Safe Driving a Large RV 101
If you have had the opportunity to drive a large truck and understand the dangers and pitfalls involved, then this may be a bit of elementary information for you. but for those who are new to driving a large vehicle, LISTEN UP!
- Rover is 11 ft 6 inches high.
- Rover is 8 feet wide.
- Rover weighs up to 14,500 lbs.
- Rover is 32 feet long.
- Rover has a rear wheel overhand-swing of about 10 feet.
These all mean that you, as the driver, must pay special and very close attention to everything that matters about these numbers. If you forget how high or how much Rover weighs, it’s posted on the windshield for you.
Rover is 11 ft 6 inches high which means that you must pay close attention to road signs that alert you to low underpasses. Trying to fit under an overpass that is less than this will tend to end your trip very abruptly!
Rover weighs up to 14,500 lbs. depending on how much you have loaded into it for your trip. Besides the obvious watching for weight limits on bridges, there is a heavy fine in most states for being over the gross weight rating of the RV. You may think that your “stuff” doesn’t weigh that much but you would be surprised how fast a bunch of 20-pound items add up to a ton. If you have any inkling that you may be close to the gross weight rating, please use the Cat scales on the major highways. It only costs about $20 but that can save many more $.
Rover is 8 feet wide. The roadways are just a bit wider than this, but cars are a lot less wide. You have to be sure that not only are your front wheels within the lines, but the entire rig is not over the lines. Remember the width of the rig is more than just the tires. Those telephone poles on back roads right next to the asphalt can be a trip stopper!
Rover is 32 feet long and if you intend to stay in a campground be sure to ask for a site that will accommodate you. A pull-through site is preferable unless you’re really good at backing up a large RV. If you intend to travel across a waterway by ferry, make sure that you will fit in before driving onto it.
Rover has a rear wheel overhand-swing of about 10 feet. If you park on a street with a curb, you may find that if there are trees, mailboxes, parking meters, newspaper stands, street light poles, etc. along the street, you could easily take them out when you pull away from the curb with Rovers’ tail swing. We know, because, with an older RV we had, we did it! We took out a parking meter right in front of a policeman standing there watching.
The weight, the height, the width, and the length contribute to how Rover handles your speed, the wind, and truckers’ turbulence as they are whizzing by. The faster you go, the more you need to pay attention to every other vehicle on the road, especially those truckers coming up from behind and passing you. You will be able to control Rover but only if you are paying attention. If you are surprised, you will most likely over-steer to compensate for the wind turbulence and possibly put yourself and your passengers in a very bad situation. Don’t let yourself be surprised!
The best MPG for Rover, I found to be around 50 mph. 60 mph should be your maximum speed, no matter the posted “limit”. The extra minutes taken by not going 70 or 80 are well worth your and your family’s safety & well-being, not to mention peace of mind for Rover’s owner!
At or near each approximately 1000 miles, check the engine oil level and add ONLY enough to top it off. DO NOT overfill!
One last, but very important point. Do NOT let anyone unbuckle their seatbelt and go to the bathroom while Rover is moving. If you had to stop fast…
Take it easy, take your time, be aware, stay alert, be careful, AND HAVE FUN!
Next: Leveling Rover 101