There are two aspects of RVing that terrify every beginner: parking and turning. Parking an RV requires patience and practice, as does turning—like any other skill, practice is essential for improvement.
We’ll provide you with valuable tips and tricks for learning how to turn an RV safely. Keep in mind that practice makes perfect. Although it may be intimidating to hit the road for the first time driving or towing an RV, if you don’t try, you’ll never overcome the fear of turning an RV. Let’s get started!
Handling an RV
Whether you’re driving an RV or towing a trailer, you must learn the basics of handling yourself on the road again. Even experienced drivers will tell you that towing or driving a motorhome is different and tricky until you become accustomed to it.
Driving or towing on the highway is generally easier than navigating city streets. This is where the greatest adjustment occurs. City streets are tighter and less accommodating for larger vehicles such as motorhomes and trailers. If you’ve ever seen a semi-truck or trailer go over a curb, this is similar to what you can expect as you learn the intricacies of turning an RV.
Pro tip: Consider taking an RV driving course at a local dealership to enhance your RV driving and turning skills. Most dealerships offer classes, individual lessons, and more on the essentials of RV driving. It’s also crucial to stay informed about state regulations.
Remember that when driving a motorhome or towing a trailer, you’re much heavier than when driving a standard car. When fully loaded, a trailer or motorhome will require more braking distance and a wider turn radius, especially when making right turns. Typically, left turns are easier to master when RVing because you have more room for error.
Right-hand turns tend to be less comfortable, given how they were learned initially. In a car, you hug the corner during your turn. In contrast, behind the wheel of a motorhome or trailer, you need to provide extra space in the front to make a full right turn by pulling out further before initiating the turn.
Now, let’s explore how the differences in turning apply specifically to a motorhome or trailer.
Turning a Motorhome
The key factor to remember when driving a motorhome is that your tires are located beneath you, not directly in front. This spatial difference necessitates a different judgment for the distance of your right turn compared to that of a standard vehicle.
This means you need to advance further into the intersection and to the left or right before making your turn, ensuring your wheels have cleared the turning radius before you begin.
When executing a right turn in a motorhome, it’s essential to check your mirrors and remain aware of your blind spots. You might not see bicycles, pedestrians, or smaller vehicles alongside you or on the sidewalk. Always ensure your surroundings are clear before making any turn.
Pro tip: Avoid crossing into adjacent lanes whenever possible. While some situations may necessitate it, strive to make your right turns without doing so to prevent blocking traffic and potentially causing accidents.
Turning a Trailer
If you are towing a trailer, it’s critical to consider trailer sway when making turns, especially right turns. Similar to turning a motorhome, you’ll need to enter the intersection more than you’re used to before initiating your turn. However, the notable difference is the trailer sway, which can occur, albeit subtly.
This sway can push your trailer into adjacent lanes, leading to potential accidents or striking a pedestrian if caution is not exercised.
Proper hitch securing is vital here. If your hitch isn’t tightly secured, your trailer may sway left when making a right turn, inching into the left lane and vice versa. Conversely, if your hitch is too tight, your trailer may not turn as smoothly as desired.
This is a factor you may not notice until you encounter issues, so be mindful of it during your right turns to make necessary adjustments for easier turns in the future.
Pro tip: If you experience excessive sway in one direction or the other while turning, consider investing in a different hitch system to address the issue. There are various types of hitch systems available; finding the right one for your setup is crucial.
Bottom Line
Turning a trailer or motorhome requires practice and acclimation to the distance challenges inherent in owning a recreational vehicle. By honing your turning skills, particularly with right turns, you will learn how far out you need to position your vehicle and adjust accordingly on your travels.
