Anyone Take the RV Drivers Training Class? a Q&A

[BTFT]

Originally Posted by BradlyHart

NOT SURE WHERE I LOST YOU? All I am asking from the above is where is the SPOT? Where the spotter first stands?

1. At what location on the driver's side of a 40-foot RV does the SPOTTER STAND?
2. Before the 40-FOOT RV Pulls forward slowly.
3. "WHERE is the point at which the SPOTTER STANDS?
4. WHERE is what I'm am asking.
5. Where is the spotter to stand? Is it 8-foot past parking pad 3-foot from the driver's side of RV? Before RV pulls forward with a hard right turn away from spotter?
6. until the rear of 40-foot RV Bumper and corner edge is also at the spotter? before turning the wheel hard left moving backward into parking PAD?

I drive 45 foot motorcoaches for Holland America/Princess during the summer season in Alaska and have held a Class A CDL and now a Class B with Pass. End.


There is no ONE place for your spotter. It depends on the area and terrain. So your spotter simply needs to be where they can see you in your mirror and have a view of where you are going. If they can see you in your mirror you can see them. The position of the spotter also depends on whether you are backing to your drivers side or passenger side.

BUT! DO NOT DEPEND ON A SPOTTER ALONE! Do what professionals do. GET OUT AND LOOK.



No spotters are allowed when taking your state test for either class A or B licenses. You must be able to Back to a "dock" (think backing into an RV spot), Offset back and parallel park to BOTH sides without assistance. This is what you should aim for in terms of competency.


Only the driver is responsible for the vehicle.

My best advice would be for you to get into a deserted parking lot with some lines and cones and PRACTICE. You should be able to back this vehicle properly with no one present under most conditions.


Using a spotter is good but only under the rules above.


Use HAND signals! Not voice commands. An open hand palm out made into a closed fist for STOP! (or crossed arms) To measure distance to an object hold your hands apart in a relative distance closing them toward one another to indicate diminishing distance....then a closed fist for STOP.

Anyone who told you to use dots on your windshield or mirrors to keep you in your lane is not qualified to teach driving (imo) No such "Aids" would be allowed in any Professional Driving instruction course for a class A or B license. In fact the professional testers at Holland America/Princess Alaska, Licensed to give the state road test for Class A and B licenses heap scorn on this idea.

Learn to drive this vehicle as you did your car and practice until you are confident in your ability.


Due to company policy I have to include this disclaimer any time I mention the company: The views expressed here are my own and not necessarily those of HAP Alaska.

[Old-Biscuit]

Person assisting STANDS where both parties can SEE each other in the MIRROR




Can't see each other...driver stops until visual contact is made.

[Redapple]

Originally Posted by twogypsies

Wow! You complete lost me with your description.

We didn't take a driver course but our way worked great.

First - ONLY hand signals are used.

Second - If the driver can't see the spotter giving an O.K. then the driver does not move.



This is how we did it for backing in:

The spotter first checks clearances on the passenger side then moves to the rear side of the driver's side.

The spotter stands on the driver's side, especially watching the driver's front end as he turns. Sometimes trees can be at the roadside.

From then on the spotter alternates to both sides checking placement constantly. The driver has stopped while doing this.

The driver doesn't move until given the all clear.

I think this characterizes it best. There may be slight variations, but this is a really good rule of thumb. In place of hand signals many use two way radios. Key is that the spotter needs to always be in view of the driver when that MH is moving. Spotter is responsible for giving clear explicit directions to the driver.