How easy are huge motor homes to drive?
Discussion
As per title....How easy are huge motor homes to drive?
It looks like I've been lumbered with the job of driving a huge motor home for four days in the summer, for family and a handful of their friends.
Pretty much, I'm the one who rarely drinks alcohol and is rarely bothered if I don't while everyone else does. So on that basis, plus the fact that everyone seems s
t scared of the idea, I've been nominated.
I'm only 22 but insurance is apparently sorted.
I'm quite experienced on the driving front and as a well as numerous models of car, I also regularly drive a Transit for work so larger vehicles don't scare me. But I've never actually driven a motor home before so I wondered what they were like to drive, and if there's anything I should particularly be wary of.
Don't know the make and model yet, I'm waiting to find out.
It looks like I've been lumbered with the job of driving a huge motor home for four days in the summer, for family and a handful of their friends.
Pretty much, I'm the one who rarely drinks alcohol and is rarely bothered if I don't while everyone else does. So on that basis, plus the fact that everyone seems s
t scared of the idea, I've been nominated.I'm only 22 but insurance is apparently sorted.
I'm quite experienced on the driving front and as a well as numerous models of car, I also regularly drive a Transit for work so larger vehicles don't scare me. But I've never actually driven a motor home before so I wondered what they were like to drive, and if there's anything I should particularly be wary of.
Don't know the make and model yet, I'm waiting to find out.
If its one of those american ones, just shoot yourself. Its easier 
Otherwise, with any of the ones you see over here you'll be fine. As long as you can appreciate the laws of physics and dont practice stupid cornering you will be fine.
At 21 I got thrown in the deep end and had to drive coaches, a few hours practice and it will feel like its yours.
Otherwise, with any of the ones you see over here you'll be fine. As long as you can appreciate the laws of physics and dont practice stupid cornering you will be fine.
At 21 I got thrown in the deep end and had to drive coaches, a few hours practice and it will feel like its yours.
zarjaz1991 said:
As per title....How easy are huge motor homes to drive?
It looks like I've been lumbered with the job of driving a huge motor home for four days in the summer, for family and a handful of their friends.
Pretty much, I'm the one who rarely drinks alcohol and is rarely bothered if I don't while everyone else does. So on that basis, plus the fact that everyone seems st scared of the idea, I've been nominated.
I'm only 22 but insurance is apparently sorted.
I'm quite experienced on the driving front and as a well as numerous models of car, I also regularly drive a Transit for work so larger vehicles don't scare me. But I've never actually driven a motor home before so I wondered what they were like to drive, and if there's anything I should particularly be wary of.
Don't know the make and model yet, I'm waiting to find out.
If its bigger than a transit (3,5 ton) you may need a c licenceIt looks like I've been lumbered with the job of driving a huge motor home for four days in the summer, for family and a handful of their friends.
Pretty much, I'm the one who rarely drinks alcohol and is rarely bothered if I don't while everyone else does. So on that basis, plus the fact that everyone seems s
t scared of the idea, I've been nominated.I'm only 22 but insurance is apparently sorted.
I'm quite experienced on the driving front and as a well as numerous models of car, I also regularly drive a Transit for work so larger vehicles don't scare me. But I've never actually driven a motor home before so I wondered what they were like to drive, and if there's anything I should particularly be wary of.
Don't know the make and model yet, I'm waiting to find out.
1/ Does your licence cover it?
How long is it?
Think about it. Close your eyes and picture it.
If you think about it - you are at the front, you turn a wheel - and the front moves.
You should be able to keep the left hand side and the right hand side of the vehicle in between the white lines.
Now the rear of the vehicle - may cross over the white lines ( small roundabouts, tight corners etc )
So... any curves in the road will require you to think about this.
Work it out in your head.
Actually - do it with masking tape and cardboard models - you will see what I mean.
Now you know what to expect.
How long is it?
Think about it. Close your eyes and picture it.
If you think about it - you are at the front, you turn a wheel - and the front moves.
You should be able to keep the left hand side and the right hand side of the vehicle in between the white lines.
Now the rear of the vehicle - may cross over the white lines ( small roundabouts, tight corners etc )
So... any curves in the road will require you to think about this.
Work it out in your head.
Actually - do it with masking tape and cardboard models - you will see what I mean.
Now you know what to expect.
As long as you drive like it is truck, not a car, they are ok on A-roads, etc. Maximise your braking distances, smooth on the brakes, etc
Things can get a bit tight on B-roads, etc. Worth having a trusted friend in the passenger seat to give you feedback on clearance. Especially if the rear is wider than the cab... Oh, and ditch everyone else apart from your friend and go practice for 30 mins with minimal observers...
Things can get a bit tight on B-roads, etc. Worth having a trusted friend in the passenger seat to give you feedback on clearance. Especially if the rear is wider than the cab... Oh, and ditch everyone else apart from your friend and go practice for 30 mins with minimal observers...
Vaud said:
As long as you drive like it is truck, not a car, they are ok on A-roads, etc. Maximise your braking distances, smooth on the brakes, etc
Things can get a bit tight on B-roads, etc. Worth having a trusted friend in the passenger seat to give you feedback on clearance. Especially if the rear is wider than the cab... Oh, and ditch everyone else apart from your friend and go practice for 30 mins with minimal observers...
Yeah got an older mate from work who's going to accompany for a trial run at some point, will make sure we cover all this off.Things can get a bit tight on B-roads, etc. Worth having a trusted friend in the passenger seat to give you feedback on clearance. Especially if the rear is wider than the cab... Oh, and ditch everyone else apart from your friend and go practice for 30 mins with minimal observers...
Depends really how big it is. We used to have a six birth Elddis which was around 24 foot long, but it was a doddle to drive, unless you were going down a narrow lane in Cornwall and a large truck was coming the other way, then it got a bit hairy.
But ours was like a mini, compared to some of these big American jobs.
Be extremely careful reversing, always better to ask someone to get out and watch you, visibility can be a big problem.
I am sure you will be fine, it's not as though it's a 40 ton juggernaut towing a gigantic trailer.
But ours was like a mini, compared to some of these big American jobs.
Be extremely careful reversing, always better to ask someone to get out and watch you, visibility can be a big problem.
I am sure you will be fine, it's not as though it's a 40 ton juggernaut towing a gigantic trailer.
zarjaz1991 said:
I've got C1 which covers me to 7.5 tonnes. I'm certain it's not bigger than that.
Trouble is you're going to be taking it to places that are set up for smaller 'vans. A bloke used to park his Ford E350 Econoline at work and he said it was a pain at a lot of sites because they're not set up for such a big vehicle an his wasn't that big. I'm pretty sure our DAF LF is/was quite a bit more maneuverable. Modern European motorhomes are a piece of cake to drive.
The only time you'll notice the extra size is in manoeuvring situations but most rental vans will have a camera and/or sensors to help.
As mentioned if it's a real big one then it'll likely be too heavy for your license but there are 24ft vans out there still at 300.
Take your time at first and they're actually quite fun to drive and they handle really well, particularly the pug/fiats.
The only time you'll notice the extra size is in manoeuvring situations but most rental vans will have a camera and/or sensors to help.
As mentioned if it's a real big one then it'll likely be too heavy for your license but there are 24ft vans out there still at 300.
Take your time at first and they're actually quite fun to drive and they handle really well, particularly the pug/fiats.
Troubleatmill said:
1/ Does your licence cover it?
How long is it?
Think about it. Close your eyes and picture it.
If you think about it - you are at the front, you turn a wheel - and the front moves.
You should be able to keep the left hand side and the right hand side of the vehicle in between the white lines.
Now the rear of the vehicle - may cross over the white lines ( small roundabouts, tight corners etc )
So... any curves in the road will require you to think about this.
Work it out in your head.
Actually - do it with masking tape and cardboard models - you will see what I mean.
Now you know what to expect.
Thanks...yeah license will cover it as it's C1.How long is it?
Think about it. Close your eyes and picture it.
If you think about it - you are at the front, you turn a wheel - and the front moves.
You should be able to keep the left hand side and the right hand side of the vehicle in between the white lines.
Now the rear of the vehicle - may cross over the white lines ( small roundabouts, tight corners etc )
So... any curves in the road will require you to think about this.
Work it out in your head.
Actually - do it with masking tape and cardboard models - you will see what I mean.
Now you know what to expect.
I'm pretty confident I can do this.....part of the reason I was selected is because I'm a safe and 'boring' driver with considerable long distance experience of larger vehicles (as opposed to just cars), plus I'm young enough to want to rise o the challenge rather tan feeling inconvenienced by it all. So in a way I'm pretty honoured to be asked but it's quite a responsibility and I need to get it 100% right.
nagsheadwarrior said:
Modern European motorhomes are a piece of cake to drive.
The only time you'll notice the extra size is in manoeuvring situations but most rental vans will have a camera and/or sensors to help.
As mentioned if it's a real big one then it'll likely be too heavy for your license but there are 24ft vans out there still at 300.
Take your time at first and they're actually quite fun to drive and they handle really well, particularly the pug/fiats.
That's what I was hoping...when everyone was discussing this, everyone else was going on about how scary it would be to have to drive it, while all I can think about is how much fun it's going to be. The only time you'll notice the extra size is in manoeuvring situations but most rental vans will have a camera and/or sensors to help.
As mentioned if it's a real big one then it'll likely be too heavy for your license but there are 24ft vans out there still at 300.
Take your time at first and they're actually quite fun to drive and they handle really well, particularly the pug/fiats.
nagsheadwarrior said:
Ps- Missed the bit about the c1 sorry.
If you want to try driving one before the holiday just drop me a p.m my dealerships based in Preston if you want to pop up and test drive one some time when its quiet that's fine.
Just to say - this is what I love about PH... nice people offering help.If you want to try driving one before the holiday just drop me a p.m my dealerships based in Preston if you want to pop up and test drive one some time when its quiet that's fine.
All depends on where you're driving it. Down to the Cote D'Azure on the Autoroute? Piece of piss. Through old towns and cities? You'll wish you were dead. On country lanes? OK so long as you go really slow. On country lanes in the peak tourist season? Open the door, get out, and walk. Don't stop walking til you get home. Then hide under the bed.
And as for parking? Well just make sure you get masses of practice in empty car parks before you try and park anywhere smaller than the M25.
And as for parking? Well just make sure you get masses of practice in empty car parks before you try and park anywhere smaller than the M25.
Stop being a nancy and just drive the fking thing.
Blokes don't need instructions or advice.
That said, watch out for the swing out from the rear overhang.
Motorhomes tend to have a lot of overhang from the rear axle, so if your to to close to something on your left hand side whilst turning right, say a petrol pump, you've got to watch for the rear end swinging out as you make the turn.
king thing.Blokes don't need instructions or advice.
That said, watch out for the swing out from the rear overhang.
Motorhomes tend to have a lot of overhang from the rear axle, so if your to to close to something on your left hand side whilst turning right, say a petrol pump, you've got to watch for the rear end swinging out as you make the turn.
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