Community Forums

troyrice76 · 07-10-2012, 07:35 PM

This is our second year with a Class A. Last season we had a gaser and this year we upgraded to a DP. I have noticed when driving my neck and shoulders get tight. This use to happen when driving the gaser but eventually went away. Maybe it is stress or nerves with the new coach...

What do you all do on long trips to not get so tight?

Thanks,

TR

4Knights · 07-10-2012, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troyrice76

This is our second year with a Class A. Last season we had a gaser and this year we upgraded to a DP. I have noticed when driving my neck and shoulders get tight. This use to happen when driving the gaser but eventually went away. Maybe it is stress or nerves with the new coach...

What do you all do on long trips to not get so tight?

Thanks,

TR

Slow the speed down (used to go 70-75) now 60-63.
Make sure your chair is the correct height, arm rests correct position, steering wheel at right tilt. I tend to drive straight through from here to Colorado 8.5 hrs with one stop unless the dogs are with us then 2-3. I still have the gasser but I found that if I just sat in the drivers seat for awhile (parked in driveway) I would start tensing up, I made multiple adjustments and now have it real close to comfortable for the long trips.

RickO · 07-10-2012, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Knights

Slow the speed down (used to go 70-75) now 60-63.
.

X2

Not saying that speeding is your issue but just the idea of sitting up so high and watching the countryside go by through those big old windows is really relaxing to me.

Does your rig handle OK? I know when I took delivery of my new DP it seemed so "loosy goosey" that just keeping it between the lines required both hands and full concentration and tired me out quickly.

I got the handling issues fixed and it made a world of difference.

Best of luck.

Rick

sparks1032 · 07-10-2012, 09:21 PM

Had same issue both prior posts helped me relax by getting seat in correct position AND having front end aligned to MY liking!

TAZ · 07-10-2012, 09:32 PM

Loosen the grip and set the seat where you can rest your elbows on the armrest comfortably.

It takes time to get comfortable with a new rig. My DW still leans away when we pass tractor trailers. I think her neck is stiffer than mine at the end of the trip.

coffeeman · 07-10-2012, 09:58 PM

I got one of these.....Amazon.com: Mesh Neck Support Comfortable Cushion- Single: Health & Personal Care

Sometimes I bounce my neck on it just to massage it. Gives very good support.

B Bob · 07-10-2012, 10:00 PM

Takes a while for reactions to be automatic when you get a new motor home. When your responses are automatic you tend to relax more. I agree completely with slowing down. Plus take a break when you feel tense. Pull in to the next rest stop and lay on the couch with closed eyes for a couple of minutes.

Dutch Star Don · 07-11-2012, 01:41 AM

Tightness in your neck and shoulders is stress. On your coach, bring the armrests down so that your forearms are sitting comfortably on them. Adjust the wheel up/down and back and forth so that your arms can remain on the armrests and still comfortably control the coach.

I'm very comfortable in mine and usually drive with just my left hand lightly gripping the wheel. I also throttle up and down in most driving situations with the cruise control on the Smart Wheel, except in bumper to bumper traffic. I don't like the feel of the throttle pedal.

BoJango · 07-11-2012, 03:15 AM

It is very important to adjust the driver's seat to suit your comfort.
A long while back, I used to drive with the arm rest to my liking. Usually within 100 miles my sciatic nerve would give serious trouble from my right hip to my toes. Almost by accident I discovered I could drive for a long time without pain if I left the arm rests down (not up). Now, I enjoy driving.

clyon51 · 07-11-2012, 06:35 AM

I'll guess 80% stress. Monitor your grip on both hands often. Anytime you find yourself with a "Grip", open you hand(s) and jusy lay them on the wheel.

Use to teach motorcycle riding and tactics to new riders. Almost all would put death grips on the controls and would be exausted after 30-60 mins. Once they learned to relax and monitored their grip, they could ride all day long.

George Schweikle · 07-11-2012, 06:47 AM

We try to stop every 2 - 3 hours and walk the dog around the rest area. My wife claims I tend to get irritable after 4:00 so, if the schedule permits, we stop earlier in the day.

I read somewhere that full-timers average 200 - 250 miles per day. We did this on two cross-country trips and, if you have the time, it makes a much more relaxing trip.

tnrzryd · 07-11-2012, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troyrice76

This is our second year with a Class A. Last season we had a gaser and this year we upgraded to a DP. I have noticed when driving my neck and shoulders get tight. This use to happen when driving the gaser but eventually went away. Maybe it is stress or nerves with the new coach...

What do you all do on long trips to not get so tight?

Thanks,

TR

I used to get exactly the same thing and like others here, it was an out of adjustment seat. I tilt the back way forward until it feels like I'm sitting in a high back upright chair. Set the height so I can rest my arms on the armrests. At first really focus on keeping your shoulders relaxed. After awhile that part will become second nature enlist the DW to help you to remember. Stop every couple of hours and take a short walk to loosen up.

RVluvin · 07-11-2012, 07:17 AM

I like 55mph and 250 mile per day. Any further becomes all work and no play.

vraines · 07-11-2012, 07:37 AM

I like the shorter driving days, and I find that using the cruise control when it makes sense helps a lot. My DP accelerator pedal seems to take a little more force than any auto, and that translates to some muscles being used more than usual and some stress.