As an experienced UPS driver with 23 years behind the “Brown wheel” I’ve gotta say this is truly an informed an educational video “reminder” to seasoned professionals and novices alike. Don’t, don’t don’t take knowledge and experience for granted. And for you rookies out there...seek quality knowledge and information like this.....or you’re sure to get some experience! And you probably WON’T enjoy THAT experience!! Happy trails to all. Take your time and find some peace behind the wheel. Pay attention to what’s all around you and aim high in steering. The only space you have total control of is the space in front of you. Leave plenty of it. Drive “as if” everyone around you just got their license and you’re the only professional on the road!
I have my road tomorrow to get into integration. I'm worried about making clean turns in cul de sacs without having to backup. I was wondering how far you keep from objects to prevent tailswing damage
RVgeeks I just noticed we commented a year ago with a similar comment too lol! We must have really liked the video to comment twice lol! - seriously a life saver - Hope to see you guys on the road someday! - Erik & Kala
Honestly when i first started city bus driving with an old diesel powered 40 ft bus, it was overwhelming. In a car you can easily reach the passenger door no problem but in a bus this size, you can't and you could probably fit another car beside your seat. With training you will learn to be more confident maneuvering this beast and tackle almost any road. It took me maybe a day with a good trainer to get used to it. It might take people a little longer but dont worry, before you know it, it's gonna be second nature to you.
It is clear you have a gift and what is best... you are a generous and kind teacher. We have all had failed attempts at learning something. You have made life as a newbie so much better. Thank you. Bob
Thanks very much. Since we boondock in some pretty remote spots (look for a video about that coming soon) it isn't always so clean, but we do try to take good care of our rig. We also make an effort to do video shoots after wash day when possible. 😉
+Randy Bobandy Isn't it amazing that you can drive a 45' motorhome in most states with NO special license or training? But you put a paying passenger on board and it's a whole 'nother ball game! Congrats on your upcoming Class 1, Randy. After driving an RV, you should breeze right through.
I think if you will be my teacher for driving then I would really be more encouraged and motivated to learn and wouldn't be so scared to be decisive on it i know you guys would be terrific teachers!
This is seriously one of the best "how-to" videos I have seen on RUclips - very well done!! Thank you for your time and instructions, sir. Liked and subscribed.
You don't even know how much you just made my day, Red! Out of the 200 or so videos we've made, this is by far my favorite and the one I'm most proud of (followed closely by our other driving video about mirror adjustment). Hearing that it's appreciated is always so meaningful. Thanks for taking the time to write. :)
this is THE BEST video I have seen about the pivot point and rear overhang ... great job. I am an RV Driving School Instructor so these are 2 of the most important concepts I teach new RV drivers.
Thank you so much Candace! That sure means a lot coming from a fellow professional instructor. May I ask where you teach? We're obviously very interested in the topic, and always looking for resources for our viewers. Since this video came out, I've received many requests to teach people to drive their motorhomes, but I'm not really interested in getting back into the teaching biz. ;-)
I am a certified teacher with The RV Driving School. We post our locations on the map, I am based out of Nashville for the last couple of years. Students request a class on the website, then we teach them in their own RV. Your video shows so clearly what we are teaching new RVers. You have done a fantastic job with the drone footage and the GoPro cameras to show EXACTLY what an RV driver should see in their mirrors. Many RVers don't even know HOW to set their mirrors properly, and RV sales reps don't know either. Again, AWESOME job on the video!
Thanks so much again for your nice comments, Candace. What a great thing you're doing teaching people on their own rigs. I do still love teaching people to drive. We had friends come along on a 10-day road trips with us a few years ago. Even though they had never been in an RV before, I insisted that they each drive, since they were talking about buying one. On our 800-mile trip, one of them was behind the wheel of our rig for about 400 miles! And they did indeed buy their own diesel pusher after that. ;-) I just don't want to teach for a living any more, after spending 10 year training drivers on MCIs... in Manhattan! Sounds like you've also seen our mirror video ( ruclips.net/video/ldekjpYQ7Qw/видео.html ). I have a couple of other driving videos in mind, but these are SO hard to create that it may be a while. LOL Take care, and thanks again. - Peter
Thanks for an excellent video. As a tractor trailer driver with twenty-six years experience, I can say that the information you present here is right on the money. Your presentation is clear and unambiguous. Keep On Truckin'!
I was looking for a simple animation of off-tracking to show a new firefighter about driving a fire engine. Same as an RV, just with more noise & flashing lights. This describes, demonstrates, and explains the concept incredibly well. I will be using this with all my rookies from now on. Thank you.
Thanks so much! Great to hear. I’ve trained literally hundreds of professional motorcoach operators, and the very best students I ever had were always fireman. A firetruck, a long RV or a bus are incredibly similar in wheelbase and turning radius, so if you can drive one, you can drive the others!
You guys provide a real service to others.......why I love RUclips so much. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.....personally speaking, it is sincerely appreciated.
Outstanding explanation of off-tracking and results of errant judgement regarding. This type of information should be covered in driver education at a beginner (HS) level.
As a truck driver building my skoolie, I still found this useful. The track of my trailer is much different to the off tracking of the bus, which I subconsciously understood, but would have likely consciously ignored for the muscle memory of driving a combination vehicle. Thanks for the refresher.
That was a really great video! Excellent explanation and view angles that I have not seen when talking about driving large vehicles. I am a bit nervous about taking our bus out on the road when we get it finished, but this really helps. I am DEFINITELY looking forward to more videos about this! Thank you for what you do!
Excellent video guys! Your visuals and aerial shots demonstrate those key driving concepts (tail swing and pivot point) extremely well. I think every RVer should watch this even if it's just as a refresher. These concepts should NOT be learned the hard way.
Thanks so much, Brian. I guess most of us know RVers who've learned some things the hard way all right. We'll try to continue this series as rapidly as possible and see if we can prevent any more of that.
Fellas One of your best vids ( and you have a lot of great ones ) This video should be seen by anybody driving a RV. If I have ever saw a video that needed to be shared or seen, it was this one!!! Great Job!
Just the other day I did a two hour lesson about the vehicle's pivot point. This video gives clarity to what I'm endeavoring to master. Thanks for taking the time to explain v clearly.
wow, MORE of these!!! You, sir, know more than how to drive a class A; you know how to make a teaching video demonstrating clearly how it is done. Hope there are lots more to come.
Thank you for the insight ......BIG coaches can be a scare at first, but like you said in time anyone that can drive a car, can drive a RV....IN TIME!! Happy RVing!!
Guys, this is awesome. I just purchased a 42 foot with a tag and only did the test drive. Did manage go drive some corners but had plenty of room so it was no challenge. It was delivered to the storage lot and it will be in Dec before I can actually will have the time to practice. Your video's on driving are perfect timing for me... Again thank you so very much...
+J Doe Congratulations J! Our next video will be about setting and using your mirrors correctly, but we're so busy with work, it might be a bit. Until then, take your time and always remember to check BOTH mirrors (flat AND convex) on the side you're turning toward. Cardinal rule: "Wheel turns right, head turns right."
You did great work here. I used to drive an FL 70 30' Box truck for Navy Medicine. I learned off tracking the hard way. Took me two sets of steps that were very low and on the right hand side, but I learned my lesson well. in 18 months I only destroyed 2 sets of stairs. My counterparts in the mobile Dental vans...destroyed a set of stairs every month. Seeing the measurement of just how far the tires were spread out was pretty interesting.
Thanks for all the info! My wife and I are picking up a brand new tiffin 34pa coach this Friday we are soooo excited! It's a 36 foot gas coach.I drove school bus when I was 21 years old now I am 59 hope it all comes back to me! I think the biggest thing is to take my time and think about what I am doing...I love your videos and have watched this video a few times ...thanks again!
Thanks so much Steve, and congratulations on your new RV! I'm excited for you! Since you drove a school bus, you should be in really good shape with a 34' motorhome, as the longer rear overhang and slightly shorter wheelbase on the average mid-size motorhome are likely very similar to what you were used to... just as my experience with MCIs was perfect preparation for our 43-footer's longer wheelbase and shorter rear overhang. I have a bit more more off-tracking to watch out for, and you'll likely have a bit more rear overhang swing to keep an eye on (although both are of course always in play). You have the right idea about taking your time when you get back in the saddle after so long, but I bet it will come back to you like riding a bike! Have a blast, and thanks again for your comment. Hearing that our videos have been helpful means a lot, especially the driving videos, as they are particularly near and dear to me. :)
The best video I've seen about driving an RV and I've driven a 44 ft for 4 years. I'd love to see one on parallel parking. We camp in a 46 ft space that we have to parallel park into. Always a scary adventure.
I really enjoy your videos. I was a school bus driver and a driver trainer for 40 years. The videos really get to the meat of subject. One thing I am not too sure about is the overhang and to manage it. Would appreciate more instruction. Thank you for providing this service.
+Connie Greenidge The rear overhang on school buses is usually VERY long, as it is on many Class A motorhomes. Anyone who can handle a school bus will make a great RV driver. 😊
Very good information ... for me, it's too little too late ... almost ripped off my rear bumper at the gas station when I pulled away from pump too sharp and caught tip on cement barrier ... now, I'm anxiously waiting for your next driving tip .. LOL
+Michele-Mike Bradley Ohhh. So sorry to hear. :( We're working on the next tip now... it will take a few weeks to have it ready, but it will be all about mirror adjustment and lane control. Keep it between the lines 'til we get it done!
Great drone work! I learned about off tracking and overhang when I was driving super stretch limousines. It really does become second nature. Eventually you don't even think about it.
Hi Marsha! Thank you so much for your awesome comment! We're so proud of our driving videos (have you seen our other one? ruclips.net/video/ldekjpYQ7Qw/видео.html ) but they are SO time and labor intensive to create that we haven't been able to make time for a third one yet. But we do have a rough draft sketched out of what it would include, and we're hoping to be able to make that happen at some point soon. Thanks again for making our day. Stay tuned, and safe travels! :)
Oh my thank you so much,I have only driven our motorhome about 15 times since we got it this past July but I am the driver and love it! So glad to hear you are going to be doing these videos! What I learned that helped me was use all your mirrors,and I knew that I had to pull past something with my hips before turning but I have driven in the mountains already and did ok!
Planning on buying a RV next spring. The rear overhang tip was one that I never thought of....I'm going to need mirrors and cameras all over mine to feel comfortable driving it.
Great video. The aerial shots were a big plus. I was a full time RVer for over 2 years before I drove big rigs. My RV experience really helped me get my CDL (except for backing-I was awful at first) On the road I saw more collisions from right turns than from left. Also, drivers would forget that rear trailer swing pulling out of a truck stop parking space & sideswipe a $100,000 Peterbilt. Eek-I hate when that happens!
Great video, and easy lesson. It is simple and succinct, which is exactly what people need to understand the geometry of turning a motorhome, especially larger ones with a long wheelbase and overhang.
@@RVgeeks You're welcome. I just purchased a 2002 National Dolphin 5356 from the original owner in Riverside CA for a great price, and I am picking it up today (5/19/2020). It's in pristine condition and has only 20K miles. When I pick it up and drive away, I'll be thinking of everything in your video! I understand the mirror adjustment is important, and will be extra cautious in my awareness of other vehicles and lane alignment, etc., but those right-turns will be one of those things I'll be really watching for, along with the overhang and tracking.
Excellent video (just like the rest of them). As a beginner this helped me out, I never thought of the rear overhang when pulling away from curbs and such! So much stuff to learn lol My motorhome is 31ft long.
+Xiao-Ming Du The 3DR Solo has some really cool autonomous modes. The one we used in that scene is "Orbit" where you set the center point, altitude, radius and speed with a tap of a few buttons on the app. Then just tap either the left or right "play" arrow to have it start circling in either direction, and ignore it. The thing will simply fly perfect circles overhead, keeping the camera facing the center point automatically. It definitely qualifies as super cool, and too much fun! :)
+DirtGoblin Thanks Nick! So good to hear from you. Thanks again for the awesome Lyft ride. We had a blast in San Fran, as always. Now that we're Lyft riders, we know how to get around town even easier than ever. :)
Thanks for these videos. I'm really anxious about driving one in an urban area. I don't know how bus drivers do it and I used to watch them all the time when I rode city buses.
+winebox Hope you find this helpful. Keeping an eye on those mirrors is key, after adjusting them correctly of course: ruclips.net/video/ldekjpYQ7Qw/видео.html And practice first in an open parking area if you can. 😊
I'm excited to get my first RV. I only just began looking at RV's on-line and plan on really taking my time to learn the ins and outs of all brands and types as I move forward. This video was great, even for those who are seasoned commercial drivers. It is never a good time to stop learning as much as one can regarding driving large vehicles. I drove tour buses for five years and then drove semi trucks for four years then returned to tour bus driving for seven years. With my experience, I can confidently drive a large RV however, your video was great as it just reinforces my techniques for driving. Thank you for sharing. Excellent.
+Mainuh Thanks so much Don. Congratulations on your upcoming retirement and best of luck on the deal on the '08 Mountain Aire! And thank you so much for using our tip jar. :) We're working on lots more videos, and the generous support we receive is allowing us to spend more time away from "work" and more time shooting and editing. We have an upcoming video all about mirror adjustment and lane control that we hope you'll find valuable too. Safe travels and be sure to let us know how you make out with your purchase.
I thoroughly enjoyed the "driving Tips" videos; A great resource that's been invaluable. 2 questions: 1) Moving into a left turn, do the right rear wheels off-track past the left front tire the same way as the left rear wheels and the right front tire do during a right turn? The video only depicted right turns. 2) Turning left into a 2 lane street, is the proper procedure to turn left into the far right lane? Suggestion: A driving instructional video on how to drive (park and back-up) an RV while pulling a car (trailer) would be great. Thank you.
Hi Sal! Vehicles off-track identically in both directions (i.e. left & right turns are the same). The reason I focused only on right turns is because they are more challenging than left turns for two reasons. First is because we drive on the right, meaning a right turn starts from a position near the curb, and then ends at a position near the curb. On a left, you're out in the middle of the road, turning into a spot in the middle of the road, so not so close to fixed objects either before or after the turn. Now of course there might be a car sitting at a stopsign or stoplight on your left side as you make a left turn, which leads us to the second reason left turns are easier: because you are sitting on the left side of the vehicle, you have a closer, better look at what's happening down on your left side, making it easier to monitor how close you're getting to a car as you turn left vs how close you're getting to the curb when you turn right (or anything on the curb, like a fire hydrant, phone pole, etc). The answer to your second question is yes, you are correct. Always turn into the far lane when turning left onto a multi-lane road. If you don't, the car following behind you WILL turn into the right lane, coming up on your right side, almost every time! It will also keep you further from any vehicles waiting at the stopsign or stoplight, as mentioned earlier. Hope this helps! And thanks for the great questions and suggestion, and the nice comment. :)
Thank you for this video. Clear and easy to understand. I just bought a 31' Class C RV. I drove a CTA 40' bus in Chicago streets, but that was 40 years ago, so I definitely need to relearn everything.
Thanks so much for the comment! So glad you like the video. It sounds like you have vastly more experience than most RVers, and I’m sure you will take to it like a duck to water. It’s just like riding a bike!
Well done video. Some things most new RVers don't know, and your explanation is excellent. My wife swears that she will nevery drive our (new to us) coach, but just in case, I'll have her watch your stuff. Thanks for posting!
Thanks so much! Hope this can get your wife to at least consider trying a turn behind the wheel. I'd have her start off in a large parking lot, like a mall, when there's not too many people around during a weekday. ;-)
Yes absolutely agree.. that's a great idea..even 6 year's on..😁 Here in Australia 🇦🇺 we have car and motorcycle trailers...I WISH we had the same as you do to tow a car behind the vehicle.
Excellent, practical & serious instruction. I just moved up from a 26’ MH to 30’. The difference is startling. After 4 years of full-timing I had great “muscle memory” for the 26-footer. Now, I must patiently acquire that new 30-footer memory. AND ADD TO THAT the fact that we have just added a toad - WITH NO BACKING! We must pre-judge our path and anticipate our clearances. PATIENCE & DON’T WORRY ABOUT GOING SLOW WITH TRAFFIC BEHIND US!
Certainly a professionally shot, edited and scripted video. Wonderfully clear and easy to follow, an instructional video does is not presented any better than this one. Thank you, Geeks. Very, very much.
This is such a clear video. Thank you. I am a visual learner. Your diagrams and explanations are clear. As I prepare to start full timing and buying my first RV, I will follow your videos! Thanks
Hi Michael! We don't have a Class C available to us to demonstrate that on, but I do have two suggestions: 1) If you haven't already seen our video on setting and using RV mirrors, it's a great start: ruclips.net/video/ldekjpYQ7Qw/видео.html and 2) If you only have one mirror on each side of your RV (which I assume is a flat mirror), I HIGHLY recommend buying a convex for both sides. A stick-on is better than nothing, but a larger, round, adjustable convex that clamps onto the flat mirror arm (if that's possible on your rig) would add a world of visibility and added situational awareness to any RV, regardless of class or size.
+NWHomesteader We've been itching to get our drone involved in showing something more clearly than ever. So great to hear that we seem to have succeeded. Thanks so much!
Well done as always. Would you consider creating a video on driving with a toad, how it impacts the RV steering considerations, and other useful safety tips? Given the size of your rig do you sometimes forget it is there? Always learning and always appreciative...
If I turned off the backup camera and could drive with the mirrors covered, I would have ZERO idea of whether the car was back there or not. LOL We have it on our list to do a video or two about towing the car. We'll try to get to that. Thanks Anthony.
Awesome video. Thanks. One thing that surprised me was the rear shot of the toad, and its amount of off-tracking. It almost hit the curb on the first corner. Eye opening...
This is a fantastic video! I'm not as nervous with tracking as I am the overhang. Practice, practice, practice! Love the visual so thanks for helping us newbies!! Cheers! ~M
+Jammin Along Thanks so much! Always great to hear that this is helpful. And you are correct about the rear overhang.... very hard to pinpoint its precise position without a spotter. To this day, I always take advantage of an available extra set of eyes in close quarters, and that rear overhang is a prime spot to ask them to watch. ;-)
As an experienced UPS driver with 23 years behind the “Brown wheel” I’ve gotta say this is truly an informed an educational video “reminder” to seasoned professionals and novices alike. Don’t, don’t don’t take knowledge and experience for granted. And for you rookies out there...seek quality knowledge and information like this.....or you’re sure to get some experience! And you probably WON’T enjoy THAT experience!! Happy trails to all. Take your time and find some peace behind the wheel. Pay attention to what’s all around you and aim high in steering. The only space you have total control of is the space in front of you. Leave plenty of it. Drive “as if” everyone around you just got their license and you’re the only professional on the road!
It's always great tO hear from fellow professional drivers. Thank you so much for your comments, Forrest. You sure made my day! 😊
I have my road tomorrow to get into integration. I'm worried about making clean turns in cul de sacs without having to backup. I was wondering how far you keep from objects to prevent tailswing damage
This video probably saves us thousands of dollars in repairs in our first year on the road. Thanks guys!
Thank you so much for your awesome comment! You just made my day! 😊
RVgeeks I just noticed we commented a year ago with a similar comment too lol! We must have really liked the video to comment twice lol! - seriously a life saver - Hope to see you guys on the road someday! - Erik & Kala
Honestly when i first started city bus driving with an old diesel powered 40 ft bus, it was overwhelming. In a car you can easily reach the passenger door no problem but in a bus this size, you can't and you could probably fit another car beside your seat. With training you will learn to be more confident maneuvering this beast and tackle almost any road. It took me maybe a day with a good trainer to get used to it. It might take people a little longer but dont worry, before you know it, it's gonna be second nature to you.
This guy not only makes sense but he's educational but he makes sense it's like hard to fight his logic it just makes sense
With over 3 million miles under my belt I just found your channel and subscribed. There is always something to learn!
Jan 2023 - still one of the best reminder videos ever. Thank you! 👍
Thank you so much, William! That’s so great to hear, as I personally feel this is the best video I’ve ever put on RUclips. So you just made my day. 😄
It is clear you have a gift and what is best... you are a generous and kind teacher. We have all had failed attempts at learning something. You have made life as a newbie so much better. Thank you. Bob
He was also a charter bus driver to
Thank you for providing a common sense application of how to drive a large vehicle. By the way, your motorhome always looks immaculate.
Thanks very much. Since we boondock in some pretty remote spots (look for a video about that coming soon) it isn't always so clean, but we do try to take good care of our rig. We also make an effort to do video shoots after wash day when possible. 😉
Im finally getting my class 1 after all these years without driving rigs without it. Should be a piece of cake
+Randy Bobandy Isn't it amazing that you can drive a 45' motorhome in most states with NO special license or training? But you put a paying passenger on board and it's a whole 'nother ball game! Congrats on your upcoming Class 1, Randy. After driving an RV, you should breeze right through.
+RVgeeks I live in Alberta but yeah it should be pretty good
I think if you will be my teacher for driving
then I would really be more encouraged and motivated to learn
and wouldn't be so scared to be decisive on it
i know you guys would be terrific teachers!
This is seriously one of the best "how-to" videos I have seen on RUclips - very well done!! Thank you for your time and instructions, sir. Liked and subscribed.
You don't even know how much you just made my day, Red! Out of the 200 or so videos we've made, this is by far my favorite and the one I'm most proud of (followed closely by our other driving video about mirror adjustment). Hearing that it's appreciated is always so meaningful. Thanks for taking the time to write. :)
Michael C nerger pensacola fl
this is THE BEST video I have seen about the pivot point and rear overhang ... great job. I am an RV Driving School Instructor so these are 2 of the most important concepts I teach new RV drivers.
Thank you so much Candace! That sure means a lot coming from a fellow professional instructor. May I ask where you teach? We're obviously very interested in the topic, and always looking for resources for our viewers. Since this video came out, I've received many requests to teach people to drive their motorhomes, but I'm not really interested in getting back into the teaching biz. ;-)
I am a certified teacher with The RV Driving School. We post our locations on the map, I am based out of Nashville for the last couple of years. Students request a class on the website, then we teach them in their own RV. Your video shows so clearly what we are teaching new RVers. You have done a fantastic job with the drone footage and the GoPro cameras to show EXACTLY what an RV driver should see in their mirrors. Many RVers don't even know HOW to set their mirrors properly, and RV sales reps don't know either. Again, AWESOME job on the video!
Thanks so much again for your nice comments, Candace. What a great thing you're doing teaching people on their own rigs. I do still love teaching people to drive. We had friends come along on a 10-day road trips with us a few years ago. Even though they had never been in an RV before, I insisted that they each drive, since they were talking about buying one. On our 800-mile trip, one of them was behind the wheel of our rig for about 400 miles! And they did indeed buy their own diesel pusher after that. ;-) I just don't want to teach for a living any more, after spending 10 year training drivers on MCIs... in Manhattan!
Sounds like you've also seen our mirror video ( ruclips.net/video/ldekjpYQ7Qw/видео.html ). I have a couple of other driving videos in mind, but these are SO hard to create that it may be a while. LOL Take care, and thanks again. - Peter
Thanks for an excellent video.
As a tractor trailer driver with twenty-six years experience, I can say that the information you present here is right on the money.
Your presentation is clear and unambiguous.
Keep On Truckin'!
Thanks so much Allen! So great to hear a comment like that from a pro. 😀
I was looking for a simple animation of off-tracking to show a new firefighter about driving a fire engine. Same as an RV, just with more noise & flashing lights. This describes, demonstrates, and explains the concept incredibly well. I will be using this with all my rookies from now on. Thank you.
Thanks so much! Great to hear. I’ve trained literally hundreds of professional motorcoach operators, and the very best students I ever had were always fireman. A firetruck, a long RV or a bus are incredibly similar in wheelbase and turning radius, so if you can drive one, you can drive the others!
One of the BEST RV related youtube videos ever made!!
Before i learned to drive a city bus, and this really helped prepare me. Thank you !
You guys make my RV life so much better ! Thanks for sharing !!2013 Coachmen Mirada
First timer, or old hand should watch these great driving videos. Thanks for sharing.
You guys provide a real service to others.......why I love RUclips so much. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.....personally speaking, it is sincerely appreciated.
Thank so much for the nice comment. Means a lot, especially on this particular video, which is our personal favorite. :)
I am so glad mine is under 30 ft. HOLY COW. This was super informative and not full of fluff. Thank you.
Really great video. Came here looking to learn how to drive a coach.
Thanks so much! Great to hear. 😊
I watched this before taking my first A Class RV trip. It helped me drive with confidence. Thanks.
That's great to hear! Thanks for taking the time to let us know we've been helpful 😊
Me right now
Very informative video, well done & explained. I don't have a coach, but if I ever drive one I'll remember these tips...
Outstanding explanation of off-tracking and results of errant judgement regarding. This type of information should be covered in driver education at a beginner (HS) level.
excellent video once again..every first timer should watch.....
Well said...Could not agree more!
Sir, you are an exceptional teacher!!! Your courses have sharpened my skills. Thank you.
Thanks so much, Robert! Great to hear. :)
As a truck driver building my skoolie, I still found this useful. The track of my trailer is much different to the off tracking of the bus, which I subconsciously understood, but would have likely consciously ignored for the muscle memory of driving a combination vehicle. Thanks for the refresher.
That was a really great video! Excellent explanation and view angles that I have not seen when talking about driving large vehicles. I am a bit nervous about taking our bus out on the road when we get it finished, but this really helps. I am DEFINITELY looking forward to more videos about this! Thank you for what you do!
Excellent video guys! Your visuals and aerial shots demonstrate those key driving concepts (tail swing and pivot point) extremely well. I think every RVer should watch this even if it's just as a refresher. These concepts should NOT be learned the hard way.
Thanks so much, Brian. I guess most of us know RVers who've learned some things the hard way all right. We'll try to continue this series as rapidly as possible and see if we can prevent any more of that.
+RVgeeks Sounds like a very informative series in the making!
Fellas One of your best vids ( and you have a lot of great ones ) This video should be seen by anybody driving a RV. If I have ever saw a video that needed to be shared or seen, it was this one!!! Great Job!
+RV Adventure Thanks so much! :) We've got more RV driving videos in the works too.
Great video guys!
Just the other day I did a two hour lesson about the vehicle's pivot point. This video gives clarity to what I'm endeavoring to master. Thanks for taking the time to explain v clearly.
Very good information for newbies and potential RVers.
wow, MORE of these!!!
You, sir, know more than how to drive a class A; you
know how to make a teaching video demonstrating clearly how
it is done. Hope there are lots more to come.
Thank you for the insight ......BIG coaches can be a scare at first, but like you said in time anyone that can drive a car, can drive a RV....IN TIME!! Happy RVing!!
Donald Carey RVs are more like buses.
Guys, this is awesome. I just purchased a 42 foot with a tag and only did the test drive. Did manage go drive some corners but had plenty of room so it was no challenge. It was delivered to the storage lot and it will be in Dec before I can actually will have the time to practice. Your video's on driving are perfect timing for me... Again thank you so very much...
+J Doe Congratulations J! Our next video will be about setting and using your mirrors correctly, but we're so busy with work, it might be a bit. Until then, take your time and always remember to check BOTH mirrors (flat AND convex) on the side you're turning toward. Cardinal rule: "Wheel turns right, head turns right."
You did great work here. I used to drive an FL 70 30' Box truck for Navy Medicine. I learned off tracking the hard way. Took me two sets of steps that were very low and on the right hand side, but I learned my lesson well. in 18 months I only destroyed 2 sets of stairs. My counterparts in the mobile Dental vans...destroyed a set of stairs every month. Seeing the measurement of just how far the tires were spread out was pretty interesting.
This is so clear and easy to understand, really well done.
Great information to pass out to people.
Thank you so much. Yes more videos. I wish I would’ve been given better training. So hard to learn about that swing. Worries me every day.
Thanks for all the info! My wife and I are picking up a brand new tiffin 34pa coach this Friday we are soooo excited! It's a 36 foot gas coach.I drove school bus when I was 21 years old now I am 59 hope it all comes back to me! I think the biggest thing is to take my time and think about what I am doing...I love your videos and have watched this video a few times ...thanks again!
Thanks so much Steve, and congratulations on your new RV! I'm excited for you! Since you drove a school bus, you should be in really good shape with a 34' motorhome, as the longer rear overhang and slightly shorter wheelbase on the average mid-size motorhome are likely very similar to what you were used to... just as my experience with MCIs was perfect preparation for our 43-footer's longer wheelbase and shorter rear overhang. I have a bit more more off-tracking to watch out for, and you'll likely have a bit more rear overhang swing to keep an eye on (although both are of course always in play).
You have the right idea about taking your time when you get back in the saddle after so long, but I bet it will come back to you like riding a bike! Have a blast, and thanks again for your comment. Hearing that our videos have been helpful means a lot, especially the driving videos, as they are particularly near and dear to me. :)
+Steve Wicker Sorry... meant "36 footer" not 34. Why they can't make the model numbers match the length is beyond me! LOL
We don’t even have a rig yet but this is an amazing - easy to understand - video on driving RVs.
The best video I've seen about driving an RV and I've driven a 44 ft for 4 years. I'd love to see one on parallel parking. We camp in a 46 ft space that we have to parallel park into. Always a scary adventure.
I really enjoy your videos. I was a school bus driver and a driver trainer for 40 years. The videos really get to the meat of subject. One thing I am not too sure about is the overhang and to manage it. Would appreciate more instruction. Thank you for providing this service.
+Connie Greenidge The rear overhang on school buses is usually VERY long, as it is on many Class A motorhomes. Anyone who can handle a school bus will make a great RV driver. 😊
Thanx I'm actually working on my cdl and we're talking abt tail swing and your drone shot made more sense that a day in class thanx again
Very good information ... for me, it's too little too late ... almost ripped off my rear bumper at the gas station when I pulled away from pump too sharp and caught tip on cement barrier ... now, I'm anxiously waiting for your next driving tip .. LOL
+Michele-Mike Bradley Ohhh. So sorry to hear. :( We're working on the next tip now... it will take a few weeks to have it ready, but it will be all about mirror adjustment and lane control. Keep it between the lines 'til we get it done!
Great drone work! I learned about off tracking and overhang when I was driving super stretch limousines. It really does become second nature. Eventually you don't even think about it.
+Ryan Losinger Thanks Ryan! That was fun footage to shoot.
Good to know!
I wish you would do more driving videos. This is excellent.
Hi Marsha! Thank you so much for your awesome comment! We're so proud of our driving videos (have you seen our other one? ruclips.net/video/ldekjpYQ7Qw/видео.html ) but they are SO time and labor intensive to create that we haven't been able to make time for a third one yet. But we do have a rough draft sketched out of what it would include, and we're hoping to be able to make that happen at some point soon. Thanks again for making our day. Stay tuned, and safe travels! :)
Thanks, guys, I am proud to say I have watched ALL of your videos in preparation for hitting the road in a few years!
This was filmed beautifully
Thanks so much, Desiree! 😊
Oh my thank you so much,I have only driven our motorhome about 15 times since we got it this past July but I am the driver and love it! So glad to hear you are going to be doing these videos! What I learned that helped me was use all your mirrors,and I knew that I had to pull past something with my hips before turning but I have driven in the mountains already and did ok!
+Janet Clement You go Janet! The next video we're planning in this series is all about setting and using mirrors.
+RVgeeks thank you I will be waiting for that to come our way your knowledge is so impressive guys!
Mr. Geek thank u very much for info. U are good at explaining how to do any activity in u RV . One teacher to another .
Thank you so much for the kind words, Dana! You just made my day. 😊
Planning on buying a RV next spring. The rear overhang tip was one that I never thought of....I'm going to need mirrors and cameras all over mine to feel comfortable driving it.
This video was great for learning to handle my Skoolie and very helpful for referring back to for training my brother to drive my bus
That’s awesome, Thomas! So happy to hear.
Great informative video.This should be mandatory for class A motorhomes
Thanks Debbie! 😊
Wow that a great instructional video for new people to rvs. I will be bypassing this along to my customers when they ask about driving info.
Thanks so much! 😊
Great video. The aerial shots were a big plus. I was a full time RVer for over 2 years before I drove big rigs. My RV experience really helped me get my CDL (except for backing-I was awful at first) On the road I saw more collisions from right turns than from left. Also, drivers would forget that rear trailer swing pulling out of a truck stop parking space & sideswipe a $100,000 Peterbilt. Eek-I hate when that happens!
+Bryant Ford The right side is the weak side for sure, so lots of collisions there.
In trucking we call it the "blind side." I was glad when they came out with motorized mirrors.
Great video, and easy lesson. It is simple and succinct, which is exactly what people need to understand the geometry of turning a motorhome, especially larger ones with a long wheelbase and overhang.
Thanks so much, Greg!
@@RVgeeks You're welcome. I just purchased a 2002 National Dolphin 5356 from the original owner in Riverside CA for a great price, and I am picking it up today (5/19/2020). It's in pristine condition and has only 20K miles. When I pick it up and drive away, I'll be thinking of everything in your video!
I understand the mirror adjustment is important, and will be extra cautious in my awareness of other vehicles and lane alignment, etc., but those right-turns will be one of those things I'll be really watching for, along with the overhang and tracking.
Congratulations Greg! Sounds like a real sweet rig. Speaking of mirrors, just in case you haven’t seen it: ruclips.net/video/ldekjpYQ7Qw/видео.html
Best explanation and demonstration of these topics ever!
Wow amazing video. Getting new rv in.a couple of months and this is perfect for me
Congratulations in advance, Jenny!
Excellent video (just like the rest of them). As a beginner this helped me out, I never thought of the rear overhang when pulling away from curbs and such! So much stuff to learn lol My motorhome is 31ft long.
Please post more of these driving tips!!!!!
+kitesquid We' workin' on it! Glad you like 'em. 😊
after 7:00, both of you are in the scene. then, who was controlling the drone? :)
+Xiao-Ming Du The 3DR Solo has some really cool autonomous modes. The one we used in that scene is "Orbit" where you set the center point, altitude, radius and speed with a tap of a few buttons on the app. Then just tap either the left or right "play" arrow to have it start circling in either direction, and ignore it. The thing will simply fly perfect circles overhead, keeping the camera facing the center point automatically. It definitely qualifies as super cool, and too much fun! :)
I loved this within the first 10 seconds and instantly subscribed. Thank you.
Thanks Austin! Welcome aboard! 😄
Awesome videos! I drove you guys in a Lyft the other week! Hope you enjoyed San Francisco!!!
+DirtGoblin Thanks Nick! So good to hear from you. Thanks again for the awesome Lyft ride. We had a blast in San Fran, as always. Now that we're Lyft riders, we know how to get around town even easier than ever. :)
Great explanation. Seeing what happens helped me to really understand how my RV makes a turn.
Best instructional video .
Thanks, James! Hope it was helpful.
Excellent vid! Going to be driving an RV for the first time. Consuming as many videos like this as I can. Very informative and explained well.
Thanks for these videos. I'm really anxious about driving one in an urban area. I don't know how bus drivers do it and I used to watch them all the time when I rode city buses.
+winebox Hope you find this helpful. Keeping an eye on those mirrors is key, after adjusting them correctly of course:
ruclips.net/video/ldekjpYQ7Qw/видео.html
And practice first in an open parking area if you can. 😊
I'm excited to get my first RV. I only just began looking at RV's on-line and plan on really taking my time to learn the ins and outs of all brands and types as I move forward. This video was great, even for those who are seasoned commercial drivers. It is never a good time to stop learning as much as one can regarding driving large vehicles. I drove tour buses for five years and then drove semi trucks for four years then returned to tour bus driving for seven years. With my experience, I can confidently drive a large RV however, your video was great as it just reinforces my techniques for driving. Thank you for sharing. Excellent.
+The Wandering Fedora Thanks so much! Means a lot coming from a fellow professional driver. 😊
Fantastic video ! Hopefully getting cdl B tomorrow was looking for a video that clearly explained these maneuvers 😎 thank you very much !
Another great video Peter & John. Very well done and super informative. Thanks!
+Mainuh Thanks so much Don. Congratulations on your upcoming retirement and best of luck on the deal on the '08 Mountain Aire! And thank you so much for using our tip jar. :) We're working on lots more videos, and the generous support we receive is allowing us to spend more time away from "work" and more time shooting and editing. We have an upcoming video all about mirror adjustment and lane control that we hope you'll find valuable too. Safe travels and be sure to let us know how you make out with your purchase.
I thoroughly enjoyed the "driving Tips" videos; A great resource that's been invaluable.
2 questions:
1) Moving into a left turn, do the right rear wheels off-track past the left front tire the same way as the left rear wheels and the right front tire do during a right turn? The video only depicted right turns.
2) Turning left into a 2 lane street, is the proper procedure to turn left into the far right lane?
Suggestion: A driving instructional video on how to drive (park and back-up) an RV while pulling a car (trailer) would be great.
Thank you.
Hi Sal! Vehicles off-track identically in both directions (i.e. left & right turns are the same). The reason I focused only on right turns is because they are more challenging than left turns for two reasons. First is because we drive on the right, meaning a right turn starts from a position near the curb, and then ends at a position near the curb. On a left, you're out in the middle of the road, turning into a spot in the middle of the road, so not so close to fixed objects either before or after the turn.
Now of course there might be a car sitting at a stopsign or stoplight on your left side as you make a left turn, which leads us to the second reason left turns are easier: because you are sitting on the left side of the vehicle, you have a closer, better look at what's happening down on your left side, making it easier to monitor how close you're getting to a car as you turn left vs how close you're getting to the curb when you turn right (or anything on the curb, like a fire hydrant, phone pole, etc).
The answer to your second question is yes, you are correct. Always turn into the far lane when turning left onto a multi-lane road. If you don't, the car following behind you WILL turn into the right lane, coming up on your right side, almost every time! It will also keep you further from any vehicles waiting at the stopsign or stoplight, as mentioned earlier.
Hope this helps! And thanks for the great questions and suggestion, and the nice comment. :)
Your videos and expertise is greatly appreciated. I look forward to more of your videos. Thank you!!!
Thanks so much Shawn! ☺️
Thank you for this video. Clear and easy to understand. I just bought a 31' Class C RV. I drove a CTA 40' bus in Chicago streets, but that was 40 years ago, so I definitely need to relearn everything.
Thanks so much for the comment! So glad you like the video. It sounds like you have vastly more experience than most RVers, and I’m sure you will take to it like a duck to water. It’s just like riding a bike!
I'm a new RV owner, and appreciate your videos very much. Thank you!
Congrats on your new RV, Michael, and thanks for the nice comment. It's always nice to hear we've been helpful. :)
Well done video. Some things most new RVers don't know, and your explanation is excellent. My wife swears that she will nevery drive our (new to us) coach, but just in case, I'll have her watch your stuff. Thanks for posting!
Thanks so much! Hope this can get your wife to at least consider trying a turn behind the wheel. I'd have her start off in a large parking lot, like a mall, when there's not too many people around during a weekday. ;-)
Thanks guys, great video. I really hope you're going to do a video about driving with a tow car.
Yes absolutely agree.. that's a great idea..even 6 year's on..😁
Here in Australia 🇦🇺 we have car and motorcycle trailers...I WISH we had the same as you do to tow a car behind the vehicle.
Excellent, practical & serious instruction. I just moved up from a 26’ MH to 30’. The difference is startling. After 4 years of full-timing I had great “muscle memory” for the 26-footer. Now, I must patiently acquire that new 30-footer memory. AND ADD TO THAT the fact that we have just added a toad - WITH NO BACKING! We must pre-judge our path and anticipate our clearances. PATIENCE & DON’T WORRY ABOUT GOING SLOW WITH TRAFFIC BEHIND US!
Congrats on the new RV, Carl! And thanks for the nice comment.
Certainly a professionally shot, edited and scripted video. Wonderfully clear and easy to follow, an instructional video does is not presented any better than this one. Thank you, Geeks. Very, very much.
Thanks so much for the kind words, Robert!!
Great video! One day I hope to own and this gives great demonstrations.
You guys are the very good at this. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Thanks so much, Jack! Glad you found this helpful!
This is so helpful! I just wanted to say thank you for the video and looking forward to seeing more of these driving tips.
Thank you for making the video! It's very informative and presents the observer with an idea of what to expect when driving.
Thanks so much for the nice words, Shawn! This is my personal favorite video we've ever made, so your comment means a lot. :)
This is such a clear video. Thank you. I am a visual learner. Your diagrams and explanations are clear. As I prepare to start full timing and buying my first RV, I will follow your videos! Thanks
Thanks so much!☺️
This is stunningly clear. You have done a fantastic job
Thanks so much JT! 😄
No curbing for the lil house, great video! Nice drone footage. :)
Would like to see a video on how to set the mirrors and use them on a Class C Motorhome with a single mirror.
Hi Michael! We don't have a Class C available to us to demonstrate that on, but I do have two suggestions: 1) If you haven't already seen our video on setting and using RV mirrors, it's a great start: ruclips.net/video/ldekjpYQ7Qw/видео.html and 2) If you only have one mirror on each side of your RV (which I assume is a flat mirror), I HIGHLY recommend buying a convex for both sides. A stick-on is better than nothing, but a larger, round, adjustable convex that clamps onto the flat mirror arm (if that's possible on your rig) would add a world of visibility and added situational awareness to any RV, regardless of class or size.
Good video mate very helpful
Thank you, I've always wondered about this... You guys really know how to explain things concisely and clearly!
+NWHomesteader We've been itching to get our drone involved in showing something more clearly than ever. So great to hear that we seem to have succeeded. Thanks so much!
thanks for this and future videos on driving safety.
Well done as always.
Would you consider creating a video on driving with a toad, how it impacts the RV steering considerations, and other useful safety tips? Given the size of your rig do you sometimes forget it is there?
Always learning and always appreciative...
If I turned off the backup camera and could drive with the mirrors covered, I would have ZERO idea of whether the car was back there or not. LOL
We have it on our list to do a video or two about towing the car. We'll try to get to that. Thanks Anthony.
is a very excellent instructional video thank you
Thank you for this! Helps. Getting a 31 foot class c thor outlaw next month, so nice to prepare.
Wow, so professional. I am confident in renting an RV now.
Wow. Thank you. I’ve always wondered about off tracking in a car. Now I get it!
Newbie here. Someone suggested u guys and i love it!
Thanks so much! Great to have you here with us. 😄
This is an awesome video. The way you illustrated the physics behind the turns makes everything so easy to understand. Thanks.
+Lets RV Thanks! :)
Awesome video. Thanks. One thing that surprised me was the rear shot of the toad, and its amount of off-tracking. It almost hit the curb on the first corner. Eye opening...
Thanks Jack!
It may be second nature to you driving that big bus, but I still thing you're very brave! Great video!
This is a fantastic video! I'm not as nervous with tracking as I am the overhang. Practice, practice, practice! Love the visual so thanks for helping us newbies!! Cheers! ~M
+Jammin Along Thanks so much! Always great to hear that this is helpful. And you are correct about the rear overhang.... very hard to pinpoint its precise position without a spotter. To this day, I always take advantage of an available extra set of eyes in close quarters, and that rear overhang is a prime spot to ask them to watch. ;-)