How Hard Is It to Drive an RV? A Realistic Assessment
The Honest Answer: It Depends on What You're Driving
This is the single most common question I hear from people considering their first RV rental. The answer ranges from "barely different from your car" to "you need to completely rewire your driving instincts" — and it all comes down to what class of RV you choose.
Let me walk through each type and give you the real picture, not the "anyone can do it!" cheerleading you'll get from rental companies who want your booking.
Class B Camper Vans: Almost Like Driving a Big SUV
If you can drive a full-size van or large SUV, you can drive a Class B. They're built on standard van chassis (Mercedes Sprinter, Ram ProMaster, Ford Transit) and typically run 17–23 feet long.
The adjustment period is minimal. You'll notice the height more than the length — most camper vans are around 9–10 feet tall, which means you need to start paying attention to drive-through clearances, parking garage heights, and low-hanging branches. Put a sticky note on your dashboard with the vehicle height. I'm serious — this simple habit prevents thousands of dollars in roof damage every year.
Parking: Standard parking spaces work for most Class B vans. You might need to pull through rather than back in, but that's about it.
Fuel: These get 15–20 MPG, which is comparable to a full-size truck. No surprise there.
Comfort level after Day 1: High. Most people forget they're in a camper van within a few hours.
Class C Motorhomes: The Learning Curve Starts Here
Class C motorhomes — the ones with the cab-over bunk above the driver — run 20–33 feet and weigh 10,000–14,000 lbs. This is where driving becomes a genuinely different skill than driving a car.
Turning radius: A 30-foot Class C needs significantly wider turns than anything you've driven. Right turns are the danger zone — you'll swing wide and need to watch your rear end cutting the corner. Left turns across traffic require more time than you think.
Braking distance: At 14,000 lbs, you need 50–100% more stopping distance than a passenger car at the same speed. In rain, add another 50%. Tailgating in a Class C is not just rude — it's genuinely dangerous.
Wind sensitivity: Above 45 mph, you'll feel crosswinds pushing the vehicle. On open highways in the western US, wind gusts of 30+ mph are common and can move a Class C an entire lane width. Grip the wheel firmly but don't overcorrect.
Mirrors, not windows: You cannot see behind you through a rear window. Your side mirrors are everything. If the rental doesn't have extended mirrors, ask for them.
Comfort level after Day 1: Moderate. Most people are competent but still tense. By Day 3, it's routine.
Class A Motorhomes: Respect the Beast
Class A motorhomes — the bus-style rigs — run 25–45 feet and weigh 16,000–30,000+ lbs. Renting one of these as a first-timer is possible but not recommended unless the rental company provides a thorough orientation (at least 30 minutes of driving instruction, not just a walkthrough of the kitchen).
Everything from Class C applies, amplified. Wider turns, longer braking, more wind sensitivity. A 40-foot Class A in a crosswind is a workout, not a cruise.
Diesel vs gas: Many Class A rigs are diesel pushers (engine in the rear). These actually drive smoother than gas models — better torque, more stable, air brakes that inspire confidence. If you're renting a Class A, a diesel pusher is the better choice for driving comfort.
Height clearance becomes critical. A typical Class A is 11–13 feet tall. Standard overpasses are 14 feet. That sounds like plenty of margin until you encounter an old bridge at 12'6" and you're driving a 12'2" RV. Know your height. Stick to truck routes. Use an RV GPS app (RV Trip Wizard, CoPilot RV) that factors in your vehicle dimensions.
Backing up: You will avoid backing up a Class A whenever possible. Pull-through camping sites, pull-through fuel stations, and parking lots where you can drive straight through. When you must back up, have a spotter outside and go painfully slow.
Comfort level after Day 1: Low to moderate. The physical act of driving is fine — it's the spatial awareness and constant vigilance that's exhausting. By Day 3–4, most people have adapted.
Tow Vehicles with Travel Trailers: A Different Skill Entirely
If you're renting a travel trailer (which you tow with your own vehicle or a rented truck), the driving dynamics are fundamentally different from a motorhome.
Backing up is the hardest part. When you turn the steering wheel left, the trailer goes right. This is counterintuitive and takes practice. Expect to pull forward and try again multiple times when backing into a campsite. There is no shame in this — experienced RVers do it too.
Trailer sway: At highway speeds, a travel trailer can develop a side-to-side oscillation called sway. This is the single most dangerous thing about towing. Proper tongue weight (10–15% of trailer weight on the hitch), a good weight distribution hitch, and a sway control device prevent most sway. If sway starts, do NOT hit the brakes — ease off the gas and let the vehicle slow naturally, or use the trailer brake controller if equipped.
Speed limits: Many states have lower speed limits for vehicles towing trailers (typically 55 mph vs 65–70 for cars). Check each state you're traveling through.
Universal Tips That Apply to Every RV
Do a parking lot practice session. Before hitting the road, spend 20–30 minutes in an empty parking lot practicing turns, backing up, and getting a feel for the braking. Every rental company should encourage this. If they rush you out, that's a red flag.
Slow down. Seriously. 55–60 mph is the sweet spot for almost every RV. Better fuel economy, more control, less stress. The people passing you will survive.
Plan your fuel stops. Not every gas station can accommodate an RV. Truck stops (Flying J, Pilot, Love's) are designed for large vehicles. Regular gas stations with tight canopies and small lots are not. Running out of fuel in an RV is a much bigger problem than in a car — you can't just walk to the next station with a gas can.
Watch the weather. High winds, heavy rain, and mountain driving are all more challenging in an RV. There's no shame in pulling over and waiting for conditions to improve. I've seen experienced RV drivers pull off the road in 40 mph crosswinds. That's not fear — that's judgment.
Rest when you're tired. One of the best things about driving an RV is that you can pull into a rest area and take an actual nap in an actual bed. Drowsy driving in a 14,000 lb vehicle is exponentially more dangerous than in a car.
Accept that you'll make mistakes. You'll take a turn too tight. You'll misjudge a clearance. You'll forget the antenna is up. Minor errors are part of the learning process. The goal is to make your mistakes at low speed with minimal consequences.
Two decades of watching people learn to drive RVs has taught me this: almost everyone who was terrified on day one is comfortable by day three. The ones who have problems are the ones who weren't willing to slow down and admit they needed to learn.