Horrible Runaway RV Crash-reminder to be safe out there.

[maria-n-skip]

Most states should have the CDL books on line.

For Montana http://www.doj.mt.gov/driving/forms.asp#driverlicensing

If your state does have it online it would be interesting to have the url posted
so we can compare.....

Skip

[David Anderson]

These kind of accidents will be more frequent as more Baby boomers age and hop into their newly purchased RV's and try to drive it like an SUV.   This will prompt more and more regulations by the politicians who think they know how to protect us from ourselves.

The best way to learn about anything is information, ie., the internet.  There have been many threads on this board and I've seen threads at Woodalls and Escappees as to how people should safely drive mountain grades.   That is where I learned.  There is just no excuse anymore for not knowing.

The standard advice:  go down the hill the same speed and gear you went up.  How many times have we all read this?

David

[white-eagle]

anyone that can go to the Escapade annual Escapee rally in Goshen, IN this year, can take the safe driving course.  it costs extra, but teaches you how to drive an RV.  i know we don't have RV's, but its better than not having training.  i think it's a one day course.

i got a copy of the CDL requirements book for Ohio.  No, i didn't go pass a test, but that was for other reasons.  the book was helpful if for no other reason than it listed all the things to check before you release the brakes and take off on your trip.

i don't have a Jake, so i keep it in first or second and hit the brake hard periodically to keep the speed down.  i aslo try to avoid steep grades until i can afford a Jake.

the insurance policy break as incentive is a good idea.  i'd support that.  pass a test, written and driving, to get a 20% break on the fee.  Problem is the insurance industry would probably raise the rates 10% for all of us  first.

[RJ]

I live in Greenville SC, I sure wish Rick Long from CA. was here, but am sure there is qualified teachers here I would welcome to learn from.

Gary -

What would it be worth to you for me to fly back there from CA for a couple of day's training?? 

[Stan]

The "go down in the same gear as up" was valid when everyone had small engines. With 600 HP engines in motorhomes that climb 6% grades in high gear it no longer fits every case. It is scary that almost every MVD will allow people (many over 65) to drive a large motorhome with no previous experience, other than the family car.

[maria-n-skip]

One other little tidbit that has bitten me.

   Some of the newer smart automatic trannies will upshift if the RPM reaches a certain point. EVEN if you have selected
for it to be in that lower gear.  BTDT half way down the pass. It's a scary feeling because all of a sudden it feels
like you are free wheeling. Pull over Stop and walk around the bus till your heart rate is normal! That reminds me
I need to get a tach

  FWIW
Skip

[Charles Seaton]

I love buses (don't we all). When I puchased my first antique coach (fancy name for a 1958 old look) I was lucky enough to have a very good friend come out with me for a few early Sunday mornings, so that I could learn how to drive a 40-transit bus the proper way.  You never know everything you think you do, but it would have been pretty stupid of me to think that I could jump into the driver's seat of my first bus and drive it like someone who has been doing it for a living for 25 years.

[H3Jim]

maria n skip

I had the auomatic upshift happen when my jakes failed, up shifted due to rpm, and then I was going way too fast down the siskyou mountains.  Created a lot of adrenaline!!  The tranny does that to "save" the engine from over revving.  saved the engine, sacrafice the bus and driver!  I made it ok, but it sure makes you think twice about your speed.