My first freeway drive or Mr Toad's wild ride

[Paladin]

Ok, this will be boring to old time jockeys or maybe rather humorous but try to think back.

Actually it was thankfully really mostly blah since not a thing happened but it was my first trip driving a bus at 60 mph and with traffic on both sides of me.

The freeway was mostly deserted except for a few cars here and there even at 10:00 pm on Saturday and it was pretty much a straight shot up to the house taking maybe 10 minutes. I only had a couple of curves along the freeway in the spaghetti bowl and then the exit off and the drive to the house through the neighborhoods. I started out and it really, really felt strange and pretty noisy running slowly up to speed on the on ramp. Remember that I'm an empty shell, the bus is empty too 
It was pretty nerve racking at first but I just focused on staying in my lane and monitoring the bus.
I was sort of worried of how she might steer at speed and how much brake pressure it might take to get her to stop since I'm not real used to the air brakes and didn't know what to expect  but it came gradually and she tracked pretty well really. Braking was nothing really, just about the same as towing my boat with my truck.
  There was some construction and jersey barriers and I just kept in that lane. It sort of freaked me out but I knew I had to learn to do it sooner or later and a mostly empty freeway was a good place and time. It wasn't really too bad.

The neighborhood drive was a tad more exciting since I was worried of clipping a parked car as I turned here and there but nothing happened. Just some really odd looks as I drove a 40' bus through neighborhoods.

Turning into my driveway was sort of exciting. A narrow driveway off of a regular residential road and then pull in about 60 feet. I had to turn really wide and drove over the curb on the front and part of the lawn ant then straightened out into the driveway and the left rears missed the shrubs along the driveway but only barely.
Um, the only real problem now is that my bus sticks out like sore thumb being as tall as the house, not the roof peak but the walls.
I'm waiting for  the neighbors to arrive with tar and feathers but the drive ws actually sort of fun after the first 5 minutes.


-Dave

[FloridaCliff]

Dave,

Sounds like you had a GOOD first drive compared to many of us!

I think I went 45 miles in 13 hours....Long story.....

Oh Yeah, on the bus looking big, It grows alot once it gets next to YOUR house...LOL

Good Luck with the neighbors

Cliff

[Dallas]

Dave,

Don't feel bad about anything you might have done wrong on the Virgin Route! We've all been there and have all done that. As long as there aren't any scrapes or scratches on anything that doesn't belong to you, your in Tall Cotton!.

Now, I may be telling secrets, but,.....

We just got back from driving the 73 baby fishbowl we're buying from Mike Hill. I drove out, along the nice wide 2 lane road, and then along the even nicer 4 lane. Such a joy to drive. Not a care in the world. Easy as falling off a bicycle.

Then it was Cat's turn!
I stopped at the end of the 4 lane on the shoulder and swapped seats with Cat. She got in the seat, her little bitty toes barely reaching the pedals, and headed out through the countryside on the narrowest section of our 2 lane road. I sat up front so I could see out the passenger mirror to make sure she kept us sunnyside up. All the time I was only offering constructive observations about how narrow the road was and how close we were to the edge with no shoulder and a 3' drop into the ditch. I think I only squealed once and I'm almost certain I did not scream!
Do you think she thanked me for my efforts? Do you think she even acted like she appreciated my help?

NOT ON YOUR BLOODY LIFE!

[/color][/i]

She acted like I was the meanest most low down skunk wallering egg sucking cur on the face of the earth.
The things I go through in the name of teaching and helping my loved ones.

Congratulations!
Dallas

[bubbaqgal]

Right, on that little narrow road, I had a car pull out from an intersection, just as I was coming up to it.  I moved over a bit so I wouldn't hit him and this 6 foot tall, 200+ man beside me starts screeching, MOVE OVER, MOVE OVER  and then he ducks under the bed, screaming, "if you go in the ditch (there is only about a 12 inch roadside before the ditch) we will tip over". 

Then, as I slow this bus that I never driven before, to make a hard right, he says, "are ya gonna turn, or just sit here". 

He is right about one thing, and one thing only (in his whole life) and that is that I did NOT appreciate his help, any more than I appreciated being made to drive when I did not want to.  Next time he can do all the driving, unless of course, it is Franks bus I'm asked to drive.  I like that one!!

[Paladin]

I guess I was lucky I was alone although I did have the bosses voice in my ear on the phone from in the car in back of me. She was calling out my speed since my speedo is perma pegged at 80mph. She occasionally suggested that I move away from the jersey barriers but I wanted to learn. she didn't bother to warn me that I was too tall to avoid scraping the branch above the driveway but it was just a small one.

If she had driven we would have been going 85 mph, she might had taken out a car or two but she'd still be laughing demonically today and I'd still be shaking. 

[bobofthenorth]

My maiden voyage was in Kelowna, BC which, for those of you who don't know, is a moderate sized city with a lot of traffic.  I had a good friend who used to own a trucking business and who still drives semis for sport take me out to the previous owner's place, an orchard on the edge of Kelowna.  From there we had to navigate through town and into the ritziest neighbourhood in town and finally up Brian's long winding, one lane driveway in reverse.  And did I mention - I have a 10 speed.  So I thought Brian had agreed that he was going to drive the monster home but when it came time to leave he just said "well, you follow me & if you get in trouble stop & we can switch".  Coming out of the previous owner's yard was OK cuz it was dirt lanes and we never got out of 3rd gear but then I got up to 4th and then couldn't find 5th so grabbed high range and went to 6th.  Then we came to a light and I was back looking for 5th and do you think I could find it?  Not a prayer.  So finally I started looking hard at the picture on the top of the stick.  Turns out I have what I believe is called a "U" transmission - I shift 1,2,3 like any old 5 speed, then I go sideways to 4th and ahead for 5th.  Which actually works really well for skip shifting but doesn't work worth a d@mn when you are learning. The other problem which was almost worse than not knowing where the holes were was that there simply wasn't room between the steering wheel and the (oak) armrest for my knee.  My legs are way to long to poke a clutch under the wheel so every time I used the clutch I was bashing my knee all to H on the armrest/steering wheel.  So all the way home it was bash my knee, miss the shift, bash my knee some more, miss another gear, coast to a stop, start over. 

[cody]

I guess I've got to add my 2 cents here, my first time behind the wheel of our bus I had to drive it thru the narrow, winding streets of downtown OshKosh Wisconsin, did I mention that the largest air show in the country was going on right there at the time with all the accompanying commotion and extra people?  It's supprising how quickly people can get out of your way when they see the white knuckles and crazed look of a rookie behind the wheel.

[RJ]

I graduated from high school on a Friday, and the following Monday morning started training as a skoolie driver, to pay my way thru college.

That was back in 1967. . . so long ago that I don't remember my first stint behind the wheel of that 35-foot Gillig pusher the district used as a training bus - other than it had a backwards shift pattern to the five-speed and "Armstrong" steering. 

But Dave, just remember - it gets easier the more miles you put in behind the wheel.  So don't keep it parked very much - get out and drive the darned thing!!

Oh, and Cat - Next time I make it to Jack's party in Arcadia, if you and Dallas are there, I'll be glad to take you out for some behind-the-wheel training - w/o all the drama.  (Just ask Steve Fesseden's wife!)

If not me, the perhaps Buswarrior can help settle your nerves!   

Good thread!!   

FWIW & HTH. . .

[Dreamscape]

After graduating from high school in 1967 I drove a school bus for a private school in Salem Oregon. Then I worked summers driving trucks hauling bush beans to a cannery. But that was nothing to compare when I first drove our Eagle from Ohio to Burbank CA. A lot of years in between so it was like the first time. My daughter who rode with me kept saying "Dad you're driving too close". I was passing a few trucks on the freeway, and yes it was like you could reach out and touch them. I will never forget that experience, 2600 miles and lots of white knuckle driving. Keeping plenty of distance and watching out for idiots who think you can stop on a dime.
Now if you really want to gain experience try driving your newly purchased bus in Los Angeles traffic at night. That was the worst part, just glad it wasn't rush hour traffic. I would put my turn signals on quite a while before changing lanes, hoping that no idiot had decided he wanted my spot too.
The only way to get to know your bus is to drive it and work on it when it either breaks down or you are doing PM work. Spend as much time as you can reading manuals and did I say Drive The Bus. Also asking lots of questions on the boards helps a bunch.

Have fun and enjoy the ride!

Paul

[Gary LaBombard]

What a good thread you started here Dave, I am enjoying reading all this about everyone's first trip out on the road and it brings back some memories but not many as my first experience was a long time ago, (we all know that by now and also the distance only that I have driven). 

I am very anxious to try to drive my own coach one day but I still feel I would love to have someone really experienced as my teacher to get the basics down on shifting etc.  I do know that driving it often after is the final answer to anyone's fears is to conquer the fear of driving a big rig and this will happen.

I do remember the only trip I got to take my knuckles too were very white from gripping the steering wheel and I know my butt was so tightly closed I could of cracked several wall nuts if I had to in it.  I did drive my bus home on the only trip it has been on and it was on a week day when I did and my plan was to arrive without anyone seeing me!!  Well, that didn't happen.  It turned out to be a holiday Monday!!  I arrived and got ready for a tight right hand turn into my drive way and of coarse I got hung up with the right side of the bus on my wooden fence. 

On my trip departure the previous owner said I had to push in a button on my console to go into reverse and then 2nd gear become reverse.  He didn't tell me you had to hold it in to activate.  I tried to get off the fence by backing up and the more I did the more I went forward.  Now it was too late, I was hung up.  Sweating profusely, no one should see as they are all at work!!  Wrong Again, Holiday weekend remember.  Everyone in the neighborhood watched me as I come out of my bus, saw all my audience and sure I got some cheers or jeers, whatever!! 

They all watched me go to my shed, they had no idea what my plan was but I did.  I got out my chain saw and come over to the fence, and cut out a section equal to 8 ft. in length.  No more problem now!!  I dragged the fence out of the way and got back in my coach, no idea still how to activate Reverse.  So I drove in front ways as I intended and there I have been sitting on 12" wooden blocks ever since. 

Now can you imagine my first real trip after all this time and prepping and busting my keister on this thing??  I am sure my trip will be a continuation that will make everyone laugh even more than you are now but it will be funny to look back on, (If I ever get the chance to do it)! 

I look forward to more stories on this thread, sorry I do not have much to contribute to actual use of my (Coach) but I will one day.  Keep the stories coming, I am sure Christy must have a butte we can enjoy reading. 

Thanks again Dave.

Gary

[NewbeeMC9]

Gary, please video your first ride, one camera on you and one on the road.



My first ride,  I had some work done on brakes and such done when i bought my bus and the mechanic was right down the street from the PO.  so when I went to pick it up, he pulled it out of the lot he was test driving some work.  at a stop light, he jumped up and said here ya go,  no choice, i had to jump in,  we rode around the big block and we remembered he was going to help me fill it up.  so we drove down the street to the station on the corner and it had diesel. of course a little car scooted in and took the first pump so i had to fanagle it inclose to the next one while getting real close to his car.  I could see the inches in the mirror, he was threattened by the bohemoth so close.  I just ignored him as if i knew what i was doing, even smiled and waved aftxer he backed off and realized i didn't hit it.  OFW, his prob for jumping in as i was pulling up.  it was cold so she was smoking on fast idle too,  another benny.  Somebody else blocked him infrom the other side so he had to wait even longer.  the pump was for auto diesel and took quite a while to get a hundred gallons.  ( i don't see it as revenge since i didn't go out of my way and when higher powers present you with fun, you should oblige ) 

Made it home, all 4-lanes until right at the neighborhood.  had a horseshoe driveway  but was afraid to pull around.  just pulled in, even camped there for a little while.  Joined this board before it moved again.

[belfert]

I had to drive my bus 1,600 miles home after all of 15 minutes drivng a bus ever!  The salesman drove the bus out to the freeway entrance, hopped out, and had me drive it home.  I was a bit worried about no CDL in case I was stopped, but the bus only had one seat still attached and the dealer had registered it as a motorhome.  I had to stop at one DWI checkpoint, but the officer just asked if I had any passengers and if I had been drinking and sent me down the road.

On my latest trip out to Reno, NV, we had five drivers.  None of them had any problems driving the bus after the first 20 minutes or so, but everyone had driven large air braked vehicles at some point in their life.  One is a professional truck driver.

[superpickle]

LOL... Sounds like a fun ride..
Mine was a trip from LA to New Mexico..
UI had to drive it Trhough LA traffic .. it took 4 hours to go 125 miles.. Didnt know at the time, but the Right front brake didnt work      

hehehe..  But it was a FUN 1000 mile trip.. A real Blast in the snow in Flagstaff area.. with one frozen foot because I didnt know how to SHUT THE VENT 

[johnjem]

I have not got a chance to drive mine yet<it will be the first bus i would ever drive,I have driven a tractor trailer for wearner enterprize, cross country,but i dream of it every night>i am sure i will get used to it and befor u know it it is second nature and u will just jump in and drive!!!!!

[bubbaqgal]

Oh, and Cat - Next time I make it to Jack's party in Arcadia, if you and Dallas are there, I'll be glad to take you out for some behind-the-wheel training - w/o all the drama.  (Just ask Steve Fesseden's wife!)

Thanks for the offer.  I like learning from non screamers.  The bad part is that by the time we are able to get to make the trip to Arcadia I will probably be too old to drive.  LOL