Another full timing thread

[Branderson]

The guys that live and drive out west or western Canada have it a lot easier. Traffic on east coast sucks anymore.  I81 and I95 are really bad. So many trucks and impatient 4 wheelers passing on either side and not providing sufficient clearance before pulling in. Then there are all the construction zones....
Break up your driving periods with more rest stops. Take a couple of power naps. Have wife take dogs on an hour break while you nap.😀

I95 is the one road i dont even like to drive normal vehicles on. Its crazy on there!

You have a good point about breaking it up. I think we were rushing to get to the beach and rushing back bc i had to get back to work and lord knows there is no rushing a 6v92

[silversport]

Branderson, I hear you about traffic and have space in front of you, truly upsetting when some SOB takes your safe stopping space. A couple years ago I add a dash cam, it works, in Oregon I had a sheriff do a u turn in front of me, I clipped him in his back panel. I was not cited, it is the best insurance. Of coarse you need to be doing it right.       

[Jim Eh.]

Im not sure of the traffic and hills in canada but i can assure you it will not be like driving a 5th wheel. I like tour attitude though. I hope your build goes well.

I also used to drive truck on short(er) runs. < 1200 mile rounder. Of course in those days there were no log books and I would do that straight thru ... after putting in 8 hours in the shop. like I said, I like to drive.

[windtrader]

A couple other thoughts on why folks generally travel less miles in a bus. Every time I get ready to get on the road, there is a list of items that takes time to get through. Then there are stops to recheck that all looks OK. Then there is the slower speeds to stay safe and enjoy the scenery. And finally, we prefer to get parked early so we can relax and have enough light to take care of things. All that just shortens the hours in the day for actual driving and putting miles on the bus.

[TheHollands!]

Hi, I agree with everyone about distance verses time. We generally schedule our drives for no longer than 5hrs and yes, based on what the GPS says I always add an hr or so. Fulltiming also gives you some flexibility on when you drive, ie. missing rush hour or the worst heat. And hopefully if you were fulltiming, the drives wouldn't be every day but once in a while. I'm definately more drained after a day driving the bus compared to a car, but it does get better the longer you do it and are prepared mentally for what you may be dealing with on that days drive. I like others suggestions of parking it somewhere nearby and enjoying it for a bit getting used to the space.
Craig

[lostagain]

Branderson, you need more miles, miles and miles. Relax, assert your space around your bus: don't worry about what's behind you (they can wait), put your blinker on and change lanes (they'll back off), slow is better than too fast (yes they will steal the space in front of you, so back off so more). The more you drive it, the more familiar you become with it's size and turning radius, until it becomes an extension of yourself. Driving a bus or truck to me is easier and less tiring than a car, because you sit higher for a better view, and you get more respect from other motorists because you are bigger than most of them.

Some get it, some don't. I hope you do, and get to enjoy it. You have to be patient on the road. If not, you might as well fly and rent a room.

Easy for me to say, but I remember the stress when I started training driving a bus (45 years ago).

All the best.

JC

[Branderson]

Branderson, you need more miles, miles and miles. Relax, assert your space around your bus: don't worry about what's behind you (they can wait), put your blinker on and change lanes (they'll back off), slow is better than too fast (yes they will steal the space in front of you, so back off so more). The more you drive it, the more familiar you become with it's size and turning radius, until it becomes an extension of yourself. Driving a bus or truck to me is easier and less tiring than a car, because you sit higher for a better view, and you get more respect from other motorists because you are bigger than most of them.

Some get it, some don't. I hope you do, and get to enjoy it. You have to be patient on the road. If not, you might as well fly and rent a room.

Easy for me to say, but I remember the stress when I started training driving a bus (45 years ago).

All the best.

JC

Thanks!  That makes a lot of sense.  This really was only my 2nd trip that was over 400 miles one way.  The first time was when I picked the bus up in Texas.  I was literally white knuckled on that trip so hey I'm improving haha

I have another big trip planned in December.  Going to San Antonio and that's 900 miles one way from me. I've already decided, I'm going to plan on doing that in 3 days.  I'm still going to have the pressure coming back on "what if" something goes wrong b/c I need to be back at work but I'm taking it in tomorrow to get the annual service so hopefully preventive maintenance will help me.

[buswarrior]

Noise makes fatigue.

Ear plugs, and then both of you can talk instead of yell... you hear voices better with plugs in.

A pair of those Bose noise cancelling headphones for the airplane too, if you have $pare ca$h...

Does your bus steer and stop properly?

There is no joy in fighting the machine...

Find an experienced bus driver to take yours for a spin.

Most noobs sit wrong in the chair. They all start sitting high. The old wheelmen sat down and back.

But... ultimately, you either love to drive, or you don't. The mechanical "what ifs" are a distraction that must be stifled. You WILL break downeventually, and not get home for work, so deal with that now. I have always tried to be a good employee, but if my hobby bus breaks down, and that's a problem, I guess I will wish them good luck finding someone else?

Nobody lies on their death bed wishing they spent more time being afraid of some idiot employer that did not appreciate my efforts enough to cut me some slack, rare as that was needed?

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[eagle19952]

  I'm still going to have the pressure coming back on "what if" something goes wrong b/c I need to be back at work 

tow a vehicle.
leave the bus.
or
rent a car.
and leave the bus.

[sledhead]

I like to drive 2-3 hours max then pull over at a rest stop and my wife and I walk the dog to stretch our legs . that is after I laser the wheels and rims to check for anything wrong . then after 1/2 an hour we are back on the road . I like to drive and like others have said enjoy it . if we are on our way to some where I will drive about 10 -14 hours a day 600 -700 miles . we always pull over by 9:00 pm and rest and have a shower then sleep for about 7 - 8 hrs . most of the time at rest stops . fuel every day and try to time that for a food break and walk the dog . when I had the 6v92 I always would look way way ahead to watch traffic as to make sure I could stop if some dumb @$# did something stupid . it never bothered me to leave a good stopping space in front even with all the @$# holes trying to get in front of me . 

now I must admit that with the extra power I don't look as far ahead to get ready for the next hill but still leave lots of stopping room . I can't drive with out cruise control . I use it all the time .

there are times when the scenery is amazing and would not want to miss that . love traveling in the coach but yes you have to have a toad behind you just in case there is a problem

dave     

[Lifes2short4nofun]

Full timing vs traveling on days off of work is totally different. 

When we full timed we traveled and then stayed somewhere for 2-4 weeks and moved on and it wasn't stressful.  Due wanting and having an older bus now and having a career we have found it best to use it for close travels withing 5 hrs otherwise we make other arrangements due to the worries of what ifs with needing to get back, ext.  We keep it simple and that has allowed us to enjoy having a bus.  We are about to take on a long travel out west but we have 3 weeks.  I also have always tinted the windshield and side windows and it provides a lot more enjoyable experience while traveling.   

[lvmci]

Hi All, just went from LV to Paso Robles, them Bodega Bay, then Napa Valley, 2 days each place. Then Napa to Barstow, then LV. The section return to Barstow, was the longest, with my temp gauge on the fritz after Barstow going down, Tehachpi pass and Baker grade, we're nerve wracking, not being able to tell about overheating, but just did what Clifford, Gary and everyone else said to do, 2000rpm and radiator sprinklers, the stop half way up the engine compartment temp gauge, said all was fine. A real confidence builder, lvmci...

[bigred]

Inqiuiring minds want to know ,how did you wind up driving through Columbia S C ?? I usually go i26 to Columbia take I20 to I95 go north on i95 north to 328 then south to 378/501.This way you by pass Columbia and Florence .I bet the Campground you used was Pirate Land .Was in there with my 40 ft motor home had a H--- of a time getting in and a worse getting out!!!

[Scott & Heather]

Lol. I will say this: I wouldn't live in a bus unless I had to. And since I'm on the road 100% with singing contracts all over the U.S., I have to. So I embrace the awesome stuff that comes with bus life, and I endure the challenges that come with bus life. Someday I'll sell my bus...and do a happy dance.

Drive it more...you'll get to the point you actually don't mind it. We drove almost 20,000 miles in the bus last year. Do that kind of seat time and it will feel as normal as driving a toyota corolla.

[Branderson]

Full timing vs traveling on days off of work is totally different. 

When we full timed we traveled and then stayed somewhere for 2-4 weeks and moved on and it wasn't stressful.  Due wanting and having an older bus now and having a career we have found it best to use it for close travels withing 5 hrs otherwise we make other arrangements due to the worries of what ifs with needing to get back, ext.  We keep it simple and that has allowed us to enjoy having a bus.  We are about to take on a long travel out west but we have 3 weeks.  I also have always tinted the windshield and side windows and it provides a lot more enjoyable experience while traveling.   

Can you tell me more about the tinting?  Do you just do UV tint on the front windshield and normal tint on the sides?  This interests me b/c it gets pretty warm especially when driving into the sun.