First drive of a motorhome, where?

[Jake Royd]

My wife and I are both insured to drive our motorhome.
It's a 7m coach-built on a Ducato with manual transmission.
So far I drive it all the time.
She wants to drive it but is not a very confident driver and her mechanical control of a vehicle is a bit crude. Don't misunderstand, she's quite safe.
We were looking at the best options for a trial run hoping that a straight road with a layby on and a layby off might be the best idea.
Also a very large car park like IKEA might also suit but worried about this/legally/socially etc.
Where did you take your first runs with a motorhome?
Are there any ideas I may not have thought about?

 

[grasscutter]

Circuits of the M25

 

[Simon Meadwell]

Industrial estate in the evening when quiet

 

[LesW]

We were in France when Mrs W first drove ours.

Very quiet roads almost everywhere we went, even on the 'wrong' side of the road, she felt more comfortable than in England.

 

[Ridgeway]

If Mrs R drove ours then the streets would certainly be empty afterwards, think we’d need an airfield

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[poppycamper]

Mrs Poppycamper can drive our 7mtr moho but rarely does... partly my fault but she forgets where the back end is and drives it like she does her Fiat Panda.
The problem is she refuses to move over to the right when going round left hand bends and was constantly hitting the kerbs with rear wheels and I was absolutely petrified at junctions with metal railings along the kerb resulting in the possible ripping out of the side of van.
With that in mind,, it ok driving straight roads to get feel of vehicle but I feel driving around carparks is really pointless.
The only way is to drive in real world situations and for you to keep an Eagle eye on her and advise where she should be on the road for the maneuver she needs to carry out.

 

[Suenliam]

Many years ago when we got our first new MH, I had a half day with the local lorry driver training centre. I too could drive a car without issue, but a new MH???? By the time the half day was finished I could drive confidently along roads narrowed by parked cars and reverse without any worries. When I first contacted them, I expected them to patronise me. In fact the instructor could not have been better. If you want real confidence building then I can't recommend it highly enough. Money well spent.
Sue

 

[suavecarve]

We were in France when Mrs W first drove ours.

Very quiet roads almost everywhere we went, even on the 'wrong' side of the road, she felt more comfortable than in England.

This may sound daft. But I wholeheartedly agree.
If she is competent as you say. Get an hour away from Calais. Bung her on a free motorway for half hour then swap for single carriageway so she can see roundabouts then let her loose.

 

[Bailey 15]

I found out watching the back end was very important when I nearly took the roundabout bollard with me!
Also reaching down for the handbreak especially on hills, this was always a concern until my latest van which had hill assist.
I find hand breaks are down really low
Good luck thou

 

[TheBig1]

My soon to be ex wife started driving tractors and hay trailers round the farm aged about 5. She was an excellent driver until her first mini stroke and then her positional awareness went all to pot. She did keep saying she would drive the motorhome if needed, but that need never came up fortunately. Her worst driving was coming home from my sister's one Christmas with my son in law in the car. He was terrified as at one point she mounted the pavement for absolutely no reason. We wouldn't let her drive after that until passed as fit by the neurologist, which happened about a year later. She held it against me taking away her freedom though and was quite nasty about it. My daughter still absolutely forbids the grandkids getting in a car with her

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[TheBig1]

I found out watching the back end was very important when I nearly took the roundabout bollard with me!
Also reaching down for the handbreak especially on hills, this was always a concern until my latest van which had hill assist.
I find hand breaks are down really low
Good luck thou

you can buy handbrake extenders to raise the height. I am 6ft4 so it's a long way down for me. I fitted a rare spares one, which also folds away to allow the seat to turn easier, but there is an all plastic one by Kobran cheaper that does not fold

 

[maison]

Following an accident when towing a caravan the Caravan Club Red Pennant Insurance provided us with a motorhome in order to continue our holiday, (we had just travelled 20 miles from home).

My first drive was 2300 miles around France. as a result we switched to a motorhome and have never looked back.

 

[Jake Royd]

We've been thinking of a motorhome maneuvering course like the CCC or CAMC ones.

 

[hja]

We have always both shared the driving - whether towing trailers, trailer tents, caravans, motorhomes. Even after towing caravans for some years we did the CAMC manoeuvring course and found it worthwhile. But also find an industrial estate/large carpark for a bit of practice. Frequently used by learner drivers, so doubt there is a problem.

 

[EuroTrotters]

We went to Spain

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[Tea Bag]

We have always both shared the driving - whether towing trailers, trailer tents, caravans, motorhomes. Even after towing caravans for some years we did the CAMC manoeuvring course and found it worthwhile. But also find an industrial estate/large carpark for a bit of practice. Frequently used by learner drivers, so doubt there is a problem.

Hi.
This is a good way to get experience. The instructor is not a relative and has probably worn their teeth out driving m/ho's and instructing people who are just a bit uneasy.Me... Learnt on the job in an Austin K8 Three way and passed the test........ BUT....... there was not the traffic around in those days. Best of luck,the freedom it will give both of you knowing you are on the ball.
Tea Bag .
PS. Love the half a day at a HGV school post. Proper. Did you manage the ALL DAY BREAKFAST ?

 

[Riverbankannie]

We've been thinking of a motorhome maneuvering course like the CCC or CAMC ones.

We both took one of the CAMC ones. Very worthwhile with individual tuition and an individual assessment in the road at the end of the day. Partner was not allowed on the drive !
However used to driving you are, there is always something to learn.

 

[Tea Bag]

We both took one of the CAMC ones. Very worthwhile with individual tuition and an individual assessment in the road at the end of the day. Partner was not allowed on the drive !
However used to driving you are, there is always something to learn.

Hi.
Plus.. " Big Shop Windows " Have a quick look at your reflection... 1. Check your Toad is still following you..( and your roof lights /sat dish are closed/stored away ) I used them to check that the load had not abandoned ship . 2. On a sharpish bend in town check them, you can see if there is anything BIG coming the other way.
Telegraph poles . Check bends out on the road ahead,look at the telewag poles over the hedgerow,they give some indication as to whether you can go in " HOT " . Or not.
Best advice. USE the road you are on,not the one you are going into. Stay well,stay LUCKY.
Tea Bag.
PS. Law of averages. IF/if you have a bump,put it against ALL the other times you may have had and didn't... If you can still get insurance......You are a WINNER.

 

[Poppy and Hamish]

A motorhome manoeuvring course sounds like a good idea, if confidence is lacking.

I didn't have much choice. I bought mine in August and had to drive it back on my own through a neighbouring town centre and then on dual carriageways. It was the first time I had ever driven a motorhome, and I had an audience of 4 people waving me as I drove off

I am baffled by some of the responses I get, all of which have been well intended and supportive, along the lines of good for you and how lovely to see a lady traveling on her own, doing her thing. Quite a few men elbowing their wives saying "see, she's a woman and driving it on her own". I don't get what the big deal is really, we are just as capable as men, and it shouldn't make any difference. As I said though, all comments well intended, I have never experienced any negative comments.