What do you wish you hadn’t done the first day owning your coach?

Topic: What do you wish you hadn’t done the first day owning your coach? (Read 1546 times) previous topic - next topic

What do you wish you hadn’t done the first day owning your coach?

November 20, 2017, 05:42:13 am

I plan to take it slow and not be in a hurry but stuff happens. Possibly you can save me some pain early on.

Re: What do you wish you hadn’t done the first day owning your coach?

Reply #1 – November 20, 2017, 06:38:08 am

If and when you can,drive a similar equipped Foretravel,just to have something to compare yours to.Have had questions asked
for some problems but have only driven my coach.One prime example would be if your pondering new shocks,or think you may have a steering issue.

Re: What do you wish you hadn’t done the first day owning your coach?

Reply #2 – November 20, 2017, 07:39:14 am

It was the first day we got it home--after the dealer finished the requested fix-it items (and some we didn't even ask for--Fantastic dealer!!) I let go of the couch seat and it dropped on the DW's head one day after her cataract surgery! Yup, whacked her like a mouse trap!! Chin slammed on the lower front and top of her head slammed by the couch seat. Kind of like a giant mouse trap. Luckily no damage to the couch. Strike that, I mean her eye!!

(you know, she has never been too keen about looking under the couch since!)

Re: What do you wish you hadn’t done the first day owning your coach?

Reply #3 – November 20, 2017, 08:42:49 am

Not the first day - we stayed parked the first day. But 2 days later, when we tried to drive out of the park, a nice fellow camper stepped in front of the coach and stopped us. Told us to lower our crank-up TV antenna. First and last time for that mistake, but there have been many others...

Re: What do you wish you hadn’t done the first day owning your coach?

Reply #4 – November 20, 2017, 08:46:52 am

On the day I picked my coach up at MOT I foolishly drove 12 hours. When stopping for the night, in the dark I clipped a stone wall with a storage bay door, my first fiberglass boo boo.

My advice...take your time, stop by 3:00Pm or 350 miles, or when you get tired.

I had never driven anything so large. The first time I was passed by an 18 wheeler was an eye opener.

Re: What do you wish you hadn’t done the first day owning your coach?

Reply #5 – November 20, 2017, 09:04:12 am

...thankfully I wasn't driving the first day (Jan. 18, 2014) we picked her up, Gary O was, & in testing the retarder on the way home (about 50 miles) found it to be not operating correctly...thus began the process of fine tuning several items that weren't readily detectable at the shop....Paul did a fantastic job on a long punch list but the experience (& sensitivity to the components) Gary had in driving a longer distance was the missing element & the icing on the cake....I couldn't have been a luckier or more blessed gal than that to be 'adopted' by such a wonderful couple as Gary & Sandy....

Re: What do you wish you hadn’t done the first day owning your coach?

Reply #6 – November 20, 2017, 09:24:01 am

My only regret was not adjusting the seat more before hitting the road. I had a long, painful drive home and after I messed with the seat some more, found a MUCH better position for me. Also, once you get the seat right where you like it, adjust the mirrors! these things are huge, and you really need to be able to see.

Re: What do you wish you hadn’t done the first day owning your coach?

Reply #7 – November 20, 2017, 09:44:08 am

+1 on taking it easy!
Don't rush things, this is supposed to be fun. I've adopted an attutude where I have no place to go, and no appointment to be there. Also, a tired driver is a dangerous driver.
Look ahead, and when you do that, look ahead some more. That will make your driving smoother and keep the DW more happy.

Re: What do you wish you hadn’t done the first day owning your coach?

Reply #8 – November 20, 2017, 09:48:08 am

Wish I had known about the "Foretravel Butt Bump" on the cargo doors before taking off from Ft. Worth heading south to Houston, right after taking possession of our coach from the prior owner. Imagine my surprise, driving my new coach on I-45 for the first time, when I looked in the mirror and saw two of the pantograph doors protruding outward from the coach, halfway open. After a call to the PO, I knew the correct method for making sure the doors were closed and latched.

Re: What do you wish you hadn’t done the first day owning your coach?

Reply #9 – November 20, 2017, 10:15:24 am

It won't be on your first day, but be very careful when you dump the tanks for the first time. Even experienced people sometimes get nailed.

Re: What do you wish you hadn’t done the first day owning your coach?

Reply #10 – November 20, 2017, 10:45:38 am

Drove home from the dealer in the dark. Stupid headlights aren't worth the powder...

Re: What do you wish you hadn’t done the first day owning your coach?

Reply #11 – November 20, 2017, 10:49:22 am

On the way home from Lodi, after our purchase,I wish I made sure the Roadmaster brake was set right in the jeep. Going down 80 in Truckee, when the retarder applied and the Roadmaster "brake applied" light comes on, then the buzzer. Bad thing was I couldn't pull over for about 2 miles do to construction.
I am having visions of the brakes smoking on the Jeep. When I finally get stopped, I find some how the brake light switch in the Jeep got pushed out of the socket. All was fine. Pushed it in, went on to Reno
Drove all the way to Coeur D Alene Idaho, no issues
Chris

Re: What do you wish you hadn’t done the first day owning your coach?

Reply #12 – November 20, 2017, 11:48:35 am

Quote from: craneman – November 20, 2017, 10:15:24 am

It won't be on your first day, but be very careful when you dump the tanks for the first time. Even experienced people sometimes get nailed.

craneman, you need to install the 3rd valve...saves a world of hurt....

Re: What do you wish you hadn’t done the first day owning your coach?

Reply #13 – November 20, 2017, 12:18:04 pm

Quote from: Miz Dani – November 20, 2017, 11:48:35 am

craneman, you need to install the 3rd valve...saves a world of hurt....

Guessing I need to do some searching on that.

Re: What do you wish you hadn’t done the first day owning your coach?

Reply #14 – November 20, 2017, 12:29:26 pm

In retrospect: Wish we would have not taken such a short test drive and allotted more time for the drive home.

About 90 minutes AFTER purchase: Wish we would have never thought, Hey lets buy an RV. :-)

Re: What do you wish you hadn’t done the first day owning your coach?

Reply #15 – November 20, 2017, 02:20:00 pm

Quote from: Miz Dani – November 20, 2017, 11:48:35 am

craneman, you need to install the 3rd valve...saves a world of hurt....

That would take all the fun out of it!

Re: What do you wish you hadn’t done the first day owning your coach?

Reply #16 – November 20, 2017, 03:39:44 pm

* Took too sharp of a right turn, ran over a huge curb side and scratched the right rear tire from a brand spanking new set of tires.

* Got too comfortable on the highway, forgot Foretravel is not a sport car, not slowing down enough or hit the brake early entering exit ramp.

Re: What do you wish you hadn’t done the first day owning your coach?

Reply #17 – November 20, 2017, 04:01:39 pm

Had to learn quick not to aim 10 ft in front of the coach when driving. Aim much further down the road ( 100 ft or so ) or end up with white knuckles and permanent dents in the steering wheel.

Re: What do you wish you hadn’t done the first day owning your coach?

Reply #18 – November 20, 2017, 04:23:59 pm

Driving at night. Driving on gravel road for 16 miles in the dark on first real camping trip. Spent the night parked in the road. Big learning curve from all other RVs I owned. Still a newbie after a year of ownership.

Re: What do you wish you hadn’t done the first day owning your coach?

Reply #19 – November 20, 2017, 04:51:59 pm

Somewhere along the 10 at the Louisiana-Texas border, after picking up the coach in Florida to bring it home to California, friends wished they would have smelled the gas station washer fluid a bit more closely before applying it to the windshield. Turns out that the basin for the washer fluid was used as a fish cleaning station. Before you know it, fish guts and stinky water are flowing down arms into shirtsleeves, and running down the whole front of the coach. Of course all of this was at night, with a bunch of unsavory characters lingering about and laughing, who were probably the culprits!

Re: What do you wish you hadn’t done the first day owning your coach?

Reply #20 – November 20, 2017, 08:51:19 pm

A couple of observations that I have learned in the two years I have owned my coach.

First, when driving always look well down the road. Initially, I tended to try to steer the coach to the center of my lane. This required constant adjustment and steering input. Now I mostly aim the coach at a point 500 to 1000 feet ahead. This also helps keep you aware of hazards before you get there.

Second, always look up when pulling off the road or into a campground. I have scratched the gelcoat at the roof line a couple of times, the first time was on my maiden trip from buying the coach. Another time i almost knocked off a AC unit pulling into a camp spot. Fortunately a guy next to me yelled and I stopped before damage. I still have to remind myself to look higher than the roadway.

Re: What do you wish you hadn’t done the first day owning your coach?

Reply #21 – November 20, 2017, 09:33:45 pm

Quote from: saddlesore – November 20, 2017, 09:27:46 pm

Yup... after so many years doing oversize "super loads" for the aircraft & aerospace industries.
I focus from a 1/4 to 3/4 mile ahead..(some loads will take more than a quarter of a mile up to a half mile to stop on level ground)
As for vertical clearances,,even if i know the clearance for an object ahead..I still check the signs and objects appearances.. Habit I suppose.
Seeing objects in the far distance is imperative for safe travels.
Happy & Safe travels this Holiday season to All

Re: What do you wish you hadn’t done the first day owning your coach?

Reply #22 – November 20, 2017, 11:05:56 pm

Deadbolt the door to keep it from opening during coach flexes. and if your married and making the road trip home alone, get an ear piercing, that way if the spouse should find an earring from the previous owners, you can just say wow, I wondered where that fell off, and go about business as usual.

Re: What do you wish you hadn’t done the first day owning your coach?

Reply #23 – November 21, 2017, 03:05:09 am

I'd like to take back getting over confident in my driving ability on the maiden voyage and thinking I could drive through the auto-Toll booth on the IL. Toll Way at a much brisker speed than the 15mph limit listed.
The large concrete barrier on the passenger side helped "guide me" through.
That repair is on the list.

Re: What do you wish you hadn’t done the first day owning your coach?

Reply #24 – November 21, 2017, 06:52:41 am

1- Aim High In Steering
Aim High In Steering
Imaginary Target - Baseball / dartboard
Centers car in traffic lane. Safe path on turns.
Find a safe path well ahead.

2- Get the Big Picture
Get the Big Picture
How wide, how deep? what is in it? Objects and ground.
Keeps you away from billboards.
smooth stops and turns. Buys time.
Stay back and see it all

3- Keep Your Eye's Moving
Keep Your Eye's Moving
Move eyes: Front 2-seconds. Rear- 5-8 seconds
Keeps you alive at intersections.
keeps eyes ahead of the car.
Scan don't stare.

4- Leave Your Self An Out
Leave Your Self An Out
Have and escape route. Take path of least resistance. Space on all sides, but always in front.
Be prepared. Expect the unexspected.

5- Make Sure They See You
Make Sure They See You
Communication in traffic- horns,lights,signals.
Establishs eye-to-eye contact.
Don't gamble. Use your horn,lights, signals.

1. When stopped in Traffic.
Ten Point Commentary
When stopped in Traffic.
One. When Stopped in Traffic remain one vehicle space between you and the vehicle ahead in fron of you. Leave your self an out.

2. Starting up at intersection
Starting up at intersection
Two. Look left - right - Check Mirrors.
Keep your eyes moving.

3. Count ONE- TWO THREE after vehicle ahead has started to move, or when the light changes to green.
Count ONE- TWO THREE after vehicle ahead has started to move, or when the light changes to green.
Leave your self an out.

4. Four to Six seconds following distance (under 50km/h)
Six to Eight seconds following distance (over 50km/h)
Four to Six seconds following distance under 50km/h
Six to Eight seconds following distance over 50km/h
The distance is to be adjusted when the road, traffic, and weather conditions change.
Leave your self an out.

5. Five to Eight seconds - Check Mirrors.
Five to Eight seconds - Check Mirrors.
Never check mirror to mirror when driving.
After mirror check- back to front.
Keep your eyes moving.

6. Scan steering wheels.
Scan steering wheels.
Look for activity around in other vehicles signals, exhaust, steering tire moved out, any shadows inside the vehicle.
A ball could indicate small children.
Get the big picture.

7. Stale green light.
Stale green light.
A stale green light in one that you did not see change or has been green for while.
Determine a decision point to make a safe stop or proceed through the intersection safely.
Get the big picture.

8. Eight to TWELVE seconds eye-lead time.
Eight to TWELVE seconds eye-lead time.
This is the area that you are looking to take your vehicle towards travel path.
The 8-12 seconds stay the same but the distance changes due to your travelling speed.
Aim high in steering.

9. Pulling from the curb.
Complete the THREE L's.
1. Left signal.
2. Left mirror.
3. Left shoulder.
Look over left shoulder to check blind spot, then pull away.
Get the big picture.

10. Eye contact.
It is imperative that you get their attention.
Use horns, lights, signals.
Avoid a dangerous situation.
Make sure they see you.

Affiliate Notice