Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > iRV2.com COMMUNITY FORUMS > New Rig Show-Off!
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 02-14-2016, 09:08 AM   #1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Bowling Green, Ohio
Posts: 7
Took the plunge

After a year of research and looking we finally took the plunge and bought our very first RV. A 2011 Itasca Ellipse 42QD. It came down to floor plan and towing capacity as I'm retiring from the "real job" and will need to pull a full size van to travel selling my photography at art shows around the country. This one was laid out just the way we wanted and had exactly the options we wanted. Now I just need to learn how to drive the beast!
Tinkertom is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 02-14-2016, 02:08 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
beamisl's Avatar
 
Winnebago Owners Club
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: MI
Posts: 4,733
Tinkertom,

Congratulations! It's very exciting getting into this hobby. Take the beast to a Walmart type parking lot at night. Drive it around a bit and back it into parking spots (off away from the front door) The bigger the parking lot the better.

If you want formal training, enter into a search engine the following. "Motorhome driving instructors". You can actually have someone train you on how to drive this thing but practice is the best lesson.

Drive it around and then add the tow vehicle. They talk about "special awareness", knowing where the front end is going and the back end is at at all times. When you turn where is the back end going? Always be aware of that. There's a lot of swing out there in them thar rearends!

Have a great time though and come back often to ask questions and drop off lessons learned.
__________________
Retired January 4th, 2018 Lynne & Jerry RVM 105
04 WBGO Itasca Sunova (Miss May) Blue Ox Tow Bar
15 Equinox (Noxi) 18 RAD Mini e-bike, 04 Tracker
beamisl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2016, 03:29 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Lv2Roam2's Avatar
 
Winnebago Owners Club
Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Somewhere On the Road
Posts: 1,213
Congratulations! We adore our coach and both I and DW really find the driving to be a delight. Beamisl provided some great recommendations - you'll also find some nice 'how-to drive' videos on the internet that are great for slow-speed maneuvering and handling curves at all speeds. Please do take your first drives slow and easy - don't let anybody hurry you through tight maneuvers and unfamiliar situations. Keep the questions coming -- enjoy and safe travels!
__________________
Steve
2015 Itasca Ellipse QD | 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Lv2Roam2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2016, 08:58 PM   #4
Community Moderator
 
TonyDi's Avatar


 
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
Posts: 31,307
Congratulations on your new Itasca.

Take it slow at first. As suggested go to a large parking lot and get the feel. It helps if you can get some small traffic cones so as to set up imaginary corners. Practice backing up by using a spotter. You'll be surprised how fast you catch on.

Happy Trails!!
__________________
Tony & Ruth........... FMCA#F416727
2016 London Aire 4519, Freightliner chassis, Cummins ISX, 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, Blue Ox Avail with AF1. TST 507 TPMS
No amount of money can buy you an extra second of time.
TonyDi is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Finally Took The Plunge qvistgaard New Member Check-In 9 07-27-2015 08:32 AM
Took the plunge...new RV'r in Texas Mysloride New Member Check-In 14 07-24-2015 12:12 PM
Greenhorn rookie RV enthusiast taking the plunge! roadtriplove New Member Check-In 13 07-13-2015 04:22 PM
Polar Plunge townsendr RV Events & Gatherings 2 03-18-2015 01:55 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 09:12 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.