Читать книгу RVs & Campers For Dummies - Christopher Hodapp - Страница 38

Even though they’re big-rig trucks or buses under the floor, these monsters of the RV world really are remarkably easy to drive. These massive rigs generally have air suspensions and air brakes for a smoother ride and greater safety, so you won’t feel like you’re hauling a load of railroad ties to Poughkeepsie. They’ve got automatic transmissions, cruise control, power steering and brakes, everything you’re used to in your Subaru, just a lot more of it. The driver and passenger seats can feel a lot like a La-Z-Boy recliner. And the most recent models are bristling with video cameras and a big video monitor to help you see everything around you before you change lanes or back up.

Unlike drivers of commercial trucks, most states don’t require motorhome drivers to have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to drive a Class A motorhome, even if it’s the size of a Walmart semitruck. If you’re considering buying a Class A (or an extremely large fifth-wheel trailer), check with the bureau of motor vehicles in your state about their RV driver’s license requirements. Some may have weight and length restrictions that will require you to pass a CDL test, which can be daunting. Fear not — we talk lots more about piloting your RV in Chapter 11.

Just because somebody handed you the keys and you don’t need a special license to drive one, doesn’t mean it will be as simple as getting used to the quirks of an unfamiliar rental car. As easy to drive as Class A builders try to make them, you can’t just hop in and drive away from the dealer without some basic lessons and practice. Their sheer size, weight, and design make these giants extremely dangerous to you, your passengers, other drivers, pedestrians, and surrounding objects if you don’t know what you’re doing. Fortunately, a few large dealers are starting to come around, offering a driving confidence course. All of them should do so.

Any avid watcher of Wile E. Coyote cartoons can tell you that accidents and emergencies can happen at any time. If you’re traveling with a spouse, partner, or friend on a regular basis, they need to get behind the wheel and get comfortable driving your rig, too. Your copilot should know the basics and peculiarities of driving your motorhome and feel confident doing so if need be. If you’re the kind of person who insists on doing all the driving and never relinquishing the driver’s seat under any circumstances, that won’t help anyone if you break your leg or an anvil falls on your head.