How Do You Do It???

[ali1257]

Okay, the decision has been made by me ~ I am going to learn how to drive this beast we call our home.

So my question to all you ladies out there ~ what is it I need to know about driving this 37' Class A motor home. I have driven it all of maybe 5 miles and I was a nervous wreck the whole time.

Any and all suggestions are wanted and appreciated.

[retiredhappy]

When I started driving my 30' class C I was given two great pieces of advice: 1) Drive the front and the rest will follow you; and 2) swing wide. I also drive at the speed I'm comfortable at - if you don't like my speed - go around me.

[Bethers]

Practice. And as Karen says - it's a matter of driving forward. Keep doing it - if necessary just a little more each time - until you let go of the fear. Don't worry about backing up - some people never do, especially if towing. Along with wide turns, simply remember you need extra space to change lanes. And practice

[deborah12060]

When I started pulling my horse trailer with tack room I went to a high school parking lot and drove around until I got
bored. Then I went to a neighborhood with wide streets and practiced until I got bored. If you are really anxious just
keep doing what you are doing and extend the circumstances little by little, doing it each day so that you develop a
history and trust with your rig. You can do it! What fun.

DD

[VickieP]

Ali, you have already made the first step, you've decided you're gonna drive it. Now just think, in an emergency situation and you had no choice, but to drive it, a matter of life and death, you wouldn't think twice, you would do whatever was necessary. Soooooo, just take that determination and the fact that you "could" do it and be positive that you will learn to do it.

[Bethers]

And there are classes that have helped many people. Jenny here on this forum - her husband teaches some. Not a bad idea if you feel that would help you get over the fear.

[snowball]

They are actually on there way to WA not sure he teaches classes in the summer or not but if not sure he would recommend someone.
you have decided to do something that I need to do good luck!
sheila

[sharon]

Hmmm...where to start? I know your eyes are telling your brain that there's no way in heck that vehicle fits in that little bitty lane! You did better than me with our first 38ft, I only made it 3 miles when I stopped it in the road and told DH this thing don't fit! Wasn't until he passed that I learned to drive it. You just need time behind the wheel on some quiet country roads to get used to it, and I know with your schedule that's gonna be hard. So #1..look where you want to go, not where you don't want to go. Your hands will follow your eyes, so if you look at the opposite lane or off to the right, that's where you'll go. #2...look out about 4-6 car lengths ahead. Try not to look down at the road. This will help you keep centered in your lane. If you're going around a curve, look thru the curve to the other side of it. This also helps keep you centered while navigating the curve. When making a left turn, pull out past the center of the intersection before you start to turn, and watch your left mirror as you get halfway thru to make sure you're gonna miss the car on your left. Right hand turns are a little trickier, you have to pull forward enough to miss the curb w/o hitting the car in the lane next to you or the one you're turning into. Just takes practice and sometimes you just have to be patient and wait for a car to move before you can do it. Practice in a parking lot when you can and have Ron either stand or put a bucket where your tail swing takes you so you know how much room you have. Practice backing up in a straight line using the lines in a parking lot. If you're not used to using side mirrors to back up, this is gonna be a tough one for you, but one you absolutely have to master.

Sorry this was so long, was just trying to think of things to help you out. Mostly relax, and drive your own drive.