Tiercel
Well-known member
If you have had a Motor Home for a couple of months, you already know all of this.
I am almost 72. I grew up driving farm equipment of every description, including logging rigs from the age of twelve. I worked driving a straight truck for three years as an adult. The first thing I noticed when I looked at this Class C is how much vehicle sticks out beyond the rear wheels. It looked weird, but I dismissed it. Instead, I should have pondered the significance this has.
What I did not consider is the effect of having the pivot point of the rear axel that far forward. It makes it very easy to turn corners without encroaching on the opposing traffic lane, but it has a trade-off. When turning, it swishes your tail end around like a Brontosaurus (I am old enough to have seen a few). The second time I drove this class C, I parked close to some upright guard poles at a gas station. The poles were near the passenger side, further back than my rear axel. As I pulled out, I had to turn hard left. Fortunately, I had a car in front of me and was going no more than 4 miles an hour. The rear swung far more than I instinctively expected and made contact. The damage was only some cosmetic paint from the post transferred to the rear storage door. It actually buffed out, but it taught me a VALUABLE lesson I won't forget.
RVs take a LOT of maintenance. You have to be a DIY person or set aside a significant budget. I bought an old one from a family member but no matter the age, inspect caulk at every seam every few months. If you see a tiny crack that looks closed and too tight for water to get in, YOU ARE WRONG! It needs to be recaulked. Water is starting to destroy your RV. Ignoring it is like ignoring the early warning signs of cancer as far as the RV is concerned. There are many other maintenance issues, but you are in a constant battle against water, driving at full hurricane strength against seams undergoing earthquake strength movement.
RVs are so space-efficient that every inch is accounted for. Layouts and size vary, but there is little room (in the living space) for additions like a vacuum cleaner, ironing boards, a suitcase, even any significant food storage (close to the kitchen).
No matter what you first think or even "second think," your stuff is going to move around far more than you ever imagined. Bottles will turn over. Tall things will get tossed with significant force that will surprise you. The higher they are stored, the harder they will get tossed. The further they are from the pivot point of the rear axle, the harder they will get tossed.
I am sure I have lots more to learn. I am convinced there could be a Bachelor's Degree offed for RVing.
Cheers!
I am almost 72. I grew up driving farm equipment of every description, including logging rigs from the age of twelve. I worked driving a straight truck for three years as an adult. The first thing I noticed when I looked at this Class C is how much vehicle sticks out beyond the rear wheels. It looked weird, but I dismissed it. Instead, I should have pondered the significance this has.
What I did not consider is the effect of having the pivot point of the rear axel that far forward. It makes it very easy to turn corners without encroaching on the opposing traffic lane, but it has a trade-off. When turning, it swishes your tail end around like a Brontosaurus (I am old enough to have seen a few). The second time I drove this class C, I parked close to some upright guard poles at a gas station. The poles were near the passenger side, further back than my rear axel. As I pulled out, I had to turn hard left. Fortunately, I had a car in front of me and was going no more than 4 miles an hour. The rear swung far more than I instinctively expected and made contact. The damage was only some cosmetic paint from the post transferred to the rear storage door. It actually buffed out, but it taught me a VALUABLE lesson I won't forget.
RVs take a LOT of maintenance. You have to be a DIY person or set aside a significant budget. I bought an old one from a family member but no matter the age, inspect caulk at every seam every few months. If you see a tiny crack that looks closed and too tight for water to get in, YOU ARE WRONG! It needs to be recaulked. Water is starting to destroy your RV. Ignoring it is like ignoring the early warning signs of cancer as far as the RV is concerned. There are many other maintenance issues, but you are in a constant battle against water, driving at full hurricane strength against seams undergoing earthquake strength movement.
RVs are so space-efficient that every inch is accounted for. Layouts and size vary, but there is little room (in the living space) for additions like a vacuum cleaner, ironing boards, a suitcase, even any significant food storage (close to the kitchen).
No matter what you first think or even "second think," your stuff is going to move around far more than you ever imagined. Bottles will turn over. Tall things will get tossed with significant force that will surprise you. The higher they are stored, the harder they will get tossed. The further they are from the pivot point of the rear axle, the harder they will get tossed.
I am sure I have lots more to learn. I am convinced there could be a Bachelor's Degree offed for RVing.
Cheers!
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