RV driving lessons ASAP Please!

[Gamma-Ray]

Howdy!

We just bought a 40' diesel motorHome and need to find a place or person who can teach us how to drive it!
It will very soon be ready and delivered before the end of this month!

We live in the Orlando, FL area.

I've been researching to no avail.
I even tried Florida DMV.

[Gamma-Ray]

Thank you one and all. We are registered to take Chuck and Gayle Urwiller's RV Driving School class(es)!

[Passin_Thru]

OH ya, If you are making a right turn and the traffic on the street blocks you, it is their duty to back up, not yours. Make them move. Ran into it in NY a number of times in a Petrbilt. Guess who backed up?

[Passin_Thru]

I agree with suse 1023. Gotta learn sometime. Wonder how they learned, probably did'nt as I have found out numerous times while driving a big truck. Get the dealer to help you then go to Wallyworld Sunday night and practice backing into spaces and stopping on the line with it square. Keep er twixt the ditches by picking a point on the windshield and line up the edge of the road about 100 yds ahead. Then keep looking in your R mirror til you are running about 8-10 in off the R line. Remember, slow down about 1/4 mile before your exit and drive in the right lane on 4 lane streets at your speed, not the traffic speed. good Luck Mate

[tkranz]

Never Let Yourself be Rushed
While you are gaining experience making tight turns with your new rig, remember to never be in a hurry if you are worried about clearing a turn, especially in busy traffic.

Watch those mirrors. STOP if necessary. Worst case, let your partner get out and direct you even if 10 other drivers are honking their horns at you. It is very embarrassing, but who cares. Soon you won't have to take that extra time as you learn what your rig acts like in traffic.

[DanTheRVMan]

http://betterrving.com/rv-driver-confidence-course-part-1/

look at the videos on line and try to get into this or another course

[dubdub07]

I agree with most that asking for help is a good thing if you are overwhelmed. My DW and I had never driven one until our first test drive, so we took out a smaller one first. We fell in love with the ease of EVERYTHING, including the driving. So find a school and learn. It is good that you asked. Clint Eastwood said it best; "Mans gotta know his limitations".

ww07

[crappie_fisherm]

Doh...double post!...

[crappie_fisherm]

Congrats on the new purchase!...amazing people feel the need to try and rain on everyone's parade on here...I swear lots of these folks were dropped multiple times on their heads as infants, toddlers, teens and adults!!!...

Best advice...TAKE YOUR TIME and GO SLOW and do NOTHING fast or quick...!

Since you have a DP...the steer wheels are actually slightly behind the drivers "butt"...so...when turning...you need to wait for YOUR BUTT to be into the intersection BEFORE starting the turn...otherwise your front wheels will run into the curb (right side) or another car (left side)...so wait for your butt to physically be INTO the intersection before starting to turn the wheels.

Use your side view cameras before changing lanes...turn on your blinkers and make sure the lanes are clear and there aren't faster moving cars that will fill your clear space before you complete your lane change...many "clueless" car drivers will intentionally speed up to not get behind such a large vehicle...even though you are going speed limit/etc...

I use my rear view camera to assist with passing vehicles...I can see in my rear view camera when my toad has cleared the vehicle I am passing.

Have the dealership give you some pointers and instructions...if you've never driven a diesel before...RPM management (especially on long, steep grades) requires you to keep the RPM's in the proper range to minimize overheating...keeping RPM's too low can actually contribute to HIGHER TEMPS...believe it or not...at least on my Cat...

As far as buying something you aren't comfortable with driving RIGHT NOW...good for you...you will QUICKLY become comfortable if you take your time and then you have the coach you always wanted versus starting smaller with something and then have to take the hit on trade/sale later...becoming comfortable is NOT THAT HARD...so I feel you did the right thing...Just don't get overconfident too quickly...there is a LOT of weight and length to manage constantly!!!

FWIW...we went from an Excursion (19') with 31' TT (35' tip to tail) and 17,000#'s combined to our 40' pusher ~36,000#'s combined...no issues...just taking our time still as we did with the Ex/TT too!...I certainly prefer driving the coach...and backing is so much easier too and I never had an issue backing the Ex/TT combo either...but the coach is a pleasure...and momma and the 2 girls can pee at will while driving...reduces dad's stress...LOL

Good luck and CONGRATS and take your time!

Joe.

[booty51]

Everybody has to start some where.when you first learned to drive who taught you, Parents, drivers education at school, lived on a farm, drove in the fields? Everyone had to learn somewhere. Take your driving experence you already have and use it. Go slow and avoid high traffic times. Do you know anyone that owns an RV, can they go with you when you pick it up! Make sure you know how tall it is to, be sure to look overhead as well, I picture mine as a 12foot tall box going down the road watching for obstructions. There was this same question asked a while back on this forum and a lot of good avice offered then to. Before you leave the dealership maybe read the manuals supplied with RV and make sure you understand how things work. Walk around and look at overhang past rear wheels play with the mirrors etc. before you leave the lot. Ask lots of questions at dealer.
Its the residential streets that ge you in trouble you need to swing wide and use both lanes to turn in watch your right mirror to make sure you have clearance on right side and not about to side swipe something or run over the inside curb. when parking or backing have a spotter outside looking and helping guide you. Take your time and dont let other traffic get to you.
Relax go slow
Booty

[wny_pat1]

msmith1199 wrote:

SDHobo wrote:
How about a Fireman?

The guys that drive Fire Trucks are some of the best drivers in the world. They are schooled extensively and practice daily. They can fit that big truck in the tightest places and then back into the garage perfectly. Every time!

Walk into a firehouse some afternoon and look at the pumper truck. If the drivers seat is even with (or in front of) the front wheel, it is just like a RV chassis. Ask who is the driver for the Pumper. (Ladder and Tower Trucks are something else, but the driver might have worked his way up.)

Fireman are often looking for part time work and you might find one (or get the name of one). Good Luck!

Actually, although they could probably teach you how to drive, most fire trucks have somebody at the rear driving the rear axles and they are articulating units, while fire engines have fairly short wheel bases and are much easier to maneuver than a 40 foot RV would be.

Yep, I know one who drove a American LaFrance ladder truck into a restaurant. Right straight in the front door. They had to put a new cab on the truck and new front on the restaurant.

[msmith1199]

SDHobo wrote:
How about a Fireman?

The guys that drive Fire Trucks are some of the best drivers in the world. They are schooled extensively and practice daily. They can fit that big truck in the tightest places and then back into the garage perfectly. Every time!

Walk into a firehouse some afternoon and look at the pumper truck. If the drivers seat is even with (or in front of) the front wheel, it is just like a RV chassis. Ask who is the driver for the Pumper. (Ladder and Tower Trucks are something else, but the driver might have worked his way up.)

Fireman are often looking for part time work and you might find one (or get the name of one). Good Luck!

Actually, although they could probably teach you how to drive, most fire trucks have somebody at the rear driving the rear axles and they are articulating units, while fire engines have fairly short wheel bases and are much easier to maneuver than a 40 foot RV would be.

[msmith1199]

So now you're not allowed to buy a motorhome unless you already know how to drive it? But then that begs the question, should you be allowed to drive a motorhome before you know how to drive it? Didn't everybody here have to get behind the wheel for the first time at some point? What's the difference in buying and learning how to drive it, versus learning how to drive somebody elses? The OP is doing this exactly right in trying to find somebody to help them learn versus just hitting the road on their own.

[wny_pat1]

Well here is a starting point reference: RV DRIVER CONFIDENCE COURSE. Dont' know what to tell you about actual drivers training. Truck/bus driving school is extremely expensive and very long. I was a driver/driver trainer for the company I retired from, and saw many people wash out cause they could not handle something that big. I never went to truck driving school. Talked the motor pool sergeant into letting me drive a tractor trailer around the block when I was in Vietnam. He put it on my military license, which I was able to covert over when I got out. Then I talked my way into a driving job and learned as I went along. I'll warn you, I have seen people who just plain can't drive. And I've seen women who can drive better than most men!!!

[slickest1]

Gamma-Ray wrote:
Howdy!

We just bought a 40' diesel motorHome and need to find a place or person who can teach us how to drive it!
It will very soon be ready and delivered before the end of this month!

We live in the Orlando, FL area.

I've been researching to no avail.
I even tried Florida DMV.

First off congats. on your new coach. I too applaud you for wanting to get driver lessons.
Don't let the naysayers get to you.
I would recommend a facility that trains commercial drivers or RV specific drivers, buses etc. You don't need to know all the things a commercial driver needs to know but the basics will help you immensely.
An important aspect that has not been mentioned is the air brakes. Having a basic knowledge of how they work and things to watch for are paramount to safe operation. Good luck and happy travels.