Put some money down on a 2002 class A Bounder, now the adventure starts.
We will be part timers looking to be on the road for two to three months at a time, and be home for striper season in Rhode Island.
Now comes the oh no what have I done, now I need to learn how to drive this thing, and I need some stuff to make it comfortable and oh what if we break down in the middle of no where!
This is my wife's dream, I'm the maintenance/driver of her dream machine
It get's how many miles to a gallon!
VanMar said
01:41 PM Sep 5, 2012
Baysailor,
In a previous life, I was the contract manager for a privately owned school transportation contractor. At the age of 27 (many years ago), I started driving buses up to 72 passenger, about 40 feet. As far as I can remember, I took to it almost like a duck to water. All I can say is--practice, practice!
Congratulations on your home away from house. Make sure you have lots of fun cuz the Fun Police are watching! :)
Vance
Loretta said
11:31 PM Sep 5, 2012
Congratulations! We just bought a Class A and Bill is the designated driver. I need to learn. It is a 37 foot and will have a tow dolly in the back with my car. Should be a learning experience! Good luck. As far as mpg, maybe 8 on a good day depending on how much you carry and what you pull. That is what I am hearing from folks.
The Bear II said
12:08 AM Sep 6, 2012
My wife and I went to a large empty parking lot and practiced.
We spend several hours: Backing UP Parking (including parallel parking) Panic Stops Turns in tight areas Adjusting Mirrors to eliminate blind spots
Both of us took turns at the wheel until we both felt comfortable. We've done the same with every new RV we've purchased.
JayKim-no regrets said
06:03 PM Sep 6, 2012
We are FINALLY picking up our (new to us) Alfa seeya 40ft next Thursday!!! We have a 2 day school with the dealership scheduled on Tuesday, then we drive our new baby home after that. Jay (hubby) has never driven anything bigger than the biggest rental truck for moves before, he isn't really nervous about the driving, but more the manouvres. Our dealer has been absolutely wonderful with us during the whole financing/buying process, we are totally confident that he will not allow Jay to drive away in the rig until he is comfortable and in control.
We plan on moving onto the FamCamp on base here for a while, during which we will take short weekend trips to see SC and surrounding States. By the time we are ready to hit the road fulltime (hoefuly 6 months from now) I am sure that he will be able to handle pretty much anything we encounter on our travels. Jay is and always has been the driver, he hears the word 'roadtrip' and lights up!! I prefer being the navigator/sight seeer, I had planned on taking the wheel during the two day school and taking advantage of an experienced big rig driver. Unfortunately, I broke my left wrist two weeks ago, so I can't drive for a while. I would say I am really disappointed, but I would be lying thru' my teeth!! LOL.
Good luck and safe travels to all those just starting out on their new life journeys and also those that lend their long time travel experiences with us, Thank you for sharing!! I will post updates and maybe a pic or two of our adventures in learning! Huggs Kim x
Trabuco said
07:40 PM Sep 6, 2012
Check out betterrving.com They have some great videos for class A's, from backing to adjusting mirrors. There are 7 different videos and they are pretty good.
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Friday 7th of September 2012 06:13:24 PM
baysailor said
07:48 PM Sep 6, 2012
My first trip will be to the local police department.
Rhode Island requires that all vehicle bought out of state have a VIN check, the police provide the service so they will be the first to see the coach. So the deal is you can't register the vehicle without the VIN check, and you can't get to the Police station without the registration??? Fortunatly the dealer will allow me to use a dealer plate, otherwise Im not sure what I would do.
Terry and Jo said
06:18 PM Sep 7, 2012
Ken,
I activated your links, but the second one was written badly with extra words and punctuation at the end. I'm presuming you wanted it to go to the article on adjusting mirrors.
I should also note that under that first video about adjusting mirrors are the other "RV Driver Confidence Course" parts with active links.
I would also suggest that one use the search function on BetterRving's website and type in "driving videos" or something similar to see what other articles are out there. At any rate, that looks like a good site to have bookmarked. At least I'm going to bookmark it. Thanks for the site.
Terry
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Friday 7th of September 2012 06:26:34 PM
Trabuco said
05:35 AM Sep 8, 2012
Thanks Terry, Probably should have left it at betterliving.com and then suggested a search for the how too videos.
Terry and Jo said
06:39 AM Sep 8, 2012
Ken,
It is actually "betterrving" instead of "better living." I changed the spelling in that "title" when I activated the link within that first sentence. Betterliving.com is actually a resource for seniors instead of being RV related.
Terry
baysailor said
12:01 PM Sep 8, 2012
Trabuco
Thanks for the suggestion for BetterRVing, I did find it and it was helpful.
Now we are off to do a final walk through this morning of the Coach!
baysailor said
10:02 PM Sep 13, 2012
The Bus (as my grandson calls it) is home, actually had my wife driving it today, Now the adventure begins
cameogill said
11:49 AM Sep 19, 2012
I am confused that what kind of thread is that ???
Racerguy said
03:45 PM Sep 19, 2012
cameogill wrote:
I am confused that what kind of thread is that ???
Put some money down on a 2002 class A Bounder, now the adventure starts.
We will be part timers looking to be on the road for two to three months at a time, and be home for striper season in Rhode Island.
Now comes the oh no what have I done, now I need to learn how to drive this thing, and I need some stuff to make it comfortable and oh what if we break down in the middle of no where!
This is my wife's dream, I'm the maintenance/driver of her dream machine
It get's how many miles to a gallon!
Baysailor,
In a previous life, I was the contract manager for a privately owned school transportation contractor. At the age of 27 (many years ago), I started driving buses up to 72 passenger, about 40 feet. As far as I can remember, I took to it almost like a duck to water. All I can say is--practice, practice!
Congratulations on your home away from house. Make sure you have lots of fun cuz the Fun Police are watching! :)
Vance
Congratulations! We just bought a Class A and Bill is the designated driver. I need to learn. It is a 37 foot and will have a tow dolly in the back with my car. Should be a learning experience! Good luck. As far as mpg, maybe 8 on a good day depending on how much you carry and what you pull. That is what I am hearing from folks.
We spend several hours:
Backing UP
Parking (including parallel parking)
Panic Stops
Turns in tight areas
Adjusting Mirrors to eliminate blind spots
Both of us took turns at the wheel until we both felt comfortable. We've done the same with every new RV we've purchased.
We plan on moving onto the FamCamp on base here for a while, during which we will take short weekend trips to see SC and surrounding States. By the time we are ready to hit the road fulltime (hoefuly 6 months from now) I am sure that he will be able to handle pretty much anything we encounter on our travels. Jay is and always has been the driver, he hears the word 'roadtrip' and lights up!! I prefer being the navigator/sight seeer, I had planned on taking the wheel during the two day school and taking advantage of an experienced big rig driver. Unfortunately, I broke my left wrist two weeks ago, so I can't drive for a while. I would say I am really disappointed, but I would be lying thru' my teeth!! LOL.
Good luck and safe travels to all those just starting out on their new life journeys and also those that lend their long time travel experiences with us, Thank you for sharing!!
I will post updates and maybe a pic or two of our adventures in learning!
Huggs Kim x
Check out betterrving.com They have some great videos for class A's, from backing to adjusting mirrors. There are 7 different videos and they are pretty good.
Here's a link:
http://www.betterrving.com/Article/RV_Tips/RV_Driving_Course_Adjusting_Mirrors
Edit by moderator: Activated links. Terry
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Friday 7th of September 2012 06:13:24 PM
Rhode Island requires that all vehicle bought out of state have a VIN check, the police provide the service so they will be the first to see the coach.
So the deal is you can't register the vehicle without the VIN check, and you can't get to the Police station without the registration???
Fortunatly the dealer will allow me to use a dealer plate, otherwise Im not sure what I would do.
Ken,
I activated your links, but the second one was written badly with extra words and punctuation at the end. I'm presuming you wanted it to go to the article on adjusting mirrors.
I should also note that under that first video about adjusting mirrors are the other "RV Driver Confidence Course" parts with active links.
I would also suggest that one use the search function on BetterRving's website and type in "driving videos" or something similar to see what other articles are out there. At any rate, that looks like a good site to have bookmarked. At least I'm going to bookmark it. Thanks for the site.
Terry
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Friday 7th of September 2012 06:26:34 PM
Ken,
It is actually "betterrving" instead of "better living." I changed the spelling in that "title" when I activated the link within that first sentence. Betterliving.com is actually a resource for seniors instead of being RV related.
Terry
Thanks for the suggestion for BetterRVing, I did find it and it was helpful.
Now we are off to do a final walk through this morning of the Coach!
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