CLASS A MOTORHOME DRIVING TIPS
Class A motorhomes are a great investment. They often provide some of the biggest interior spaces of any RV type and often some of the best, most luxurious features. This is because they’re some of the biggest RVs on the market. But all that extra size can be a little difficult to transport around. You’ll need to do a lot of practicing ahead of time and keep some of the following tips in mind when you do. If you still need a Class A motorhome to travel in, then stop by Campers RV Center and we’ll help you find the perfect model. We’re in Shreveport, Louisiana, near Bossier City, Ruston, and Monroe, as well as Marshall, Longview, and Tyler, Texas.
Brakes
When you’re behind the wheel, the first major difference you’ll probably notice are the brakes. They’re going to feel a little different and perform differently. This is because they are different, at least from the kinds of brakes you’d find on a more traditional commuter vehicle. Your everyday car probably runs on hydraulic brakes, which is what allows it to stop faster when you press down harder on the pedal. The problem is that when these brakes leak or break, it can have an immediate impact on the vehicle’s performance.
Class A motorhomes often use air brakes. These have better backup systems in place so certain breaks don’t result in catastrophe. However, you also can’t stop faster by pressing harder on the pedal. You’ll have to apply continuous, even pressure to come to a stop over an extended period of time. As you’d imagine, this is going to affect the way you drive.
Following Distance
As you’d imagine, the way your brakes work are going to affect how you approach following distance. Because it’s going to take you longer to slow down, you’ll want to increase the amount of space you leave between yourself and the vehicle in front of you. This is especially important when driving at high speeds. You’ll probably have quite a few cars cutting you off to merge into that open space. Try to be patient and simply remind yourself that you’ll still get to your final destination.
Highway Driving
Speaking of highway driving, let’s talk about another concern you’ll have on the road. Because your rig is so tall, it’s going to catch a lot of wind. This can either be the natural wind generated around you or the draft that comes from passing vehicles. You might find yourself getting pushed around on the road. If this happens, simply guide your motorhome back to the center of the lane. Avoid over correcting as this can make matters worse. Also, before every outing, take a moment to check for wind advisories along the way. Avoid times of the day when the wind could get particularly nasty and pull off when the going gets tough.
Turning
Another hazard you’ll want to consider when you’re driving is how your size affects turning. Because Class A motorhomes are so tall, and because their center of gravity is much higher, the risk of tipping when you take a turn too hard increases. Because of this, you’ll want to slow down long before entering the turn. If you’re on a windy road, a good guide are the recommended speed signs. Sure, a lot of cars ignore this, but you shouldn’t. In fact, you’ll want to reduce your speed to 5-10 mph below the recommended limit, just to be extra safe.
As we mentioned before, this will all only make sense if you spend lots of time practicing first. The first time you drive a Class A motorhome should not be the day of the big trip. Find a big, empty parking lot and relearn some of the basics, like turning and braking. If you find you need additional help, then stop by Camper RV Center and we’ll help you with all your RV related needs. We proudly serve Shreveport, Bossier City, Ruston, and Monroe, LA, as well as Marshall, Longview, and Tyler, TX.