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RV
Manual We are developing an online Manual so that you may enjoy your RV to it's fullest. This is a work in progress and is subject to change at any given time. It is also a generic peace of work and is meant only as a general guide, it should not be taken as absolute fact. Each RV is distinct and individual in it's own right, do not take anything written here literally as it may or may not apply to the exact RV you will be using. Some information provided in these pages are only suggestions. Please read Your RV page as we have more helpful information.
Judging space is important for starting, stopping, and turning and requires good depth perception and practice. RV's are 9 feet tall or taller and that requires special driver's judgment and awareness to recognize low overhanging obstacles like trees and bridges. Another space that is important to judge is following distance. This is the distance between your RV and the vehicle you are following. In good weather and on roads with good visibility, you need to have a following distance that is equal to the distance that you travel in four seconds. Pick a landmark that the vehicle you are following will pass and then count four seconds until your vehicle gets to the same spot. The higher the speed the greater the following distance must be. For bad weather, add at lease one second. For poor visibility, add at least one second. Thus if it's raining, and the roads are wet, the following distance should be the time it takes to cover 6 seconds. Judging space in a parking lot or a driveway entering a fuel station properly can significantly reduce the risk of damaging your RV. Always "see" a forward motion path out of any parking lot, before you enter it. If you get into a situation that requires backing up, you have made a mistake. Backing up is risky under even the best conditions so try to avoid having to do it. Since RV's have relatively long wheelbases and long overhangs compared to automobiles, getting into an uneven driveway can be a real challenge. Taking the "trough" of a driveway on a 45 degree angle is the safest way to perform the maneuver. If there is not enough room to take it on an that angle, try to get the angle closest to 45 degrees. There are many driveways that you don't want to take or you will leave part of your RV on the roadway. Scraping the hitch or bottoming out your chassis can cause significant damage to RV and the driveway. Long rear overhangs on vehicles cause many problems getting into and out of fuel stations, parks, shopping centers, and parking lots. You need to learn the worst case for your RV and practice judging that situation from the driver's seat.
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