Newbe with 2013 Journey 36M

jfdubois · 10-21-2021, 05:56 AM

Just upgraded from a 24' tow behind to a 2013 Winnebago Journey 37'.

I live in Tallahassee FL., but bought it just outside Knoxville, TN. 1st time driving it and had to go 480 miles to home. Backed it in my driveway on 1st try.

I am going to an RV Drivers School in Panama City Beach Fl in November. I know I will learn a lot.

**Eagle5** · 10-21-2021, 09:19 AM

Hi JFDubois,
Taking the RV Drivers School sounds like a great idea. A thirty-seven foot long Class A is big!
For some reason, our big city dealership Roy Robinson highly recommended a special Class C Driving School to me, especially after my test drive and then finding out I was from South Bend. A report on my driving school is below.

Welcome to the forum.
Eagle5

Ballard Driving Academy

jfdubois · 10-21-2021, 10:41 AM

My kind of driving school!!! Thanks for the response. I'm know that I will learn a lot about maneuvering in tight places and in a city. I am really looking forward to it.

jfdubois · 11-23-2021, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfdubois

Just upgraded from a 24' tow behind to a 2013 Winnebago Journey 37'.

I live in Tallahassee FL., but bought it just outside Knoxville, TN. 1st time driving it and had to go 480 miles to home. Backed it in my driveway on 1st try.

I am going to an RV Drivers School in Panama City Beach Fl in November. I know I will learn a lot.

My driving school was great. 2 days, 4 hours a day behind the wheel. He had me go through a Wal-Mart parking lot, a home depot parking lot and a sam's parking lot to get a lot of tight work. then street work in lunch time traffic. More tight work on side streets, then done for day one. Day two was a lot of backing up, backing into side roads on my weak (passenger) side. pulling into places and showing my wife how to direct me safely. Backing up a long distance on a dead end road and then backing into side road to turn around, simulating being lost. A ton of tips and check lists. I really enjoyed the school and the instructor was great. I would do it again.

**Eagle5** · 11-23-2021, 04:03 PM

Hi JFDubois,
That driving school sounds great, and I'm glad you had fun. Did you ask him about backing-up by sound?

Very nice; Eagle5

jfdubois · 11-24-2021, 05:42 AM

Never heard of backing up by sound. I know I can tell if I'm getting close to a building by listening to the sound of the engine. I have sensors on the coach but they don't work. Original owner changed the electronics to better stuff. I'm used to not having those sensors anyway.

I feel much more confident since the school.

**Eagle5** · 11-24-2021, 09:17 AM

Hi again JD,
Starting at time-stamp 1:25 in the above video, they don't look when backing into a parking space, but rather, they listen for the "crunch." That's the Ballard way! It is funny; you will laugh later.
UFF DA!
Thanks, Eagle5