what it is like to live in the RV, but have never even ridden in a Class A. What is the best way to get a test drive? Do dealers do that??
What we did. Decided to go from a Montana Fifth Wheel/2500 Silverado HD to a Class A. Shopped locally with no results. Found the one on eBay, in Birmingham, AL. Flew down.
It Was The One. Took it on a test ride/drive. In the first mile of ever driving a Class A, went from 0 - 70 crusing MPH. Very stable ride. Exited the freeway, drove through urban, then residential and was at absolute comfort and confidence the whole way. You just have to remember where the turning occurs - behind your butt.
Since then, have put the rig through its paces with full competent confidence. Drive five seconds ahead of yourself, keep a steady pace, and just do it.
both USAF Retired
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โFeb-27-2017 05:04 PM
I am slightly intimidated by the Class A RV. Not that I haven't had experience with larger units. We regularly haul hay, equipment and cattle. But, I am used to having the tow vehicle shorter than the trailing unit. When we get our 30 to 34 foot coach, either of the two Wranglers would not even be half the length of the coach, and I am having problems seeing the dynamics of cornering in the tight areas we routinely see - which would be the ubiquitous courthouse square in the county seat every smaller Texas highway must pass through. And it seems that the highway you're following always has to make a right turn when you get to the courthouse (TX 144 to TX 6 in Meridian, southbound - TX 144 at Glen Rose, northbound, and anywhere through Hillsboro!).
I am not intimidated by the bulk of the RV and toad, I routinely haul loads that exceed most diesel coach weights (gross, with diesel PU, 30' dovetail, lotsa hay). I guess that I will spend time maneuvering around the parking lot and general area before I set out for a long haul.
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โFeb-26-2017 06:30 AM
Bill
450 HP CUMMINS ISM
ALLISON 4000 MH TRANSMISSION
TOWING 2014 HONDA CRV With Blue Ox tow bar
A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way.
-Mark Twain
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โFeb-25-2017 09:13 PM
Debx77 wrote:
We are trying to decide if we like the class a or c but if they don't let us test drive them then how are we supposed to decide
Florida highways are too packed with snowbirders to test drive safely. ๐ Try another state!
Seriously though, I wonder if it's all dealers in Florida or just the two you inquired about. I think I'd call on some others. Probably LazyDaze would let you. They get a lot of lookers.
.... Back in S&B Again
Traveled 8 yr in a 40' 2004 Newmar Dutch Star Motorhome
& 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel
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โFeb-25-2017 08:58 PM
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โFeb-25-2017 08:56 PM
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โFeb-04-2015 05:55 AM
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โFeb-03-2015 07:30 PM
The very first time I drove a large class A was a 40' Bluebird DP. I was at a large RV show in the middle of a big city. I had driven many class C motorhomes before, one 5,000 miles and one small 32' class A 2,500 miles. All of those were easy. The class A Bluebird on a packed crowded street and then straight on a busy freeway terrified me. I just did not have a feel for the size of the rig. My point is that I would recommend you test drive for the first time in a less crowded area. After an hour it feels comfortable.
Country Coach
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
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โFeb-03-2015 04:55 PM
Brian
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โFeb-03-2015 04:05 PM
When you find one you like don't be afraid to go on a second test drive. Trust me the dealers know the best way to sell you is get you behind the wheel.
Bill
450 HP CUMMINS ISM
ALLISON 4000 MH TRANSMISSION
TOWING 2014 HONDA CRV With Blue Ox tow bar
A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way.
-Mark Twain
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โFeb-03-2015 03:52 PM
2018 Coachmen Galleria 24Q Class B Mercedes Van
Keith & Brenda
Marley the Maltese
Central PA
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โFeb-03-2015 01:20 PM
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โFeb-01-2015 10:29 AM
So we rented one for four nights. The biggest we could get was 33 feet but it gave me the driving experience baseline I wanted. We were not allowed to tow anything so we had to use the coach for everything. Which was perfect.
We picked up the motor home near Eugene, OR and went to a private park just south of Sisters. I drove on freeways, narrow 2 lane country roads, 2 lane winding mountain roads with up to 6% grades. We were in and out of the campground every day, going sight seeing, negotiating various parking lots, getting gas, going into town for dinner. It was great. And there was no salesman yacking in my ear the whole time. Also DW was extremely impressed with it so the trip also served to convince us both that a class A was the right RV for us.
It probably took me an hour or so before I started feeling comfortable driving it so a test drive would have left me in "white knuckle mode" the whole time. Now I have enough experience to know what I want to learn in a test drive. And I am comfortable enough with it that I can relax and evaluate the ride.
It was not cheap trip, but worth every penny and we had a really nice time to boot. I highly recommend it.
Good luck,
2008 Gulf Stream Independence 8367
Freightliner FRED Chassis
Cummins/Allison
2008 Saturn Aura