[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"LiveBlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/livingpioneer.com\/rv-driving-tips\/#LiveBlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/livingpioneer.com\/rv-driving-tips\/","headline":"RV Driving Tips","name":"RV Driving Tips","description":"Learning to drive an RV or motorhome for the first time is a little nerve-wracking. Whether it\u2019s an RV rental or you\u2019ve bought it \u2013 it\u2019s all on you now. While you might be an experienced driver, that all changes when you\u2019re behind the wheel of an RV beast! And whether it\u2019s a Class A, […]","datePublished":"2020-06-21","dateModified":"2024-01-12","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/livingpioneer.com\/author\/pete\/#Person","name":"Pete","url":"https:\/\/livingpioneer.com\/author\/pete\/","identifier":2,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/livingpioneer.com\/wp-content\/litespeed\/avatar\/30c83c48d82c080140bb064c7762d28a.jpg?ver=1779254525","url":"https:\/\/livingpioneer.com\/wp-content\/litespeed\/avatar\/30c83c48d82c080140bb064c7762d28a.jpg?ver=1779254525","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Living Pioneer","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/livingpioneer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/living-pioneer-icon-logo-50x50-1.png","url":"https:\/\/livingpioneer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/living-pioneer-icon-logo-50x50-1.png","width":50,"height":50}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/livingpioneer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/mississippi-80479-600x400-50.jpg","url":"https:\/\/livingpioneer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/mississippi-80479-600x400-50.jpg","height":400,"width":600},"url":"https:\/\/livingpioneer.com\/rv-driving-tips\/","video":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"VideoObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=kZRxg2mwuZY#VideoObject","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=kZRxg2mwuZY","name":"MaxxAir MaxxFan Roof Fan and Vent Review | Product walkthrough","description":"Here is our course on inspecting new and used travel trailers: https:\/\/thesavvycampers.com\/inspectioncourse\/\n\nWe review the Maxxair Maxxfan and let you know if it is worth it to buy, what the pros and cons are, and an in depth guide on its functions.\nCheck it out here: https:\/\/amzn.to\/3wBJBqD\n\nCheck out our website at: www.thesavvycampers.com\n\nThe Savvy Campers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and other sites.","thumbnailUrl":["https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/kZRxg2mwuZY\/default.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/kZRxg2mwuZY\/mqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/kZRxg2mwuZY\/hqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/kZRxg2mwuZY\/sddefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/kZRxg2mwuZY\/maxresdefault.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2021-11-11T00:41:06+00:00","duration":"PT7M49S","embedUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/kZRxg2mwuZY","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCAWVPeW1d4iwKbgX1haoaeg#Organization","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCAWVPeW1d4iwKbgX1haoaeg","name":"The Savvy Campers","description":"","logo":{"url":"https:\/\/yt3.ggpht.com\/ytc\/AIdro_lDqJ_Q7zB2qvnv2oMyivMqdRTxgSw-_iwVpj2PlYFxIw=s800-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj","width":800,"height":800,"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=kZRxg2mwuZY#VideoObject_publisher_logo_ImageObject"}},"potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=kZRxg2mwuZY#VideoObject_potentialAction","target":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=kZRxg2mwuZY&t={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"},"interactionStatistic":[[{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=kZRxg2mwuZY#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_WatchAction","interactionType":{"@type":"WatchAction"},"userInteractionCount":14899}],{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=kZRxg2mwuZY#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_LikeAction","interactionType":{"@type":"LikeAction"},"userInteractionCount":87}]},"about":["RVs","Van Life"],"wordCount":2270,"articleBody":"Learning to drive an RV or motorhome for the first time is a little nerve-wracking. Whether it\u2019s an RV rental or you\u2019ve bought it \u2013 it\u2019s all on you now.While you might be an experienced driver, that all changes when you\u2019re behind the wheel of an RV beast! And whether it\u2019s a Class A, Class B, or Class C \u2013 make no mistake, it\u2019s hard to handle at first.Learning to drive a motorhome isn\u2019t for the feint-of-heart. The good news is that you\u2019ll be far better prepared once you\u2019ve read and properly digested our 15 RV driving tips for first-time motorhome drivers.Read Also: Driving an RV over 70Here are our 15 RV driving tips for new RVers.            Table of Contents                                    show                                                1. Begin Slowly                            2. Before Going on a Long Trip \u2013 Practice\u2026 Practice\u2026 Practice!                            3. Don\u2019t Drive When You\u2019re Distracted                            4. Be Aware of Your RV\u2019s Height                            5. Use a Satnav or a Navigation App                            6. Carefully Schedule Your Fuel Ups                            7. Be Polite on the Road                            8. Don\u2019t Drive When Overly Tired                            9. Pay Attention to the Weather (Like You Never Did Before)                            10. Get Your Mirrors How You Like Them                            11. Brake Earlier Than You Believe Is Necessary                            12. Secure the Interior and Exterior of the RV                            13. Special Restrictions for RV Widths over 102 inches (8.5 feet)                            14. Careful of Picking Up Speed Going Downhill                            15. Perform a Maintenance Check Before Heading Out                            Related Articles        1.\u00a0Begin SlowlyThe one thing that RVs are not is fast. It\u2019s not a Ferrari and it shouldn\u2019t be driven like one either.Most experts concur that even new RV models shouldn\u2019t be driven any faster than 65 MPH and usually closer to 60 MPH is best.These are large vehicles with a long wheelbase. They aren\u2019t as maneuverable as your station wagon or sedan. Driving slower allows more time to react to what\u2019s happening on the road in front and to the side.While there may be some impatient road users honking their horns as they go past, driving faster than 65 MPH is reckless. This applies whether you\u2019re in the RV alone or the family is with you too.Also, while the gas mileage is not as good as with a car, it\u2019s much better when going at a reasonable pace rather than pushing the engine harder.So, longer journeys require a bit more time but have lower fuel costs.Read Also: How Long Does a Travel Trailer Last?2.\u00a0Before Going on a Long Trip \u2013 Practice\u2026 Practice\u2026 Practice!It is a bad idea to plan a big road trip immediately after you purchase or rent an RV. You\u2019re simply not adequately prepared yet.Find a vacant parking lot where you can practice some basic turning, braking, reversing into a parking space, and other typical driving actions.What you\u2019ll appreciate quite quickly is that RVs are heavy, less responsive, and create a different driving experience.The time it takes to bring the recreational vehicle to a complete stop is longer than it is for a smaller, lighter vehicle. Because of this, get used to maintaining a wider gap between your RV and the vehicle in front.It will feel abnormal at first, but you can\u2019t stop on a dime here!Also, when you practice the turns, it\u2019ll become obvious that the turning radius is larger. You\u2019ll need to go wider and turn later to make it.Backing into parking spaces requires practice just like it does with learning to drive a car. It\u2019s helpful to have someone direct you from outside with your windows down so you can hear them.By performing the same parking maneuver several times, you\u2019ll both correct and improve from previous mistakes until you get a much better handle on parking.Once you feel comfortable with the maneuvering in the parking lot, try driving on a few less populated roads to test out driving in traffic.Read Also: RV Dump Station Cost3.\u00a0Don\u2019t Drive When You\u2019re DistractedHaving split attention and being unable to focus is not good if you\u2019re a new RV driver.There are too many things to watch for and to stay aware of as you get comfortable with driving a larger rig. The last thing you need is to add distractions on top of this.We suggest disabling notifications on your phone, turning off the radio or background music, and asking anyone accompanying you to keep quiet unless there\u2019s an emergency.Also, if you have kids, then it\u2019s a good idea to have your partner or a friend take care of them while you get more familiar with your motorhome.Read Also: Leaving Pets in RV4.\u00a0Be Aware of Your RV\u2019s HeightWhile driving a car or truck, the height isn\u2019t usually a worry. An RV is another matter entirely!There will be overpasses, tunnels, and bridges that are quite low with the lingering question of whether your RV can fit under them without getting stuck.Each RV class and model is different. As an example, Class A RVs stand from 10 to 14 feet. Also, if there\u2019s anything fitted custom to the roof such as a MaxxAir Roof Vent Fan [affiliate link] with a protective cover, solar panels, air conditioners, or a roof rack system, then the RV will be taller than its manufacturer\u2019s specifications suggest.https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=kZRxg2mwuZYVideo can\u2019t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: MaxxAir MaxxFan Roof Fan and Vent Review | Product walkthrough (https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=kZRxg2mwuZY)Maxxair Vent Corp 00-04000K Maxxfan Plus Vent 14\u2033 12V (White)Check at Amazon\u24d8 If you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.As a reference, interstate overpasses aren\u2019t much of a concern because they\u2019re usually around 16 feet in height.Conversely, many drive-thru options for banks or fast-food restaurants have overhangs that restrict vehicles to only those 10 feet or below. In this case, you might want to park up and order in person.Look into getting a copy of Trucker Atlas [affiliate link] which can provide information on low-height obstacles and restrictions along your route.5.\u00a0Use a Satnav or a Navigation AppWhile driving, it\u2019s a good idea to outsource the course plotting to a Satnav or navigational app.Why should you do this? Because it\u2019s one less thing to focus on while you\u2019re getting more familiar with driving a large rig.The Garmin DriveSmart 65 Satnav device is excellent [affiliate link]. It\u2019s also possible to use Google Maps or another travel app that can announce when needing to make a turn or continue through a junction.6.\u00a0Carefully Schedule Your Fuel UpsGas stations are designed for cars and trucks \u2013 not RVs. Subsequently, getting into the correct lane to reach the pump station and avoiding any obstacles is challenging for first-time RV drivers.It\u2019s a much better idea to plan to use a truck stop instead. Their gas stations are designed to accommodate long haul trucks and other wider or longer vehicles.The best ones include Love\u2019s, AllStays, TA Petro, Sapp Brothers, and Flying J Travel Centers. The Trucker Path app for iOS and Android mobile devices highlights the different trucker stops along your route. It\u2019s invaluable.7.\u00a0Be Polite on the RoadAs the beast on the road, the RV takes up lots of space!Other drivers are likely to be a little nervous being close to your vehicle too.With driving, because you\u2019re moving slower, there\u2019s time to indicate earlier that you plan to merge with the left lane or that you will be turning off the interstate. You can be an appreciative driver, so let other drivers get in front of you and don\u2019t be in a rush.Other motorists can signal later and react quickly. However, bear in mind that your RV\u2019s movements must be more gradual to ease into and out of traffic over a longer stretch.Read Also: Park Your RV Overnight for Free8.\u00a0Don\u2019t Drive When Overly TiredYou mustn\u2019t drive when you\u2019re too tired.If there\u2019s any chance of your judgment, reaction time, or ability to stay alert being compromised, then don\u2019t drive the RV.Park up at a Walmart, a truck stop, and an RV park and spend the night. Then start fresh in the morning.It only requires one moment where you\u2019re not paying attention because you\u2019re nodding off and it could spell disaster.Remember, an RV is a larger vehicle. When out of control, it\u2019s a dangerous, reasonably fast-moving object. It could cause serious damage or bodily injury to you, other passengers, other drivers, or pedestrians on the road.Also, driving under the influence is not legal or sensible either. Sleep it off, if need be.Read Also: Walmart RV parking9.\u00a0Pay Attention to the Weather (Like You Never Did Before)The different weather systems that roll around the U.S. change considerably from state to state. When you\u2019re taking any trip, that will go across state lines, consider how the weather systems are likely to change there.It\u2019s difficult to keep an RV on the road when the winds pick up on the highway. They can push your vehicle across the road if you\u2019re not careful.A serious rainstorm or ice on the road are all reasons to drive slower and consider pulling off. When it starts thundering down or there are lightning strikes, you want to take shelter at that point.Install a Weather app to give you alerts about bad weather approaching, provide storm warnings, and other useful predictive information to give you a smoother ride.10.\u00a0Get Your Mirrors How You Like ThemTo feel more comfortable behind the wheel, you need side mirrors that you can trust.Whether you have a rented RV, or you\u2019ve bought one, make a point of checking and adjusting your mirrors to exactly the way you want them.It may require a couple of tries to get them perfect. Also, it\u2019s worth re-checking them periodically in case they move out of position or someone has accidentally knocked one out of alignment whilst walking past.11.\u00a0Brake Earlier Than You Believe Is NecessaryGiven that you\u2019re driving an RV that\u2019s thousands of pounds in weight, it\u2019s substantially heavier than the cars you\u2019ve driven before.Even new brake pads will struggle to bring a heavier RV to a stop. It won\u2019t happen in the same amount of time, for sure.There\u2019s no emergency stop or rapid deceleration possible in an RV. It\u2019s a gradual process. So, brake much sooner than you\u2019d normally believe is necessary. It helps when you\u2019re driving slower anyway too.  12.\u00a0Secure the Interior and Exterior of the RVDriving the RV, anything unsecured will slide around. That means a book left on the counter will slide to the floor, a mug of coffee may fly into a side cabinet \u2013 you get the idea!Look around the interior to check for anything that needs cleaning up and putting away. Some cabinets may have lockable doors or drawers to secure them for transport \u2013 take advantage of that.Then look around the exterior to check for anything untoward or that you\u2019ve left out there.If you\u2019ve spent time at a camping spot, perhaps you\u2019ve had something on the RV temporarily and forgotten to remove it. This spot-check finds those items before they become a potential flying hazard to someone else down the road.13.\u00a0Special Restrictions for RV Widths over 102 inches (8.5 feet)A curiosity with RVs is when their width is bigger than most.There are restrictions for RVs with a width greater than 8.5 feet (102 inches) where they\u2019re mostly only permitted on highways.The most problematic states for wider RVs (in no particular order) are:FloridaIllinoisLouisianaMarylandGeorgiaAlabamaArizonaDelawareArizonaNorth CarolinaKentuckyNorth CarolinaMichiganWest VirginiaIf you have an RV that\u2019s wider than most, check the regulations for the states that you\u2019ll be driving through to see if there are additional restrictions.14.\u00a0Careful of Picking Up Speed Going DownhillOddly, an RV picks up speed sooner than a car when traveling downhill.It\u2019s easy to get caught out if you\u2019re not paying attention to it. Then suddenly you\u2019re traveling faster than is advisable.Wrestling back control of your RV once it\u2019s speeding downhill is no easy task. Even a small pothole in the road will make that doubly difficult.Avoid getting into trouble but watch out for sudden downhill stretches when driving over hilly or mountainous terrain.15.\u00a0Perform a Maintenance Check Before Heading OutGiving your RV a maintenance once-over before driving any major distance is worth doing.Checking your tires is the first thing to look at, including your spare ones. Verify that each tire is inflated sufficiently \u2013 but not overinflated. Don\u2019t be overloaded.Also, look for any tires with road damage that makes them unsafe and risks a blowout on the road. Examine the tread depth to verify they still meet safety standards and don\u2019t require replacing.Clear the windscreen and other windows too.Also, check that the hoses and belts are looking good and in the right place. Lastly, double-check that the headlights, taillights, and signaling are all functioning correctly.Related ArticlesDriving a Motorhome After 70: The Golden Years?Park Your RV Overnight for FreeDeeded RV Lots"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"RV Driving Tips","item":"https:\/\/livingpioneer.com\/rv-driving-tips\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]