FYI Thinking about the steep learning curve moving up to a DP .....

[Joe Hogan]

Recently I've been concerned about the learning curve of the OJT driving home in a DP ... Then I came across this story! Often wondered if I'd ever fly in a King Air

Thought I'd share

 

[Neal]

Scary situation but there are several success stories out there.

 

[AbdRahim]

Yikes. I think I will stick to wheels on the ground, though flying looks intriguing.

I would have needed them to have a 151 Jamaican rum punch ready and a cot where I could crash I mean sleep) for 8 hours.

A prayer for us all - that none of us depart this earth while driving our coaches!

 

[sheridany]

I have seen that one before. Thankfully he had limited experience to know some terminology . This was even more interesting.

 

[sheridany]

Recently I've been concerned about the learning curve of the OJT driving home in a DP

I honestly wouldn’t worry too much Joe. You had a coach before I remember so it’s a little longer and a little bigger. I think the hardest part for most is getting used to the turning radius and navigating tight turns and tight parks. Go slow and take your time and you will do fine. Remember the old rule. GOAL if in doubt. (Get out and look around). Also you have the assist of the tag that turns along with a good turning radius on the front. Just enjoy the fruits of your labor and enjoy going down the road while we all can.

 

[Neal]

As @sheridany said, you'll get this. Community support it's how I got going. There is a lot to learn and it will take time. You'll find switches, outlets, all kinds of things long after you take delivery. There's always something Newmar snuck somewhere you didn't originally find and the firehose of FPU can be overwhelming. Hopefully you'll have a great tech like I did as we broke each area, system, etc. down and did interior on day one, exterior day two, day three was repairs for things you find, etc. It's going to be great and I look forward to being a part of your adventure as you share it here so we can all live the dream through you

 

[DennisT]

Recently I've been concerned about the learning curve of the OJT driving home in a DP ...

Went through the same thing before we picked up our Superstar.

Going from a 32 foot long class c to the 41 foot, 24 1/2 foot wheelbase, 7 inches of ground clearance Superstar had me awake a few nights.

Didn’t want to screw up our new retirement coach!

One of our friends used to drive semi and was with us when we picked it up so he rode with me.

Drove a total of 270 miles before we made the 1200 mile trip from Florida to Ohio.

It wasn’t as bad as I had thought. Slow, steady, use caution, etc and I am much more confident now. Friends told me I was over thinking it

The 360 view on the camera is a great help and makes the tight areas easier to see.

We stopped close to where we are now to unhook the car and the wife still can’t believe I just “whipped it in there” where we pulled over. Looks tight now but seat time leads to more confidence.

It is a learning curve but hopefully, like mine was, won’t be as bad as you think.

As for the “fire hose” walkthrough, we have ours on a go pro - filmed it all so we have a reference in addition to the manuals.

Good luck!

 

[Rich W.]

My only issues have happened when I was impatient. I got the rear hung up on a steep approach and got stuck once, and I mashed a baggage door on a fuel island pole in a small gas station. Time didn’t matter in either case; I just got tired of waiting for people that were either discourteous or dumb. But in both cases I could have waited and it would have saved me a lot of grief. I got myself unstuck with jacks and lumber, and I replaced my baggage door for around $1000 including paint, but both happened because I ran out of patience. So there’s that.

One thing that will help you immediately is to put two small spots (tape, lable, stickers - something about 1/2” square) on the windshield about 4” up from the dash that line up with your left and right wheels from your field of view in the drivers seat. This way you can always be sure of your lane position with regard to either line (right or left, shoulder, gaurd rails, barriers, etc) without taking your eyes off your direction of travel. You’ll see them in your peripheral vision and know your lane position is ok. Locate the stickers by parking with your wheels on each line respectively and looking straight ahead. This will be especially helpful in construction zones, narrow lanes, and when passing trucks in tight quarters. After a bit of driving you’ll instinctively know your lane position, but its still nice to have a quick reference point when precision driving os called for.

My first few miles of road leaving home have a lot of curves and hills, and the lanes are about the same width as my coach - when my left wheels are right at the yellow line, my rights are a couple inches from the while line (can’t see the line in the mirror), with drop-offs and broken pavement along that border and no shoulder and there is no room for error, so it’s a skills check every time I leave or come home. With the dots on the windshield I don’t have to check my mirrors to confirm lane position which is quite helpful with on-coming traffic.

I have my gps (Garmin 890) on the left side of the dash (bottom left corner of windshield) so I can glance at it quickly without turning my head at all. Also learn the position of your shifters, light switches, wipers controls, engine brake switches etc. in advance so you can operate them all quickly and effectively without taking your eyes off the road.

Also have a backer when there is any question at all of your clearences and use pre-established and agreed upon hand signals so there is no ambiguity. Instruct your backer to stay in view of your mirrors at all times (preferably driver’s side) and never walk behind you while you’re backing. You’ll want to familiarize yourself with the air brake system before hitting the road and you should become familiar with your stopping distance at various speeds before you need to make any sudden stops.

And one last pre-driving check: while sitting in the driver’s seat, have someone walk out in front and approach the coach until you can’t see their feet, then get out and measure the distance from the coach to their feet. That will tell you how big your blind spot area is in front of the coach. It will probably be around 12’ which is more than most people expect. Also add a dash cam to your pile of gadgets. All these things will boost confidence and reduce anxiety and make you a safer driver.

 

[team bradfield]

I consider myself a "rookie", we took our first trip in May, 3000 mile rt to Provo & Moab utah, was pretty confident as I've been pulling 40+ long 5th wheels a long time. I like the DS a lot, easy to drive, like @Rich W. said, patience is your best friend, oh and the Engine brake (long story)

No worries, you'll love it

 

[AbdRahim]

My only issues have happened when I was impatient. I got the rear hung up on a steep approach and got stuck once, and I mashed a baggage door on a fuel island pole in a small gas station. Time didn’t matter in either case; I just got tired of waiting for people that were either discourteous or dumb. But in both cases I could have waited and it would have saved me a lot of grief. I got myself unstuck with jacks and lumber, and I replaced my baggage door for around $1000 including paint, but both happened because I ran out of patience. So there’s that.

Sorry to hear you did the fuel island crash test. I feel better, that I am not the only one.- second day of ownership of first MH. Learned about the bottom mirror that day.

I also found RV driving school, well worth the small investment, even though because of COVID, I had already driven the coach 2000 miles.,