Community Forums

frankdamp · 10-15-2014, 12:26 PM

If you do buy the 40-footer, I'd recommend a chat with your local transit agency to see if you could hire an off-duty driver to give you a couple of hours basic training. I'm very thankful that I got tired of being retired and signed up with our local agency when they had a driver vacancy. I did just over 2 years as a substitute driver and did every route the agency had.

The training on "how to drive this behemoth" was one day with an instructor before getting my CDL. I then did one week taking over coaches from the assigned driver for a round trip on the route with monitoring and advice from that driver. Five days with 30 different drivers really got me qualified.

We only have a 32-footer, but what I learned as a bus driver has been invaluable. Just a couple of hours with a well-experienced transit driver will be a big help.

kelsma03 · 10-15-2014, 12:28 PM

We traded in our 45' Tiffin for a new 40' Forest River Berkshire and I think the 40' size feels perfect. I feel it rides as well as the tag and seems more maneuverable, mind you ... my husband, not me, is actually driving.

Falcon190 · 10-15-2014, 01:20 PM

My forty footer was definitely too big the first few times I drove it. Now it's really a breeze. Better ride and quieter than most cars.

I will tell you, though, between driving narrow roads, learning when to downshift and/or use the Jake Brake on long steep downhills, etc. it's a much more "hands on" experience than you may be used to. But experience is a great teacher.

And like you'll read here, never worry that you haven't got it all figured out. Except for a few unmentionables, none of us know it all.

tacking · 10-15-2014, 02:26 PM

Thanks everyone. I so appretiate all your input.
I grew up driving big equipment, trucks, tractors, and an old Mack tractor trailer. I do feel comfortable in big stuff. Actually when writing this I realize that I have in fact driven such a long wheelbase truck with our flatbed. I spaced that out, .. funny, was a long while ago.

Thanks again.
Greg V

Ray,IN · 10-15-2014, 06:27 PM

Your past experience will return to guide you. I've learned enough about driving our MH that now when driving anything else, I find myself automatically making wide right turns, looking 1-2 blocks ahead for overhead obstacles, staying/getting in the lane from which I must turn ASAP, etc.

HeatAir · 10-15-2014, 06:43 PM

It's the Bride and I in our 38 foot rig.

We both think ours is too big for us. We have 3 slides on the 38N but need something just a bit smaller for us and the canine crew.

We stay away from the KOA's and the commercial full hook up CG's. I fuss and fret about the low hanging trees and narrow roads and morons {apologies if this offends} out there in 2, 3, 4, 6 or 8 wheelers saying that I cannot drive.

We have an Class A DP because it's quieter than a gasser and it gives us a place to sleep off the ground at proper humidity levels. Back surgery and a very ornery lack-of-sleep makes monsters of people.

Yeah, 33-35 foot for us.

Your mileage may vary. Opinions are like belly buttons, everyone has one no two are the same.

GG1 · 10-15-2014, 06:51 PM

Bigger is better,,,especially for full time. Never a problem for us, smaller would be a problem. Drive the coach on the main roads to your site and use the toad to sightsee on the back roads, use common sense.