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Senortrippington
Bootleg lean consumer

Registered: 09/21/11
Posts: 600
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Driving large cars - "church" vans, etc.
#16772040 - 09/01/12 04:26 PM (11 years, 5 months ago) |
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Hey guys, So my university has two campuses about 25 minutes apart and we have a shuttling service for the two. This upcoming saturday I will be taking a test in a van, not sure what they are called. They look like this:

this job is really chill and exactly what I need right now. (also pays amazing!)
Anyways, ive had the chance to drive two SUV's in my lifetime - a 96 ford explorer and a 2012 escape, with the former being the larger of the two. Does anyone have any tips on driving such a vehicle (i.e. you have to pult further when turning). I figure it can't be too hard as you dont even need a commercial license. Holding a job and classes is exactly what I need right now! help a brotha out!!!
-------------------- Yandyclip
      
Edited by Senortrippington (09/01/12 04:33 PM)
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Boutang
AKMC




Registered: 01/25/06
Posts: 1,660
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Re: Driving <nobr><a href="#" class="FAtxtL" id="FALINK_2_0_1">large cars</a></nobr> - "church" vans, etc. [Re: Senortrippington]
#16772055 - 09/01/12 04:30 PM (11 years, 5 months ago) |
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Just like driving anything else.
Pay attention. 
Edit: Well actually in a 12 seater van like that it is a pain to use the rear view mirror and you got more blind spots.
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   North to the future is our motto I'm still up north no future to follow We do these things and we don't give a fuck, we fire up a blunt in the car bumping Cougnut.
Edited by Boutang (09/01/12 04:32 PM)
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abltsandwich
JFK = Jelly Donut




Registered: 06/16/09
Posts: 11,537
Loc: Dildoville
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Just don't take turns or switch lanes too quickly, maybe keep a little longer following distance from other cars to account for the extra stopping distance you may need. They're easier to drive than a car IMO, better view of thangs, especially ahead of other vehicles in front of you.
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Absent Minded



Registered: 04/13/12
Posts: 3,300
Loc: Way Down South
Last seen: 8 years, 10 months
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You need a commercial license to drive that? I used to drive a van just like that for my work on occasion. They are big, handle like shit, are terrifying on the high way, full of blind spots and overall a nightmare to drive. Just make sure you KNOW there isn't anyone where you intend to change lanes into, and take it slow, especially around turns. They always feel like they're gonna flip on you.
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Beats More Beats sheekle: fuck peace love and unity sheekle: death despair and misery sheekle: is where it's at
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Absent Minded



Registered: 04/13/12
Posts: 3,300
Loc: Way Down South
Last seen: 8 years, 10 months
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Re: Driving large cars - "church" vans, etc. [Re: abltsandwich]
#16772062 - 09/01/12 04:32 PM (11 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
abltsandwich said: Just don't take turns or switch lanes too quickly, maybe keep a little longer following distance from other cars to account for the extra stopping distance you may need. They're easier to drive than a car IMO, better view of thangs, especially ahead of other vehicles in front of you.
that's true, you do have better frontal visibility.
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Beats More Beats sheekle: fuck peace love and unity sheekle: death despair and misery sheekle: is where it's at
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Senortrippington
Bootleg lean consumer

Registered: 09/21/11
Posts: 600
Last seen: 10 years, 9 months
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Re: Driving large cars - "church" vans, etc. [Re: abltsandwich]
#16772063 - 09/01/12 04:32 PM (11 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
abltsandwich said: Just don't take turns or switch lanes too quickly, maybe keep a little longer following distance from other cars to account for the extra stopping distance you may need. They're easier to drive than a car IMO, better view of thangs, especially ahead of other vehicles in front of you.
good point. thanks so far!
-------------------- Yandyclip
      
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Senortrippington
Bootleg lean consumer

Registered: 09/21/11
Posts: 600
Last seen: 10 years, 9 months
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Re: Driving large cars - "church" vans, etc. [Re: Absent Minded]
#16772071 - 09/01/12 04:34 PM (11 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
Absent Minded said: You need a commercial license to drive that? I used to drive a van just like that for my work on occasion. They are big, handle like shit, are terrifying on the high way, full of blind spots and overall a nightmare to drive. Just make sure you KNOW there isn't anyone where you intend to change lanes into, and take it slow, especially around turns. They always feel like they're gonna flip on you.
you don't, was an error in my writing.
-------------------- Yandyclip
      
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ImperialCactus
Stranger

Registered: 12/23/05
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Re: Driving large cars - "church" vans, etc. [Re: Absent Minded]
#16772115 - 09/01/12 04:44 PM (11 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
Absent Minded said: You need a commercial license to drive that? I used to drive a van just like that for my work on occasion. They are big, handle like shit, are terrifying on the high way, full of blind spots and overall a nightmare to drive. Just make sure you KNOW there isn't anyone where you intend to change lanes into, and take it slow, especially around turns. They always feel like they're gonna flip on you.
Sounds about right, had to be in one of those for a college field trip. We seriously thought this 60 year old instructor driving was going to kill us. Anyways yeah, as long as your careful you should be fine. Nice and smooth... it is a Ford after all.
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eLShaMukO



Registered: 04/28/10
Posts: 1,686
Loc: far away
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Re: Driving large cars - "church" vans, etc. [Re: ImperialCactus]
#16772171 - 09/01/12 04:53 PM (11 years, 5 months ago) |
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if the van is going to be fully loaded with people its obviously going to make it heavy so its not going to stop that fast when you push the brake ,take your time to stop the van slowly. make turns a little wider and always keep distance from vehicles in front of you.
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Midnight_Toker
Gone Fishin'


Registered: 09/26/10
Posts: 11,589
Loc: Canada
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When you have to back up and don't have any rear visibility, make sure you check and double check the area that you're going to back into is free and clear of obstacles before you turn to back in and your view is blocked. You want a good view of the area to give yourself a good mental picture.
When turning, always make wide turns. If you're turning right, veer left a little just before you make the right turn and your van will miss the curb. Do the opposite for turning left. I know this one sounds obvious, but so many people simply don't do this and it's scary.
ALWAYS check your blind spot when changing lanes! Don't just half do it either, move that head of yours behind your shoulder like you're that possessed chick in the exorcist. And always just be aware of where you are in relation to everyone else on the road, too. Know where you can go if something happens right in front of you and you need to react. But you will be leaving enough space that you would be able to brake in time, right? Right!
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Prisoner#1
Even Dumber ThanAdvertized!


Registered: 01/22/03
Posts: 193,665
Loc: Pvt. Pubfag NutSuck
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Quote:
Senortrippington said:
Quote:
abltsandwich said: Just don't take turns or switch lanes too quickly, maybe keep a little longer following distance from other cars to account for the extra stopping distance you may need. They're easier to drive than a car IMO, better view of thangs, especially ahead of other vehicles in front of you.
good point. thanks so far!
start braking long before you feel you need to when approaching a red light. at intersections you need to keep a watch as you're approaching for any traffic that's moving in from the side roads. to perform a limo/rolls royce stop, start by applying a little more pressure to the brake peddal in the beginning of the stop, slowly let up some of the pressure and as you're nearing the stopping point slowly start applying pressure again until you come to a stop
there's a lot of little things that will set you apart from others such as keeping your eyes on those side roads even when you have a green light, I've avoided several accidents from people blowing through them when they had the red and it quickly becomes second nature to keep check on movements to the side
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Prisoner#1
Even Dumber ThanAdvertized!


Registered: 01/22/03
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Loc: Pvt. Pubfag NutSuck
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Re: Driving large cars - "church" vans, etc. [Re: Absent Minded]
#16772500 - 09/01/12 05:44 PM (11 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
Absent Minded said: You need a commercial license to drive that?
commercial license is for 16 passenger or more, that one should require a regular license
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NWlight
Just look


Registered: 01/12/10
Posts: 18,686
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Re: Driving large cars - "church" vans, etc. [Re: Prisoner#1]
#16772587 - 09/01/12 05:57 PM (11 years, 5 months ago) |
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I once had to drive an UNINSURED $180,000 ultrasound machine in the back of a U-haul across the state.
biggest thing I'd driven before that was a small truck.
The kicker? they had ME tie down the fucking thing. probably the most stressful day in recent memory.
thank god for boy scout knots
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Prisoner#1
Even Dumber ThanAdvertized!


Registered: 01/22/03
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Loc: Pvt. Pubfag NutSuck
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Re: Driving large cars - "church" vans, etc. [Re: NWlight]
#16772697 - 09/01/12 06:22 PM (11 years, 5 months ago) |
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when I was about 17 I was lucky enough to have a friend with a CDL, since I was out of school he'd drag me along on a lot of long trips and taught me how to drive one, since then the largest I've driven was a 40' straight truck from rider from atlanta to rockford. Illinois to help a friend move.
I'm getting ready to buy something comparable to a small semi, something just under the limit for a CDL
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PDU
travel kid vs.amerika



Registered: 12/03/02
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Re: Driving large cars - "church" vans, etc. [Re: Prisoner#1]
#16773078 - 09/01/12 07:41 PM (11 years, 5 months ago) |
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I drive a van about that size for work. Its easier than my car - really good visibility in the mirrors. Always fun too, because after you get used to it you adopt the "im bigger than you" mentality when driving.
We have to drive cube vans, sprinter vans, regular work vans and a dump truck for my work. I was really scared when i started - but you get the hang of it really really quick. I could back any of them through an obstacle course these days with complete confidence..
-------------------- GO OUTSIDE.
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Prisoner#1
Even Dumber ThanAdvertized!


Registered: 01/22/03
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Re: Driving large cars - "church" vans, etc. [Re: PDU]
#16773097 - 09/01/12 07:46 PM (11 years, 5 months ago) |
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I'm the same way, I was having new tires put on my boat trailer and the guy said "can you back the trailer into that bay" I had about 6 inches of clearance and almost no parking lot to work with. I stuffed it in the little hole in short order and the guy was astounded at how easy I made it look
getting out was actually a bigger challenge so I just drove over the curb and into the next parking lot and the guy was laughing like hell as I drove off
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Senortrippington
Bootleg lean consumer

Registered: 09/21/11
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Re: Driving large cars - "church" vans, etc. [Re: Prisoner#1]
#16773321 - 09/01/12 08:30 PM (11 years, 5 months ago) |
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Lol thanks guys. Wish me luck!
-------------------- Yandyclip
      
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Prisoner#1
Even Dumber ThanAdvertized!


Registered: 01/22/03
Posts: 193,665
Loc: Pvt. Pubfag NutSuck
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you dont need luck, you have confidence and skill. this is all just another drive in the park running down hikers
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Deekay



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Re: Driving large cars - "church" vans, etc. [Re: Prisoner#1]
#16773473 - 09/01/12 09:01 PM (11 years, 5 months ago) |
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I've drive a van like that for work off and on. It's pretty straight forward, not much different than a car.
- the engine is big, even full of people it will accelerate quickly - give yourself extra room for breaking, you're carrying people not cargo - be aware of the larger turning radius (common sense applies) - use the side mirrors a lot!
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