This is sad...

[Neal]

I agree with you 100% @sheridany. I think most of us are not qualified to drive these rigs at the time we get them. I can say I was not, it was terrifying and very concerning and at times still is. I've learned over time what to look for, predict what's coming, but it's still extreme risk. Even on my recent trip home, final leg, I had an eye opener, caused by me almost missing my exit.

I've learned these rigs can get away from you in an instant, without failures of any kind. If you're not staying on top of driving it, such as in a turn, it's over. I admit I on occasion fiddle with my phone in my car, I learned quickly my phone is a no touch when driving the rig. The very few times I have I'm surprised how quickly I almost got in trouble.

Another scenario that has opened my eyes about twice is exiting the highway (freeway for lefties) and realizing the off ramp is backed up! Imagine coming off the interstate at 60'ish to a turning off ramp where you can't see around the turn and find that vehicles are backed up now cutting your braking distance in half per se. It has happened to me where I almost ate a flatbed truck.

We all have many many many lessons learned of our driving these big rigs and I'm sure those towing fifth wheels or travel trailers have their stories too. I've posted before passing vehicles towing that look like their tow vehicles are not sized properly and I see swaying, etc. I watched a fifth wheel blow a tire in front of me, those tires often look far too small.

So yes, most of us lack training to drive these rigs and we could all benefit from more education, no doubt.

 

[sheridany]

Another scenario that has opened my eyes about twice is exiting the highway (freeway for lefties) and realizing the off ramp is backed up! Imagine coming off the interstate at 60'ish to a turning off ramp where you can't see around the turn and find that vehicles are backed up now cutting your braking distance in half per se. It has happened to me where I almost ate a flatbed truck.

Just yesterday as I was preparing to exit the interstate in the bus there were two things I saw that made me react before the exit. A 35 mph sign for the off ramp and traffic waiting at the light. I slowed down on the interstate necessitating people honking. The distance from the beginning of the off ramp to the moderate lane apex wasn’t enough time to slow down if I maintained speed prior to the exit. I don’t regret slowing down for the sake of safety but others obviously disagreed. A good friend is a former truck driver has beaten into my brain that you can never be too safe in these rigs. Be aware and scanning constantly. The first time he rode with me within 5 minutes he said you aren’t using your mirrors. Scan your mirrors! It’s the little things I hope will keep us all safe.

 

[Scotttkd2]

First- In CA you need a class b non commercial license to drive a coach over 40 feet and it’s not trivial and incredibly time consuming. It consists of a written and driving exam in the coach and a health exam questionnaire to be completed by a physician. This might seen onerous to many but this and or some type of licensing requirement is not a bad thing. 40,000 lbs+ is not stopping on a dime. I took a class to prepare and I learned things I didn’t know.

When we lived in CA I traded my 30 ft gasser for a 41 ft DP and no mention of needing any license upgrade at purchase time or any time after. I was aware of TX, but hadn't heard that about CA. Dealer made no mention (no surprise there either) and I was woefully unprepared for the size difference. My wife was always surprised at how tired I would be after a normal day of driving, and I would tell her its because you cant lose focus even for a second. Heavy traffic I would always be scanning for a way out of anything developing on the road ahead, and scanning mirrors for other traffic passing me. Don't even get me started on the steer tire blowout, although I was surprised at how time slowed and I was able to think through attempting to accelerate and then just as fast abandon that for getting in the brakes as I realized we were headed for the median. I would endorse a simulator and happily pay for the experience if a vendor would make one available in a venue I was going to be at.

 

[sheridany]

I would endorse a simulator and happily pay for the experience if a vendor would make one available in a venue I was going to be at.

That’s a great idea and one many could benefit from. It doesn’t matter if you are driving a class c or a Newell/prevost. Things can happen equally the same to anyone. I’d be first to sign up.

 

[DennisT]

I’ll be making a couple calls this week to see if there is any interest from a couple companies in providing this at larger gatherings. One is a company that uses it to train their drivers and the other is the supplier of the technology.

How nice would it be to have a simulator session as part of a factory pickup - hmmm, maybe some additional calls.

Will post what I get regardless of the outcomes.

 

[Neal]

RV rallies I've been to someone offered a RV driving safety course or something along that line. I believe it's more of an intro such as getting your significant other in the driver's seat and basic driving, parking, etc. As to crisis prep, that would be valuable but haven't heard of an offering.

 

[Tnedator]

I would gladly pay for, and travel to, I location with a simulator.

 

[Tnedator]

RV rallies I've been to someone offered a RV driving safety course or something along that line. I believe it's more of an intro such as getting your significant other in the driver's seat and basic driving, parking, etc. As to crisis prep, that would be valuable but haven't heard of an offering.

Coincident with the pickup of my Thor ACE, I did a two day RV Driving School class. Then, shortly after getting the Newmar, I setup another class, and while it was mostly to try and get my wife comfortable, I wanted to see any additional tips and corrections the instructor gave me having moved up to a larger DP over the smaller gasser.

 

[AbdRahim]

I also did, RVDriving School when I got the Newmar. I alsospent at least six months watching every instructional video on commercial, bus,school bus and tractir trailer driving that I could find. By the time I got in the 37’ BayStar, I thought “this is is much easier than I expected”, since I was oreparing fir a 45 foot bus.

I then satin the driver seat of my buddy’s tractor-trailer. Bumping the dick, and ally dock parking would take some practice, but I don’t think I would have any trouble driving that either.

One can never have too much training. One of the best driving courses I eb
ver attended was mandated by the company I was working for. This was after 40 or so years of experience in many types of vehicles. It was taught by race car drivers and a firmer state trooper. It consisted of class room and in car (yours) maneuvering, and skid training. I really learned what that car could do. I also learned that there were a few things that I could employ better techniques for, that with which I was familiar.


And yes, some of those short 35 mph exits do require slowing down on the highway before entering. Iam reminded if a guy with a BMW, in the old days,
Who thought that 35 mph did not apply to BMW’s. He ended up paying fir a new rear end on the car.

I forgot about one once, and it was on,y God’s grace that kept it upright that night.

 

[Joe Dutchstar]

We also went to a Safety Rally early on and took a RVDriving Course. The course concept was pretty good, execution was far from useful. It was the last time Gail drove the RV.
Instructor, who was supposedly familiar with the area guided Gail into a low branch on a no shoulder narrow road. Immediately stopped to assess damage. Instructor then stated that our New Newmar with less than 1000 miles received its first of many scratches.
Lesson ended right there. Still asked for full price and a tip to boot.
Be careful with training personnel.

 

[L884593]

I pull a 36' Fifth wheel; i grew up in the country driving(sometimes before 16)large flatbed truck, trailers with hay from the fields. I've wondered the past couple years as trucks with triailers, i knew were over payload, passing me on the highway running 70mpm. I'm not for 'more government' ever i'm just surprised to think anyone can purchase a TT,5th wheel, or large coach(below CDL level) with no experience and take off down the road. Things can happen so quickley..

 

[Joe Dutchstar]

I'm not for 'more government' ever i'm just surprised to think anyone can purchase a TT,5th wheel, or large coach(below CDL level) with no experience and take off down the road. Things can happen so quickley..

Agreed,

When we did FPU at Newmar, they did take each of us for a drive down the street to familiarize us with driving the RV when we did FPU. It was relatively brief but covered the basics of a 40' Gas rig, CanyonStar.
Curious what will be covered when we pick up the DutchStar.
Here in Florida, all you need is the keys, insurance and a regular drivers license, and you are off!! Quite the change from your Toyota Camry, I'd say....

 

[Bigblockyeti]

I've wondered the past couple years as trucks with triailers, i knew were over payload, passing me on the highway running 70mpm. I'm not for 'more government' ever . . . . .

I'm very, very much not for more government either but I would like to see the current rules better enforced when those disobeying them are putting me, my family and other motorists in danger. Accountability is a strong motivator and sadly absent in too many areas. Those who don't want or feel like they need adequate insurance force me to carry uninsured motorist coverage, I'd much rather others just be forced (as they're already legally required) to carry adequate coverage.

My bro was hit by a DA driving daddy's Pacifica with daddy's insurance policy (the man child [28] almost certainly was uninsurable on his own). Totaled the Pacifica, my bro's '16 Sienna & small trailer as well as a very clean '18 Accord. Excluding the Pacifica the damage done with real life used values was around $55K, kiddo had only $25K property damage coverage so everyone gets pro-rated. The replacement minivan at $50K sure as heck wasn't pro-rated, $200 to replace a $2500 trailer didn't go far and I'm guessing the Accord owner was equally fleeced.

I'm going to get a bumper sticker that reads: "Underinsured motorist coverage provided by the value of your spare kidney"

 

[Joe Dutchstar]

Unfortunately the responsible citizens have to pickup the cost of the irresponsible bunch. Such is life in the US and other places.

Florida Has The Highest Rate Of Uninsured Drivers In The U.S. | Law Offices of McCullough & Leboff, P.A.

Florida Has The Highest Rate Of Uninsured Drivers In The U.S.

www.flafirm.com