Class A Motorhome Driving Tips
The sheer luxury and comfort provided by a Class A motorhome can’t be found in any other type of recreational vehicle, which is what has led to their soaring popularity among weekend travelers as well as full-time RVers alike. But for the uninitiated, driving something as large as a Class A motorhome may seem like an overwhelming challenge. If you know a few strategies for driving these motorhomes, though, you should be able to operate them like a pro in no time.
Mastering the Air Brakes
One of the most important things to know about a Class A motorhome is that their brakes are not the same as the brakes on other types of motorhomes or the cars and trucks you typically drive. Your average vehicle is going to have hydraulic brakes, which use a hydraulic fluid to let you bring the car to a stop quickly by applying increasing pressure (think about how you can stop your car very suddenly by slamming on the brakes, compared to bringing the car to a slower stop by pressing the pedal down more gently).
Your Class A motorhome has air brakes instead of hydraulic brakes, due to its large size. These brakes make use of air compression instead of fluid to stop the motorhome. The main thing to know about these brakes is that they will not stop the motorhome any faster the harder you press them. Instead, you must apply even pressure constantly over several seconds to bring the motorhome to a full stop. Air brakes can be used even when they leak, compared to hydraulic brakes, which will fail.
Increasing Your Following Distance
Because of the air brakes and the sheer size and weight of your Class A motorhome, you’re also going to need to increase the distance at which you follow other vehicles on the highway. While a few seconds is enough of a distance for a small car, your motorhome will require several seconds to come to a full stop. Be mindful of other motorists who may try to take advantage of the space cushion you’ve created and swerve into it.
Slowing Down
You’ll also need to make sure that you’re not going too fast when driving your Class A motorhome. Motorhomes have a higher center of gravity and they can be more prone to tipping over, especially if you take turns at too high of a speed. You’ll want to drive at least five to ten miles below the posted speed limit on any road you’re on, and slow down significantly before you take any turns.
Come on down to our Winter Garden, FL, dealership location to view our wide stock of new and used motorhomes for sale, including luxury models. Talk to our staff if you’d like to make use of our financing options on your luxury motorhome purchase. Independence RV is a destination dealership, attracting buyers from much of North America. The dealership is located in Winter Garden, FL, near the attractions district.