Newbie Question: How To Make The First Coach The Last Coach

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Newbie Question: How To Make The First Coach The Last Coach

March 12, 2016, 12:04:18 am

I have to say that I've been wanting to purchase my first coach for the longest time, and have both the Realm and the IH-45 on my short list along with the King Aire. My question is not typical and I hope to receive some solid advice.

While I truly want to make the plunge the big factor is learning to drive with good habits in a safe and responsible manner and how to perform basic maintenance tasks. I've contacted a number of dealers and with the exception of one (Lazydays), the answer is the same. Here's the question:

Prior to purchasing a 45' luxury coach, do you provide any detailed driver training?

Lazydays seems to be the only dealer that has an education program, but the problem is that I would like to purchase a higher end coach than they offer in order to make my first coach my last. Also, the Lazydays behind the wheel seat time is limited to its facility. I can "assume" those roads are coach-friendly and I'm more interested in learning to drive and feeling comfortable in real world driving situations.

I contacted Foretravel and asked the same question and the response was that once I buy it, they will teach me how to drive. I responded by asking them what happens if I buy it and then learn than it's simply too much for me to handle? You know the answer...nothing, I'm basically stuck with it.

While I like what I'm seeing with both the Realm and IH-45 as well as the King Aire, where in the heck do I go to learn to drive before I buy? I don't want to be one of those folks who knocks down street signs on the way home or who realizes that I'm simply over my head.

Now, common sense would tell us the RVIA would have some sort of training program. After all, they are funded by the manufacturers and are tasked with bringing more people into the RV world. Well, I contacted them and it seemed like a foreign concept. I pointed out to them that another trade group, the motorcycle industry's (MIC) has been very successful with its Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) and it seems like its new rider training program has resulted in bringing many new riders to the world of motorcycling. The RVIA person seemed to acknowledge it was a good idea, but had nothing to offer.

So, any constructive suggestions on how this rookie can be made comfortable enough to spend the big bucks on a top of the line coach and make the first coach be my last?

Re: Newbie Question: How To Make The First Coach The Last Coach

Reply #1 – March 12, 2016, 08:05:01 am

First,fill out the signature section so we know where you are.There are some rv driving schools nationwide.Another idea would
be to rent a u-haul truck and drive it around,just to get an idea of driving something big.I would bet money there is a forum
member out there near you who would take you for a ride.One last idea,sign your wife up to the foretravel ladies driving school
in oct.Hope that helps.

Re: Newbie Question: How To Make The First Coach The Last Coach

Reply #2 – March 12, 2016, 08:09:23 am

Gadget, it would help if you added city and state that would be convenient for your training

Re: Newbie Question: How To Make The First Coach The Last Coach

Reply #3 – March 12, 2016, 08:14:50 am

My suggestion would be to contact a truck driving school near you. They provide equipment and instructors. Look for CDL training locally.

Re: Newbie Question: How To Make The First Coach The Last Coach

Reply #4 – March 12, 2016, 08:21:35 am

Gadget, PM me with your phone number

Re: Newbie Question: How To Make The First Coach The Last Coach

Reply #5 – March 12, 2016, 08:25:03 am

Quote from: John44 – March 12, 2016, 08:05:01 am

First,fill out the signature section so we know where you are.There are some rv driving schools nationwide.Another idea would
be to rent a u-haul truck and drive it around,just to get an idea of driving something big.I would bet money there is a forum
member out there near you who would take you for a ride.One last idea,sign your wife up to the foretravel ladies driving school
in oct.Hope that helps.

Signature section and Forum info: Done!

Re: Newbie Question: How To Make The First Coach The Last Coach

Reply #6 – March 12, 2016, 08:29:21 am

I'll add that I had a conversation with Gary from RV Basic Training yesterday and he might be able to provide a trainer in my location and we'll simply rent a 45' coach from All Star Rentals in Ft. Lauderdale for some basic training.

All input is greatly appreciated! Thank You!

Re: Newbie Question: How To Make The First Coach The Last Coach

Reply #7 – March 12, 2016, 09:26:18 am

Count yourself lucky to be starting at the top with those sizes of coaches. Lots of folks have progressed up from smaller units, smaller mistakes, and added experience thru their years of ownership. A driving class can save you hugely down the road. If you are one that is a "natural" when it comes to driving things with wheels, machinery, or things that float, you should have little trouble. A rental of a coach of the size you mentioned would be a good way to get the feel of a 45'er.

You have started off on a slippery slope of RV ownership. Enjoy the trip, and safe travels.

Re: Newbie Question: How To Make The First Coach The Last Coach

Reply #8 – March 12, 2016, 09:40:03 am

Even though we had an RV for more the 30 years before we bought our FT we decided to go to RV Driving School.

RV School
School locations – Click on map icon to see the town & date availability |...

They have instructors all over the country, you just need to get close to one of them and they come to you.

We picked up our FT in California and drove about 80 miles on back roads to Palmdale to a nice RV Park. The instructor came to us and spent 12 hours over two days teaching and coaching both of us on driving skills. We drove in the city, two lane roads with shoulders and without, up in some big hills and on the freeway. We drove into a gas station and bought some fuel. We drove into a Target parking lot and figured out where to park. Then we drove into an older much tighter shopping center so he could show us that we could do that too. We spent a couple hours in a big empty parking lot with orange cones learning how to back into different types of camp sites or parking spots. We learned how to make left and right turns and stay in your lane. There was enough space so we could try a hard stop from 45 mph to see what the coach did. He spent time on what to do every day before you set out and each time you stop.

When we were done we had the beginnings of confidence in ourselves and each other to drive carefully and safely and how to help each other. Then comes years of practice. It was very much worth the time and $.

Re: Newbie Question: How To Make The First Coach The Last Coach

Reply #9 – March 12, 2016, 09:46:26 am

Making a mistake when getting into the motorcoach life style can be very costly especially when considering the coaches & invested amounts you're looking at. So be very sure the coach style is for you.

Re: Newbie Question: How To Make The First Coach The Last Coach

Reply #10 – March 12, 2016, 09:58:05 am

You'll know you're not alone if you buy a DVD of "The Long,Long Trailer" with Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz. Good luck, we all remember our first few (daunting) years with motor-coaches! What I keep on my mind after years of cruising is, "it's easy to get into a spot, the challenge is to plan for a way out"!

Re: Newbie Question: How To Make The First Coach The Last Coach

Reply #11 – March 12, 2016, 10:25:09 am

Quote from: John44 – March 12, 2016, 08:05:01 am

One last idea,sign your wife up to the foretravel ladies driving school
in oct.

Unfortunately that's not a FT offering but rather a Motorcade Club offering. You have to be a MC club member, thus already owning a FT, to attend.

Re: Newbie Question: How To Make The First Coach The Last Coach

Reply #12 – March 12, 2016, 01:57:11 pm

I very strongly suggest (because you're considering very large sums of money) to make a much smaller investment (say $50,000) trying out the coach life style for a year or so to ensure you do like this stuff and can handle all it thows at you along the way. Buy an older coach already depreciated for around $80,000 and perform all the fixes for $20,000, does not have to be a Foretravel, and make an effort to learn all the ins and outs before making a $1 million expenditure that will surely depreciate quickly. At the end of your one year test you'd be able to get $50,000 out of it on a sale or trade-in.

Re: Newbie Question: How To Make The First Coach The Last Coach

Reply #13 – March 12, 2016, 02:34:16 pm

Quote from: Peter & Beth – March 12, 2016, 01:57:11 pm

I very strongly suggest (because you're considering very large sums of money) to make a much smaller investment (say $50,000) trying out the coach life style for a year or so to ensure you do like this stuff and can handle all it thows at you along the way. Buy an older coach already depreciated for around $80,000 and perform all the fixes for $20,000, does not have to be a Foretravel, and make an effort to learn all the ins and outs before making a $1 million expenditure that will surely depreciate quickly. At the end of your one year test you'd be able to get $50,000 out of it on a sale or trade-in.

Can you say "bullshit" on this forum? The first AS coach we looked at was pristine: all up-grades, perfect! I asked the sales guy WHY the coach was for sale. He told us the PO was planning to retire and hit the road; sadly, he died before his dream was realized. That comment has stuck with me to this day; I'd say, GO FOR IT! Money spent is no big deal, life enjoyed is priceless!

Re: Newbie Question: How To Make The First Coach The Last Coach

Reply #14 – March 12, 2016, 03:07:24 pm

Ever see a Brinks Armored Truck following a hearse? Ever see a coffin with pockets?
Leave exactly what your parents left you, to your kids.
Enjoy your life. You worked hard for it. You earned it. Work is done. Go play!!

Re: Newbie Question: How To Make The First Coach The Last Coach

Reply #15 – March 12, 2016, 03:14:04 pm

Quote from: Dave and Dolly Cobb – March 12, 2016, 09:26:18 am

Count yourself lucky to be starting at the top with those sizes of coaches. Lots of folks have progressed up from smaller units, smaller mistakes, and added experience thru their years of ownership. A driving class can save you hugely down the road. If you are one that is a "natural" when it comes to driving things with wheels, machinery, or things that float, you should have little trouble. A rental of a coach of the size you mentioned would be a good way to get the feel of a 45'er.

You have started off on a slippery slope of RV ownership. Enjoy the trip, and safe travels.

AND...... Don't forget the whole "towing thing". Whatever, wherever your "practicing" with this coach. Consider that the reverse gear doesn't work. After over 5000 miles we haven't even towed anything yet because we can't seem to go anywhere without backing up for some reason. Any were only 36'. A 45' coach with 20' behind that. Seems like a big bit to take as a newby.

Re: Newbie Question: How To Make The First Coach The Last Coach

Reply #16 – March 12, 2016, 03:57:35 pm

Quote from: mike leary – March 12, 2016, 02:34:16 pm

Can you say "bullshit" on this forum? The first AS coach we looked at was pristine: all up-grades, perfect! I asked the sales guy WHY the coach was for sale. He told us the PO was planning to retire and hit the road; sadly, he died before his dream was realized. That comment has stuck with me to this day; I'd say, GO FOR IT! Money spent is no big deal, life enjoyed is priceless!

As they say, "You only go around once in life..."

Re: Newbie Question: How To Make The First Coach The Last Coach

Reply #17 – March 12, 2016, 05:37:13 pm

So you have to unhook the towed to back up. So, what? One time in 5000 miles. Jeez Louise!! that ratio is 1/5000.
Drive the coach as if you stole it. You aren't buying it to make a garage queen out of it, are you?
They are made to expand your horizons and experiences. You will have insurance, and you will be in the best coach built anywhere!!
I don't see too many 1989 class A coaches around that look anywhere near as good as our '89 Foretravel.
Memories are made best in a Foretravel. Less headaches, less problems at the delivery. Best quality assurance, and the best damn support forum right here!!

Re: Newbie Question: How To Make The First Coach The Last Coach

Reply #18 – March 12, 2016, 06:07:02 pm

Spend the doe ray me on driving school. Rent a 45'er for a week or two. Then, if you want, buy what you want. My guess even if you buy new and decided that you didn't like it you could sell and maybe be out 1 or 200k.

You could buy a very nice FT for 3/400k and probably sell it for close to what you paid.

Nice coach to learn in with minal $$$ loss.

A MH is not an investment.

Re: Newbie Question: How To Make The First Coach The Last Coach

Reply #19 – March 12, 2016, 07:02:20 pm

Quote from: Carol & Scott – March 12, 2016, 06:07:02 pm

A MH is not an investment.

Quote of the month!

Re: Newbie Question: How To Make The First Coach The Last Coach

Reply #20 – March 12, 2016, 07:43:38 pm

I have had some investments that make a motorhome look like a good financial decision.

Re: Newbie Question: How To Make The First Coach The Last Coach

Reply #21 – March 12, 2016, 07:47:52 pm

Peter and Scott's recommendations of starting with a gently-used FT are actually close to what we did.

We started with a high-quality class C (Lazy Daze) - had the requirement that I be comfortable driving it since we share the driving. We quickly discovered that we LOVED the RV lifestyle and wanted something larger for longer trips, so a few years later decided to buy a used Foretravel with the thought that if we found it too big or otherwise not our style, we would sell it and go back to a Lazy Daze. Again, I had to be comfortable driving it. Part of our purchase was the consignment dealer helping us get through our Texas class B licenses. Having in our minds that we were OK will selling the coach if we found it didn't work well for us (and purchasing used so there wouldn't be a huge depreciation hit) made the decision easier.

12 years later, we still have the same Foretravel and know even more what will be important in our next coach.

Re: Newbie Question: How To Make The First Coach The Last Coach

Reply #22 – March 12, 2016, 08:35:04 pm

Manners?

Re: Newbie Question: How To Make The First Coach The Last Coach

Reply #23 – March 12, 2016, 09:11:04 pm

Michele nailed it .

Re: Newbie Question: How To Make The First Coach The Last Coach

Reply #24 – March 12, 2016, 10:18:22 pm

Allow me to say that I'm impressed by the friendliness of those on this forum. Having created and operated a motorcycle forum in the past (TheVOG.net), I know how sometimes a newbie question can get out of hand and bring a lot of criticism...not here. Thank You!

It's interesting to hear that some feel it's best to have a starter coach and others say, go for it. I guess that part of my desire of going all in, up front is that I'm seeking a coach that, other than including all the modern creature comforts of home and being designed for the way that I want to live life on the road, is a pleasure to drive...even in adverse weather and windy conditions. Also, as you can tell by my handle, I'm no stranger to technology and hope to purchase a coach that includes items that have been well thought out.

I've been in contact with Gary from RV Basic Training about finding a trainer to do a multi-session, one-on-one boot camp with a 45' model that I can rent locally at All Star Coaches. I should know by mid-week if this will become a reality.

When I say that I've been wanting to do this for quite some time, I'm not making this up. Here's one of the TV segments I hosted 20 years ago that featured new campers and RV's. This story, and another TV segment I produced along with a few national print stories (syndicated newspaper and USA Today) gave me the honor of being the RVIA's Journalist of the Year. So, when I'm being critical of the RVIA not having a program that educates newbies (such as myself) who want to take part in this lifestyle, I'm not being a hypocrite. Maybe I can make a difference in this industry and spark a change. Quite possibly, if folks like me are vocal enough, maybe the right people will take notice and understand that while some of us are mesmerized by coaches, we're also intimidated by the sheer size of them. It's also my hope to document as much as the learning process as possible, so that it might help others in my predicament in the future.

Again, thanks for the warm welcome and please keep the great advice coming! I could use all the wisdom I can get! Here's the link to one of the TV segments:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rLTVZVRg4c

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