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By Brent Peterson
Whether towing a trailer or piloting a motorhome, bad driving is bad driving. To make matters worse, every (bad) move and (poor) decision you make in an RV is amplified due to the sheer size and weight of the vehicle(s). It's one thing to lead foot behind the wheel of a Toyota Camry, quite another to bully the slow lane in a 40' diesel pusher. And in the end, such behavior puts your family – and mine – at risk. Fortunately, most bad driving falls into one of a handful of categories. Actually, make that one of seven categories, as outlined below. Any sound familiar?
Continued from newsletter
Jekyll & Hyde Syndrome
You know this guy. He's wound pretty tight, a tad on the competitive side, and always in a terrible hurry. Put him in the driver's seat and get ready for a white-knuckle experience from point A to B. Aggressive driving – darting through traffic, constant tailgating, excessive acceleration and braking, high-risk maneuvers – is no fun for anybody. And by the looks of that vein bulging out of the driver's forehead, probably not much good for him, either. RVs aren't sports cars, they weren't meant for this kind of transport. We know you're in a rush to start your vacation, but this is no way to do it. Relax. Keep speeds in check. Find a lane and stick with it. As the old saying goes, If you're in such a hurry, you should have left yesterday. On the opposite side of the coin is the overly passive type, driving too slowly, hesitant over the slightest lane change. Meek driving is just as bad because it forces those around you to flee your wake, which can result in rushed decisions on their part. Those unsure of their abilities behind the wheel need practice. Find an empty parking lot and see what you – and your RV – are capable of. Enlist the help of a dedicated co-pilot to help plot the course so you're able to keep your mind on the driving at hand. Remember, It's Not a Car
Most of us spend the vast majority of the time driving a car, truck, or SUV, which, for the most part, handle pretty well. Acceleration is fairly sprightly and stopping power reliable in times of trouble. Handling, especially for those who've ponied up for a pricey import, is something of a dream. And then there's the motorhome, which, well, drives like a motorhome. In other words, it takes longer to start, stop, and make that regrettable Y-turn. So why are you driving the RV like a sedan? Unrealistic expectations of what a motorhome or tow vehicle can do is never good. Weekender RVers are especially prone to this problem, often forgetting just how slowly a recreational vehicle moves compared to their everyday driving machines. Take a moment to orient yourself. Repeat this mantra: "RVs drive differently." New RVers should spend time practicing driving when traffic is light, with a special eye towards stopping distance and acceleration. Under the Influence
Historically, RVers are some of the best drivers on the road. Your insurance company will tell you the same thing. For starters, the typical RV traveler is older, meaning wiser and generally more experienced. And in driving, experience is half the battle. While just about everyone's gotten the message of the dangers of drinking and driving, alcohol isn't the only influence that might lead to shoddy driving. Fatigue, impaired judgment, and slow reaction times are potential side effects of some medications – prescriptions and over-the-counter versions alike. When taking a new medication, ask your doctor and pharmacist about possible reactions. Read the label carefully. If in doubt, ask the co-pilot to take the wheel. Furthermore, fatigue comes in many forms – and all are bad for driving. Maybe it was the crying baby in the next campsite or that early morning wake up call in order to be first in line at the amusement park. Whatever the cause for your sleepiness, driving with eyes half-open is just screaming for trouble. Weathering it Out
What is it about the elements that always get our moxie going? Perhaps the sensation of braving a snowstorm or pushing on through a dense fog rekindles a pioneering spirit in some. Regardless, paying to have the motorhome towed out of a ditch often cures this impulse. Before you get into a wreck, though, consider these facts. The higher profiles of our motorhomes and trailers make us particularly susceptible to high winds. Slick roads are doubly tough for RV that already need a football-field's worth of road to come to a complete stop. Moreover, heavy loads and the sizable dimensions make performing emergency maneuvers that much more difficult inside an RV. Friends, getting to grandma's house isn't worth an accident. When the tough weather hits, find a rest stop, break out a deck of cards, and sit this one out. Find a campground and bunk it for the night. Or grab some dinner and take your time before getting back out on the road. Be anywhere but toiling on the highway when Mother Nature is doing her thing. Thinking Ahead
The best drivers think a move or two ahead. When is my next exit? How long until I need fuel? Is there a back way out of this McDonald's? Is that an accident up ahead? Is my lane merging? Where's the best place to stop for the night? Decisions, decisions. Conversely, those who find themselves under duress often stay locked in the moment. These folks might not see the signs for the upcoming construction or just may pull into a parking lot without having planned a way out. Tsk, Tsk. And then what? Again, the best way to stay focused on what you're doing now – as well as what you'll need to be doing 10 minutes from now – is to enlist the help of the spouse riding shotgun. Remember, it's a team effort. Too Much of a Good Thing
Disney World is a long way away and vacation time is short. The solution? You guessed it, lots of hard driving. We're talking about epic stints behind the wheel, massive amounts of miles in one sitting, late nights, early mornings, and generally a boot camp approach to getting where you want to go. Sounds fun, doesn't it? Not only is a marathoner approach to driving a bore for those in the back, but it's not good for you or your vehicle. How many hours a day do you think you can go before your senses become dulled into uselessness? To ask a dormant motorhome to knock down a 1,000 miles a day through hills, heat, and highways is not a beneficial exercise. You'll never heed the three A's of driving – Alert, Awake, and Active – as a zombie in the pilot's chair. If this type of trip is a must, take lots of short breaks to ease the monotony. Give the co-pilot ample opportunities to drive. Stretch. Stay hydrated. Clear your head. And then think about asking the boss for a few more vacation days next time. Spaced Out
You're on the phone while looking at the travel atlas, counting change for the tolls, and eating a burrito. Oh, and driving, too. You're yelling at the kids as you search for an off-ramp, daydreaming of catching bass at that secluded fishing hole. Oh, and driving, too. You're debating the spouse about the Cubs rotation, trying to find your sunglasses, and struggling to recall if you unplugged the coffee pot back home. That, and trying to pilot 60' worth of truck and trailer down this two-lane highway. Are you distracted? Hello, hello – anyone there? Get back in the game already. Concentrate on the main task at hand – driving. Before departure, find a place for everything, and everything in its place. That way you won't be scrambling for it while on the go. Give the kids something to do so they're not cart wheeling in the back of the motorhome. Take frequent breaks to eat that burrito, clear out the cobwebs, and make those phone calls. And remember to unplug the coffee pot. Brent Peterson is the author of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to RVing."
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