Lady drivers

[Saltydog44]

Originally Posted by Neverhome2

LOL!! He is actually very patient and helpful just not a good teacher. I remember when I was learning to drive a stick shift and asked him when to push the clutch in he gave me a 30 minute dissertation on how a clutch works. I think I could have rebuilt a clutch after that but I still didn't understand when to push the clutch in!!! (Note: I did learn how to drive a stick shift eventually!)

That's great - sounds like my dad's discussion of tides years ago - and my kids say the apple didn't fall far from the tree.

Anyway - In NC when I was a kid 50+ years ago the students drove the school buses so I was driving a small version of a MH when I was 16. I was surprised how easy it all came back. The main thing is to practice backing and knowing how to handle sudden events.

Driving school is the best idea of all. Not sure where you are but there are a lot of good choices out there.

[jacknife]

Set up is easy with self leveling Jack's . Unhooking is no problem

[Gordon Dewald]

When driving your class A down the road look down the road. It makes it easier to reduce wandering. Now that you are looking down the road drive so it seems your seat is over over the inside wheel path. That will center your coach in the lane.

[wjohnson913]

Hi Jean - I am responding under my husbands profile as I can speak very specifically to your question. We recently traded our 43' fifth wheel and Ram Turbo Diesel for a 40' Tiffin Class A. I have been the sole driver for both vehicles. Trading to the class A was the best move we ever made! It isn't difficult driving either, but backing in, setting up and disconnecting are so much faster and easier in the Class A. I would never go back! If you are intimidated by the 45' Class A, you will be much more intimidated trying to back a 5th wheel into a tight space. As others have said, you would be much better off to take a course to help you with your confidence. Once you have driven for a bit, you will wonder what you were so worried about! Please don't trade such a beautiful coach for a trailer. My opinion only of course, but I think you will regret that decision terribly. I am happy to speak to you personally on the subject if you like - email my husband and he will pass along your info to me. Best of luck to you!

[Neverhome2]

Hello everyone. I have done some research on driving the RV. There is a great video on-line that had some wonderful tips for driving a class A. Just watching the video helped me understand a lot before I even got behind the wheel. I have also found a truck driving school in our area that was willing to give private lessons.

Here is the big news... I actually took our unit out on the road this afternoon. We live in a very rural area so there are narrow curvy roads that we have to drive on just to get to ANY major highway! It was a cold but clear day. At first I only wanted to drive it in our driveway. Our driveway is long but once you pull forward there is no turning around, it is only backing up which is no problem for me. I did that a couple of times then decided to go "around the block". What that means for us is left out of our driveway and up a steep hill with no shoulder to a stop sign, up and down a couple of hills with no shoulder to the second stop, around some curves to the next stop, then down a narrow road with phone poles close to the road and no shoulder to our local fire hall. We pull into the fire hall gravel parking lot because the next left turn is too sharp, then back it up in the parking lot then make the last turn up another steep hill with no shoulder to our drive. Then we have to back the rig in from the road into our driveway. I DID IT ALL!!!!

Thanks to everyone!!!! I only got this far with the encouragement of our wonderful IRV2 friends!

[WendyG]

That sounds like a very successful first outing. Put in a bit more time inthe driver's seat and you will gain more confidence (with or without the driving school).

[Gigattime]

That's AWESOME! Congrats on taking that first step...it only gets easier from here.