RV Turning Tips
Owning a recreational vehicle offers you the freedom to explore the wilderness however and whenever you want to do it. But if you’re new to the world of RVs, you may feel some trepidation about them, especially when it comes to learning how to drive or tow one. Whether you’ve got a motorhome that you drive or a trailer that’s towed behind your vehicle, you’ve got to relearn some of the basics of driving as they apply to RVs, which are heavier and bulkier than your average passenger car or truck.
One of the most challenging aspects of learning to drive or tow an RV is taking turns. Because of the different center of gravity and the length and weight of the vehicle, an RV can be very tricky to turn if you’re not used to it.
Fortunately, The Outpost RV in Middlebury is your Indiana RV dealer and we’re here to help. Below, you’ll find some useful strategies that should help to make turning with your RV much easier so that you can drive out to your campsite with confidence.
How RVs Handle
As mentioned above, an RV handles differently than a typical car or truck. Even an experienced driver knows how difficult it can be to master driving an RV. The biggest challenge is the size of your RV. The height of RVs means that their center of gravity is much higher, which can make a turn feel precipitous if taken at too high a speed.
Also, the weight behind you means you have to be more cautious about braking and about lowering your speed to ensure you don’t hit anything. Finally, the length of the vehicle means you have to pull out further before taking a turn so that you don’t run into a curb or other vehicle. Understanding how your RV handles will help you to understand what you need to do to turn it successfully.
Take a Course
If you’re new to RVs, one way you can learn how to master them is to take an RV driving course. A professional teacher can help you to learn the skills you need to know in a safe environment, and you can choose between classes or individual lessons. If you know someone who has experience with RVs, you can also ask them to show you the ropes by taking your RV to an empty parking lot where you can try out turning, reversing, braking and parking until you gain more confidence in your skills.
Reduce Trailer Sway
If you’re towing a trailer, then you’ll want to be mindful of trailer sway, which can cause you to veer into other lanes of traffic or even hit the curb as you’re trying to turn. Factors that can increase the risk of trailer sway include an unbalanced cargo load, poor tire pressure, an unsecure hitch and high winds.
To that end, making sure that your cargo is balanced evenly from left to right and front to back will help you significantly. Also, check your trailer’s tires and air them up before you leave, and make sure your towing vehicle’s tires are also aired up and in good shape. Secure your hitch in place and double-check it before you start driving. If you find that winds have picked up in your area while you’re driving, you may want to pull over until they die down. Check the forecast before you depart to make sure you’re not heading into a storm, too.
Driving a Motorhome
If your RV is a motorhome, then you’ll need to be mindful of your center of gravity and the size of your vehicle. The longer your motorhome is, the more you’ll need to pull out in advance of a turn at an intersection in order to clear the curb and stay in your lane. Remember that your tires are underneath you and not in front of you like in a typical car so your turn radius has to be bigger. Watch your blind spots, as your motorhome will make it more challenging to see pedestrians, bicyclists and cars on either side of you.
We hope these tips help to make turning your RV easier to do. When you’re ready to look at some RVs, check our website to see the fine selection of new and used RVs for sale at our Middlebury, IN, dealership. The Outpost RV proudly serves the city of Kalamazoo, MI.