I did it!!!

[des1954]

Today I took the MH out to practice driving and backing. After I got a feel for handling the MH by driving around the neighborhood, I went out on the "real roads"!!

I drove 6 miles north on the major highway in front of our development; drove roughly 26 miles east on a 2 lane country road with no shoulders & a lot of twists and turns; drove south on US Hwy 27 for about 2 miles; merged into traffic on I-4 westbound; drove another 20 miles west on I-4; exited & took her back home.

I was a little nervous on the country road because there were no paved shoulders, but none of the tires ever left the pavement - and at times I was up to 55 MPH on this road. On I-4 I got her up to 70 MPH and actually passed a couple of "pokey Joe's" without incident.

We then went to our clubhouse parking lot where I practiced backing her into spaces. The first one was "okay", but not perfect. The second time...no problem-o!!

The only rough spot I had was when I was going on SR 33 (the hwy our development is on) at 60 MPH and I didn't start slowing down soon enough to make the right turn onto the country road. I put the air brakes to the test!!! That taught me to plan ahead because a 35,000 lb MH does NOT brake on a dime!!

I'm going to drive it a few more times before heading over on my solo trip to FtW MDWE.

FWIW..... Rick didn't holler at me one time!! He actually said he was very proud of the way I drove. I was definitely nervous - my knees were actually shaking when we got home!! I'm sure I'll get over that when I gain more experience.!

 

[RvUsa]

Way to go Deb!!! Could you give some words of encouragement to erica?? I do EVERY bit of the driving, and she just leans back and sleeps. I figure I could probably get drunk enough to let her drive, and I could pass out LOL.

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

Way to go Deb!!! Could you give some words of encouragement to erica?? I do EVERY bit of the driving, and she just leans back and sleeps. I figure I could probably get drunk enough to let her drive, and I could pass out LOL.

I am in the same boat John, we went to FW in early April and I drove every single one of the 2400 miles, I even tried to get my 18 y/o to take a turn and he wimped out on me.

 

[des1954]

Really...it's only to MY advantage that I learn how to drive the MH. Ya never know when a girl will need to get away!!

Seriously...I know people that have been away from home & something happened to the DH which would not allow him to drive the MH. The usual solution is to hire an experienced driver to bring it home for you. Why would I want to do that when I'm perfectly capable of learning how to drive the MH myself? I made more of a deal out of it than it actually is.

To all you ladies out there....get off your butts and learn how to handle your camping equipment!!! Prove to your DH's or SO's that you can do anything they can, only better!!!

 

[Pirate-Jeff]

Did you check to see if Rick's eyes were open while you were driving the MH. Don't forget to take the gag out of his mouth.

 

[disney92]

DEB, WAY TO GO!!!



You are right about women learning to drive their MH. 3 years ago, after vacationing at the fort, my husband got very very sick. We had to get back home for many reasons so.... I drove for the RV home. Talk about trial through fire.. It was a long trip back to PA!!!

Now I did not have to back it up so I still need to learn a few things, but it would of been nice to know what I was doing before I HAD to do it.

 

[des1954]

Did you check to see if Rick's eyes were open while you were driving the MH. Don't forget to take the gag out of his mouth.

Very funny, Jeff!!! Good thing for you I love your Mac 'n Cheese!!!

 

[auntie]

Oh yeah! Deb can drive the MH!


Did ya hear that girls?.....Deb's takin' us to DISNEY WORLD!
We're sooooo proud of you! Now we ladies can count on YOU to get us to FW! Okay ladies Now hear this... single file.....all aboard..step to the rear of the coach...step to the rear of the coach...I'm comin' through...I call dibs on the bed...okay..we'll let the driver have that.

Sorry Rick, we gotta throw you under the bus ...so to speak.....

(okay.. Deb...you can put him in a tent )

 

[ntsammy5]

Are you gonna drive it when I'm down there in October?

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Watch those back roads, Deb. I took off Jakey's mail box in Lancaster, PA a few years ago. My trailer and truck still have the scars from it.

 

[auntie]

What You want a time line of what roads she'll be on and when Al?....
You trying to stay clear of the roads during those times?....

 

[Tigger0624]

Way to go Deb!!!!!

Women can do anything we put our minds to! ow if Matt would just let me drive with the GC and trailer- I could have a weekend to myself at the Fort!!! Maybe I'll just "kidnap" it one weekend and disappear

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Way to go Deb!!!!!

Women can do anything we put our minds to! ow if Matt would just let me drive with the GC and trailer- I could have a weekend to myself at the Fort!!! Maybe I'll just "kidnap" it one weekend and disappear

I can think of a couple of things women can't do, whether they put their minds to it or not.

 

[stacktester]

The only rough spot I had was when I was going on SR 33 (the hwy our development is on) at 60 MPH and I didn't start slowing down soon enough to make the right turn onto the country road. I put the air brakes to the test!!! That taught me to plan ahead because a 35,000 lb MH does NOT brake on a dime!!

Does that thing really weigh 35k pounds? Or is it 35 feet?

 

[loveDmouse]

Way to go Deb!

I had to learn ours under pressure. My husband got really sick on the way home from the Fort last year and I had to take over so I could get us home. It was scary at first. I did good though. I didn't hit anything and nobody flipped me off or tried to cuss me out.

Ours is 32' plus we were pulling our enclosed trailer so that adds about 16'. I was really proud of myself once we got home. I never thought I could drive something so big.

I am going to try driving a few times this year to our local campground just to keep the feel going. My problem is my husband likes to drive and be in control. Might have to wrestle over the driver's seat.

 

[des1954]

Does that thing really weigh 35k pounds? Or is it 35 feet?

It's 32 feet (well 32' 9"), and the GVWR is actually 39k pounds, but we don't keep the water tank full and we don't have a lot of cargo stored, either. So, 35k would be a good guess-timate. We've never bothered to have it weighed when "fully loaded", cause we've never really been "fully loaded" (except when I'm partying at a GG )

As evidenced by a couple of ladies here, they had to learn by way of "trial by fire". I did NOT want to learn that way. Also, we live close enough to FtW, and my work hours are flexible enough, that I could take the MH to FtW and get it set up so all my DH would have to do is drive over after work. That would give us more "fun time" at FtW!!

 

[des1954]

Are you gonna drive it when I'm down there in October?

Ummmm....it'll already be at FtW by the time you get here.

Watch those back roads, Deb. I took off Jakey's mail box in Lancaster, PA a few years ago. My trailer and truck still have the scars from it.

When we had the 45' MH, Rick took out a light post & a small tree. He also crunched a pontoon boat when he put the MH in storage. He was not paying any attention to his spotter when she told him to STOP!!

What You want a time line of what roads she'll be on and when Al?....
You trying to stay clear of the roads during those times?....

Don't worry Phyllis...he's freeloading off of me & won't be driving. Maybe I'll surprise him and pick him up at MCO in the RV!!

 

[ntsammy5]

Don't worry Phyllis...he's freeloading off of me & won't be driving. Maybe I'll surprise him and pick him up at MCO in the RV!!

That would be GREAT!!!!!!

 

[Just Beachy]

Deb, I think it's great that you can drive your MH!!!! Way to go!!! If you ever want room-mates at one of the GG's, just let Phyllis and me know! I never would drive our truck and 29' TT when we had it, but I have no problem driving our truck and Lance camper.

 

[VACAMPER]

Good job Deb! You give me hope.