Class A Motorhome Driving Tips

When it comes to peak RV luxury, there’s no better place to look than a Class A motorhome. They’re often some of the biggest models on the market and come with some of the best features you can put in an RV. But there’s a little work that needs to go into preparing for life in a Class A motorhome, particularly when it comes to driving it. Driving one of these machines isn’t just about getting used to the bigger size, so your friendly Maine RV dealer, Scott’s Recreation, has provided some tips for mastering this skill. If you need additional help, stop by one of our locations in Turner and Manchester, serving the entire state of Maine including the cities of Portland, Lewiston, and Augusta. 

Brakes

One of the first things you’ll notice when you get behind the wheel is that the brakes are going to feel a little different from what you may be used to. Commuter vehicles that you use every day come with hydraulic brakes. Class A motorhomes come with air brakes. The difference that you want to know about is hydraulic brakes will allow you to stop faster as you apply more pressure to them. This is not the case for air brakes. 

Air brakes use air compression rather than liquid to activate the brakes, which can come with a few advantages, namely in that if something starts to leak, your vehicle will still have slowing and stopping capabilities. However, there’s no fast stopping in general. You’ll only be able to apply the same, continuous pressure to slow the camper down. 

Following Distance

Because of this, you’ll need to be more mindful of how much space you put between yourself and the vehicle in front of you. This is especially true when you’re traveling at high speeds. Between the brakes and the size, there’s no swerving or braking on a dime. You’ll want to give yourself as much space as you need to in order to make emergency decisions in case there’s an incident on the road. We recommend at the very least doubling the amount of follow space you’d normally use for smaller vehicles. Just be prepared for other drivers to take advantage of this space and potentially cut you off. 

Highway Driving

There are some other important concerns you’ll need to be aware of while you’re on the highway. For example, the height of your Class A is going to catch just about every breeze that hits it, from the natural gusts around you to the drag from passing vehicles. If you find yourself getting pushed around on the highway, simply remain calm and keep the nose of your vehicle pointed where it needs to go. Avoid over correcting, as this can make the situation worse. If conditions don’t improve, consider pulling over until the weather gets better. A great way to avoid wind storms is to check for high wind warnings before you roll out every morning. This can let you know if you’ll need to reroute your travel plans or make a stop at some point during the day.

Turning

The final big concern is turning. Of course, the taller rig is going to make turning a little difficult anyway, but Class A motorhomes have a much higher center of gravity than you may be used to. If you’re not careful, you’ll be taking turns on two wheels instead of four. Pay attention to those recommended speed postings as you reach a bend in the road, and then drop your own speed five or ten mph below that. This will keep you firmly planted as you navigate your driving route. 

These will all be helpful in figuring out how to drive a Class A motorhome, but at the end of the day, you’ll want to spend lots of time practicing driving so you can have the experience to back the knowledge. Spend some time behind the wheel before the day of your big trip so you’re more confident when it’s going to count. If you still need an RV to take your family camping in, stop by the premier Maine camper dealer, Scott’s Recreation. We welcome all current and future RV owners from across the state of Maine, including the cities of Turner and Manchester, Portland, Lewiston, and Augusta.