Community Forums

dirko · 11-13-2007, 07:48 PM

Hi Ho: I read this exchange with much interest because I am still trying to get my wife to practice with the airplane enough so that if something happened to me she could get it on the ground safely. She has no problem with the 35U MH, but honestly doesn't like crowded freeways at rush hour. About 5 years ago I had a heart attack, so even though the doctors give me a good bill of health and I have my FAA medical, I still would feel better if she were more comfortable with the Turbo Arrow (airplane). Maybe a solution would be to get her some lessons from a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI). Maybe this would be a good idea for wives that are not comfortable with the RV. (husband are probably not the best instructors)
Dirk

AL · 11-14-2007, 03:05 AM

Hi All,

Hey Kablewizard as you can see by the size of this post, you are not alone here

!!!
My wife had no problem at all driving the 30' Class-C, but she does not at all like to drive the 34' Class-A. However due to reasones such as yours and others here, she knows that she has to know how to drive it, so every now and then she gets behind the wheel to keep in pratice. Although she does not do a lot of driving, ok with me I like to drive anyway

!! I feel that if ever need be she could do it and keep us out of trouble!

ChiefJohn · 11-14-2007, 04:56 AM

My DW drove our 36' MH and towed our fiver with our F-350. She WILL NOT even consider driving our HDT -- probably because she feels intimidated by the 10-speed trans and the need to double clutch and/or float the gears. If I had it to do over again, I would have gone with a semi-automatic transmission. She's content doing the navigating and taking care of our 'girls'.

Kablewizard · 11-14-2007, 04:58 PM

I know this is a topic we all think about but its also one we put on the lets do it later list. Like I said this is a result of something I never thougt would happen and its a good thing we were not out camping. getting the bike in the toy hauler is easy we have a winch but then driving home would be a major problem. You are right about how big the replys are, but the real story is look how many folks read it and thats what helps everyone else. Just because they dont all answer they are all thinking as we are and getting the idea that it could be a problem. I am still hopping to hear from more co pilots to give the word to us on whats the best way to proceed. Be it a professional class or private lessons. Like I said Cheri has has no problem towing anything else but she hasn't tried the 5th wheel. I always took the trailer to a place she could practice she likes to see how it turns. We don't have a bunch of cones, but something cheaper is tennis balls cut in half as she drives I walk behind watching the markers like the lines on the road telling her how wide she is on the FRS radios she dosn't have to answer just listen keeping her hands and attention on what shes doing. Any more ideas about practicing points?

Thanks in advance lets keep this going a little longer.

Kent & Peggy · 11-15-2007, 06:29 AM

My wife DOES drive our rig, but she isn't very comfortable, so WE are taking a RV Driving course at RV School next month.

BeenThere DoneThat · 11-15-2007, 07:58 AM

My wife will drive our rig on the interstate but would have trouble on side roads where she has to maneuver. Maybe you could handle the start and end phases and let the wife handle the in-between where she does not have to make tight turns or back it up.

DKispert · 11-16-2007, 11:12 AM

I have no problem driving our 38' Class A. Depending on where we are going, I'll take the rig to the campground and my husband will drive his car in after he gets off work. We have a system worked out that if we are camping south of Austin, I drive the rig, if we're camping north of Austin, he comes home and we go to the campground together.
I got comfortable driving our 1st Class A - a 34'- on the interstate. When we traded for the 38', I just picked up where I left off and got comfortable with it on the interstate, also. I am now comfortable driving on any road, be it interstate or 2 lane country road (and there are lots of those in So. Texas).
I've found if you don't drive too fast (I won't go over 60), be careful, and remember you are in a very heavy motorhome and not a car, you'll be ok.
I've even backed the thing into a camping spot by myself. Wasn't the easiest thing I've ever done, but I did get it done.

rayt1 · 11-16-2007, 05:42 PM

I would love to have my wife drive the rig sometimes but she does'nt drive. Never had a licence and we have been married for 45 years. I have realized that my existance is "driving Miss Phyllis" lol