Sully2
Cincinnati
Senior Member
Joined: 01/20/2003
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
Jhureau881 wrote:Quote:I am very calm and relaxed when driving the coach...better than in the car.
What makes you so tense?
.....The endless diatribes about how our tires are going to explode at 5yrs + 1 day could be the cause. Certainly makes me think twice.
You believe everything you read on this BB????
2000 Country Coach Allure; Cummins ISC 330 HP; 71/2 - 8 MPG regardless
2002 Jeep Liberty
|
RRTom
California USA
Senior Member
Joined: 07/21/2001
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
 Offline
|
Recently drove from L.A. to Grand Tetons in 2 days. I was less stressed than 2 hours of driving on a Friday evening in Southern California commuter traffic.
Relax, enjoy the scenery, check the grip on the steering wheel, check your posture. Leave the problems at home and think about the good time you're going to have at your destination.
Show me your Flamingo
Floyd's Mom and Dad
Tom and Lerinda
2005 Fleetwood Providence 39L
FMCA F340565
Rallies: 9 (so far)
Website: Tom & Rindy's Adventures
|
Birddogman
Pennsylvania
Senior Member
Joined: 08/02/2005
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
I guess my answer is that I’ve always enjoyed driving. I really enjoy driving my fast, open, two-seater and I really enjoy driving my Class A – very different challenges to be sure, but great fun and not stressful at all! The only driving I don’t actively enjoy is driving a boring vehicle (like the crew-cab pick-up that is my daily transportation) in traffic over a route I’ve driven thousands of times before (like to work and back) – but even that is somewhat enjoyable – dicing with the traffic, etc.
More often than not I drive 12 hours (actual time behind the wheel) at a stretch. Our trips are usually at least 1,500 miles in one direction and I have limited time. I drive to get there, not to “smell the roses” on the way. Hope to partially retire at the end of this year and the availability of more time may change my outlook on marathon drives. We'll see.
With the gasser Class A’s I used to drive, I didn’t find that sort of driving stressful (I was having fun – not stressing), but I did find that exhausting because: you felt like you we actually pushing the underpowered thing along; even small bumps would bounce your kidneys loose; you had to scream to be heard above the very loud engine roar and rattles while driving; keeping the thing between the lines at speed required constant sawing at the steering wheel, especially out west with the wind and big rigs passing you at 75 mph; and braking on long downgrades was “interesting”. Plus, I knew I was burning gas at 5-6 mpg – ACK!
With my DP, 12 hours of driving is my idea of a good time. Rolling quietly and smoothly along, watching this magnificent country go by through the huge one-piece windshield with my dogs riding shotgun and providing constant cheerful company for the driver.
No harsh ride, no noise, no fighting to keep the thing on the road in wind, plenty of power to cruise at 65-70, strong service brakes plus a really useful exhaust brake, plus I get at least 9 mpg, even at speed when towing. After a 12 hour driving session, I’m ready for an adult beverage and dinner, but I’m neither stressed nor exhausted – the big, happy grin is still on my face.
I do stop every two or three hours and take the dogs out for a ½ hour run somewhere. I can usually find a place to run them off-lead. As part of running the dogs, I get some good, hard exercise, too. Here, for example, a run in a mountain meadow high over I-81.
After that, we were ready to put down some more miles toward our destination. I find that regular periods of hard exercise helps keep the driver sharp.
PS - is 63 an "old guy"?
2008 Winnebago Journey 39z DP
2004 Jeep Liberty toad
|
donee
Ca. 93063/ Ut 84129
Senior Member
Joined: 03/05/2006
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
FWIW, we usually take a break after about two or three hours on the road.
IF stopping for fuel, I fuel up, then pull out of the way and walk around and check the rig and toad to make sure its all OK.
Do the same at a rest area as well.
With me, it also depends on what kind of traffic we were going thru.
Actually, Iv found the Class A we now have, less stressful to drive than the C.
Hope this helps.
donnie (KA6DON) & Linda
1 rescued furrykid "Buddy"
08 Monaco Monarch 30SFS
09 Jeep Wrangler Sahara Unlimited.
|
TDInewguy
Minneapolis, MN
Senior Member
Joined: 02/15/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
The other thing to consider is how many people you have in the RV. While I really enjoy my family - sometimes things can get a bit tense. My kids are almost 5 and 2.5 - they need a lot of attention. Sometimes DW cant take care of everything - so I need to be the "boss" but driving is not condusive to that.
From your signature - looks like you have a gaggle of kids? that can add to stress... Make sure you have a plan to keep them from being too needy on you. Stop enough too...
most of all - enjoy every day!
SSSStefan
2002 Itasca Horizon 39QD with the Fatboy tires on the back!
2009 VW Jetta TDI Sportwagon - toad!
Aluma 24' Enclosed car hauler
1966 GTO - super cool car as seen on Driven1
|
|
|
tvfrfireman
Portland, Or
Senior Member
Joined: 08/21/2006
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
I am like others in that 300 miles is enough for one day. If you are interested, send me a private message and I will tell you about a terrific spot you passed to break up the trip. If many more people find out about this way point, I won't be able to get in.
|
EndeavorV10
South Elgin, IL
Senior Member
Joined: 06/22/2010
View Profile
Offline
|
All you guys driving DP's...
Bite me... just sayin.  Seriously, I should have test drove one during my search for a Class A. Live and learn!
1999 Class A HR Endeavor LE 36WGS - Ford Triton V10 - F53 Chassis - HWH Levelers
No kids, Basenji/Shepard mix named Loki - Trust me, the name fits!
2009 Escape XLT Deep Blue - Toad - ACME EZE-Tow Dolly
My RV Blog
|
hottubkid
SCHAUMBURG,IL
Senior Member
Joined: 12/29/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
I just tell DW to go take a nap
hottubkid60193@yahoo.com
2004 SOUTHWIND 36E Tow 2003 CRV
|
03FatBoy
Crossville, Tn.
Senior Member
Joined: 12/28/2003
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
Idaho83815 wrote:Well, thoughts:
12 hours is a long time....
Work on your seating/steering wheel adjustments. picture workers have issues behind a computer for 8 hours...
Was this first trip with this rig? Maybe it will get easier.
Take breaks
Signature eludes to five kids...perhaps that could be part of it!
(Just kidding)
I'd work on getting a comfortable seating arrangement. maybe reduce the drive time or take breaks...relax.
For me 12 hrs is to long behind the wheel. 6-8 hours and I'm ready to be parked and set up with a nice glass of wine in my hand. Definitely take breaks and walk around during the breaks.
Melissa & Steve (MNC USNR retired)
FMCA F335327, GS
'05 HR Ambassador 36PDD, Saturn Vue Toad
8.3L Cummins w/ 6sp Allison
|
obgraham
Eastern WA
Senior Member
Joined: 08/30/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
Part of OP's problem was that he had to struggle through Portland's traffic, narrow lanes, and confusing bridges at the midpoint of the trip. No wonder he was tired as he pulled away from Portland on the West side.
|
|
|
