Jim & Joan wrote: LINK
Motorcoach transportation has been a safe form of transportation in the United States. Over the past ten years (1996-2005) there have been 48 fatal motorcoach crashes. During this period, on average, 14 fatalities have occurred annually to occupants of motorcoaches in crash and rollover events, with about 2 of the fatalities being drivers. Approximately 29% of the fatal crashes resulted in rollover. Ejection of passengers from motorcoaches accounts for approximately 56% of passenger fatalities. Among all motorcoach crashes from 1996-2005, 65% were single vehicle events and involved running off the road, hitting roadside objects, or rolling over.
48 deaths in 10 years . Where is the problem ?
The problem is that the report has nothing to do with this thread. It is about passenger motorcoaches, passenger charter busses, and the like, not motorhomes. Well, there are some of us who do have converted motorcoaches, which are much better built, and safer, than the typical Class A motorhome.
And yes, as someone who drove professionally since the early '70s, I think drivers of RVs need additional testing and a special class of license. You would not believe what I have seen some of you do over the past 38 years. And some of you need to realize that the driver's license is not a right. You have to earn it.
It appears this has been touched on already but I'll throw it out anyway.
In CA at least some one can take a 10 wheel Tractor (ya know Peterbilt, Kenworth etc.)stretch the frame to 40' put a House on it, call it a Motor Home and drive it with a "normal" car license. Take that same rig and put a flat bed on it and you need a CDL.
So apparently our Government believes "Professional" drivers need more oversight than us amateurs.
I think maybe this licensing thing is all about collecting money.
I have been driving since I was 16, I am now 41. Never been in a accident ever, even a minor one and I have had some past cars that were really fast, have a camaro I drag race now. I recently went from a 21 foot class C to a 32.2 foot class A and was a huge difference, but after a few times out I now know how wide to take turns and tend to watch the lines more. My point is, I feel I am a very good driver in the upper range of good drivers and it was something I had to get used to before I even felt a little confident driving the larger class A. Larger motorhomes are a whole different ballgame when it comes to driving to be safe and not take out a lane of traffic. I guess people who are really bad drivers find out in the first couple days that they can't drive one when they wreck it and then give up on it. cause most drivers I have seen have been pretty good drivers.
I've ordered my first MH, and other than the test drive, I haven't driven a vehicle with air brakes.
People talk about getting an air brake endorsement. Other than waiting for the pressure to build up and keeping an eye on the pressure, what else is there to know from a driver's perspective?
I'll bet the majority of people who drive cars have no idea what a master cylinder is on their car, or much else about their braking system. They just know that the wide pedal makes the car stop.
I need a CDL to drive an E-350 cutaway set up as a 17-passenger bus (class C, P endorsement). I need a CDL to drive an International 4300 box truck (class B, air brakes). I need a CDL to drive a 40' Prevost (class B, P & air brakes). Yet, if the E-350 is a class C, the International is a Super C or a 5er puller, or the Prevost is a motorhome, I can drive them the day after taking my road test in a Cavalier?! OK, anyone who DOESN'T see a problem here isn't thinking clearly.
John
1984 Ford B-700 school bus conversion, Thomas body
A bunch of other vehicles
3 nutty cats (Maya, Vierna, Briza)
One lazy dog (Marmaduke)
One wife (Liz)
"A wasted youth is better by far than a wise and productive old age"
-Jim Steinman
BudParrish wrote: I bought a 40 foot DP in March. Asking, "Do I need a special license to drive this," another salesman listening in said, "NO! It's a privately owned vehicle!" It weighs 33,000 lbs empty, 43,000 loaded. Has air brakes. I thought, "Oh, okay. Private vehicle. Kinda like driving a Honda, I guess."
In Mid-March, a Tejano musician in Houston wrecked his motor coach at a very dangerous intersection in Houston, Texas. The news stations and papers reported that he didn't have the proper license to drive the bus.
Based on this info, I went to the DPS and asked the State Patrolman in charge about whether a license is necessary. He said any vehicle over 26,000 lbs and/or with air brakes needs at least a non-commercial Class B license. Tractor trailers or tandem vehicles exceeding 45 feet need a Class A license. By this, if you have a 31' MH and a toad, you probably need a Class B non-CDL.
You will be given a 150ish page study guide. It's the same book in every state that requires a license for Class A motorhomes meeting the above requirements. You will be told to study certain chapters. Ignore this - study them all! My written test primarily covered flat bed trailers and tandem vehicles, hazardous materials, 'super heavy duty tractor-trailers,' and I was not expecting to be tested on them. I wasn't asked even one question on a 'bus.'
Yes, the general knowledge test is just that: general.
Quote: I took the written after studying. The test was difficult. There were 4 of us - me and 3 professional drivers. I passed (barely), they failed! Scary.
Are you serious? The written test is a JOKE.
Quote: 3 days later I took the driver's skills portion (the driving test). Prior to driving, I had air brake knowledge testing, lights, blinkers, and a short pre-trip inspection test. On driving, I had make left and right turns, back straight 100 feet, parallel park (no kidding and with a 41'7" bus), pull onto the expressway, merge into traffic, pull off to the side, stop, put on emergency blinkers and air brakes, start again, merge back onto the expressway, exit and return to the DPS. Lots of small things I didn't mention that would make the post way too long. This was a very serious testing procedure.
Air-brake check, in-cab check, pretrip inspection, paralell park to both sides, left-side alley dock, back straight, measured right turn, and a road test. Yep, done it (in a Ford L8000 soda truck, about 35' bumber to bumper). Nothing was that hard...it takes practice, but isn't any big deal. My wife will be going for her class B (already has the permit) soon, probably testing in a Ford C6000 rollback wrecker (GVWR 32,500).
Quote: Maybe some peple don't feel like this testing is necessary. I think I am a better driver as a result of my studying and testing, both in an automobile and my MH.
Think about this...if your state requires a Class B license and you don't have one, you'll probably be okay until you get stopped or have an accident. The accident may not be your fault! In an accident, your insurance company will refuse to cover you because you don't have the proper license - ask them! Further, the insurance company will revoke your insurance and you will not be insurable after that with any company. You stand a much greater financial and legal liability risk and may be sued by the people who hit you. And, you will be ticketed and ineligible to get a Class B license afterwards.
If you don't weight over 26,000 lbs, don't have air brakes, or don't exceed 45 feet when towing, then don't worry about anything I've said.
How about someone publishing a comprehensive guide to driving/towing an RV but not the test. There are many of us that will consume any information we can find about RVing, and would learn a lot from the resource. Charging me a fee for a license would not make me any smarter.
69RoadRunner wrote: I've ordered my first MH, and other than the test drive, I haven't driven a vehicle with air brakes.
People talk about getting an air brake endorsement. Other than waiting for the pressure to build up and keeping an eye on the pressure, what else is there to know from a driver's perspective?
I'll bet the majority of people who drive cars have no idea what a master cylinder is on their car, or much else about their braking system. They just know that the wide pedal makes the car stop.
Just curious.
The experience is completely different. The first time you use the brakes, you'll probably bounce yourself off the seat belt...air brakes are "touchier" than hydraulics in normal driving. They don't react immediately: there is a delay (brake lag) between pressing the pedal and the brakes activating. They also don't RELEASE immediately--they can take nearly one second to do so. Lastly, keeping them adjusted properly is CRITICAL. You can't "pump up" a low pedal like you can with hydraulic brakes.
You should drain the air tanks at least weekly to get the water (condensation) out, daily in cold weather.
Also: NEVER use the service brakes with the parking brakes set..you can do all sorts of bad things.
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