Driving a motorhome (2024)

FAQs

Is it difficult to drive an RV? ›

Operating an RV for the first time can be easier when you prepare properly. RVs don't drive like cars—they accelerate and brake slower, and your blind spots are much larger. That said, with practice and time, you'll become as comfortable behind the wheel of an RV as you are in your SUV or sedan.

All motorhomes have a different driving learning curve. This is especially true if you've never driven anything larger than a standard sedan. Class A's can be the most difficult option to drive given the length, weight, and chassis type. Most Class As tend to sway and wander going down the road.

Arriving at a campsite and driving to your pitch, it can also be appealing for passengers to start walking around the motorhome. However, we always recommend staying sat down with your seat belt fastened until the vehicle is stationary and the engine has been turned off.

Meanwhile, most experts recommend you never flat tow a car faster than 55 mph. Driving a motorhome without a tow car? In that case, you can probably go a little faster, but 60 to 65 mph should still be your max speed.

That all depends on you and your stamina. Most older RV owners keep the driving days shorter (under 6 hours) because it's not like driving a car, it takes way more concentration and you don't cover the miles like you can in a car. RV's don't go as fast either obviously.

The answer is: It depends. For some RVers, driving more than 100 miles a day or so is out of the question, while other road warriors like to cover up to 500 mile or more a day. Still others prefer a sweet spot of somewhere between 200 and 400 miles a day.

Generally, a class B RV is the easiest to drive if you're new to RVing. Most aren't much longer than a pickup truck and can easily maneuver into parking spaces and gas stations. If you're looking for the easiest transition into RV driving, choose a class B camper.

The answer depends on the type of RV you are inside. Class A, Class B and Class C motorhomes offer passengers the ability to sit in the back while the vehicle is in motion. This is because these types of motorhomes are equipped to withstand driving accidents.

Our opinion is that close to 50% of class A motor homes are structurally unsound and will not sustain a collision at 20 miles per hour without serious damage to the coach and the occupants. In many models there is no steel bar to act as a bumper to prevent damage in low-speed collisions.

Regardless of the state you plan on traveling through, you'll be allowed to use the bathroom, even when driving your RV. You can even take a shower if necessary! However, using the bathroom in a moving RV can be dangerous.

Can you drive with fridge on motorhome? ›

Yes! You can run a fridge off of a battery while driving and while off-grid camping, but there are several factors that you need to consider to determine if you have enough battery power to do so.

And without a properly mounted seatbelt, your car seat won't work as intended in a collision – not even when facing the proper direction. This means there is NO safe way for anyone to ride in the back of a motorhome, not rear-facing kids, forward-facing kids, kids in boosters, or adults.

How long an RV, motorhome, or travel trailer lasts depends on various factors. However, generally speaking, two decades is reasonable for a well-maintained vehicle. The average lifespan of a Class A or a Class B RV or motorhome is between 10 and 20 years.

An RV can last anywhere from 10 to 30 years or 100,000 to 300,000 miles. That wide range proves just how much an RV's lifespan can be impacted by the type of RV, the owner, and how well it's maintained. At a minimum, you can expect an RV to last for at least a decade if you perform regular maintenance.

It depends on a variety of factors, such as the make and model of the motorhome, the maintenance it has received, and the type of roads it has been driven on. Generally speaking, anything over 100,000 miles can be considered high mileage for a motorhome.

Class B RVs are often referred to as camper vans, and for a good reason. These compact and nimble vehicles are built on standard van chassis, making them incredibly easy to maneuver, even in tight city streets or crowded campgrounds.

Generally, a class B RV is the easiest to drive if you're new to RVing. Most aren't much longer than a pickup truck and can easily maneuver into parking spaces and gas stations. If you're looking for the easiest transition into RV driving, choose a class B camper.

How hard is it to drive an RV? Perhaps the biggest challenge with driving an RV is its size, especially when driving in cities. Sharp turns in cities are, generally, the rule rather than the exception — and an RV has a much larger turning radius than your average car or truck.

RV up US Highway 1. Regarded as one of the best "All American Roads", Highway 1 (also known as State Route 1) offers some of the country's best coastal scenery and is perfect for an RV road trip.