Jump to content

Parallel parking a motor home?


Recommended Posts

I've never heard that they make you parallel park in Livingston, unless something changed just recently. We did have to parallel park when we took our Class A driving test, but we took ours in Van Horn.

LindaH
2014 Winnebago Aspect 27K
2011 Kia Soul

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes , the rules are that for any driving test you must parallel park, CDLl ncluded. Sometimes they make you, sometimes they don't. Livingston usually just makes you back up. But not every time.

2009 Volvo 780. D-16 500hp 1850 torque with a Herrin hauler bed.

2015 Continental Coach

2008 650cc Suzuki Bergman

2013 Mustang GT 500 convertible

2014 Smartcar convertible

WWW.Hollyfab.com. (Metal Fabrication Company)

Jamesc@hollyfab.com (preferred contact method)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

When we took our real CDL test we had to do parallel park . I did mine in a 38 foot bluebird school bus. It is not that hard as in a transit style bus the front wheels are behind you and you have a very good turn ratio. MH's are the same.

Helen and I are long timers ..08 F-350 Ford,LB,CC,6.4L,4X4, Dually,4:10 diff dragging around a 2013 Montana 3402 Big Sky

SKP 100137. North Ridgeville, Ohio in the summer, sort of and where ever it is warm in the winter.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

When I took the test in 2008 I had to parallel park. There weren't any barriers for me to back between. I just had to park close to the curb in an open area. The idea was to just move my 40' motorhome over about 8 feet to the curb. I used the passenger side rear view mirror and drove it like I would a car.
The tester made me turn off the backup camera. However I sure don't know how the camera would have helped me unless there was a barrier or another vehicle to back toward. It did help that I had been driving the MH for over a year and about 8000-9000 miles, so I felt comfortable driving it.

Al & Sharon
2006 Winnebago Journey 36G 
2020 Chevy Colorado Toad
San Antonio, TX

http://downtheroadaroundthebend.blogspot.com/

Link to comment
Share on other sites

When you do this parallel parking thing, are you allowed to use someone to marshal or watch out for stuff. That's certainly the only way I will back up my motorhome in tight quarters.

No, the only people allowed in your vehicle during a driving test are you and the tester. They are watching you so, you better be able to drive your rig all by yourself. As everyone else has said, there are no barricades or anything, you just must be capable of parallel parking...ie, backing it up and parking it against the curb.

 

Anyone ever have to parallel-park in real life?

Yes, twice in 12 years. Once in a truck stop parking lot in Huntsville, Texas. The only space available was along the edge of the parking space. The other one was in the parking lot of (I think) Marengo Caves in Marengo, Indiana. Similar situation, once again, the only space available that was big enough was along the of the parking lot. Indiana was easy. It was a 28ft trailer with a 20 ft truck. Huntsville was a bit harder with a 25ft long truck and a 40 ft trailer

MY PEOPLE SKILLS ARE JUST FINE.
~It's my tolerance to idiots that needs work.~

2005 Volvo 780 VED12 465hp / Freedomline transmission
singled mid position / Bed by Larry Herrin
2018 customed Mobile Suites 40KSSB3 

2014 smart Fortwo

 

 
 
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The CDL test I took in Maryland included backing the vehicle 200' while staying between the lines, doing an "offset maneuver" equivalent to backing the vehicle into a loading dock and, lastly, parallel parking. I took the test in a 36' straight truck with a 6-speed manual transmission on the floor.

 

Are these skills relevant to RVers? I sure think they are. They give me far more confidence when I need to back into a site. Sure, I have my DW spot for obstacles, since trees were not part of the CDL test ;) , but, once I can see the edge of my site I can swing the MH into position on my own.

Sandie & Joel

2000 40' Beaver Patriot Thunder Princeton--425 HP/1550 ft-lbs CAT C-12
2014 Honda CR-V AWD EX-L with ReadyBrute tow bar/brake system
WiFiRanger Ambassador
Follow our adventures on Facebook at Weiss Travels

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Real life parking? Sure, I've had to parallel park my rig a number of times. At the time (last time) it was a 30' truck pulling a 42' trailer. It is not really that hard as long as you have a large enough space. Getting into a "tight" space is probably not something I would willingly attempt.

Jack & Danielle Mayer #60376 Lifetime Member
Living on the road since 2000

PLEASE no PM's. Email me. jackdanmayer AT gmail
2016 DRV Houston 44' 5er (we still have it)
2022 New Horizons 43' 5er
2016 Itasca 27N 28' motorhome 
2019 Volvo 860, D13 455/1850, 236" wb, I-Shift, battery-based APU
No truck at the moment - we use one of our demo units
2016 smart Passion, piggyback on the truck
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
See our website for info on New Horizons 5th wheels, HDTs as tow vehicles, communications on the road, and use of solar power
www.jackdanmayer.com
Principal in RVH Lifestyles. RVH-Lifestyles.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It is more difficult to park most RV fivers than commercial semi-trailers due to the wheel positions, an RV has a lot more swing of the rear to watch out for. If you end up in a situation where there is a curbside obstruction like a sign or light pole you might want to discuss that with your tester before you head into the spot.

First rule of computer consulting:

Sell a customer a Linux computer and you'll eat for a day.

Sell a customer a Windows computer and you'll eat for a lifetime.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Anyone ever have to parallel-park in real life?

We lucked out when we wanted to park on the street in downtown Chicago. We found two empty, metered spots front to back between an alley and a bus stop. Pull-through big city parking!!! I suspect Dave could have parked our rig in two metered spots elsewhere but we never had to learn if that was true.

 

Linda Sand

Blog: http://sandcastle.sandsys.org/

Former Rigs: Liesure Travel van, Winnebago View 24H, Winnebago Journey 34Y, Sportsmobile Sprinter conversion van

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Come to think of it, I have parked along side a curb a number of times. Mostly in a smaller town right around lunchtime with me getting the growlies. That is a kind of parallel parking job, I guess.

2004 Itasca Sunrise - 8.1 - Workhorse W22 - Allison 1000 - Chevy Cobalt toad

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Didn't have to do it when I got my CDL-B but have had to do several times driving the "yellow dog". I did have to back up 200 ft. between two lines. The parallel parking is easier than I thought it would be, just trust your mirrors.




Link to comment
Share on other sites

When we took our Class A test this past April in Livingston we did not have to PP but we did have to show proficiency in making a somewhat tight right hand turn in city traffic and 3 consecutive left turns to get back to the DPS station. When I took the test the DPS agent took a look at our rig and truck and asked the other DPS agent if we need to PP and she said no they are not a Class B RV bus, so one would presume that PP is required on the Class B test if you have a bus.

 

If we had to PP with our rig for the test it would not have been an issue as we have done it plenty of times before when necessary.

 

IMHO if you cannot back up your rig properly regardless if it is a 5th wheel or bus you should not be driving it, period, as you shows your skill set for driving is lacking and you do not take your responsibilities as a driver serious.

http://ramblingrvrat.blogspot.com/?m=1

GOD Bless America!

GOD Bless Texas!

GOD Bless All of our Troops!

"CHARACTER is doing the right thing when no one is looking"

'09 International Durastar 4400 LP Customized by 2L Custom Trucks

'20 DRV Mobile Suites 40KSSB4, '10 H-D FLHRC Road King Classic, '09 Honda Rebel AmeriDeck M/C Loader in Truck Garage, Polaris RZR 570 EPS 10 - 320W Solar Panels, 4- Simpliphi 3.8 kWh 151A Lithium batteries, Victron Multiplus 3000W inverters, Victron 250/70 Charge Controllers, Progressive hardwired 50 AMP EMS, Class of 2012!

1221594356_ProfilePic.jpg.9b4d57a43f182efadbcaf4db7556bb2e.jpg

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

IMHO if you cannot back up your rig properly regardless if it is a 5th wheel or bus you should not be driving it, period, as you shows your skill set for driving is lacking and you do not take your responsibilities as a driver serious.

 

I totally agree with you, but judging by all the threads relating to the TX Class B test, your opinion is clearly not shared by many. Unfortunately, quite a few RVers appear to barely be able to deal with not getting a pull-through site at a campground.

Sandie & Joel

2000 40' Beaver Patriot Thunder Princeton--425 HP/1550 ft-lbs CAT C-12
2014 Honda CR-V AWD EX-L with ReadyBrute tow bar/brake system
WiFiRanger Ambassador
Follow our adventures on Facebook at Weiss Travels

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the responses. I was picturing parallel parking a car on a city street in the only vacant spot, then imagining doing that with a street-full of cl A MH's with appropriately spaced parking lines.

Sounds like no-one has backed into such a spot on a busy street. Of course when towing parallel parking is not an option.

 

2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA ." And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.  John F. Kennedy 20 Jan 1961

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 5 weeks later...

OK! Lets get down to what one has been asked to do by the DPS Officer:

 

1. Pull your rig up along side of a curb where there are no other vehicles, OR

 

2. Pull your rig and park it between cars (vehicles) that are actually in front and behind where you will be parking your rig?

 

Which of THESE have you ACTUALLY been asked to do?

 

Please and Thank You!

Traveling America in "God's Grace"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...