I'm a new Bird owner

[pattypape]

Pappy,

Good post lots more to think about.

Just jump in and find a Bird within your budget.

Bill 88 FC Michigan

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "whistles_n_bells"
wrote:
>
> Ryan:
>
> Good travels with your new Bird. If you don't mind my two-cents
worth -
> from an old (long time - yeah, old too) bus driver. The lane
positioning
> will come soon enough. Interestingly, you'll find that your mirrors
will
> teach you this - no need to stare into them - occasional glances to
> "line-up." This will become second nature. It's all part of the
> "instrument scan."
>
> Mirrors will also indicate to you whether or not your coach is
> "dog-tracking." This is an occurrence of the rear not tracking
true
> with the front. When operating on a tangent stretch of road, check
the
> driver's -side mirror and you can see the curb-side fog
line/shoulder
> without much difficulty - conversely - the lane dividing markings
> disappear behind the coach (again, on a tangent road), have it
checked
> out. If you find yourself in a tight squeeze, if your "dogging,"
you'll
> likely side swipe what your squeezing between. Of course, the
length of
> the vehicle determines how offset the track is.
>
> Hazards; use them for driving hazards. Many states have specific
codes
> with regard to their use - aside from the obvious. It was mentioned
that
> use of the hazards when merging with traffic is wise. It is if you
are
> entering on a grade which prevents you from accelerating to the
flow of
> traffic. Ex: Traffic at 60 MPH, you're coming on at 35 MPH and will
be
> unlikely to get into the flow quickly enough. Yes, kick them on
until
> enough vehicles are behind you to "build a cushion." Again,many
states
> have "Slower Traffic Use Flashers" signs posted - and compliance is
> required. Long story short, whenever you get into a dangerous
situation
> - traffic suddenly slowing, greatly reduced visibility (dust storm,
> sudden fog, accident sites that do not yet have emergency vehicles
> present). You'll find that most of the old-hand bus and truck
drivers
> will be happy to give you some helpful and safe tips.
>
> One more thought if I might, always give yourself an "out." Most
folks
> usually connect this to traveling at highway speeds - and this
certainly
> applies. As important, city traffic comes into play. Always give
> yourself sufficient room to avoid having to back up. Allow enough
space
> between your front end the the rear of the vehicle in front of you -
> enough to be able to pull around that vehicle in the event it breaks
> down and can't move. This also applies to parking situations -
enough
> room to get around a close vehicle, but not enough to let another
> vehicle (car) box you in. Observe fellow RV'ers using the "45
degree"
> technique. This usually applies where the is no provisions for large
> vehicle parking accommodations.
>
> Again, have a safe "cross-country solo." You soon discover why so
many
> people drive professionally - as well as enjoy the motor home
lifestyle,
> with a quality bus.
>
> Joe (Pappy) Hagan
> St. George, UT
> Wanderlodge lWannabe
>
>
> -- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ryan Wright"

> wrote:
> >
> > Brad, Pete: Thank you for the driving advice. This will all come
in
> > handy. I'm sure I'll be just fine after the first hour or so, but
it's
> > really nice to get some tips to help me feel more comfortable
until I
> > get used to things.
> >
> > -Ryan
> >
> > On 4/22/07, brad barton bbartonwx@ wrote:
> > >
> > > Pete,
> > > I like your idea a lot. Even if I'm confident enough, having a
> mark of some
> > > kind is handy for my wife or son when they drive the coach on
rare
> > > occasions. And the mark or tape on the dash means they don't
have
> to take
> > > their eyes so far off the road to check their lane position.
Good
> advice.
> > >
> > > Brad Barton 00LXiDFW
> > > bbartonwx@
> >
>