Hitting the open road in an RV is the ultimate freedom. Even if you only rent an RV for the weekend, being able to travel anywhere and do whatever you choose without having to worry about booking hotels is a gamechanger. That said, RVs are not like cars, and learning how to drive an RV will take a bit of time, some practice, and some patience.
Keep reading to learn the best tips and tricks that will help you get behind the wheel of your new RV and drive it with confidence from day one.
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Be careful when making turns in an RV
When it comes to making turns in a Class-A, or Class-C motorhome, it’s important to know the length of your vehicle. The longer your RV is, the more space you need to allow for in order to complete a turn. Each RV has a different pivot point, and you will need to practice to find where that pivot point is on your RV, but a good rule-of-thumb is to start your turn once the object you are going around has reached your hip.
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Reversing an RV takes some practice
A great tip for reversing your RV is to measure the pivot point and then allow for 8 feet beyond that pivot point when making your turn. Mechanically, the pivot point on most RVs is located between the two rear wheels, so measure about 8 feet past your two rear wheels (or tag wheels as they are sometimes called), and you’ll know when to start your turn when backing out of a driveway or parking spot. Practice reversing your RV a few times, and you’ll get the hang of it pretty quickly.
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Remember there are extra mirrors on an RV
Keep in mind that, unlike a car or truck, an RV has some additional mirrors, and if you want to operate the RV safely, then it’s important that you check all of the available mirrors frequently. On most RVs, the mirrors will be flat on top and have a smaller convex mirror on the bottom. The smaller mirrors make everything look farther away. By using all of your mirrors, you will be able to see what’s going on around the sides and back of your coach.
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Give yourself extra time to slow down when you drive an RV
If you are not used to driving an RV, then braking will likely be your biggest adjustment. RVs are houses on wheels, and they weigh a lot more than normal cars, trucks, and SUVs, which means that they take much longer to slow down and stop. If a sedan can stop in 1.5 seconds, then it may take you 5 seconds to stop your RV; this means it’s extra important to make sure that you always maintain a safe following distance so that if the driver ahead of you stops suddenly, you will still have enough time to react and slow down.
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Do a RV safety check before you drive an RV
Roads can be bumpy, especially when exploring off the beaten trail in your RV, and so it’s a good idea to get in the habit of doing a safety check before each trip. If you were staying at a campground last night, for example, then make sure that you disconnect from any hydro or sewage connections, and always triple-check that any interior or exterior latches, hatches, and compartments are closed and secured so that they don’t open unexpectedly when you’re on the road. The last thing you want is to damage your RV, especially if it’s a rental.
By following these practical tricks, tips, and guidelines, you’ll be able to drive an RV safely and confidently from day one, and don’t worry, with a bit of practice, you’ll be a pro in no time.