A Women's RV Forum run by Women RVer's!

Hello,
I am so happy to find you all. My name is Cheryl but to my family and friends I've always been Sherry. I guess I'm really looking for some encouragement and advise. I am a recent widow and my late husband and I had great plans to go R.V.ing after I retired. Two years ago we found our dream fifth-wheel. A 35' HitchHicker. Unfortunately, I've never towed anything. What are the chances for me to learn how? I love this rig but I'm afraid that it's more then I can handle. I'd appreciate hearing your thoughts on this.
Thanks,
Sherry

Hi Sherry! Hopefully we're all your friends - or will be shortly!

My advice - if that 5th wheel is YOUR dream - then go get some driving lessons and go for it. If that was your dream together, and you alone might be more comfortable with something else, then look at other options and find what will work for you. There's so many options out there. And we have women doing all of them. There are women on here pulling the big 5th wheels and driving the big Class A's, and the little B's and everything in between. But we all have different comfort levels and different reasons for choosing the ones we do. Only you can answer where your comfort level falls in. But I highly recommend you figure it out and get out here on the road with us. It's a lovely place to be.

And I'm glad to have you with us.

Welcome, OregonNana.
I am sorry to hear of your husband's passing.
Good for you for wanting to continue traveling solo. I think the consensus is that until we try, we don't know what we are or aren't capable of.
You might need to reconsider what our living size needs are in an RV now. Just a thought.
If you don't mind may I ask what part of OR you hail from (you handle indicates OR anyway)?
I am in SW WA.

Hi OregonNana,

Welcome. I too am sorry to hear about your husband. I am working on learning to pull our 5th wheel too. These ladies here will give lots of encouragement and information.

You can do it!
Dawn

Welcome, and my condolences for your husband's passing.

As far as the 5th wheeler, critically assess as to whether it's still your dream trailer not that you will be soloing. If it is, then driving lessons may be a good idea. Do you have friends that RV? Some of them might be able to recommend someone. If not, you might contact a local RV dealer and see if they have any recommendations. Thirdly, I have heard that truck driving schools might know someone.

My first recommendation to you is get as familiar with your tow vehicle as possible if it's not one you drive regularly. Fortunately for me, my truck is my daily driver but I know when I first got it, I had to get used to the longer wheelbase and wider turning radius - and mine's a 150. I still after 10 years fins myself backing out then straightening in parking lot parking spaces because of my turning radius.

Also, you can get lots of help from fellow campers when it comes to setting up and breaking down your campsites. But you need to become familiar with all the systems. When I first got my trailer, DBF did some jobs and I did others, but I quickly realized I needed to learn his jobs as well if I was going to solo. Now when we go camping together, I usually get to do the outside jobs, including the dumping - oh well.

Welcome to the forum!

Welcome here. There are all sorts of ways ad rigs to get out there and travel in. The more to look and evaluate your needs and what the different rig and sizes off, you will be able to decide what you want to do. Learning to drive what you have is just one step. Your world will be full of new adventures all around.

Thank you all for your welcome and your condolences and your encouragement. For those of you that asked about where I'm from, I live in Southern Oregon between Medford and Ashland. I've lived in this area my entire life and I love it here.
My truck is a 1-ton Dodge dully which I had never driven until recently. Jerry had me convinced that I couldn't handle it but you know what? I did just fine. The day I decided to take it out, I drove it over 100 miles over two laned narrow back roads and I had no problems. I'm sure you probably think "Big Deal!" but it really was a "Big Deal" for me. I told my son, I only cried the first 10 miles and then I was fine. That Dodge was Jerry's truck.
I have several family and friends that have offered to help me when I get ready to take the fifth-wheel out. There are several places to camp that are not far away and easy to get to, I'm thinking one of those will make a good outing for my first time or two at least. I wish I was ready to go now. this weekend it's going to be in the 80's here. Summer's coming!
Sherry

You'll get 'er done! Just takes a little time to get used to new experiences.

Sherry, Welcome to the forum. I have news for you......I live between Ashland and Medford ALSO. Would love to meet you. I am working up by Salem right now but will be home the first week of June for the summer. I would be happy to go camping with you. I am thinking Valley of the Rogue would be great for a first time outing. F loop has very large spaces, just no sewer but it is much more quiet and I like that loop best. (aka not too many kids lol).

Let me know if you would like to do lunch in June, we can get acquainted. I can send you my phone number in either a PM or the private room.

karen

Hi Sherry - Welcome to the forum. And, YES you can learn about your 5th wheel and truck. See, you drove the truck for 100 miles and you were so proud of yourself. Practice, practice and practice!! Enjoy too.

Linda

Hi OregonNana,

I am new to WomenRV too, just moved full time into an RV in October. My home address is Salem, OR, and that is where we have mail, doctors, etc.. Still working out the details of full time. We have a 2000 34' foot Bounder and a Ford Escape for towing. Hubby has good days and bad days, as he is disabled, so I decided that I needed to know how to do this on my own. If anything happens to him, I am committed to this livestyle and will continue on.

I joined this group because of Belle

We found a company in Salem, Oregon Drivers Education Company- they have contracts with all municipalities in the state of Oregon to train the fire truck and first response teams. My hubby and I had a 4 hour driving lesson and it was GREAT. Learned how to park, move in heavy traffic and in general just get comfortable with the handling.

We found a great repair and service place in Albany that not only went through our rig, but also threw in the how to's- we have called them many times, and they are always very accommodating.

So relax, take it one step at a time. Gather up a bunch of friends that have a similar interest and enjoy!

We also joined the FMCA, which has been an absolute wealth of information. I joined RVing Women- they have rallies and training sessions and offer loads of encouragement. There are many groups that are for solo campers, traveling together and having a wonderful time. www.rvingwomen.org. I also am on facebook and there are some incredible groups that are very helpful. The Oregon Chapter of RVing women is having a chapter rally at Cannon Beach in July.


Good luck and keep us posted!!

Sunny, we are also members of RV'ing Women, have been since 1999 and love the group. No matter where you travel in the country you can usually find a rally, meet new people and get great information from the local gals. We're hosting the rally this month at Foster Lake, won't make it to Cannon Beach ... we are very busy in July with the fruit trees and garden and it's just a bit too far. We will also be going to the rally at Winchester Bay (June) and Oceanside (Sept). If you attend either look for us in the Admiral Cls A.

OregonNana.. welcome to his forum. I'm new also and have found this to be a very active website. There seem to be a lot of ladies from the east coast but the internet sure shrinks distance!