I bought it!

[mdgalusza]

Finally pulled the trigger and bought the RV. 2005 Four Winds Hurricane Class A, 31 feet. I expect to leave soon up the east coast to Canada. Never drove an RV before so I have lots of questions. Excited and nervous and so is my traveling partner, my 13 year old cat. I'm hoping to find someone with a lot of patience to answer my dumb questions and help me along the way. Thanks in advance....Mike

[Jbrowland]

Johno02 wrote:
And don't ever be too proud to ask for help.

. Seriously. We have only been at this for 18 months now. I have found RV'rs love to be helpful to others, within reason of course. RV'rs tend to really know their stuf. I don't drink much beer but I try to keep a six pack of good beer just in case I need to share it with one of those helpful RV'ers for some odd reason. Everybody remembers when they were new RV'ers. Just don't discuss politics, religion, or her. 😉

[CharlesinGA]

I have a relatively short Class C, at 23+ feet. It is about 11 ft 6 inch high to the top of the rubber duckie antenna, so I made a nice placard and put 12ft 0 inches for a minimum safe height for canopies and bridges. I have been driving it locally trying to burn the fuel out of the tank so I can drop the tank to fix a leak. rural state highways and in town traffic, been a good experience for me, about 450 miles so far, darn thing gets nearly 20 mpg when you hold the speed to 55 and below.

Just get in it and drive. Burn up a couple of tanks of fuel getting used to it, and how it SOUNDS and FEELS, watching temperatures (engine AND transmission) and other essential things.

Charles

[jarata1]

bigred1cav wrote:
Stay as close to the center line as you possibly can. All kinds of danger on right side of road. Drive slow. There are three speeds slow, slower and stop.

Feul stops are where most accidents occur. Do not pull in where you must back up. As mentioned tail swing will make more damage than you realize. If turning a corner and unable to complete the turn safely, STOP. Traffic will go around you and then make your turn. You have 0 gallons of fuel they have 15.

NEVER EVER NEVER HURRY. Those MH you see going 70 mph and more are going to die a gruesome death in a fiery crash somewhere someday. If you have to be somewhere at a certain time leave earlier.

wtf

[Johno02]

And don't ever be too proud to ask for help.

[Johno02]

Been driving a 31' gasser for 16 years, always fill at convienience stores, haven't hit a pump yet. Of course, I usually have DW watching for me. And I learned long ago how to use the mirrors. Power mirrors are one of the greatest inventions yet! Did have to back up once though. As gbopp said, practice backing up. Unless you have someone to watch for you, get out and check both sides, and most important, OVERHEAD!

[rockhillmanor]

IMHO the biggest thing you NEED to remember is when at the gas station if you need to turn on the way out you WILL hit the pump with the back end of a 31 foot. MH !! :B

You have to plan to make sure you can pull up straight away from the pump enough to clear the rear of the MH before you turn, so the tail end doesn't hit the pumps.

I.E. if you are pulled up along the pumps on the drivers side:
If when you leave you turn to the right the tail end hits the pumps.

Congrats on the new to you MH. Happy Camping! :C

[gbopp]

Practice backing.

Going forward is easy, you'll get a lot of experience quickly.

Go to an empty lot, set up cones or cardboard boxes and practice backing. You'll be glad you practiced. 🙂

[catkins]

timmac wrote:
Check the tire pressure before you hit the road.

Check the AGE of the tires. Tires that are older than 7 years manufacture date can have hidden cracking/rusting of steel bands. Looking at the tread does NOT tell you how the rubber is inside the tire. Low mileage does not mean the tires are safe!!! Get online and find how to read tire age. This is one of the most critical pieces of information for you to know.

As noted practice in an empty lot and then head out. You will soon be confident. When fueling, I never pull in where I cannot see how easily I can get out. End island pumps often offer the best in and out access.

WAHOO!! Excited for your adventures ahead. You will soon have a full blown catch of itchy RV feet - on a trip, planning a trip or dreaming of a trip!

[timmac]

Check the tire pressure before you hit the road.

[Sprink-Fitter]

bigred1cav wrote:
Stay as close to the center line as you possibly can. All kinds of danger on right side of road. Drive slow. There are three speeds slow, slower and stop.

Feul stops are where most accidents occur. Do not pull in where you must back up. As mentioned tail swing will make more damage than you realize. If turning a corner and unable to complete the turn safely, STOP. Traffic will go around you and then make your turn. You have 0 gallons of fuel they have 15.

NEVER EVER NEVER HURRY. Those MH you see going 70 mph and more are going to die a gruesome death in a fiery crash somewhere someday. If you have to be somewhere at a certain time leave earlier.

Wow, not to negative are you?

[midnightsadie]

X2 your in no hurry. and by coach net road service. learn how all the things work ,

[bigred1cav]

Stay as close to the center line as you possibly can. All kinds of danger on right side of road. Drive slow. There are three speeds slow, slower and stop.

Feul stops are where most accidents occur. Do not pull in where you must back up. As mentioned tail swing will make more damage than you realize. If turning a corner and unable to complete the turn safely, STOP. Traffic will go around you and then make your turn. You have 0 gallons of fuel they have 15.

NEVER EVER NEVER HURRY. Those MH you see going 70 mph and more are going to die a gruesome death in a fiery crash somewhere someday. If you have to be somewhere at a certain time leave earlier.

[Johno02]

Just remember that your rig is no wider, and probably shorter than most of the school busses on the road. And just look haw they drive some of them!

[Johno02]

Drive it to an empty parking lot, and check your turning radius, tail swing, where it sits in a normal parking spot, and so on. go to an unused road with lane lines. With some one to help, stop it in the center of the driving lane. Note where the center line hits the bottom of the windshield from the driver seat, and place a bit of masking tape there. Just take it easy until you get used to it, and remember it is not a sports car. a 31 foot Hurricane is a very comfortable to drive size, and you can get it almost anywhere. We started with a 1999 model 30 foot Hurricane as our first. Have fun!