Community Forums

rECUpirate · 06-19-2013, 12:02 PM

Well we have taken the leap and I may have gotten in over my head but oh well here we go anyway. We plunged head first into a used 2000 American Tradition DP. It looks to be in great shape. It was the right size but a little older than I expected to go with but you can't even tell it is 13 years old and it looks to have most the options I would have wanted anyway since it is on the higher end. We stayed in it for the first couple nights and we are looking forward to our first real trip next month. I drove it down the interstate for about 20 miles round trip and I cannot lie, it was a bit scary. I know I will get the hang of it after some practice but for right now it feels a lot like driving a house

.

Hopefully I got the picture thing figured out below (I guess I didn't).

Dmorgan6375 · 06-19-2013, 01:24 PM

Con grads Sir, i'm sure you'll have a great time with it. wHEN WE WERE FIRST LOOKING AT cLASS a'S, I wanted a DP but for the amount of money i was willing to spend would have put us in something around 1 99 or 2000. We wanted something newer and less miles so we went with a gaser for the first class A, If it works for us, then we'll trade up to a DP after a couple of years. Hope you get the pic thing fingered out! Have fun and have safe travels.

Skip426 · 06-19-2013, 01:29 PM

Lost many pictures into cyber space myself.

And I've got the instructions in hard copy , in my hand and still manage to get it wrong.

jnp_macklin · 06-19-2013, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rECUpirate

I drove it down the interstate for about 20 miles round trip and I cannot lie, it was a bit scary. I know I will get the hang of it after some practice but for right now it feels a lot like driving a house

.

The reason it feels like that is because, that's exactly what you're doing.....

Congratulations and yes, you will get the hang of it.

Take it slow, find a open area of a parking lot and get a feel for how it feels to turn it softly and sharply. Lots of videos with great tips on how to properly and more importantly, SAFELY drive your coach.

336muffin · 06-19-2013, 01:37 PM

Congrats and welcome to the Forum. American Coach has a great factory support team. Register your coach through Fleetwood in your name. I suggest that you join the Fleetwood Motorhome Association or the American Coach Association. Small fees with huge factory support at the Rally's and a great service crew.

Medico · 06-19-2013, 06:27 PM

Congrats on the new to you rig. Looking forward to the pics.

rECUpirate · 06-19-2013, 07:56 PM

sam-3 · 06-19-2013, 08:15 PM

Something to consider,driving school for class A rigs. Do an internet search.

JMonroe · 06-20-2013, 06:06 AM

Great looking rig, but you skipped a few steps! Most of us started out with a little travel trailer or pop-up. Maybe you're just smarter than the rest of us.

Now you need someplace to go. Our home park is less than three hours from you, come for a visit and we'll take you out for a boat ride.

Lake Greenwood

Happy trails...

becks · 06-20-2013, 08:42 AM

Congrats folks, can't go wrong with the American Coach line. As said, just go slow and everything will be easy before you know it. Enjoy.

Big Oil Guy · 06-23-2013, 04:50 PM

Unless you're an ex-bus driver, big rig driver, etc., you are going to feel real uneasy initially while "piloting" a rig the size of yours. Experience, time behind the wheel, and simply getting a feel for a large vehicle is the only way to gain confidence.

If you remember to make square turns (but always remain cognizant of the tail swing), never back up without carefully scoping out what's behind you (both low and up high), and learn how to REALLY use those mirrors, you will solve most problems before they happen....

Also, don't worry about the age of your unit. Keep good tires on it, keep maintenance up to date, and just enjoy having a good high quality unit. My Vectra is 17 years old, and I do not hesitate to use it like a new one..! The main difference between mine and a new one is that I rarely have any problems with mine, and when I do, they are very minor.

Trekkers · 06-26-2013, 09:15 AM

You are driving a house! But take it easy, enjoy, and before long it will be a it less scary. Caution is the better part of valor.
Irene

Bruce C · 06-26-2013, 02:24 PM

Nice rig. there's plenty of good memories coming. Enjoy and have safe travels.

historyljc · 07-13-2013, 05:39 PM

Great looking rig! Don't mind what Jay had to say, we skipped all those steps also and went straight to the 40' DP. The American coaches have a great reputation.