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Old 05-02-2015, 10:14 PM   #43
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"Gun sales are the EXACT same thing. They (only by law) are required to make sure that you can legally own the gun they're selling you, with a back ground check. Once that's done, the gun is yours. They have no intention or, obligation or, for the most part, any desire, to TEACH YOU HOW TO USE IT. That's up to you."



Don't know where you shop, but if the sales people in the gun shop have no interest in showing me the correct operation and function of the firearm, then I have no interest in doing business with them. Likewise, when I bought my GMC Denali, the salesman spent an hour with me making sure everything was set up and that I knew how to operate it. That is part of the service I pay for when I use a local dealer instead of shopping on-line for the lowest price.



OTOH, the quality of sales person service at most RV dealerships is deplorable. It is probably a good thing that they don't provide any information, since it would likely be wrong. When I bought my 27,000 lb. Class A, I asked whether it required anything beyond a basic driver's license. I was assured by the sales person that it did not. Of course anything over 26,000 pounds does require a different license.
Over 26,000 lb. is not a requirement for a special license in many states.
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Old 05-03-2015, 01:07 PM   #44
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Only in some states, WA does not require any special license.
I bought the MH in South Carolina from a South Carolina dealer who knew I was a South Carolina resident and I inquired specifically about South Carolina law.
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Old 05-03-2015, 01:17 PM   #45
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I bought the MH in South Carolina from a South Carolina dealer who knew I was a South Carolina resident and I inquired specifically about South Carolina law.
You made the statement:
Quote:
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Of course anything over 26,000 pounds does require a different license.
You made a generic statement, you did not qualify it in that post. As a generic comment it's not true. It might be in your state just not everywhere as you implied.
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Old 05-05-2015, 05:31 PM   #46
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It's important to have proper skills....another close call.

Although CDL/Bus & Professional Motorcoach Operators have to pass a ride along exam to obtain their CDL, every big rig operates differently. In my job I routinely drove Thomas Transit Style School Buses. My other PT job was driving with Arrow Stage lines and we had several other makes and models. Although very close in basic operation, it takes a little time to get comfortable with each coach.

A while back my wife, oldest son and I were at Bands of America, Grand Nationals in Indianapolis Indy at Lucas Oil Stadium. We were leaving after an event, when we walked out to cross the street there were at least 75 people in the area near corner intersection. Perhaps 20 or so were right up near the corner toes within a couple inches of the curb line.

One of the competing team school buses was on the street side and departing the event. I know the driver was not using his mirrors and as I seen him starting to make a right hand turn at that corner I also knew his dual wheels were NOT going to make that turn!! It was a good thing I was close to the front and I yelled at everyone to get BACK and they did. Sure enough his duallies climbed that curb and tracked by at least a foot for several feet of that curb.

And this is a guy who had to pass a driving test in order to operate that rig.

Now I am a diver, you can not go and rent or fill tanks for diving without your dive card. SSI/PADI course certification. I think it's ironic that concern over your own safety trumps any type of competency over the safety of what incompetent operators can inflict on innocent bystanders. The general public has no clue that there is no training or demonstration of skill is required for RV Motorhomes.
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Old 05-05-2015, 08:52 PM   #47
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Although CDL/Bus & Professional Motorcoach Operators have to pass a ride along exam to obtain their CDL, every big rig operates differently. In my job I routinely drove Thomas Transit Style School Buses. My other PT job was driving with Arrow Stage lines and we had several other makes and models. Although very close in basic operation, it takes a little time to get comfortable with each coach.

A while back my wife, oldest son and I were at Bands of America, Grand Nationals in Indianapolis Indy at Lucas Oil Stadium. We were leaving after an event, when we walked out to cross the street there were at least 75 people in the area near corner intersection. Perhaps 20 or so were right up near the corner toes within a couple inches of the curb line.

One of the competing team school buses was on the street side and departing the event. I know the driver was not using his mirrors and as I seen him starting to make a right hand turn at that corner I also knew his dual wheels were NOT going to make that turn!! It was a good thing I was close to the front and I yelled at everyone to get BACK and they did. Sure enough his duallies climbed that curb and tracked by at least a foot for several feet of that curb.

And this is a guy who had to pass a driving test in order to operate that rig.

Now I am a diver, you can not go and rent or fill tanks for diving without your dive card. SSI/PADI course certification. I think it's ironic that concern over your own safety trumps any type of competency over the safety of what incompetent operators can inflict on innocent bystanders. The general public has no clue that there is no training or demonstration of skill is required for RV Motorhomes.
Good post.
You're absolutely right. The public is clueless as to what's needed to properly operate any of these rolling Kleenex Boxes. That's why they pull in front of you, stop dead in front of you, turn in front of you and more. I, like you, have extensive experience in the driving and operation of over sized vehicles for decades which, makes driving a motor home, like driving a Volkswagen to me. Air Force Fire Department time on tankers driving (aka known as "Runway Foamers") P-2, and P-4 Fire Trucks, Navy Fire trucks, and numerous city Fire trucks have given me extensive experience.

I certainly agree that, if a person has not driven, or has no experience in operating a larger than normal vehicle and run out an purchase a 40' or more length coach simply because they can, that they, at the very least, maybe get a friend who's got the experience, run them through some paces in an empty parking lot for a few nights after work or, anytime it's an empty parking lot and, get some behind the wheel time, in parking, backing, cornering, close tolerance operation (similar to city driving) and all that.

It would bolster the confidence of many folks to do that. And, there's no need to pay someone for it. It's not that hard. You just need to be shown, what's happening with a larger vehicle.
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Old 05-05-2015, 09:12 PM   #48
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We just purchased out DSDP. At 38 feet, it's shorter than out truck TT, but longer in one single piece than the truck/TT. The key is TAKE IT SLOW and rely on your co-pilot for clearance on the right side! If in doubt, SLOW DOWN! If necessary when backing, get a ground guide. I prefer my wife as she has a vested financial interest in my not hitting anything! I've on two occasions relied on "spotters" unfamiliar to me and suffered damage as a result.
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Old 05-06-2015, 08:24 AM   #49
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Sixty years ago, I drove my first truck. I was 12 and my dad had to read the electric meters of all the homes in four small towns. It was a stick shift on the floor and I could barely see over the steering wheel, but I drove it along while he worked. From that to my own first car, to operating tractors and backing up 4 wheel wagons, driving school bus, flat bed semi's in our business, Peterbilt crane trucks with a trencher on a trailer behind and several more. Operating anything with an engine and wheels including several planes just comes natural to me. Now, we pull a 26' enclosed trailer behind our 43' coach and don't give it a second thought. It has become automatic to continually scan the road, traffic and my surroundings. Turns require more planning as the trailer wheels are back a ways, mountains demand my attention (especially going down with our 51,000# combined weight), but because of 60 years of experience, it's just a "walk in the park".

IMO, some type of CDL should be required to operate a motorhome 40' or longer. One should at least be required to attend a CDL type of class. Not everyone needs it, but what could it hurt? I happen to grow up behind the wheel, so to speak, but not everyone is that fortunate.
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Old 05-06-2015, 11:10 AM   #50
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Points out that EVERY driver of a MH or trailer over a certain length SHOULD BE REQUIRED to pass a drivers test, and get a license for that!

This is benign. Just think, if he had made it out of the lot, he would have been tooling down the road, NEXT TO YOU! It could have been YOU he hit, pulling over in the lane!

Of course, the 65 year olds who have NEVER driven anything bigger than a car, feel they have every right to buy a 45' DP, and take off!
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Old 05-06-2015, 07:09 PM   #51
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Years ago on my way home from a pre-funeral service I stopped for gas.

A car pulled in and two people got out.. one was going on and on "Oh My Beautiful Car, Oh my beautiful new car... Look what happend to my beautiful new car." and so on and so forth.

The other (Passenger) was backing away (And from the looks of it for good rason).

I looked at Passenger and ask what happened.

Hit one of the concrte posts in the parking structure

HE (indicating the crazy man) was driving
Yes

Finished my fill up got my change and left.
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Old 05-09-2015, 06:15 PM   #52
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I feel for the guy I really do, but I'm surprised at all of the comments suggesting that we need some sort of training from the dealership. I think if anything, we need less regulation in this great country of ours. Some of the responsibility has to fall on the shoulders of the owners and sometimes that means learning by having small accidents or asking the dealership for training or here's a novel idea...have basic training before driving off the lot. Could you imagine if we had to get some sort of license to drive a motor home? Then all of the comments would be complaints on how is a scam or a money maker for them because we're not getting adequate training yada yada.

I think responsibility is on the driver's. Just my thoughts.
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Old 05-09-2015, 07:05 PM   #53
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I feel for the guy I really do, but I'm surprised at all of the comments suggesting that we need some sort of training from the dealership. I think if anything, we need less regulation in this great country of ours. Some of the responsibility has to fall on the shoulders of the owners and sometimes that means learning by having small accidents or asking the dealership for training or here's a novel idea...have basic training before driving off the lot. Could you imagine if we had to get some sort of license to drive a motor home? Then all of the comments would be complaints on how is a scam or a money maker for them because we're not getting adequate training yada yada.

I think responsibility is on the driver's. Just my thoughts.
Phwang's comments are on the money! Pretty much everybody driving a car on the road today has attended drivers training and has a special license. Given all the crazy and unsafe stuff we see car drivers doing every day - it's pretty hard to argue that training and licensing has done all that much in that regard. Put me in behind the wheel of my very expensive rolling home and I'm damn careful ... trained, licensed or not!!!!
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Old 05-10-2015, 10:26 AM   #54
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A couple days after this accident, DW and I were at the dealership again, visiting with long time salesman who told us a similar story. This was with a Mr/Mrs looking at a Coach and Lady was driving it around. Salesman with them. He said, they came back in, she backed it right in and the Mr and Salesman were praising her for such a fantastic job.

They go in to the office and the Manager pulled him aside and was very upset for the damage she caused on MH in the lot, tore off a mirror on one. The salesman was adamant that she did not hit a thing. So they go out to inspect the coach she just drove and sure enough damage where she hit the other rig and witnesses that had seen it.

I agree totally with the argument we need less government and less micro management of our lives. When it comes to laws like seat belts and helmets that should be a personal choice. If I am in a accident it does not affect the general public it affects ME. BTW, yes I use helmet on mcycle.

But when you are put into operation of a piece of equipment that is no where near the operation of a automobile then yes I think it warrants some coaching time of critical operation of key aspects that have a propensity to cause damage or injury to human life.

In my training for CDL when I went to drive school buses. I was extremely confident in my ability. After all, I drove farm equipment. Cars, military equipment, and nearly 40 years of driving 5th wheels. But I soon learned that a bus is not the same. Cornering is a skill. A very important skill. Use of airbrakes. Getting out of a coach, engine running, shift into N and set the brakes. At least in the buses I drove for schools and the Motor Coaches with Arrow Stage Lines we have no PARK gear. Again, on a trip DW and I were on in St Louis we wittnessed a driver in a bus get out and fail to set the brake. Bus rolled back and smashed into a Cab. Fortunately there were no people in between the vehicles.

I just think that some sort of on site training and education is a responsible way to prevent or reduce heart aches and or injury.
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