Student driver

I just got back from Mt Rainier, and boy, I still have a lot to learn about driving a full size van.

The biggest thing that gets to me is curvy roads. In my little sedan, yeah, I can whip around curves, in a 3/4 ton cargo van, with my valuables in it, no way. My sweet spot is 50 mph, 45 mph around a curve. Of course, everyone else wants to go 65+, even when it's clearly speeding. I pull over when I can to let the cars go ahead of me, but it's hard to find a safe place johnny on the spot.
And the roads in National Parks, whoo-weee are they narrow! They were clearly built for Ford Model As, not Chevy Expresses.

Anybody else have a steep learning curve when going from a regular passenger car to a cargo van/Class B/ Class C?
How about a Class A? No wonder they teach RV bootcamp, I think that's what I need.

I've already been having dreams about those roads!! Going up, no problem! Coming back down? Runaway van!! LOL

I used to drive a 40ft Bobtail in the N~Ca coastal range.  

once you get used to the road and the vehicle ~

Sorry, I'm no help whatsoever.

I've been driving full size vans since 1975 and have handled up to 53' of Class A RV and trailer. I'm so used to driving large, don't corner well vehicles that if you ever put me in a smaller car I wouldn't know what to do with it.

The main thing you're going to find is that the center of gravity is different...no sharp corners and drifting around the curve is possible.

The only thing that is going to get you experience is, well, experience. Put in the miles and shortly you'll just wonder what in hell your problem was...

I agree experience will come. don't drive beyond your capabilities. don't let the vehicles behind you push you into driving faster then you want. pull over as soon as it's safe to let traffic go by. highdesertranger

Nope, I drive like a mad rabbit in my Class B.

Drive how you're comfortable and experience will follow.

Just takes miles under your belt.

Never push your limits because others are impatient. Very earliest possible starts will help give you empty roads.

You are all right, it takes more experience. I'll take some better topography thrown in also.
I feel like making myself a sign to put on the rear door: Get off my butt! I'm not the one in a hurry!

Seriously, a sign that you're still learning to handle your rig may well help them be patient, and keep their distance.

Big DANGER flammable PROPANE signs also work. Ask me how I know

Haha, how about,
Plutonium handling specialist -
How's my driving?

I pay attention to signs like this and give plenty of room:

SCARED SH**LESS STUDENT DRIVER AT THE WHEEL.

When training people to drive school buses we got them seated properly and got the mirrors adjusted properly then used a small piece of tape on the mirrors to mark the center and side lines of the road with the bus centered, that way with just a glance at the mirror the driver could tell where they were in the lane until they gained a little experience. Another good rule was never go down a hill faster than you can go up it, most school buses don't have the power to go up hill very fast. Don't drive faster than your brain can work, going slow gives you time to correct mistakes. Big well marked empty parking lots are used for CDL practice and testing and can really help you get used to your rig. As my preacher mechanic friend used to say " Come to terms with thy ass for it bears thee."

Credit John Muir, author and illustrator How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive: A Manual of Step-By-Step Procedures for the Complete Idiot

Slow down, take it easy, and stop worrying about the other drivers. No matter how fast you go, it's still not fast enough for everyone. If they can't pass you, they can dam well stay behind you, and you'll pull off when there's a nice safe spot. But that can be difficult with the next vehicle only five feet off your back bumper (even at 110 mph).

The drivers here in WA think the roads are like the Autobahn -- no speed limit. And they don't give a rat's patootie about anyone else.

John61 was just kidding. There are two signs that you never post ANYWHERE: 1) Beware of Dog (this one means you know you've got a dangerous dog), and 2) I Brake for Tailgaters (ever heard of Brake-Checking?)

My friend brake-checked a tailgater in the rain once, we both spun out right down to the bottom of the median strip. So yes, not really joke material.

But the time I got rear-ended checking out a gorgeous bikini in Ft Lauderdale one spring break, now **that** was funny!

Nor RVs but I went from a Dodge Dakota to a F350 159" wb and its a huge learning curve! I have to watch my tires turning right. My towing mirrors make it easy!

its definitely something you will get used to.