High Anxiety

Relax as long as you have a charge card and time on your hands be happy

I am a Newbie and with the exception of the first few miles of getting used to the lane position and swing taking it home got fairly comfortable quickly. First trip out was another few miles but if you are not comfortable after years I would say you need to drive more.

How about taking it out to a different local spot for lunch every weekend during the "off season". Once you are used to cruising around town with it an open road will be very relaxing. As far as prep goes, do your maintenance and pay for a good roadside assistance program...no worries

I hope you find a solution, life is too short to stress

Someone asked about how do I know what is RV friendly...I like interstates and I also use certain truck apps to as a back up to the RV friendly GPS...I print the truck app one out and sometimes I will call the place I am going to to ask about the best route..Last and certainly, not least are the number of friends along the way we have met and we ask them what's the best way(ie Mr Mark)...the result is I've found some neat spots as we will be doing some driving between Daytona Fl and Alabama this winter for both family and pleasure...plus yet another meet up with friends hopefully in Asheville soon enough....

eldondo wrote:
I have had my RV for several years now and have just never gotten over the anxiety and feelings of terror that I get from preparing for a trip, worrying about all the things to check and recheck. Then, driving that beast down the road, worry about this, worry about that. I am exhausted by the time I reach my destination whether near or far. I always try to notice approaching RV'rs when I am on the road and they appear so relaxed and comfortable and I feel like I am a white knuckle driver. Does anyone else feel this way? Maybe they are smart and have sold their RV?

Try once to just go. Bring some comfortable clothes and just go.
Get everything else you need on the road.

Might seem a bit extreme to do... but will give some perspective and balance.

Along the lines of packing, something that helps me for RV trips or airplane trips or just about any trip out of the house that I need to bring things: Have a sacred spot in you house where you put things that need to go with you. I also keep a list in this spot.

For me, it's my work bench in the garage. A couple days before a trip I start a little list and start to pile things up on the bench. When I leave the house if it's on the bench it goes with me, if it's on the list and not on the bench I go get it. If I haven't thought of it in several days? I guess it's hopeless and wasn't meant to be :)

For me, it's all about having a single point that everything passes through. Small things go on the bench. Luggage and larger things go on the floor in front of it. As I'm leaving the garage for the last time I just look at the bench and on the floor nearby. Honestly, I can't remember the last time I left anything of any significance at home so I'm sticking with my routine.

eldondo wrote:
I have had my RV for several years now and have just never gotten over the anxiety and feelings of terror that I get from preparing for a trip, worrying about all the things to check and recheck. Then, driving that beast down the road, worry about this, worry about that. I am exhausted by the time I reach my destination whether near or far. I always try to notice approaching RV'rs when I am on the road and they appear so relaxed and comfortable and I feel like I am a white knuckle driver. Does anyone else feel this way? Maybe they are smart and have sold their RV?

Probably more going on here, than just the RV, but then, that's not within my line of expertise.
Even though, I look forward to every trip, come what may, I like getting things down to simplicity, so there's very little in the way of packing, with some things for everyday use staying in the coach and because it's right here in the driveway.
Everything else, I have in duplicate that seems to come along, without even asking. With DW, it's a little more so, but she's now leaving drinks and such in the fridge, which is always on.
The other thing, is my checkoff list, that gets modified from time to time and the only way, something won't be forgotten. I also have a ....getting underway list.... that sometimes doesn't get the attention it deserves. Have you ever seen an RV leaving a campground with the TV antenna up? Some have even been known to drag away the power cord, water hose or other. How about a bedroom slide that's still out and it goes on and on.

bullydogs1 wrote:
This topic hits a bit of a nerve with me...There were times I'd go crazy packing....now we do a bit at a time and have learned to buy certain items (one for house, one for coach)....We travel with many medicines for both us and the dogs and know what our limits are for the day....and try not to push it...sure there are white knuckle places..(the Chesapeake tunnel for one) so I try to hit that off peak and when it is over, it is over...I try to map out my routes thru places I know or are RV friendly...It does get easier the number of times you do it...

What's are your tools for finding routes that are RV Friendly?

I'm so very sad to say but I've hit the age when a checklist is becoming necessary. Too many times I forget to open the fridge in storage, shut off the propane, and more than once forget the antenna. I found an RV checklist app that is customizable from a computer then upload to phone. I'm anxious to try it out.

I'm a worrier and can relate to a lot of the stuff as the OP. I don't worry so much about forgetting stuff... at least once I leave home since I know I'm not going back. Unless, I forget my credit card :)

For some reason the thing that gives me the most anxiety is parking my RV when I return home. I have a pretty big trailer - 35' 5th wheel. And a pretty tight spot beside my house. It's doable if there are no cars in the street but often times I have to go around and ask neighbors to move which is kind of a hassle.

Once I'm out on the road I seem to do okay but I definitely understand the whole anxiety thing. There are a A LOT of things that could go wrong, for sure. I just try not to worry too much. And, if I do, I just talk to Jack Daniels and he seems to get my head straight :) Once the rig is parked, of course.

Hire a driver.