Driving a motorhome

By the end of this topic you can

• You can find your motorhome's height, length and weight and plan a route around them.
• You can make turns that allow for the long wheelbase and rear tail swing.
• You can brake early and use lower gears on grades.
• You can adjust for wind, narrow roads and campground access.
• You can make sure passengers are belted and propane is handled safely.

What you need to know and understand

• Your exact height, including roof air conditioners and antennas, should be written where the driver can see it.
• Low bridges, gas station canopies, parking garages and tree branches are the main height hazards.
• The rear overhang behind the back wheels swings outward when you turn sharply, called tail swing.
• Heavier vehicles need longer stopping distances, and brakes can fade on long downgrades.
• Crosswinds and passing trucks can push a tall motorhome sideways; slowing down is the main defense.
• Some states limit where long motorhomes may travel; California limits housecars over 40 feet to approved highways.
• Passengers should wear seat belts wherever belts are fitted, not walk around while moving.

Plan the route around the vehicle

Car navigation apps do not know your height or length. Use an RV-aware route planner or check the route yourself for low clearances, weight-limited bridges, sharp switchbacks and roads that ban large vehicles.

Plan fuel stops at stations with tall canopies and wide lanes, and check campground access roads before you arrive. If a sign says a road is not suitable for RVs or trailers, believe it.

• Write your height in feet and inches on the dash
• Check clearance signs on bridges and tunnels
• Some tunnels restrict vehicles carrying propane; check before you go
• Avoid driving through towns at rush hour when you can

Turning, tail swing and space

The rear wheels of a long motorhome follow a tighter path than the front, so pull further into the intersection before turning. At the same time, the body behind the rear axle swings the other way. Pulling out of a gas station or parking space, that swing can hit a pump, pillar or another car.

Use both mirrors through every turn, and keep checking them for traffic. Leave much more following distance than in a car and start braking earlier.

1. Check both mirrors and look for anything close to the rear corners.
2. Move forward until the rear wheels will clear the curb.
3. Turn steadily while watching the tail in the mirror on the outside of the turn.
4. Stop if the tail is getting close to an object and reposition.

Hills, wind and weather

Climbing, stay right and let faster traffic pass. Before going down a steep grade, slow down and shift to a lower gear so the engine holds your speed. If brakes overheat, they lose power.

In strong crosswinds, slow down or pull over and wait. On two-lane roads, use turnouts to let traffic pass; California requires this when five or more vehicles are held up behind you.

Common mistakes

• Guessing your height. Measure it, including rooftop units, and keep it in view.
• Following a car GPS into a low bridge or a narrow lane. Use RV-aware routing and read the signs.
• Forgetting tail swing when pulling away from a pump or curb. Watch the rear corners in the mirrors.
• Braking late at car distances. Leave more space and brake gently, early.
• Letting passengers move around unbelted while driving. Everyone stays seated and belted.

Test yourself: Driving a motorhome

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.