When Driving Your RV On Trips: A note from a tourist town resident

[foxr]

This has gotten so bad it actually made me register to hopefully educate some of you RV owners and hopefully save some lives and some nerves.

Personally, I believe that if you cannot drive your RV at LEAST the speed limit on highways, you shouldn't be allowed to own one because some of you are causing dangerous situations because of your inability to drive the speed limit and to take others into consideration.

I travel a highway to and from work that goes to a tourist destination and 90% of the slow traffic (meaning 10-40 MPH UNDER the speed limit) are caused by RV drivers.

Not a day goes by that I travel the highway and it's not being congested by an RV driver doing 10-40 MPH UNDER the posted speed limit.

They have even put in a pull over lane for those of you slow drivers but many are too oblivious to figure out that the pull out lane is for THEM (you) and take no regard for others. Pretty selfish.

There are some folks who dont mind passing RV's in a safe and lawful way when it's clear to do so. Unfortunately, there are some non-RV drivers who dont realize they are causing another dangerous situation by following RV drivers (by not passing themselves) making it a long line of cars for those of us who want to drive the posted speed limit.

So please, take into consideration that big long line of vehicles behind you as you tinker along in your own little world giving no regard for those of us who can actually drive the speed limit.

[BruceinFL]

Sounds like US-1 in the FL Keys. 

[SargeW]

Yeah, sometimes I can pull over. Sometimes I can't. Often times the turnouts provided are not near big enough for a rig of my size (nearly 60' when pulling the Jeep).  Also many times the speed limits set on many of the 2 lane back roads are set way too high for even passenger cars to navigate, let alone an RV.

I can sympathize with you though. I spent 50+ years in a tourist state. Visitors everywhere you go, any time of day or night. It can be a pain sometimes.  But you get over it.  After all, tourist dollars pump a lot of funds into local economies.   

[SeilerBird]

Your comprehension of the English language is lacking. It is a speed LIMIT. A limit is described as follows: "a restriction on the size or amount of something permissible or possible". That means that if the speed limit is 50 mph that means that 50 is the fastest speed you can legally drive. It is not the speed that you are suppose to drive. How fast you actually go depends on a lot of factors such as weather, time of day and the amount of traffic. Here in Florida I have people crawl right up on my tail and tailgate me even when I am doing the posted speed limit in the right hand lane. Why don't these idiots pass me when there is plenty of safe places to do so? It is not the slow drivers that are causing the problems and the wrecks, it is the fast impatient drivers that do. People need to worry about their own driving instead of complaining about other people. It would be much safer.

[HappyWanderer]

Sorry, I'll drive at a speed and manor which I determine to be safe for my vehicle under specific road conditions. No one in the rear view mirror is going to push me into doing something stupid.

[scottydl]

Welcome to The RV Forum!

I hope you decide to stick around and learn the many wonderful parts of the RV lifestyle that you currently don't yet appear to understand.

[RedandSilver]

I wonder if the OP has ever driven a Motorhome?  Does he know that many motorhomes can't do the speed limit going up hills?

He said a Highway - but all the images were of 2 lane roads NOT highways IMO.
And where I'm from all 2 lane roads without speed limit signs are 55mph roads.  So he see's someone everyday
doing 15mph in a 55 zone?  I doubt that.  45mph I could believe - but I guess he expects someone to drive the speed limit
even when they are unfamiliar with the area or what is around the next bend.  Again it's different in a 40'+ MH then it is in a car.

I agree with SargeW - when I tow my trailer I'm 65' and you can't just pull over anywhere.

So that sign saying if 5 vehicles are behind you - you have to pull over is not doable for everyone out there.
And maybe I missed it but I didn't see any pullouts in any of the images he posted.

I can see why he might get upset.  Maybe he's not the type to leave earlier and doesn't think he should have to but that everyone
on the road should do the speed limit no matter what.  Well that ain't going to happen.

[Stephen S.]

I agree with HappyWanderer. It is my responsibility to drive my RV in a legal and safe manner. It is everyone else's responsibility to drive their vehicles in a legal and safe manner. Have a little common sense and understanding, and together we can get through traffic without a wreck.

With a larger and longer vehicle, greater stopping distance, restricted views, and unfamiliar roads, I'm gonna be going a bit under the speed limit. Deal with it!!.

[RLSharp]

I would like to know the speed limit on that 2-lane highway. With essentially no shoulders, I can't believe that it is over 55 mph. Sooo, 40 mph under that is 15 mph; it seems to be pretty ridiculous to state that traffic moves that slow -- unless there is or has been an accident. Every day, no way!

R

[OutdoorFT]

What Ive gathered from this one post wonder....they are unhappy because the ones with larger vehicles are getting in this persons way. How do tractor trailers tickle your fancy? some know how to get up and go, others take a little bit. You dont see me on thetruckersreport complaining on how their clutch work is slow and needs to get faster.

Very selfish and ignorant thing to do. Come here and complain RVers arent breaking the traffic laws by exceeding the speed limit. Bravo.

where is your tourist town? Id like to know so I can avoid possibly driving around such arrogant people.

[Arch Hoagland]

I've been stuck behind some slow RV's too. And some slow 4 wheelers. And some slow trucks. And some slow bicycler's who rode in the middle of the lane. And some slow buses.

Slow happens. 

Now count your blessings and move along.

[taoshum]

This has gotten so bad it actually made me register to hopefully educate some of you RV owners and hopefully save some lives and some nerves.

Personally, I believe that if you cannot drive your RV at LEAST the speed limit on highways, you shouldn't be allowed to own one because some of you are causing dangerous situations because of your inability to drive the speed limit and to take others into consideration.

I travel a highway to and from work that goes to a tourist destination and 90% of the slow traffic (meaning 10-40 MPH UNDER the speed limit) are caused by RV drivers.

Not a day goes by that I travel the highway and it's not being congested by an RV driver doing 10-40 MPH UNDER the posted speed limit.

They have even put in a pull over lane for those of you slow drivers but many are too oblivious to figure out that the pull out lane is for THEM (you) and take no regard for others. Pretty selfish.

There are some folks who dont mind passing RV's in a safe and lawful way when it's clear to do so. Unfortunately, there are some non-RV drivers who dont realize they are causing another dangerous situation by following RV drivers (by not passing themselves) making it a long line of cars for those of us who want to drive the posted speed limit.

So please, take into consideration that big long line of vehicles behind you as you tinker along in your own little world giving no regard for those of us who can actually drive the speed limit.

I feel so educated now.  And, now that I'm educated, let me mention a few items.  I live in a tourist mecca town as well.  We have an RV too as well as some motorcycles and other vehicles.  It's true, big RVs don't go as fast as cars, pickups and SUVs.  They don't have the acceleration power or the maneuverability especially when they are in a new place.  By the same token, the cars, pickups and SUVs don't have anywhere near the acceleration, power or maneuverability of a motorcycle.  So, when I'm on a motorcycle the cars, pickups, SUVs and RV's are all going slowly and causing traffic jams.  When I'm in a car, pickup or SUV, the motorcycles are passing me and following too closely plus the RVs are going too slowly to satisfy anyone, except the LEO's.  Finally, when I'm in the RV, everyone is anxious to pass or tailgate and will do almost anything to avoid being behind me in the RV.  They usually fail to understand that heavy vehicles like big trucks or RVs cannot stop or accelerate or corner as well or as quickly as smaller vehicles but they have equal rights on the road.  Then this menagerie of vehicles comes upon a bicycle.  Who gets the right-of-way?   Of course, it's the bicycle or, in some cases, the pedestrian. Everyone could cooperate more and we'd all get there sooner and safer.  Usually, somehow, it all works out and almost all of us get where we are trying to go no matter which vehicle you drive/ride, even the bicycles or the pedestrians. 

I'm curious however, if a motorcycle pulls up behind the OP, does he/she use a pullout and let them by? 

[BIG JOE]

I agree with HappyWanderer. It is my responsibility to drive my RV in a legal and safe manner. It is everyone else's responsibility to drive their vehicles in a legal and safe manner. Have a little common sense and understanding, and together we can get through traffic without a wreck.

With a larger and longer vehicle, greater stopping distance, restricted views, and unfamiliar roads, I'm gonna be going a bit under the speed limit. Deal with it!!.

I Agree too.

If the posted speed limit is 55.. seems the 4 wheelers want to go 60+. If the limit is 65 they want to do 70+. Locals know the roads.. we don't. I operate my RV at a speed that it Safe and Prudent for the conditions... trying my level best to do at least.. the posted speed limit... as best I can, based on Safety and Common Sense.

There is no answer, or fix for the OP's distain.

[Pugapooh]

I think Seilerbird did a good job explaining limit.  I suspect our new friend wants to drive faster than that.

People where I live,Maryland/DC area,want to drive at least 10 miles over the limit.  Trust me, they will pass on hills and double yellow lines!  We usually catch up to them at the next stoplight,so I don't know why they risk lives over a few seconds.

OP,learn to leave earlier and just enjoy the scenery or the song on the radio. 

Maybe OP has RV envy.

[NoOneSpecial]

Well this "friendliest forum on the web for anyone with an RV or an interest in RVing" is sure living up to it's name.

 

[Pugapooh]

Yeah,that OP sure was rude!

[SeilerBird]

Well this "friendliest forum on the web for anyone with an RV or an interest in RVing" is sure living up to it's name.

Yes we are friendly towards anyone with an RV or an interest in RVing and we live up to that name. The OP is not someone who is interested in RVing, he is here to lecture us because we don't drive our RVs exactly the way he thinks we should. No we are not going to be friendly towards people like the OP, he doesn't deserve it. And he will not come back here and admit he was wrong or apologize for being so rude.

[SargeW]

I am not surprised that the OP's post elicited this kind of reaction on a RV web site. Maybe that was the goal. But I will allow him his point of view, even though it's not mine. I too can get frustrated by a slow moving car that decides to pull out in front of me in the RV causing me to lose speed and momentum that will take me 1/2 a mile to build back up. 

But in those times is when I remind myself to "sit back and enjoy the ride".  I will get there eventually, and as long as it is safe and without damage I am happy. If the OP doesn't come back, that's OK. He probably doesn't own an RV as someone already pointed out.  If he does come back, maybe he will learn something.

[prfcdoc]

This post made me think about how differently people react to life. Before I ever had even a tiny inkling that I would ever want to drive an RV, when I came up behind a slow RV on a hill I would get annoyed but it never occurred to me to be angry at the driver--just annoyed at the circumstances. Venting on a forum like this seems almost like a minor case of "road rage" to me. Perhaps it's better this way!
Bob

[winona]

I think some of it too, is that because of size, it appears I'm going slower than I am.  Can't count the number of times someone has turned in front of me a little sooner than I'd like to test the brakes.  Or I'm keeping up with traffic and they feel the need to zip around.  Likewise a small car behind my truck.  They can't see the open road and must dearly need to.   

[Gary RV_Wizard]

About the only thing I can agree with fux0r on is that those of us driving bigger-but-slower rigs should make a special effort to be courteous to those that can and want to move faster.

[John Canfield]

...Personally, I believe that if you cannot drive your RV at LEAST the speed limit on highways, you shouldn't be allowed to own one because some of you are causing dangerous situations because of your inability to drive the speed limit and to take others into consideration.....

We never drive over 65 MPH on major highways due to fuel economy reasons.

Last week we were driving down US 285 from Denver to Buena Vista, 285 is a twisty road with 7% grades up and down. Some of it is two lane, some four lane and some grades have a third lane. Due to the altitude, grade and the need to manage my engine coolant temps,  I'll be running 35-45 MPH which could be 10 or 20 MPH under the speed limit.

When traffic builds behind me, I'll be looking for a turnout to let traffic pass but it could be miles before I find one large enough for our overall length of 65'. That's just the way it is. Our combined weight (coach, trailer, Jeep) is over 40,000 pounds which is a handful to manage on some roads.

I'm going out on a limb and guess you are a younger person and/or an aggressive driver. Patience is a virtue which I encourage you to cultivate.

[UTTransplant]

We have a total length of 50-55' between our truck and trailer. We can drive speed limit pretty much anywhere because the truck is more than capable of towing our TT. That being said, I pull over any time I can when traffic lines up behind me, even if I am driving the speed limit. I get frustrated myself when I am behind a motorhome or TT going 45 in a 55 zone and passing by signed, marked, hard surfaced, and quite long pull-outs! If we RVers just took opportunities to be kind instead of saying "I have a right ..." I think we would all be better off. I would never ask someone to pull over unsafely, but if traffic is lining up behind you, start looking for a spot to let them go by. It is only polite.

[Gods Country]

This has gotten so bad it actually made me register to hopefully educate some of you RV owners and hopefully save some lives and some nerves.

Personally, I believe that if you cannot drive your RV at LEAST the speed limit on highways, you shouldn't be allowed to own one because some of you are causing dangerous situations because of your inability to drive the speed limit and to take others into consideration.

I travel a highway to and from work that goes to a tourist destination and 90% of the slow traffic (meaning 10-40 MPH UNDER the speed limit) are caused by RV drivers.

Not a day goes by that I travel the highway and it's not being congested by an RV driver doing 10-40 MPH UNDER the posted speed limit.

They have even put in a pull over lane for those of you slow drivers but many are too oblivious to figure out that the pull out lane is for THEM (you) and take no regard for others. Pretty selfish.

There are some folks who dont mind passing RV's in a safe and lawful way when it's clear to do so. Unfortunately, there are some non-RV drivers who dont realize they are causing another dangerous situation by following RV drivers (by not passing themselves) making it a long line of cars for those of us who want to drive the posted speed limit.

So please, take into consideration that big long line of vehicles behind you as you tinker along in your own little world giving no regard for those of us who can actually drive the speed limit.

Nice troll post
Get over yourself.

[SMR]

all great points- to the OP- I would rather be behind a slow moving RV than someone taking pictures while driving    or any other distracted driver.

[Sun2Retire]

If we RVers just took opportunities to be kind instead of saying "I have a right ..." I think we would all be better off.

This certainly applies to all drivers, however in my experience I have found far more kind RVers than automobile drivers.

[Jeff in Ferndale Wa]

Nice troll post
Get over yourself.

Yup..

[Oldgator73]

Maybe the OP would like us to operate our RV's in this manner:

https://youtu.be/ohkAxbeMxVo

[Pugapooh]

That.  Was.  Awesome.

[AStravelers]

One thing that the OP wrote that I totally agree with:  The car that pulls up behind me and 'will not pass' even when there is plenty of straight open road.  That happens a lot.

On the other hand I see to many RV'ers oblivious to the vehicles behind them, or on multi lane highways and interstates impeding traffic by driving in lanes toward the center of the multi lane hwy.  I try to always drive in the 1st or 2nd lane from the right, almost never in the center or farthermost left lane. 

On 2 lane hwys, when I come up to a passing lane, I stay to the right and reduce my speed an additional 10-15 mph.  HOWEVER what aggravates me is the cars behind me have no sense of urgency.  Some of them kind of putt, putt along and pass me at a little under the speed limit.  Some have been hanging back 10 car lengths and don't bother to notice the passing lane coming up so they can prepare to pass me, thereby allowing the vehicles behind them to get around me as well. 

Going up a hill with 3%-10% grade, I generally will not pull over and stop in pullouts.  I really dislike loosing all my momentum and the need to start up from a dead stop again.  As stated earlier in passing lanes I do pull to the right and reduce my speed to allow as many to pass as I can.  I do make exceptions.  If I see a long string of cars, 6-10, I will pull over and stop.   Also I more often pull over and stop in pullouts going downhill. 

When a trucker comes up behind me, I work much harder to allow them to pass.  I will anticipate a save passing zone and pull as far to the right as possible and reduce my speed.  Many times I will turn my right hand blinker on as well.  The vast majority of the time the truckers will pass me and usually blink there running lights to say thank you. 

The OP could protest to his state to build some or more passing lanes on the hwy he drives on.