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Madame Boomer · 06-01-2010, 07:02 AM

NEVER say NEVER......because someday you just might have to eat those words.......

Those who have known me for years know that one of my biggest fears (and something I said I would NEVER do) is drive RustyJC's 6 speed standard diesel dually AND pull the rig behind it. I can drive that truck anywhere I want to go and never quiver, but just thinking about hitching it up to our 36 ft rig would bring on a panic attack!

3 pedals on the floor - 6 gears going up and going down - only two mirrors that I can see out of, all those cars whizzing by on both sides and let's not forget the slew of gauges he has all over the dashboard.......it's overwheming , but overcoming fear is born out of necessity and I'm working on it!

Due to an injury, RustyJC was struggling w/ sciatic nerve pain in his leg on our trip to the Texas Boomers Memorial Day rally in Johnson City (4 hours from home). I made a statement that it was probably time that I learned to drive the rig....before I knew it, my greatest fear was staring me right in the face

He pulled over 20 miles from the rv park and I took the wheel - okay it was only 20 miles but I had hills and curves and two stop signs at a busy intersection, but it was a monumental 20 miles for me! RustyJC is a great instructor and once my heart stopped racing and my hands stopped shaking, I actually made it to the park AND pulled into our assigned site.................straight!

On Monday morning, my next lesson was learning to hitch up! Me! I backed the truck up on the 1st try and the pin went right into the slot in the hitch! WOW!

Then I drove out of the park - getting a little more confidence that the truck was NOT GOING TO STALL if I didn't press on the accelerator until the clutch was completely out...........another major accomplishment!

I only drove 20 miles down the road again, but I managed to pull the rig over into large enough spot without getting rear ended by traffic behind me. And the rig didn't fall over into the ditch!

Okay.....I'm not ready for traffic lights - heavy traffic and idiots on the road - left and right turns - I can't even think about backing it up yet....................but hopefully my training will continue this coming month and I'll get to drive some on our big trip to the National Rally in Arizona!

Sandy

marypal · 06-01-2010, 07:06 AM

Impressive !! You GO girl !!

JC2 · 06-01-2010, 08:24 AM

Madame Boomer:

Your perseverance and resolve has not gone unnoticed. You are a lady of many talents, some obvious, others not so obvious.

JC2 · 06-01-2010, 08:27 AM

You should without a doubt be rewarded with your favorite snack.

JC2 · 06-01-2010, 08:28 AM

We love ya Madame Boomer.

Madame Boomer · 06-01-2010, 08:29 AM

Margarita - yes! Spam - NO!

Sandy

MikenAmber · 06-01-2010, 08:59 AM

We're PROUD of you Sandy, got a few pictures of you pulling out of the park. Now I've got to get Amber used to pulling our rig. You Go Girl............

TXiceman · 06-01-2010, 08:03 PM

Sandy, good going. Wait until you pull a few hours behind the wheel.

ken

steelpony555 · 06-01-2010, 08:45 PM

Just learn to blow your horn alot, cars will get outa the way for ya!! There is a phrase I heard somewhere that I use when faced with this kind of situation-----Just Do It. You'll be fine.

Barbara S. · 06-01-2010, 09:31 PM

When I was married we had a 29' Kountry Air 5th wheel and I always drove it while my husband and my daughter rode on his Goldwing motorcycle. That's ok.....at least the dog rode with me.

TexasPSDX · 06-02-2010, 07:57 PM

The only person you had to convince that you could drive the rig was yourself. With more miles you will gain confidence and enjoy going down the road!

Wayne M · 06-02-2010, 11:26 PM

Congratulations. Every one on this forum can attest that the first time is the hardest. It gets easier and easier with each time you drive. Just find a large empty parking lot and practice, practice practice. Pretty soon you'll leave Rusty home to stop him from nagging you so much and drive yourself to a rally.

MonacoMama · 06-03-2010, 01:14 AM

Sandy..I am not only very proud of you

- but I had no doubts it was something that you could do!

Congrats and good luck on your next adventure!

chasfm11 · 06-03-2010, 08:26 PM

Congratulations on your success, Sandy. I would have never doubted that you could do it.

Now, you have to "push the envelope" a little. Next time, you need to light up the pyrometer. That is one of the special gauges that Rusty has on the dash. You'll know that you have it right because Rusty will become very animated immediately, regardless of his back condition. Make that Cummins roar!

A couple of trips with you driving and you will be trading that fancy car of yours for an oil burner, too.