When Test-Driving Your RV

From: Jeff Radich

When you take that all-important test drive, you should look for a lot more information than whether you like it or not. To really observe how the RV handles and rides, you need to take it though a variety of roads, speeds, and conditions that match those you will encounter during your travels. What road conditions do you anticipate? Will you drive on winding mountain roads and narrow dirt tracks or do you anticipate staying on the major roads and highways? Test the RV on each type of roads you might travel.

There are four critical things to look for and observe when you drive any prospective RV. I’m assuming you will take a test drive because it is imperative to determine the condition and power of any vehicle before you buy it. As you observe each critical item, ask yourself the questions that follow.

1.      Observe how the RV handles.

»        Does it have enough pickup when I start?

»        How does it take narrow curves?

»        How does it feel in windy conditions?

»        How does it fare when an eighteen-wheeler whizzes past?

»        Does it veer off to the side or rock back and forth, or does it hold steady?

»        Can it make it up a steep hill without chugging and spitting?

2.      Observe the mirrors.

»        From the vantage of the driver’s seat, can I easily see traffic on both sides of the vehicle?

»        What about the back? Can I see clearly enough to back up without having someone get out and direct me?

»        How many cameras does it have?

3.      Observe the ride.

»        Do I feel as if I am barely moving, or does it feel rough and bumpy?

»        Is the ride smooth enough to play a board game at the table or for the kids to play with their toys, or is it too rough to do anything?

»        Are the cabinet doors banging open and shut or is anything that is not attached bouncing around the floor? (If so, you probably want to consider a different model.)

4.      Observe the comfort.

»        Is the captain’s seat comfortable?

»        Are my passengers comfortable?

»        Can the passengers easily see the TV?

»        Is the dining table/dinette comfortable?

»        Is the bathroom large enough to be comfortable?

Test-driving your RV is very important. In addition to driving it, I also made the salesman drive it for me, while I acted as a passenger. I walked around and went in the back to see what it felt like.

For my family, I wanted a smooth ride so everyone would be comfortable. Because my wife is very sensitive to motion, we ended up choosing the RV that had a more comfortable ride and less banging around.

That is why I consider my driving and riding experiences to be the determining factors in our purchase.

While you might think some of these suggestions are silly, I can assure you that they are not. They are some of the most important things you can do to ensure that you don't take possession of your RV and get it home, just to realize it doesn’t meet your needs.

Jeff Radich is a professional research writer and active RV enthusiast.