Community Forums

JnVfla · 05-06-2018, 08:32 PM

Hi, love the site, have been reading for awhile and have learned so much. We have a 2016 Coachmen Mirada 35BH and have only camped a few times since purchasing. We decided we wanted to tow a car and chose the Acme eazy tow dolly model. I have practiced loading the car and strapping it down, but am a bit nervous about towing it. I know you can't back up with a car on a dolly, and with the 35' + car I dread getting gas or pulling into parking lots feeling for sure that I am going to end up driving down a dead end steet... Any suggestions or cautions would be appreciated. We will be heading to Legoland Florida in 2 weeks.
Thank you all.

plasma800 · 05-06-2018, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JnVfla

Hi, love the site, have been reading for awhile and have learned so much. We have a 2016 Coachmen Mirada 35BH and have only camped a few times since purchasing. We decided we wanted to tow a car and chose the Acme eazy tow dolly model. I have practiced loading the car and strapping it down, but am a bit nervous about towing it. I know you can't back up with a car on a dolly, and with the 35' + car I dread getting gas or pulling into parking lots feeling for sure that I am going to end up driving down a dead end steet... Any suggestions or cautions would be appreciated. We will be heading to Legoland Florida in 2 weeks.
Thank you all.

Nah, that's short. Just remember to turn a tad wide, and if you feel like the turn might not go well, go SLOW.

Keep in mind, there's always a way out of a situation you got yourself into. Go for it, you'll be fine.

Use google maps satellite view to look at gas stations, you'll find most are very accommodating. Or gas up at while camped with the car detached. You just learn how to make it work.

Go.

**TonyDi** · 05-06-2018, 09:16 PM

Glad to have you here in the forum with us. You're gonna like it here.

There are many fueling stations that are RV friendly. I use an atlas called "Next Exit" it will show them plus a whole lot more.

Happy Trails!!!

Stever53 · 05-06-2018, 10:14 PM

Hi

this place is great

Safe travels

MSHappyCampers · 05-07-2018, 07:31 AM

Hi !

Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

Keep her between the ditches!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

fottip · 05-07-2018, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JnVfla

We have a 2016 Coachmen Mirada 35BH and ... I dread getting gas or pulling into parking lots

Welcome to RVing. Your concerns are normal; all of us have them, and they're valid - we DO have to be careful, and be cognizant of the added length of our vehicles.

But just use extra caution in everything your do, and it'll work out.

JF1957 · 05-07-2018, 06:23 PM

Jnvfla,
The first think i can tell you is TAKE YOUR TIME, don’t be in an hurry, take time to look if you can turn at the gas station. Sometime i park far away and take a walk to see the space i will have the get out with ease. Wait for the farest pump sometime is the best one.
Have a nice one

wildcatter · 05-07-2018, 06:33 PM

Don't forget when pulling into and out of you have a lot of feet behind the back wheels that will swing wide, I would hate to see you on here reporting you took your back bumper or cap off.

Jthigh · 05-07-2018, 07:00 PM

Fuel stations and merging onto interstate are the ones I take extra precautions. Just pick your spot as early as you can and adjust your speed properly to get in with traffic flow. I also do a satellite view of a fuel station if not a truck stop.

Bigd9 · 05-07-2018, 07:24 PM

You got a lot of great suggestions here already. The only other one I can add is; Sharon is responsible for picking the fueling stations, then giving them the "once over" as we approach. She will give me the thumbs up or thumbs down. If she likes what she sees, she will ..... "tell me where to go", that is she immediately spots the diesel fuel pumps, and directs me to the best way to approach, AND exit. It's always important to plan the exit before you enter the pump location.

So far she has been rarely wrong, and the few times she was we learned from it. Occasionally we have had to unhook and turn the coach around and then turn the car around and rehook. But they have been rare. An added benefit is I'm never wrong this way! I never hear "I told you so"!!!!

She is my eyes when backing into a camp spot too. She has a two way radio and keeps me informed as to that is up, like branches, and what is down, like curb stops and what is left or right like trees. She has a measuring stick that tells her if the slides will come out without hitting any trees or power pedistiles. If she disappears from view, I stop. She also spots if the coach will be level or not, and lets me know "if you move forward a fudge, the coach will be more level etc. As an added benefit for the radios, if I get tired of hearing her, I just turn the volume down and watch her hands!! She can't talk without using her hands.

WDW · 05-07-2018, 07:44 PM

First keep in mind that you’ll be about 55 to 60 feet in total length. When passing make sure that in the rear view camera you can see the front of the vehicle that you’re passing for some distance and LEARN to use your mirrors. But remember when you put your turn signal light cameras going to take that side view and you’re going to lose that back camera view.

JnVfla · 05-07-2018, 09:26 PM

WOW, thanks to everyone for all the positive comments and suggestions

. My wife has been preaching the "Take your time" and "Don't be in such a rush" every time we take it out, so it looks like she's got it right (as usual)....I just have to start listening a little better...

Bshevel · 05-08-2018, 09:44 AM

In our travels we like to look for Flying J stations. They usually have RV lanes. We've downloaded the Pilot app to the phone and pre-plan where we will fuel up based on this. We have traveled down from the Great Lakes area and west across the southern US and have been able to find them everywhere on our travels. The app will tell you if the location has RV Lanes. Pilots do not but in a pinch we can use them because they generally have accessible outside lanes. We will also fill up even when we are only at the half a tank mark just for the convenience.

As everyone has said, just take your time.

Mr_D · 05-08-2018, 09:52 AM

I haven't had anything that short since our '98 Santara we bought new and traded for a new 38' DP in 2000. Have never worried too much about getting in or out of gas stations or parking lots. Just has never been a problem for me.