tropical36
Southwest Florida_USA
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Joined: 07/11/2004
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During a couple of stays this summer at Rally Park in Seffner, FL, I saw quite a few women taking advantage of their driving class. This is the huge Lazy Day's RV center and they offer a lot to the campers, including the Bounder DP and it's instructor.
"We are often so caught up in our destination that we forget to appreciate the journey."
1998 36ft. National Tropi-Cal, with a tag axle and one slide, on a 1997 P32 Chevy chassis....7.4 Vortec Engine
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OH One
Waycross, Ga. ,
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Joined: 03/02/2004
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DW has driven the MH!!! We attended a Holiday Rambler club rally and after talking to other wives she determined to drive on her own. After the ralley I drove until we were on a light traffic devided highway and pulled over and she took the wheel. She did fine for her first time driving the 42ft. with the Z-71 in tow. After about 20 miles she had gained confidence and overcame the fear of driving. You can talk and talk about the driving but after all it takes getting in the driver seat and doing it. I am proud of her for overcoming this fear.
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sowego
Nebraska
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Joined: 03/14/2006
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Wow, what a conversation going on here! Going back to the origins of the post -- I agree no one should be forced to drive the rig however...I do fully believe in sharing responsibility when it comes to RVing.
My 1st experience came by complete surprise and not at the urging of the hubby. We test drove a 38 footer with the salesman taking it out of the lot then DH took over for a short spin through a neighborhood. The salesman told him to pull over and said to me "your turn"! For some reason I had no fear, just got in there and drove. I ended up driving down narrow streets then came to a narrow street with cars parked on both sides near a house with a party going on. I was to turn left then drive on around the neighborhood. I did it without taking time to fret. I find with the big mirror its is actually easier to see where the rig is on the road than in some cars!
I drive almost 50% of the time and of course I end up in construction and bad weather. The key is to know what to do and be confident. I know lots of fulltime single RVing woman who do just fine on the road.
Of course I'm not new to driving all kinds of motorized vehicles. I grew up on a farm and drove a tractors before I got a learners permit for the car. Even when I worked I drove a fork lift. Try windrowing, mowing, raking, baling and combining -- now that's more complex than driving a motorhome! The rigs of today with touch pad tranmissions, retarders, and big mirrors sure beat a square geared double clutching 1 ton 50 year old International Truck!
I do believe professional driving instruction is a great idea. Get out there to learn then don't stop with that -- practice each time you head out on the road.
I also think it is a must to share driving to ease fatigue. Why should I be the only one to take advantange of naps going down the road?! I don't think it is fair for the couple to have only one drive all the time. I'd gladly do all the driving if the hubby would do all the housework!
So ladies who don't drive -- just think about it. If you are a good driver in general you will do fine. Even if you aren't confident -- driving a motorhome will make you an even better driver, more attentive to the road and rig. And, you'll have the peace of mind/confidence that you can do it!
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Getup'ngo
Utah
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Joined: 02/18/2007
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I'm in my 50s and I remember talk when I was a girl about how women shouldn't / couldn't drive ... PERIOD! But we all put our big girl pants on ... and we did it then, and we (can and do) do it now!
Janice and Bandit the Wonder Dog (+ Kiwi too!)
2000 Holiday Rambler Vacationer, 2 slides
Toad green 2001 Honda CRV / Blue Ox towing system
Steer-Safe stabilizer and Bilsteins all around
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