Driving an A Class for the first time - Tips?

[Tony68000]

So, looking to get my money's worth from my MHF subscription today, yet another newbie question from me..

Soon collecting my A Class, 7.85m x 2.4m Rapido. Never driven one before. The closest I've come is a 7.5t rental truck that I took through London for an exhibition, my trucker friend took me to an office carpark at the weekend and we practiced parking, reversing, etc. He also taught me about 'markers' to know where the curb is etc.

The A Class is a little different, has a longer 'swing out' bit at the rear and a different driving position. I've seen YouTube videos, mostly about RV's, and they suggest little stickers for the windscreen and mirrors so you know where the edge of the road is, your pivot point, etc.

Any thoughts on all this? What's your top tips for getting started? My first drive will mostly be the A1 back to N. Lincs from Huntington, although happy to take a detour to try some other roads and manoeuvres. Should I add stickers and mark all my key points, or just wing it?

For reversing, I've got a reverse camera, but also invested (£20) in some walkie-talkies - I figure my wife could jump out and direct me using the radio. Either that or I just like gadgets...

 

[Rapido925M]

BEFORE you start your first drive check that your windscreen insurance is valid for at least £3000.

Gordon

 

[bladerunner]

Only issue I have is the reflection of sun in the rear view mirrors can render them useless.
I've had fitted omniview 360 cameras. Makes me much more confident. Especially if driving solo abroad.
As I live in the country on single track roads, the hardest part of any journey is usually reversing through high gates and first 3 miles to motorway.

 

[Ian Bosman]

So, looking to get my money's worth from my MHF subscription today, yet another newbie question from me..

Soon collecting my A Class, 7.85m x 2.4m Rapido. Never driven one before. The closest I've come is a 7.5t rental truck that I took through London for an exhibition, my trucker friend took me to an office carpark at the weekend and we practiced parking, reversing, etc. He also taught me about 'markers' to know where the curb is etc.

The A Class is a little different, has a longer 'swing out' bit at the rear and a different driving position. I've seen YouTube videos, mostly about RV's, and they suggest little stickers for the windscreen and mirrors so you know where the edge of the road is, your pivot point, etc.

Any thoughts on all this? What's your top tips for getting started? My first drive will mostly be the A1 back to N. Lincs from Huntington, although happy to take a detour to try some other roads and manoeuvres. Should I add stickers and mark all my key points, or just wing it?

For reversing, I've got a reverse camera, but also invested (£20) in some walkie-talkies - I figure my wife could jump out and direct me using the radio. Either that or I just like gadgets...

I would agree with the stickers. When I was learning to drive with driving schools way back in 1959-60 all the driving school cars had sticker to guide you for the reversing rounds corner. The idea of one on the front windscreen for the kerb is the best as often it is difficult to determine where the verge is grass especially when the light is failing in the evening. Also the mirrors projecting out of the width of the rest of the vehicle is a good guide to what gap you can get through when the road narrows. But remember "if in doubt slow down or stop", better that than disaster of striking something or someone. The test when I passed that latter question is what to do when in doubt was the correct answer as just quoted.

 

[Blaydon]

Hi folks, we have an A Class and one of the first things we did was to have a rear bumper fitted. It is a tow bar, but has a steel bumper and I had a marker light fitted on the ends. This means we have protection if anyone one knocks the back, we have reversing aids - just in case we get it wrong, we have protection against catching something with the swing as we turn, and the markers are easy to see the corners in the mirrors while driving.
given Motorhomes are so vulnerable at the back, I would not have one without a rear bar.

like others have said, watch the A pillars as they are thick and do create a blind spot especially at roundabouts.

D

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[funflair]

Only issue I have is the reflection of sun in the rear view mirrors can render them useless.
I've had fitted omniview 360 cameras. Makes me much more confident. Especially if driving solo abroad.
As I live in the country on single track roads, the hardest part of any journey is usually reversing through high gates and first 3 miles to motorway.

Your roof looks a bit green

 

[peterc10]

Only issue I have is the reflection of sun in the rear view mirrors can render them useless.
I've had fitted omniview 360 cameras. Makes me much more confident. Especially if driving solo abroad.
As I live in the country on single track roads, the hardest part of any journey is usually reversing through high gates and first 3 miles to motorway.

How much did that cost to fit please?

 

[Monty777]

My main advice would be to always try to be at 90 degrees to any junction-that way you can see. Angled junctions are a right pain since you are trying to look behind you and the body will block your view. But as others have sai, just go slow and steady and you will soon get used to it. I use our Hymer as a daily driver since the boss always grabs our car…….

 

[bladerunner]

How much did that cost to fit please?

Slightly south of 2.5k. IIRC

Green roof as it's default truck mode. They didn't add my pretty picture despite my asking.

But it's a good system.

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

I must say I have a left hand drive A class and go away at least 1 weekend a month on my own fishing with the van and have had no issues at junctions..

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[63720]

Turn the radio up, apparently,

 

[barnybear4]

So, looking to get my money's worth from my MHF subscription today, yet another newbie question from me..

Soon collecting my A Class, 7.85m x 2.4m Rapido. Never driven one before. The closest I've come is a 7.5t rental truck that I took through London for an exhibition, my trucker friend took me to an office carpark at the weekend and we practiced parking, reversing, etc. He also taught me about 'markers' to know where the curb is etc.

The A Class is a little different, has a longer 'swing out' bit at the rear and a different driving position. I've seen YouTube videos, mostly about RV's, and they suggest little stickers for the windscreen and mirrors so you know where the edge of the road is, your pivot point, etc.

Any thoughts on all this? What's your top tips for getting started? My first drive will mostly be the A1 back to N. Lincs from Huntington, although happy to take a detour to try some other roads and manoeuvres. Should I add stickers and mark all my key points, or just wing it?

For reversing, I've got a reverse camera, but also invested (£20) in some walkie-talkies - I figure my wife could jump out and direct me using the radio. Either that or I just like gadgets...

The best advice I can give is keep looking in your mirrors, take your time and enjoy yourself. The walkie talkies are a great idea, we usually use our mobiles as the one driving can connect to the Bluetooth on the MoHo and it is therefore hands free. Have fun and relax.

 

[Wabs]

The only advice I would give is be patient with yourself,if you need time take it, but don’t drive it like it’s a baby or you will never build your confidence in your self,,it’s just a big car with bigger issues

 

[Realist]

Every Tom , dick and Harry can pass on their experience but nothing like just getting on with it and learning as you go, this way you’ll soon get used to the length and width of the van.

Nothing like hands on and this way it will come to you the easy way.

 

[John Barrett]

Both of our Hymers were LHD and loved it. Dead easy to drive in the UK as I could see the kerb when in narrow situations!

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[bobandjanie]

It's nice reading about all the tips and gadgets, we had a a class for 5 years, myself and Janie both drove towing a trailer with smart on board, and we never knew they were any different or difficult to driving anything else.

Driving your pride and joy is meant to be enjoyable and relaxing, seems many are stressed before they even get behind the wheel. Bob.

 

[John Barrett]

It's nice reading about all the tips and gadgets, we had a a class for 5 years, myself and Janie both drove towing a trailer with smart on board, and we never knew they were any different or difficult to driving anything else.

Driving your pride and joy is meant to be enjoyable and relaxing, seems many are stressed before they even get behind the wheel. Bob.

I was test driving the LHD B640 Starline and I asked the dealer (Adrian, of Viscount Caravans) if many purchasers 'chicken out' after buying an A Class, especially one with LHD.
His answer? "Many bring it back after a few days..."!