Help me with fear of driving PLEASE!

[Disneycrazymom]

DH and kids want to camp at FW this summer. I am pretty sure this is DH way of getting me to agree to a long trip in our trailer. I have soooooooo much trouble relaxing when we are pulling the trailer! I just keep thinking of all the really bad things that can happen. (I would always prefer to fly than drive, even without the trailer on the back) Anyone else have this trouble and how did you overcome it? Thanks!

 

[mrsgus06]

Living in SC, it is about 7 hours from Ft. Wilderness. We take our camper when we go. It is a 32 foot travel trailer. I never had a fear of driving without the camper (as I am doing this Thur, leaving hubby at home and taking girls to stay with my parents in their camper) nor do I have a fear of riding while hubby is pulling the camper. What I did fear was pulling the camper myself. To overcome the fear, I just jumped in the truck and started driving! I may have been a little slow at first, but after a while, you just get used to it. Maybe sharing the drive and you pulling the camper may help ?

 

[VAN]

We drive from SW Michigan to Ft. Wilderness with a camper most every year. The tow vehicle, a minivan, is my primary vehicle so I am used to driving it.

We got a new and larger camper last year where I didn't have as good a view from through the back window, plus it would sway a bit at higher speeds (esp near tops of mountains), etc. Also had electric brakes for the first time.

You do get used to the feel and your view.

Some things I would suggest to help you feel in control and cut down on the anxiety:

1) Have your trailer/camper serviced by professionals before leaving (including a thorough check of all things, repack the wheel bearings, tire pressure, etc.)

2) With the camper, we only have two tires and had them blow out on us one trip ... now I always pay for new tires every couple of years prior to leaving

3) Have your tow vehicle serviced a couple of weeks before going (just in case you have any leakage from them not putting drain plugs back in tight enough) ... including brakes, tires, etc

Now you can have piece of mind that your RV and tow vehicle are in good shape.

4) Be familiar with directions ... study the maps and know where you want to go -- find out about any major construction and think about a possible alternate route

5) Get on the road early so you don't have to panic if you run into traffic

6) Have beverages/snacks/sandwiches accessible ... including caffinated beverages for the driver

7) Plan to stop at least every 2 hours to let everyone stretch and then walk around your RV to double-check connections, tires, etc

8) Make sure the kids have books, tapes, etc and that there is a blanket(s) and pillow(s) for those that want to sleep or get cold

We normally get on the road by 3:30 am and then have a hotel room booked for Tifton, GA (about 4.5 hrs from Orlando) for the night ... usually get there about 7:30-8:00 and then order a pizza. The next day we are on the road by 7:30 am and pull into Ft. Wilderness by noon ... giving us the rest of the day to set up (during daylight) and enjoy the pool, etc.

Have fun ... try to control those things you can, and forget about those things you can't.

 

[moonshot]

I agree with Van.

Try to get on the road early. I often leave around 11pm and travel overnight. I'm ok with this. I used to be a long distance trucker in a past life. The primary reason I do this is so the kids sleep while I drive. Nothing builds the stress like bickering kids! It's nice when it's just you and a few truckers primarily out on the roads.

There's a segment of our population that for some reason cannot bear to share the road with campers that are moving slower than they are. They do try to make life unpleasant for us, but keep some good tunes playing and keep your cool as best you can around those pagans!

 

[NCDisNut]

What good advice!

Once you have a plan and you've prepared properly, you should be able to remove some of the stress. We stop every two hours also, and I check the hitch, the tire pressure, and the lugs. We get a snack and go to the bathroom. The kids take games, books and a TV in the car. It's a pretty enjoyable adventure. One other thing I did is I bought a GREAT trailor hitch. I bought it used so when I sell it in a couple of months I won't take too big of a hit. It's a Hensley Arrow No Sway hitch. You can't even feel the trucks with that hitch. It really helped with my fatigue at the end of the trip. Our drive is about 10 hours and goes very smooth.

 

[NCDisNut]

Oh yeah, I meant to agree with the comment about picking the right time. For me, it's leaving around 4:00AM. That gets me onto the highways before rush hour, and throught Jacksonville, the worst part of the trip, at a decent time. I usually arrive mid-afternoon, and that's a pretty good time to get there.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Thanks very much. I never thought about it but I do think it is a control issue. There is so much that I cannot control, including doing the driving should something happen to DH on the way. I will seriously consider what everyone has said. They so much want to do this I need to try to do everything I can to relax.

 

[my3princes]

I understand the control issue. I also have a need to be in control. That being said we have a 28 hour drive from Vermont to FW. We tow our 30 ft Travel Trailer with a 25 foot bus. We are 55 feet long going down the road. We switch drivers every 2 to 4 hours. Because I also drive I understand how the camper handles and know what to expect when DH is driving. We take naps when it is not our turn to drive. By knowing that when I am in the drivers seat I am in control I am able to relax when DH is driving and vise versa. If you are not comfortable driving your camper on a long trip, just pull it around home and learn how it handles. That way when it sways or jerks you will have an idea why and not freak out at every little thing.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Good idea! But oh so scary! Maybe in a parking lot that is empty. I'll think about it. Thanks!

 

[lindsey]

I feel the same fear. I know it's crazy, but ...
We are about 8-9 hours away. One thing that helped me was to talk DH into splitting up trip into 2 4-5 hour parts. We leave in the afternoon and stop in Savannah for the night. We get up the next morning, have breakfast, get gas, ice, etc. and are at Disney by 2:00pm. We do this on the way back also. Knowing it's only for 4 to 5 hours instead of 8 to 9 helps me. I help drive for a little bit, but usually not more than an hour. I know I can do it if necessary. In 1988, DH was sick all the way home (found out later he had menegitis(sp?). I drove the whole way home because I knew I had to.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

We are about 17 hours away. It just is so far. I am ok to do about 4 hours, but on edge the whole time. We usually end up being snippy with each other after a day of driving. It is completely my fault because I am so worried and jumpy and he hates it when I try to break on the passenger side! Not that I blame him, I just can't stop myself!

 

[duranfan]

least when you're in Florida MOST drivers realize motor homes can't fly at high speeds down I-95. Drive at a safe speed and you'll be O.K.
Just make sure the hubby has new tires and everything checked out. Avoid holiday and Daytona Speedway race dates and traffic should be OK down here.