Chicks towing trailers

[polkadotsuitcase]

Here, on other boards, and IRL there seems to be a common chorus: Women don't/don't like towing trailers (or driving RVs). My DH is a bass fisherman, so any time he can possibly be out on the water, that's where he is. That means if I want to go camping (and I do, I do, I do, I do!), then it's up to me and the kiddos to hitch and haul our 30ft trailer.

We're in NC, and I've towed from NY to FL and states in between, just the kids and me. And I always get the same thing when people find out: Gap-mouths, wide eyes, and "You pulled that YOURSELF?" (I usually say, "No, it's too heavy. I used a truck.")

But honestly? It is really and truly no big deal. You hitch it. You haul it. My question: Is the RV gene really supposed to be exclusively hitched to the Y chromosome? (Okay, now that I typed that I can see how the Y does look like a hitch...while XX is what you draw on someone's eyes when they're passed out...maybe I've found my own answer.)

But really, what's up with the whole "chicks just decorate the inside of the RV, men tow it" thing? It's fun to do both! Really, really fun! Why, sometimes I pretend I'm towing when I'm really just running down to the grocery store...

So come on, gals! Fun stuff!

 

[disney4dan]

My wife has shared the driving on many road trips to WDW in the past, but has claimed she will never tow the trailer. I wonder if she would change her mind if I got sick or injured on the way? I have a relative who RVs in retirement, heading to the Maine coast every summer. They just blogged about another couple heading home because the husband fell off the roof ladder and broke both arms. He will be driving back with both arms in casts!

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

I have a relative who RVs in retirement, heading to the Maine coast every summer. They just blogged about another couple heading home because the husband fell off the roof ladder and broke both arms. He will be driving back with both arms in casts!

Yee-OUCH!

 

[AuburnJen92]

I am not the decorating girly type. (I am sure you have figured this out by now.) I have always been a gearhead and have been TEACHING my husband about mechanical things since we have been together. (He was quite a sheltered man.) I am very proud of what he has learned over the years!

My husband and I split the driving on the RV on long trips and on short trips, like to Disney, I usually will have the golf cart on a trailer with my jeep driving separately if we are staying for more than a weekend.

I am not afraid of trailers or the RV. The only thing I don't care for is toll booths. They are a little too narrow for my liking in the RV, but I deal with it.

I also understand that I am by no means the norm. I knew that a LONG time ago!

 

[des1954]

I drive our MH. Not often, but enough that I'm comfortable with it. It was always a concern of mine that if DH got sick or some other emergency came up where he couldn't drive - I felt the need to be able to get behind the wheel. Once I got over the intimidation of the height (not the length) of the MH, I was fine. Now, I need to get over being afraid of backing the MH. But then again, I have trouble backing a car!!

I had no problem pulling trailers. I figured wherever the truck went, the trailer had to follow! Same premise on a MH. Wherever the front end goes, the back end has to follow. Only with a MH, you have to factor in the back end swing when you turn. Once you've got that down, you're good.

I've never considered myself to be limited by my gender. Maybe that comes from being raised in a household with a majority of men in it and a neighborhood of mostly boys my age for playmates. It never occurred to me to pull the "girls can't do that", card.

ETA: Like Jen...I suck at the "girly" stuff. Can't sew, can't decorate, would rather be comfortable than to dress up, don't own makeup, and I HATE to shop. I only style my hair because it's so downy that I once I get it in place, I lacquer it down so it stays that way the entire day & I don't have to mess with it again. I'd rather be fixing something - mechanical or otherwise - than arranging flowers. I hate Martha Stewart and idolize Norm Abram.

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

Holy smokes, I think I just found my long-lost sisters!

 

[mnsprk]

From the "Y" side.

We belong to several RV clubs and many, many woman share or do the driving. We had one couple who were in their 80's and she did all the driving...

Just wish I could get "Grandma" to drive the MH.. OH WELL!

 

[Magicbus]

Chicks towing trailers, now that's a thread that no guy is going to skip over.

I think I was more intimidated about driving our MH than my wife was. I white knuckled it driving it home for the first from the dealership a couple of years ago. On the other hand, my wife said, let me drive it, like it was nothing. She even took lessons at Lazydays. Lessons, I don't need no stinkin lessons.

 

[2goofycampers]

I have never pulled our TT, I have pulled our pontoon boat which is 8 ft wide. Even backed it in the water once. I am intimidated by the TT. If there was a place with no traffic I would try it though.

 

[Judy in Texas]

I can pull the camper ok. It's the backing that gives me fits.

The dealer we bought the camper from didn't offer driving classes of any kind. The salesman just said to remember that if you want to back the camper to the right, turn the wheel left and vice-versa. I've only backed it once that I was proud of. Having a spotter hasn't helped me. I keep forgetting that the smaller the trailer, the more finesse comes into play. Small movements in the steering wheel translate to much bigger movements in the trailer. I'm a very detail oriented person. Does anyone out there have step by step instructions for backing small campers/trailers? Fortunately the trailer is small enough to unhook and push into place if the frustration level gets too high.

Thanks!

 

[labdogs42]

I havent' towed our pop-up yet, but now you are making me think I need to get out there and hook it up and drive around! I'm not really afraid of pulling it, just backing up and hitching it up. I dn't think I'd be afraid of driving a Class C (which is my dream RV), but since we can't afford that right now, you're right, I should learn to tow our camper. Thanks for the inspiration!

 

[clkelley]

Fortunately the trailer is small enough to unhook and push into place if the frustration level gets too high.

Thanks!

That's my solution, unhook and push!!!!! That's the beauty of tiny trailers!!

Yep, I'm the "camper" in our family. Rick just tags along. He does drive when we're together, but I go camping solo more than with him.

It really does amaze me how many women don't know how to handle their rigs!! As somebody state above, if your spouse gets injured or sick while on the road, you have GOT to know how to manage the camper. (Or be willing to pay somebody big bucks to do it for you.)

 

[des1954]

She even took lessons at Lazydays. Lessons, I don't need no stinkin lessons.

Although I drove previous MH's, when we bought the one we currently own, I took advantage of the class. I learned a few tricks which make things a whole lot easier. When I came home & shared the "tricks" with my hubby, he went, "Hmmm..... why didn't I think of that?" There is always something to be learned!

It really does amaze me how many women don't know how to handle their rigs!! As somebody state above, if your spouse gets injured or sick while on the road, you have GOT to know how to manage the camper. (Or be willing to pay somebody big bucks to do it for you.)

That was me. I'm never going to pay someone for something I can do myself!

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Couldn't tell you how many times I've offered her to drive the TT,,she just refuses.
Yup,,when I get mad I tell her, "Look, if you don't like the way I drive, then YOU pull the stink'n trailor !"
Shuts her up everytime ,

 

[kampfirekim]

Here, on other boards, and IRL there seems to be a common chorus: Women don't/don't like towing trailers (or driving RVs). My DH is a bass fisherman, so any time he can possibly be out on the water, that's where he is. That means if I want to go camping (and I do, I do, I do, I do!), then it's up to me and the kiddos to hitch and haul our 30ft trailer.

We're in NC, and I've towed from NY to FL and states in between, just the kids and me. And I always get the same thing when people find out: Gap-mouths, wide eyes, and "You pulled that YOURSELF?" (I usually say, "No, it's too heavy. I used a truck.")

But honestly? It is really and truly no big deal. You hitch it. You haul it. My question: Is the RV gene really supposed to be exclusively hitched to the Y chromosome? (Okay, now that I typed that I can see how the Y does look like a hitch...while XX is what you draw on someone's eyes when they're passed out...maybe I've found my own answer.)

But really, what's up with the whole "chicks just decorate the inside of the RV, men tow it" thing? It's fun to do both! Really, really fun! Why, sometimes I pretend I'm towing when I'm really just running down to the grocery store...

So come on, gals! Fun stuff!

Way 2 go! I haven't pulled our TT yet, but we have discussed taking it out just for that purpose....just in case something ever happens and I need to tow I'll have a little experience w/it. DH is the worst backseat driver in the universe, so that's my only reason for not trying it so far. I ain't skeered!

Couldn't tell you how many times I've offered her to drive the TT,,she just refuses.
Yup,,when I get mad I tell her, "Look, if you don't like the way I drive, then YOU pull the stink'n trailor !"
Shuts her up everytime ,

You mean we're not the only ones who fight on a camping trip?

 

[newbydisney]

Since I have hauled horses in trailers I think a travel trailer or Motorhome will be easy. At least I hope so!.Towing horses long distances is hard. They get tired, sick, thirsty..at least the travel trailer is just a trailer!

 

[kimsdreamvacation]

When we were buying our pop up from a friend of a friend, we were making payments every pay period and at first my DH would go drop off the payments and the gentleman would make him put the camper up then down while he was there to practice and he kept saying I needed to learn how as well, and I just said why do I need to learn this thats what the hubby is forbut he looked me rite in the eye and said what happens if he can't do it, how will you know how to set it up or take it down?Right then and there I learned how to set it up and tear it down,and went each time and took turns with my husband.We just came back from camping for the weekend and I was the one who hauled it there and back with my truck.I like putting it on my truck because DH has a conversion van and then all the kids wanna ride with him, so it's a very peaceful drive for me.So give me the camper anyday!

 

[motherwild]

I've towed a pop up and a 26' tt. Backing up was difficult. Once I had someone directing me and I did a perfect job. Now we have a MH I have been behind the wheel a few times on the open road but not real comfortable with it. We also belong to FMCA and if a medical emergency they can arrange for the rig to be driven home. If I had to I believe I could drive it home

 

[Judy in Texas]

RE: Backing a trailer.

I found directions on backing a camper/trailer that make sense to me. I thank Jimmy (whoever he may be). Now I need to practice...

http://www.helium.com/items/928101-how-to-back-up-a-trailer

 

[LONE-STAR]

When ever I get tired and need some sleep my DW is happy to drive. She says she gets tired of sitting there doing nothing. She pulls it just fine and gets better mpg then me to boot.