Are other drivers killing your RV experience?

Don't drive on Fridays or Sundays.

I am always amazed at the number of Goldielocks who reside on the internet. Everyone around them are driving too slow or too fast while they are driving "just right". Myself, I occasionally hit the lane marker rumble strips, exceed the speed limit, miss a turn and failed to signal when making a turn. I have found myself in the wrong lane on the interstate and needed cut across several lanes to get where I needed to go. I have accelerated thru a yellow light, and when the road is straight, long, clear and inviting even opened up the throttle full bore just to see what it can do. I guess you can say I am your average driver.

Peak Times in Atlanta, Nashville, Oklahoma City and many others ,we need a Valium prescription from the Dr, sometimes I think.
If we kept logs, over the years, it would make a great horror movie.
This last trip home was one of the worse. Nearly killed, in one instance, as would have been a lot of Motorists too.
Even in a car, after driving through the nightmares, we will stop and have a bite to eat and drain the nerves. Don't mind the traffic much in the little black car as I can, when I drive stay away from the idiots.
We seriously thought about selling the RV after getting home. Not going back otu there for a while.

Nope. I profile them and keep going with my enjoyment of driving. I already know most of them are substandard drivers.

There is a little known phenomenon - when people get behind a wheel they become a$$H0!#$

The funny part of driving across the country, is that guy towing a big trailer doing 75-80 and getting about 4 mpg that has to stop every 200 miles for more gas, while I get 650 miles towing my rig at 60-64 mph and keep seeing him pass me all day. I never seem to pass him, but always see him in rear mirror then he flys by me WOT over and over and over. I think 7 times is the record in one day.

Up until 10+ years ago I was the guy that couldn't wait to pass the RV or semi.
Now I'm the guy everyone wants to get by and I totally understand their logic. I usually give them extra room if they're trying for the ultimate jamb like when 2 lanes converge to one.
To the topic about crazy drivers. Thats why we RV. Did the motorcycle thing for 12 years and when texting became the cool thing to do when driving, we decided to pack it in before some lame brain wrecked us.

mr_andyj wrote:
There is a little known phenomenon - when people get behind a wheel they become a$$H0!#$

The funny part of driving across the country, is that guy towing a big trailer doing 75-80 and getting about 4 mpg that has to stop every 200 miles for more gas, while I get 650 miles towing my rig at 60-64 mph and keep seeing him pass me all day. I never seem to pass him, but always see him in rear mirror then he flys by me WOT over and over and over. I think 7 times is the record in one day.

I doubt you get triple the fuel mileage than a similar rig by driving 20 MPH slower. There is no way you can go 650 miles on a tank of gas while that similar rig can only make it 200.
If you are traveling 650 miles in a day, it is going to take you almost 11 hours driving time at 60 MPH to get where you are going while the guy doing 80 is going to be there in just over 8. He will have time to eat a steak diner and while watching an entire football game from the comfort of his destination while you are still out on the highway dodging those terrible drivers. Maybe he isn't so crazy after all.

camilllit wrote:
Yes! We actually cancelled our trip from PA to Myrtle Beach SC because at 65 years old driving around the Baltimore and Washington outer loops scares me stiff. I know what its like just driving my 8,000 dually, they play with me like I'm a toy. Don't they respect size and mass? Pulling a 41' fifth wheel with a dually 4x4 8' bed is Xanax time, I can't stop this train on a dime! I try to maintain safe following distance to give me some room to stop......forget it. Three cars cut in front of me. I guess if I leave at midnight is best, shouldn't be too crazy at 2-4 am?

I wouldn’t cancel a vacation just because of traffic. I might plan a different route, or time my time passing through a given area to a slack traffic time. I am on 70’s door and will drive at a speed that works with the traffic around me. If I need I will roll at 70 although 65 is more comfortable, 5er dis LT tires with the same speed rating as our truck. Learned to dive defensively about 55 years ago. I keep an eye on all the traffic around and drive accordingly.

I will say that since Covid that drivers seem to be in a bigger hurry and I see the it is all about me attitude far more.
With all the marketing of new cars and safety features they figure the car will save them I guess.

At 65 you are a youngster. I just bought my 8th, motorhome yesterday and I am 82. i have had RVs since 1969 and just sold my Road Trek a month ago thinking I was through. Once the bug gets you you are hooked. When it comes to driving you haven't lived until you are in Toronto on the 401. Trucks aree the big speeders there. Fortunately I know most of the back roads in Ontario and avoid Toronto unless I am going to a relative that lives here. Most of my relatives are in Pembroke and Petawawa and I can avoid Toronto. Atlanta is horrible. When I retired, back io 1994 I drove tour buses for fun and got 45' coaches to most of the big cities. A motorhome doesn't scare me.

Nobody likes traffic, but it shouldn't be a deal killer either.

I just tuck in with the big rigs and stay out of their way. I flash my lights when they signal so they can get back in front of me. I even had a huge bear of a man hug me from behind when I was at the counter paying at a Pilot. Grabbed me and hugged me and said "You're in that big RV, aren't you. Nice to meet you and share the road with you, brother."

It was very weird, but I appreciated his sentiment.

I think the traffic only bugs me though when I'm really hot to make time. And that's when I have to snap myself out of it and remind myself that it's pretty much impossible to make up any time. On long days, I'll average 50 mph when I factor in fuel, food, and pee stops, no matter how much I hurry.

It's always a shocker though when we get back into California and have to slow down to 59 mph.

Prepping for the day makes it go easier too: mix up a big travel tumbler with something to drink, grab some snacks, prep the dogs' space in the back seat, cue up something to listen to, and then get behind the wheel and absorb all the beautiful sights in this nation of ours.

Count your blessings and exhale deep breaths. Life is good.