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Old 07-22-2015, 03:01 PM   #1
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So, about driving...

Hi guys,

I'm new to the board, but introduced myself in the New Member Intros already. I'm so glad I found you all!

My plan is to convert and move into a bus by 2020-2021, and to travel the US, living in my skoolie full-time. I want to be a Nomad when I grow up.

I realize that a huge part of living in a home on wheels is being able to drive and maintain the 'on wheels' part of said home. I have no experience with diesel engines or large vehicles. It seems that lots of you are former truck drivers. Do you think it would benefit me to take a CDL course to familiarize myself with these things? Is there another way to get comfortable with the workings of a bus?

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Old 07-22-2015, 03:31 PM   #2
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watch youtube videos

search for things like :

Airbrake test

checking tires

about everything from king pins to rearend lube change is online now, maybe not in a few years when it's turned off, but now it is

and welcome
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Old 07-22-2015, 04:48 PM   #3
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It'll only take an afternoon to read through the CDL manual from your driver licensing division. Much of it will be dull or non-applicable to your purposes, but then again not much time is lost either. An actual CDL course from a truck driving school is probably overkill; I think they'll be mostly focused on people who want to drive a tractor-trailer rig day in and day out. Also, they won't teach any more about maintenance than is absolutely required for the purpose of doing a suitable pre-trip inspection. You can get that just as well from the driver license manual or Youtube.
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Old 07-22-2015, 05:06 PM   #4
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I teach CDL prep. occasionally and the guys are right, go online/dmv and read, read, read.

I drive by the driver's side, that is keep the DS near the line and the rest will follow.

Learn to use your mirrors and how to adjust them for optimum vision. Set up a course with paper cups/cones or anything expendable and practice.

You should be able to parallel park with ease..(we learn with a trailer!), stop with your front bumper touching a target, back to within a couple feet of a target and much more but it will come if you are diligent.

Long bus with lots of overhang? Watch city buses and the tail swing, it goes way out of line if you turn sharp.

Keep your speed reasonable and your eyes/head moving, you'll be fine.

I had a bunch of CDL sample tests that have all kinds of info. They are(were) available online for a few $.
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Old 07-22-2015, 06:28 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bansil View Post
about everything from king pins to rearend lube change is online now, maybe not in a few years when it's turned off, but now it is

I was eating a pringles chip when I read that, and inhaled the wrong way when I laughed

I figured out to not take a drink when I start reading something... figured food would be safe.
pretty soon, it's not even going to be safe for me to venture outside
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Old 07-22-2015, 07:36 PM   #6
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.............


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Old 07-22-2015, 11:41 PM   #7
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When you grow up? How old are you? If you are still high school age, enroll in auto shop. Auto shop saved me tens of thousands of dollars when I started my business. I know people that went to the mechanic to have their wipers changed.
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Old 07-22-2015, 11:45 PM   #8
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I'm in my mid-thirties. 'When I grow up' was more tongue-in-cheek. Apologies for the confusion. My local college offers car care classes, both for credit and as adult education. Do you think they'd be worth my time?
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Old 07-22-2015, 11:59 PM   #9
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I'm in my mid-thirties. 'When I grow up' was more tongue-in-cheek. Apologies for the confusion. My local college offers car care classes, both for credit and as adult education. Do you think they'd be worth my time?
Absolutely. Where else are you going to learn? If you don't have the basics down, you will learn nothing online.
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