Newbie a little nervous about driving a class a

[Stevenryals]

My wife and I just bought a very nice, well maintained 97 Thor Manor

I have never driven a class A.
Are there any classes I can take?
Are there any resources online that helps route a large vehicle to roads tahat are easily passable? This is a major concern for me - finding myself on a road I can pass or turn around. :-0

Did everyone else have a bit of nerves before their first time driving a long class a?

I pick it up next Wednesday. Looking for resources and reassurances. 🙂

[gbopp]

Watch for overhead clearance, tail swing and learn your pivot point. Then go practice. It's not difficult.

Enjoy your travels in your Thor. You will like it.

[azdryheat]

The trucker school I got my Class B CDL from also has classes for RV drivers. Check with a trucker school near you.

[cross21114]

rgatijnet1 wrote:
There is also the trick with putting a piece of tape on the windshield that aligns with the highway centerline when you are in the normal driving position. It is a little hard to explain but by using it as a reference, you can be sure where you are in the lane, in relation to the lane marker on the driver's side..

Like racing stripes on race cars!

[Chum_lee]

Go to youtube and search for 11'-8" videos. That's "eleven foot eight videos" and watch the video(s). Don't let that happen to you as it is a little embarrassing, expensive, and very easy to do.

Chum lee

[ncrowley]

Find an large empty parking lot and have an assistant with you. Set up cones and set them up to test:

How close you can get to them and be able to turn left and right without hitting them. Mark the spot on your windshield where the cones need to be before you make your turn.

Practice backing into a slow, like you would back into an RV spot.
Before you go, check out these videos:
Lazy Days Videos

[rgatijnet1]

There is also the trick with putting a piece of tape on the windshield that aligns with the highway centerline when you are in the normal driving position. It is a little hard to explain but by using it as a reference, you can be sure where you are in the lane, in relation to the lane marker on the driver's side..

[turbojimmy]

GHOST1750 wrote:
I've been driving a 39 ft. class A for 15 years and still get a little apprehensive every time I think about starting a trip but the apprehension only lasts for a mile or so after I hit the road.

I'm glad it's not just me. I get stressed out just before we leave - both coming and going. Once on the road for a little while, I start to relax.

And whoever mentioned the first 1,000 miles was spot on. I just turned 2,000 miles driving mine and I have a lot more confidence. I still have the usual stressors though - narrow construction lanes, traffic, tight city streets, etc. I've had the navigation take me on some routes where I had no business going with my 30-footer, too. Definitely plan your routes and if you deviate from the plan, stop and double check your new route.

Tail swing? Yeah I got that (check out the pic in my sig).

[GHOST1750]

I've been driving a 39 ft. class A for 15 years and still get a little apprehensive every time I think about starting a trip but the apprehension only lasts for a mile or so after I hit the road. They drive just like a sports car, just takes a little more space. Do a walk around or two before you pull out of parking space, check mirrors those idiots in the small cars that will cut in front of you and put on their brakes and by all means never get over confident you are your greatest hazard. Just remember,you will do something dumb sometime. We all do, my last one was pulling out with my American flag flying at 8' above the motor home. I forgot to look up when I did the last walk around. Just remember, you bought it to enjoy so ENJOY !

[DrewE]

Yankee Clipper wrote:
Best advice I got when I started driving my rig:
1. Never go down a grade faster than you went up it
2. Use your gears to control speed going down a grade
3. Take your turns as wide as the traffic lanes will allow
4. Never back your rig with a tow bar hooked up
5. Never back your rig without a spotter, no matter how much you like your backup camera
6. Learn to give and receive clear signals from your spotter

Hope this helps. Relax and enjoy the ride!

Rule 5 is impossible to follow if one is traveling alone.

What is not at all impossible is to get out and look, repeatedly if needed...or even if not needed. I've sometimes backed in tight spots in one or two foot increments, wearing down the soles of my shoes some in the process.

[stickdog]

As far as what roads are good to go, US Highways haven't been on one that wasn't ok to take. State roads good for the most part, if not they will warn you well in advance and give you the alternative route. County roads some are good others you can run into problems. If headed for a RV Park I always check the directions from the park website they know the best way in. Want to be safe pop for a truckers atlas. DO NOT TRUST YOUR ADVERAGE GPS there is one for trucks and rv's.

[PastorCharlie]

SLOW DOWN...check mirrors...careful with blind spots...watch for low clearances...be careful with tail swing...be careful with curbing rear wheels during sharp turns...drive closer to center line...carry good roadside emergency service.

[Yankee_Clipper]

Best advice I got when I started driving my rig:
1. Never go down a grade faster than you went up it
2. Use your gears to control speed going down a grade
3. Take your turns as wide as the traffic lanes will allow
4. Never back your rig with a tow bar hooked up
5. Never back your rig without a spotter, no matter how much you like your backup camera
6. Learn to give and receive clear signals from your spotter

Hope this helps. Relax and enjoy the ride!

[2oldman]

Two Jayhawks wrote:
I'm used to driving a car everyday not something that is 13' tall & 102' wide.

Don't forget your oversize load sign and pilot car! 🙂

[Two_Jayhawks]

I did what most do and simply jumped into RVing with no RV driving experience. Over the years we went from a 36'to a 40'and now 44" & I'm proud to say I haven't put even the smallest scratch on any of them. But because we are not full timers ours sits for weeks or sometimes months. That first key turn after not RVing for a while absolutely gives me butterflies. I'm used to driving a car everyday not something that is 13' tall & 102' wide. In no time I settle in and actually enjoy driving tremendously. I wouldn't not recommend driving lessons but I think with care you can also learn just fine on your own.

[MetalGator]

We just purchased our first Class A two weeks ago. I have been pulling a 30' travel trailer for the last 6 years. Driving the Class A is definitely different, but a lot of the same driving principles apply that I was already doing with the trailer (wide right turns, watch tail swing, etc). I have only driven it 3 times so far but each time I get more used to it. The main difference to me is the amount of body roll the Class A has versus pulling the trailer. Some of it is just getting used to it but I might eventually look into the cheap handling fix or installing sway bars.