We've past the 5000 mile mark.

Topic: We've past the 5000 mile mark. (Read 714 times) previous topic - next topic

We've past the 5000 mile mark.

March 02, 2016, 01:01:17 am

I had heard mention of becoming comfortable driving our coach by the time we had put 5000 miles on her. Well I would not have believed while driving it home from Denver (1900 miles) that I would ever be driving with ONE hand. Much of that trip was white nuckels, especially thru New Mexico where everyone is going 70 mph and I'm at 55 passing only tractors.
Now after going down a few roads (Cape Arago state park) that I shouldn't go. And turning around a few places where I shouldn't have been ( gated community access on a major HWY). Most other roads where I should be are becoming very comfortable (relatively speaking that is). Now at 5839.

So it seems the 5000 mile rule is true.

Re: We've past the 5000 mile mark.

Reply #1 – March 02, 2016, 01:06:18 am

Sounds about right Bob....am over 10,000 now & really just feels you're like driving a big ol' SUV....congratulations on a safe trip!

Re: We've past the 5000 mile mark.

Reply #2 – March 02, 2016, 05:57:50 am

Yes it takes a bit but those roads you should not be on still happen it se Ms from time to time but experience driving makes it a non event. Oh I am sitting around 360k on my coaches about now. It is not the miles I think about any longer but the gallons of fuel.

Re: We've past the 5000 mile mark.

Reply #3 – March 02, 2016, 11:04:18 am

Sounds like your doing fine Bob... After another trip or 2 you will be looking like one of these Arkansas frozen chicken haulers in a low riding Pete... Some of these boys are too cool for photo and you are on your way.

Re: We've past the 5000 mile mark.

Reply #4 – March 03, 2016, 01:11:36 pm

Yes, you're right. The more you drive it, the more confident you become. I've now become so confident that my main fear is over-confidence. Occasionally I have to remind myself I'm driving a giant machine and not my every day car!

Re: We've past the 5000 mile mark.

Reply #5 – March 03, 2016, 02:42:19 pm

Quote from: Jeff H – March 03, 2016, 01:11:36 pm

Yes, you're right. The more you drive it, the more confident you become. I've now become so confident that my main fear is over-confidence. Occasionally I have to remind myself I'm driving a giant machine and not my every day car!

I tell that to myself everyday. I drive semi for a living and to me my big truck is no different than my car,I have driven it so long it isn't Big anymore. But it is,especially to people in cars,I have to and try to remember that each time I get behind the wheel.

Re: We've past the 5000 mile mark.

Reply #6 – March 03, 2016, 05:12:51 pm

We have driven a little over 10k since buying her in October 2014. But I have to agree with Jeff. It's the over-confidence or loss of concentration that I try to guard against all the time. Either can be disastrous.

Re: We've past the 5000 mile mark.

Reply #7 – March 03, 2016, 06:33:49 pm

With 300K on three coaches, I'm looking way ahead to look for possible weirdness, I'm also spending as much time with my mirrors to see the little cars coming up, as they are the most dangerous for us, should we pull into the fast lane to pass and not see the dweebs trying to pass on the right.

Re: We've past the 5000 mile mark.

Reply #8 – March 03, 2016, 09:08:35 pm

...also it's a lot easier to go a lot faster and not even feel it....before you know it, you're up there at 85+....the ride's so smooth, you're just floating down the highway, really gotta watch the speed.....

Re: We've past the 5000 mile mark.

Reply #9 – March 03, 2016, 11:24:11 pm

A little over half way there, I am still a little tense on the freeways here in LA. Should be right at it when we get back to Nac.

Re: We've past the 5000 mile mark.

Reply #10 – March 04, 2016, 09:21:50 am

You learn how to drive quickly when you go through Dallas towards Sherman and they have concrete barriers on both sides with just enough room to squeeze through and you must drive 55 to keep up. That's when you are at attention. Its the turns on to some streets that do not give enough turning room. That's why a tag is great as my 40 ft coach takes a football field to turn and I do run out of room on some turns. I just wait for the traffic to clear and move into the other turning lane so I do not drag the tow over the curb. . DAN

Re: We've past the 5000 mile mark.

Reply #11 – March 04, 2016, 12:07:07 pm

A supervisor long ago told me while driving the Schwans Ice Cream truck that you don't make up time on the road, and I found it to be true. Often pulling up to a stop sign behind the car that passed me miles before. I've been trying not to let the guy behind me affect my driving decisions also. I pull over a fair amount and just let em go buy. Not as many pass me when we get to a two lane now so I'm getting better.

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We've past the 5000 mile mark.

March 02, 2016, 01:01:17 am

Re: We've past the 5000 mile mark.

Reply #1 – March 02, 2016, 01:06:18 am

Re: We've past the 5000 mile mark.

Reply #2 – March 02, 2016, 05:57:50 am

Re: We've past the 5000 mile mark.

Reply #3 – March 02, 2016, 11:04:18 am

Re: We've past the 5000 mile mark.

Reply #4 – March 03, 2016, 01:11:36 pm

Re: We've past the 5000 mile mark.

Reply #5 – March 03, 2016, 02:42:19 pm

Re: We've past the 5000 mile mark.

Reply #6 – March 03, 2016, 05:12:51 pm

Re: We've past the 5000 mile mark.

Reply #7 – March 03, 2016, 06:33:49 pm

Re: We've past the 5000 mile mark.

Reply #8 – March 03, 2016, 09:08:35 pm

Re: We've past the 5000 mile mark.

Reply #9 – March 03, 2016, 11:24:11 pm

Re: We've past the 5000 mile mark.

Reply #10 – March 04, 2016, 09:21:50 am

Re: We've past the 5000 mile mark.

Reply #11 – March 04, 2016, 12:07:07 pm

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