RHD question?

[Broken Paddle]

Hello! I've recently stumbled across the Delica, the ultimate van! I'm planning on buying one within the next year. I'm just wondering how you guys like driving right hand drive vans? Is it difficult to get used to driving them on Canadian roads? I live in Lloydminster, Sk. and guide canoe and kayak trips in the summer. The more i look at Delica's the more I want one!! Totally fits my lifestyle!

[FalcoColumbarius]

Hey BP, welcome to Delica Canada

Here's a question for you: You know the formal way to hold a knife and fork, right? Have you ever held a fork in your right hand? What was it like?

Basically, a lane is a lane ~ and just like LHD vehicles you will have blind spots in RHD vehicles. Drive accordingly... smiles.

Falco.

[Green1]

it took me, maybe about 2 hours, to get used to RHD... now I switch back and forth between LHD and RHD practically daily with no issues whatsoever.
Personally I prefer RHD, I believe you have a much better view from the right seat making it much safer in almost all driving situations.

[bikepoor]

Living in Calgary, the land of off-ramps and bad, bad, bad, bad, no, really bad drivers! The first few trips, I probably had the people from the "New Canadian Driving School" (I'm not saying it to be racist, it really is here in town, and their motto is teaching the un-teachable, so don't send me hate mail!!!) were probably calling the local constabulary to complain that I was driving down the middle of the road spinning my head back and forth like a possesed dime store bobble-head.
Now, the only thing I would say, is don't let the kids close the rear curtains, because shoulder checking is our friend, and you need to look back through the passenger side windows on off-ramps to do it. And don't try to grab the passenger side mirror when you slip on the ice, because you will punch it like Bruce Lee, and it's made of the thinnest glass known to man, and beyond BC, when you ask for glass for a Delica mirror you have justed asked for the secret to time travel. This was bad when I looked back to shoulder check on an off-ramp, and the curtains were closed!!!!
I bought the cheapest roof rack around to haul my kayaks, and canoe, and now have the coolest mini-van in the hood, that will actually make it to the off-path streams and lakes, and look damn cool doing it. Passing the Jeep guys covered in mud stuck in the middle of the road because top-off seemed like a good idea to them at the time, with 6 people in the Deli, with the AC, on listening to toons, and waving at them as we went around them, was a true good times moment!

Bikepoor

[konadog]

I got used to it in a couple of hours at most... I much prefer RHD.

[marsgal42]

If RHD was an issue, how would you account for so many Delicas on the road?

I've driven RHD in England and Australia, so RHD per se was a non-issue. The Delica has such good visibility you can drive it from any seat, and RHD makes parallel parking a breeze. This has been discussed many times in this and other forums.

The worst vehicle I've ever driven in the visibility department was a Cadillac STS I had as a rental car in L.A. last year (a long story; I had reserved a Nissan Altima hybrid). It had rear 3/4 blind spots you could hide a truck in. Literally. As demonstrated several times when changing lanes on the San Diego Freeway.

The plane I was flying this afternoon has a completely different set of blind spots, but planes have different requirements: nil forward visibility when climbing (you learn what to do about this), a great big blind spot under you (the wing; ditto), and nil rearward visibility, not that you ever need to back up a plane. Remember what Ettore Bugatti said about the (crummy) brakes on his cars...

...laura

[Green1]

Now, the only thing I would say, is don't let the kids close the rear curtains, because shoulder checking is our friend, and you need to look back through the passenger side windows on off-ramps to do it

I've found with the absolutely amazing mirrors these vehicles come with, shoulder checking is pretty close to irrelevant. If I can't see it in the mirrors than it's already visible through the front side windows. I've driven many miles with the curtains closed, or the back full to the ceiling with "stuff", never had any difficulty seeing safely. I actually find it bad when I get in "normal" vehicles, between the 3 vehicles I drive most 2 you can't shoulder check (work truck has no visibility behinid you, ambulance has less), and the third you don't need to... (delica has awesome mirrors) so when I get in a normal vehicle I usually forget...

[Broken Paddle]

Awesome! Thanks for the replies everyone. I'm impressed with this site! Pretty much seals the deal that I'm buying a Delica!! If I can handle a 53 foot tractor/trailer loaded with pipe in some of the nastiest conditions, I'm sure I'm fine lol. Now just need to write my business plan and talk to the bank so I don't have to haul pipe. This will make a perfect "company" vehicle! Looks like it we be right at home where I'm going. Thanks again. Cheers!

[Jsq]

I live in Lloydminster, Sk. ...

Hi BP,

I live in Biggar Sk and have use of a condo in Lloyd. Might be able to arrange a weekend trip up your way if ya wanna go driving and get totally addicted to the special "D". RHD rocks! (except on solo trips to the Timmies drive thru...they always get pissed off at the sound of my back up beeper.)

Cheers
Jsq

[Green1]

except on solo trips to the Timmies drive thru...they always get pissed off at the sound of my back up beeper.)

You need longer arms... I've never had any trouble at drive-thrus or toll booths, just reach across. That said, I've never been much of a fan of drive-thrus anyway, sure I can get my food at the window, but then I need to stop to eat it anyway, might as well just walk in!

[fear4fun]

Sitting on the right wasn't strange for me at all. In fact, my sister-in-law had a harder time being a passenger on the left than I did. I do find that if I don't think about it, I sometimes turn the wipers on rather than signal.

I'm also a licensed Class 1 driver. The mirrors on this thing are great! I have never felt so comfortable changing lanes or backing up. Visibility is amazing!

fear

[marsgal42]

I too have never had any trouble with toll booths and the like, having done the Coquihalla, B.C. Ferries, and the border in Gumdrop.

B.C. Ferries staff all seem to be Delica fans. Canadian Customs rarely bat an eyelash, but U.S. Customs are often intrigued.

...laura

[Green1]

Canadian Customs rarely bat an eyelash, but U.S. Customs are often intrigued.

I found American customs seemed mildly intrigued, but not enough to say anything... Canadian Customs though... I wasn't sure I'd ever get out of there, they spent 2 seconds on the usual border crossing questions, and then forever asking me about the delica, how many it seats, if we can camp in it, is it really 4 wheel drive? how's driving on the right? do you like it? etc etc etc... of course I've had the same experience driving through checkstops a couple of times too... (never "hassling" me per se, more just that they're fascinated with it)

[Broken Paddle]

I live in Lloydminster, Sk. ...

Ok I now have a full on obsession with the Delica haha! I must have one... soon... Just need to sell my Ranger! Jsq if you happen to be in the neighborhood with your van I'd like to have a look! Thanks again everyone for the input. Hope y'all have a super awesome summer!!

[jessef]

I cross the Can/US border at the peace arch truck crossing about 4-7 times a month.

Every single time I go down, the US customs guys want to chat about the van and don't pay attention to anything else.

It's great.