I’m approaching the 2 months mark since leaving my native Pennsylvania and began the voyage in my RV. Across many Southeast states and approaching 3,000 miles on the road, I have really learned quite a bit about maneuvering the rig and working with the many systems that make up the Coachmen Pursuit. After my friend asked, I decided to call it the ‘Endeavour’ since it does require total persistence, and a firm commitment to operate and make my way across the U.S.
A few observations from life on the RV road:
– I am really surprised by how an 18,000 pound motorhome reacts to windy conditions and the gusts of air from passing trucks – it’s truly a gigantic sail on the highway. It requires an active, constantly aware driving style and maintaining the 60 mph speed to assure you remain in control.
– Since I tow a vehicle behind the RV and cannot put the motorhome in reverse while it’s attached, the motto I adhere to is ‘always forward, never back’ – which actually works in several areas of my life. This is absolutely essential in one of the most challenging parts of the motorhome life: selecting the right gas station. I now observe how high the station’s sign is, how many wide lanes there are; you need to develop an eye for a large, expansive one, and dual pumps out in open space are key to allow enough room to pull in and pull out of after filling up. I take my time and don’t rush no matter how much time it takes to do right.
– The walls of the motorhome are thin; you hear rain and wind much louder than in a sticks and bricks home. While I wait to get to places with warmer weather it is also a lot colder, so my space heater has been an essential piece of gear.
– The LED status lights for propane, fresh water, black water (waste) and battery level are not really that accurate. I look to remove water and waste every 4 to 5 days, and refill my fixed propane tank at RV parks with big tanks in clear view (many locations only refill portable tanks which won’t work for the RV).
– The view driving is incredible! The height allows you to really see the country and traffic ahead of you, and calling it ‘the cockpit’ really adds to the RV driver ego!
– There are so many different types of people in the parks and campgrounds I’ve met. There are part timers and full timers, Baby Boomers and Millennials, those traveling for pleasure and those living in an area to work. The fire and chairs out front are invitations to greet your RV neighbor which is a definite part of the journey that’s enjoyable.
As the holidays arrive and the year concludes I am very thankful for finding my motorhome this summer, finding all the resources to help get me up to speed and truly enjoying visiting new places in the coming months.
Easing into New Orleans
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