How easy are huge motor homes to drive?
Discussion
You don't need to drive routes before hand, just have a scan over googlemaps and streetview the bits that you don't like the look of. You'll be fine if you have a load of passengers, half the fun is the journey and they'll all be able to play at 'spotter/banksman' no matter how drunk they are 
You don't sound like an idiot so I think you'll be fine
Things to remember are the length - sat up front you'll go round a corner whereas the back is maybe 20 odd foot behind you. The height - not the obvious stuff like carparks etc. but tiny villages and roads have a lot of overhanging stuff into the road. I've seen a campervan (not even a huge one) hit a "For Sale" sign in the middle of St Ives many years ago. I live on a little lane and we often get horse transporter things coming up and down the lane covered in scratches or with a smashed window on the sleep bit above the cab. People forget they are driving something a lot bigger than a car.
It sounds good fun though - I'd love a go in one of these things. Me and the OH have always fancied hiring one in New York and driving it to LA on a mahoosive road trip!
Things to remember are the length - sat up front you'll go round a corner whereas the back is maybe 20 odd foot behind you. The height - not the obvious stuff like carparks etc. but tiny villages and roads have a lot of overhanging stuff into the road. I've seen a campervan (not even a huge one) hit a "For Sale" sign in the middle of St Ives many years ago. I live on a little lane and we often get horse transporter things coming up and down the lane covered in scratches or with a smashed window on the sleep bit above the cab. People forget they are driving something a lot bigger than a car.
It sounds good fun though - I'd love a go in one of these things. Me and the OH have always fancied hiring one in New York and driving it to LA on a mahoosive road trip!
V8Ford said:
The owner wants to do a driving assessment on you?
Tell the cheeky b*****d to drive it himself if he's that bothered!
Then hammer frozen red bull into his dog for being so patronising. Who does he think he is, the f*****g DSA?
It's not really am assessment as such. I've made it sound a bit more formal than it is. He just wants to meet me and get a feel for who I am. I suppose I could be a right nob for all he knows.Tell the cheeky b*****d to drive it himself if he's that bothered!
Then hammer frozen red bull into his dog for being so patronising. Who does he think he is, the f*****g DSA?
Edited by V8Ford on Saturday 19th April 11:10
I could refuse the whole thing, then it'd be for him or someone else to do it, but if I'm honest I quite fancy doing this so I'm happy to go along with it.
FiF said:
The question I'd ask is, if he is the owner, and is also intending to be part of the trip, why does he not want to drive?
It's not as if a 4 day trip is going to be covering mega miles so he needs a backup driver to take spells.
Well I have to say.....I *think* he is coming on the trip. Now people have mentioned, I'm not 100% sure. It doesn't make much sense if he is. I'll have to check.It's not as if a 4 day trip is going to be covering mega miles so he needs a backup driver to take spells.
Unless he just can't be arsed driving it.
GAjon said:
Stop being a nancy and just drive the f
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.
Esp if you get the back end out 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.
If the couple are coming on the trip, god help you. If said owner wants to see you driving a car can you imagine what he`s going to be like when your actually driving his pride and joy, watch that branch, don`t go so fast, are you sure you can get it in there,i`ll just watch you back it in, etc.
I`ll give it 10 mins before you want to throw him out while still moving.
I`ll give it 10 mins before you want to throw him out while still moving.
dowahdiddyman said:
If the couple are coming on the trip, god help you. If said owner wants to see you driving a car can you imagine what he`s going to be like when your actually driving his pride and joy, watch that branch, don`t go so fast, are you sure your can get it in there,i`ll just watch you back it in, etc.
I`ll give it 10 mins before you want to throw him out while still moving.
This ^^I`ll give it 10 mins before you want to throw him out while still moving.
skyrover said:
Drove one of these in the states... approx 35 to 40 feet long if I remember correctly.
Was a doddle on big American roads, but wouldn't hesitate to drive here in the UK, the same rules apply, keep checking your mirrors and drive carefully, you will be fine.
Be great fun if it was that big but I am pretty sure it is shorter. Was a doddle on big American roads, but wouldn't hesitate to drive here in the UK, the same rules apply, keep checking your mirrors and drive carefully, you will be fine.
The bigger the better as far as I'm concerned.
License restrictions permitting obviously.Ok got a bit more information on this.
- Owner and wife not coming on the trip, which is why a driver has to be selected.
- Vehicle is definitely not more than 7.5 tonnes but is more than 3.5 tonnes so C1 needed
- My dad would be licensed to drive it by virtue of pre-1997 driving licenses allowing C1, however he's not really up for it as he only really drives cars.
- I have C1 as my work paid for me to have it some time ago. Although I'm only 22, I'm also the most experienced out of those going, at driving bigger vehicles.
- Owner is a family friend, he lends this thing out to trusted friends on occasion and gets bunged a few quid for doing so.
- Have spoken with the owner by phone, he "knows of me" through the family and he is absolutely fine with me doing the driving. He'd like to meet me first for a quick spin in my own car and I think that's absolutely fair enough since I'm going to be driving his motor home.
I probably *will* drive the route in my car first, simply because it'll be a good run out.
- Owner and wife not coming on the trip, which is why a driver has to be selected.
- Vehicle is definitely not more than 7.5 tonnes but is more than 3.5 tonnes so C1 needed
- My dad would be licensed to drive it by virtue of pre-1997 driving licenses allowing C1, however he's not really up for it as he only really drives cars.
- I have C1 as my work paid for me to have it some time ago. Although I'm only 22, I'm also the most experienced out of those going, at driving bigger vehicles.
- Owner is a family friend, he lends this thing out to trusted friends on occasion and gets bunged a few quid for doing so.
- Have spoken with the owner by phone, he "knows of me" through the family and he is absolutely fine with me doing the driving. He'd like to meet me first for a quick spin in my own car and I think that's absolutely fair enough since I'm going to be driving his motor home.
I probably *will* drive the route in my car first, simply because it'll be a good run out.
Edited by zarjaz1991 on Sunday 20th April 13:36
Edited by zarjaz1991 on Sunday 20th April 13:36
My motorhome isn't terribly big at 7 metres long and 3 metres high and 4.6 tonnes, but just remember mirrors, mirrors and mirrors!!!! And then mirrors. Spend time getting them adjusted just-so.
Is this LHD? To be honest, I find driving my LHD motorhome easier over RHD as you're nearer the kerb and it's your left mirror you'll need most to gauge where you're positioned.
Yes, it'll be slow. But that's fine. It's very relaxing.
Plan every manoeuvre well ahead. Mirrors to check where you are and, when reversing, where you're planning to go.
And if in doubt about anything when driving, be it moving lane, reversing, turning or whatever, then don't do it. Make absolutely certain before doing anything.
As said many times already, these are incredibly easy things to drive. Just watch corners as they can wallow. Think of passenger comfort first.
And enjoy it. I'm sure you will.
Is this LHD? To be honest, I find driving my LHD motorhome easier over RHD as you're nearer the kerb and it's your left mirror you'll need most to gauge where you're positioned.
Yes, it'll be slow. But that's fine. It's very relaxing.
Plan every manoeuvre well ahead. Mirrors to check where you are and, when reversing, where you're planning to go.
And if in doubt about anything when driving, be it moving lane, reversing, turning or whatever, then don't do it. Make absolutely certain before doing anything.
As said many times already, these are incredibly easy things to drive. Just watch corners as they can wallow. Think of passenger comfort first.
And enjoy it. I'm sure you will.
GG89 said:
Sounds like more hassle than it's worth IMO. Meeting for a chat? Taking him a spin? Driving the route first in your car?
I'd be wanting paid for doing it
Good luck though.
My payment is I get to drive a great big motor home. I love driving bigger stuff. I'd be wanting paid for doing it
Good luck though.
Driving the route first in my car is my own idea, and is little more than a cheap excuse for a long drive out one Sunday.
Vladimir said:
On the rural roads down here, they are the vehicle of the selfish muppet.
I hate the damn things.
I generally have a live and let live attitude but I was upset to read that I’ve missed out on something here.I hate the damn things.
I’ve been through all the paperwork, all the manuals and literature, and I can’t find anything that tells me about being a selfish muppet.
When does this happen? When you buy one, just when you drive it, when you were thinking about getting one?
Did I miss something going directly from tents to a motorhome, should I have got a caravan first, have I missed some vital training?
I phoned the dealer who said they’ll put me a certificate in the post, but dealers are all lying sods aren’t they.
Any way which muppet can I be? (I like the one that plays drums best).
zarjaz1991 said:
My payment is I get to drive a great big motor home. I love driving bigger stuff.
Driving the route first in my car is my own idea, and is little more than a cheap excuse for a long drive out one Sunday.
I can empathise there. I'm always the driver when taking minibuses away for climbing trips with uni. Partly because I love the driving, and partly because I don't like anyone else doing it!Driving the route first in my car is my own idea, and is little more than a cheap excuse for a long drive out one Sunday.
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