Motorcoach Driving Tips
Uncompromising customers choose motorcoaches, which are also known as toterhomes or semi-motorhomes, for their spacious layouts and luxury features. But for all that a motorcoach offers, it can be intimidating to climb behind the wheel of one of these huge recreational vehicles that are built on a semi-truck chassis. Because of their size, it’s helpful to learn a few tips and tricks for driving them if you want to keep your investment and your passengers safe while you drive.
Braking
Like most large-chassis vehicles, motorcoaches usually use air brakes as opposed to the hydraulic antilock brake systems used in most cars and trucks. With standard ABS brakes, the braking power correlates to how much pressure you put on the brake pedal. With the air brakes of a motorcoach, there is only “on” or “off,” and it doesn’t matter how hard you push the pedal. These brakes are designed to increase in pressure the longer you hold the brakes down. For this reason, you’ll need to greatly increase your following distance. If you try to follow at the normal distance, you could end up slamming into the back of the car in front of you.
Turning
A motorcoach is much longer than normal vehicles, so turning might be a more complicated task than you expect. You’ll need to increase the radius of your turns. For this, briefly turn into the oncoming lane when turning onto a street to make the corner without hopping the curb or scraping the side of your camper on any obstacles on the inside of your turn. Estimating the correct turning radius definitely takes some practice. As you get used to turning, take corners slower and use your mirrors to make sure you aren’t hitting anything.
Reversing and Parking
Reversing and parking are likely the most complicated parts of driving a motorcoach. Whereas in a normal car you have the benefit of a rearview mirror, in these rigs, you only get your side mirrors. Luckily, on many newer models, you get the option of a backup monitor, which makes things much easier. Unless you have a massive amount of space in which to maneuver, you’ll probably want to have a spotter to help you line up while reversing.
When parking, the pull-through technique is usually your best bet. Pull through spaces allow you to cut reversing out of the equation altogether. All the pull-through technique entails is finding a place where you can pull up and stop your motorcoach where you’ll eventually be able to leave by driving straight forward. If you do have to back into a space, make sure you are aligned totally straight before backing in.
Driving a motorcoach doesn’t have to be intimidating if you follow these tips. If you want to check out some motorcoaches, head over to Victory Custom Trailers in Metamora, MI, to see what we’ve got in stock. We are proud to serve all those in Detroit and Flint.