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02-16-2013, 04:22 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 1
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New Class A Driver Questions
I'm moving from a 24' Winnebago View to a 39' Winnebago Journey in a couple of weeks and am a little nervous about the length! Is there a way to identify highways in advance that I should stay away from? I figure I won't be climbing Mt. Evans in CO, but how about the Blue Ridge Parkway, etc?
I'm sure I'll have many more questions soon - thanks in advance!
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02-16-2013, 05:45 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Huson, MT
Posts: 1,043
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Invest $15 in the Rand Mcnally Motor Carriers' Road Atlas and follow the yellow brick road.
I'm just kidding about the yellow brick road, but all roads that are considered to be part of the "National Network" are highlighted in yellow. Without going into a lot of technical detail, these are highways that will accommodate trucks that are 102" in width and as much as 70' feet in length. You'll be able to travel other roads too but this is a great place to start if you're not sure.
Another book that you might find helpful is The Next EXIT (2013): Mark Watson: 9780984692118: Amazon.com: Books. This lists all of the exits on the Interstate Highway System and what you will find for services at those exits. Services and businesses that will handle large vehicles are written in red. It's a great resource when you get into unfamiliar territory.
Hope this helps.
__________________
Craig & Donna
2005 Beaver Monterey Laguna IV (aka The Hotel Monterey)
2011 Jeep Liberty Limited
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02-16-2013, 05:48 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Freightliner Owners Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 454
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x2 on the Next Exit.
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Rich & Judy
2012 JAYCO SENECA 36 FK
Toad- 2015 FORD EDGE
Home base Phoenix Az
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02-16-2013, 05:55 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Triple E Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Olympia, WA
Posts: 225
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I went from a 26 Win Aspect to a 34 DP and drove all the same mountain roads and think the DP with exhaust brakes is actually easier. There is no highway road I would feel uncomfortable driving on. I even took on San Franciscos steep hills (dumb move maybe). Rule of thumb, go down in same or lower gear then you went up in. With toad I weight out at about 30,000 lbs and have never overheated the engine or the brakes. Just use common sense and get the feel of your exhaust brakes and transmission on easy hills first and move on up. Have fun.
__________________
2020 LTV U24IB
plus 360 W solar power
2009 Jeep Wrangler
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02-16-2013, 06:02 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club LA Gulf Coast Campers
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Pike County , Ga
Posts: 229
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You should have no problem at all get a good RV Gps .
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02-16-2013, 08:00 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: B.C.
Posts: 4,638
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If I am correct you will have less rear overhang so you should find it easier to go the places you want. Especially fuel stations and other tight places.
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Dennis & Marcie & Captain Hook The Jack Russell,aka PUP, 2006 Itasca 29R 2017 Equinox toad. RVM59
We came, we went, nothing broken, nothing bent!
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02-16-2013, 08:15 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,862
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Quote:
Originally Posted by slickest1
If I am correct you will have less rear overhang so you should find it easier to go the places you want. Especially fuel stations and other tight places.
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Don't know if this is accurate, but you do need to be aware of "swingout" with a longer rig. All depends on the amount of vehicle behind the rear axle.
My swing out is about 2 feet and my rear axle is 14 feet from the rear of the motorhome.
Some have been known to take out a stop sign here and there, or gas pump bollards.
Don
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02-16-2013, 09:04 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Small Town USA , California
Posts: 1,349
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Learn to 'feel it'....May the Force be with you
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02-17-2013, 07:36 AM
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#9
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RV Mutant #14
Winnebago Owners Club Texas Boomers Club Freightliner Owners Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Texas
Posts: 17,189
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Go to an empty parking lot and practice, practice, practice. Use some plastic construction cones as fender-benders.
You already know how to drive, now it is just a matter of getting used to the width and length.
The new rig will have you sitting over your front wheels. When you are going to turn, move your rig forward until your butt is lined up with where you want to go and then begin your turn. The easy turn is a left turn, and the right turn can get you in trouble with curbs and telephone poles. Always pay attention to your rear end through the mirrors when turning along with what is in your line of path.
Happy trails, and welcome to the forum.
__________________
Wayne MSGT USMC (Ret) & Earlene (CinCHouse) RVM14 (ARS: KE5QG)
Lexi - Goldendoodle
2015 Winnebago Tour 42QD - 2020 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve
It is what it is, and then it is what you make of it.
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02-17-2013, 08:11 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Snowbird - Waterford Mi and Citrus Springs Fl.
Posts: 3,609
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Leaving on the drive home after purchase, and maybe into your first extended trip, you'll be a nervous wreck. I think we all are? You will quickly become accustomed though. Once home use it for some errands that have you able to use a big parking lot to get turned around and pointed back towards home a few times? Familiarity will be your friend!
Regarding the Blue Ridge, I wouldn't spend much time on that with your first rig, let alone the new one. That's what toads are all about?
__________________
1997 37' HR Endeavor, 275hp Cat, Freightliner
03 CR-V Blue Ox, Ready Brake
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02-19-2013, 10:07 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Colorado
Posts: 379
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Make wide turns and try not to hit tires on curbs. Can cause sidewall damage. We try to use interstates mostly and watch out for roads w/ no turn around ability. We travel all over Colorado and manual shift on grades to keep RPM's up and temp down.
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02-19-2013, 10:39 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Camas, WA
Posts: 872
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ahicks
Leaving on the drive home after purchase, and maybe into your first extended trip, you'll be a nervous wreck. I think we all are? You will quickly become accustomed though. Once home use it for some errands that have you able to use a big parking lot to get turned around and pointed back towards home a few times? Familiarity will be your friend!
Regarding the Blue Ridge, I wouldn't spend much time on that with your first rig, let alone the new one. That's what toads are all about?
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I went from 19' to 41', and it was a bit scary at first (to say the least). Watch out while on narrow roads, especially in CGs. I hit a lot of tree branches with my mirrors before I learned where I was on the road. Like others have said - drive slow if you need to. Get out and look when you back up. Safety trumps pride every time! Drive without fear - but don't be fearless. You never get so good that you can stop paying attention. And - watch your height! But once you get comfortable, it's like driving a luxury SUV while sitting in your favorite chair! You're in for a whole new adventure!
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02-22-2013, 08:34 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Home-Tx Hill Country
Posts: 368
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I would echo what Craig R said. In Fact if you find you need to purchase a GPS, Rand McNally has several models geared for RV's. I have a 5710, large screen and I really like it. It allows you to input your specific coach data, weight, height, length, gallons of fuel and propane etc and it is suppose to keep you off of roadways where you would not fit or could get in trouble. It has not failed me yet, but Im not going to say it is fool proof. Just another Arrow in the Quiver. And ....it didn't hurt that my wife and I took A Driver Confidence Course offerred by LazyDays RV in Florida moving to a 40 foot coach. It was free ....you can go on line to LZdays site and they have video of alot of the technigues and tools.
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02-23-2013, 05:18 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Texas Boomers Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,529
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You've also moved past 26,000 lbs. in total vehicle weight (probably) so many jurisdictions require another drivers license endorsement.
__________________
Hal & Ginny Miller '04 Beaver Santiam PRT40
'04 Saturn Vue - US Gear Brake - Blue Ox tow
3"girls" (2 Irish Setters - 1 Retriever) - RIP Annie & Emily (12/26/2017)
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