The Intimidation of the Drive

[affreeman]

For me, the single most important thing for positioning myself on the road is to look ahead down the road. Just aim to put your body in the left wheel track of your lane and you're golden.

If you look too close in you have no reference point. Lift your head up and look down the road.

Oh, and look up! Even when driving the car now I am totally aware of the overhead clearance wherever I go.

[Dutch Star Don]

I'm glad you're feeling more comfortable, but I've got some bad news for you......just wait until you come to some freeway construction where they put about five miles of "K" rail right on the yellow line on a two lane highway with speeds still running at 60 mph!

Even many experienced drivers could convert a chunk of coal to a diamond by squeezing their seat cheeks so hard!

[JeffAZ]

My least favorite drive was in western Kansas on I 70 west to east. There was a constant strong wind blowing from the north to push me off to the right of the highway. There is an overpass over the interstate every couple of miles that would instantly shield you from the wind as you drove under it. I learned I had to anticipate those and release my oversteer to the left to avoid steering over the centerline!

I was exhausted after that day behind the wheel. Good times (not)

[MikeMerru]

I put some things I've been calling air tabs on the back of my 33 footer and found I have very little movement from passing trucks coming or going, and better handling with cross winds, side note toad seems to be cleaner.

[Isaac-1]

I bought my first class A about 6 months ago, the difference was mine was over a thousand miles away from home in Florida, and the first 50 miles of driving was on the interestate where there was construction and lane shifts at almost every interchange. Talk about tense, I had to pull off about every 10 miles and tell myself to go another 10.

[WNYtraveler]

Originally Posted by MikeMerru

I put some things I've been calling air tabs on the back of my 33 footer and found I have very little movement from passing trucks coming or going, and better handling with cross winds, side note toad seems to be cleaner.

Pictures please!

[cyclist922]

Jrocker,

I really enjoyed your post! It was very well written and captured the new owner experience perfectly. We bought our first MH last year and I went through the same roller coaster of anxiety and confidence. Now after a winter of planning, we can't wait to hit the road.
--Rod

[Stealth01]

Jrocker,
You should have been with us in 2000 when we were driving our first 40 foot Diesel Pusher home... I don't think a word was said for the first 200 miles... I mean after all, They did give me a 20 minute driving lesson! Now, 17 years later driving a 45 foot DP... My suggestion is don't EVER get too comfortable...

[manderson2228]

Originally Posted by jrocker

The only thing left is the Cheap Handling Fix and a trac bar. Because, well, I live in this wind.

Add a steering stabilizer too and you will golden.

[Superslif]

After 12-13 year pulling a tt around this country the only 2 things I get nerves about are: Having to drive I-80 thru Chicago any time before 10pm. I know the only safe time is after 11pm or later. #2. I still get uneasy on narrow secondary roads where the guardrail is right on the white line.

[JohnBoyToo]

Maybe I was just one of the doofus'es'es but I dont' recall that much anxiety about driving...

the way I figured it,
make the front end fit and the rest of the 44' will follow

except on turns, then just drive on the outside of the circle !

Now ask my wife about driving 550 north out of Durango how that passenger seat view is

[RKins]

This is a great thread - thanks for posting it Jrocker - you hit it on the head for us newbees. I've lived all those things (I hate right hand turns on 2 lane roads) and I haven't even been 200 miles from my house yet. (Kept the coach in storage for a few months before bringing her home and still getting her road ready)

Originally Posted by desertdd

In my day I was used to driving large equipment, but when I bought my first DP it took me a little while to find the sweet spots in my field of view to help me to be properly be centered in my lane. The main one for me was in the left corner of the windshield where I now know where the center line should be aligned with. Even truck drivers tell me the same thing.

That is one thing I hadn't thought of - thanks for posting this. I thought it was a left cheek thing, which I think I sit in the seat in a different place each time I drive .

[Unknown Guy]

When we bought our "new to us" 31.5' class A, it was from a private seller and about 90 miles from home. Till we got on the way home it was dark. The windshield was filthy. We got 15 miles down the road and I had to stop for windex & paper towels. Cleaned up the windshield and threw $75 of gas in the coach. Also could smell the brakes overheating already. PO said brakes would "hang-up for the first few miles" (Bosch brakes need the pins & slides greased regularly). Drove the rest of the way home and didn't touch the brakes again until I got off the freeway ramp 3 miles from home.

We are in our third year and I'll still review some of the YouTube videos before the first big trip of the season.

[TLGPE]

My "white knuckle" introduction to class A driving lasted quite a while. I had bought a 94 Dolphin (34D), and was sure I could handle it OK. Well, yes, but it was "twitchy"; it wandered all over the road, and I was never confident about staying in only one lane at a time. I took it to a shop that did diesel work and asked about alignment, but the guy drove it and said it was fine, no problem, just get used to it.

Well, after a few short trips, I saw an ad in Camping World about doing a full alignment for $200. I took it in, got it done and WOW! what a difference! They said the front was toed out, the rear was out, the camber was off, and maybe something else too. Anyway, I was a much happier camper after that.

Those white knuckle feelings are gone. Even our newer coach drove better after a full alignment last year.

Now if we can just get the highway departments to stop putting concrete barriers four inches from the edge of the ratty roads they are supposed to be repairing, maybe I can let go of the death grip. Maybe not.............

YMMV

Tom