I haven't seen this topic posted before so I thought I would see what others thought. We have a modest sized rig (TV & TT) that my DW will not consider driving. This really isn't an issue as I enjoy doing the driving anyhow and can go for hours if need be. It's just in the back of my mind that if she needed to drive in a pinch (eg. I lost my glasses in a lake, sudden illness while camping, you name it) I would rather she have some experience with handling the rig. BTW, our first TV was rather small and I could see her concern in anticipating shifting down on hills, etc. However our current TV is designed to tow and handles the TT easily...just set cruise and it practically drives itself, downshifting on descents, etc.Am I being overly concerned about this or should I encourage her to take the wheel occasionally on quiet stretches of road? How do others handle driving duty? Anyone run into a situation where they wished they were more prepared in this area? I'm an experienced camper so know that preparedness is never a bad thing. Your thoughts?

I'm in the same boat. I prefer to do the driving and it's hard to give up my seat, towing or not. I've been trying to get my wife to see the importance of being prepared in the event of an injury for years. Can't trade her in for a new one so I work with what I've got. I do make a point of explaining everything I do so she understands the purpose. Now just need to find a way to get her behind the wheel. Problem is every other year the tt seems to get bigger right when she's about to get comfortable.

Howie3 wrote:I haven't seen this topic posted before so I thought I would see what others thought. We have a modest sized rig (TV & TT) that my DW will not consider driving. This really isn't an issue as I enjoy doing the driving anyhow and can go for hours if need be. It's just in the back of my mind that if she needed to drive in a pinch (eg. I lost my glasses in a lake, sudden illness while camping, you name it) I would rather she have some experience with handling the rig. BTW, our first TV was rather small and I could see her concern in anticipating shifting down on hills, etc. However our current TV is designed to tow and handles the TT easily...just set cruise and it practically drives itself, downshifting on descents, etc.Am I being overly concerned about this or should I encourage her to take the wheel occasionally on quiet stretches of road? How do others handle driving duty? Anyone run into a situation where they wished they were more prepared in this area? I'm an experienced camper so know that preparedness is never a bad thing. Your thoughts?I'm in the same boat. DW won't even consider towng the TT. And to be honest. IF it scares her, or your DW. The best thing is. Don't try to force her. A scared driver is a dangerous driver. As for your glasses. Lencrafters can make you a new pair in an hour. Yep. I broke mine, and we had to get a new pair on the trip. As to the illness. I once woke up with vertigo. Spent 2 days on the couch, Could not drive home. Was on the verge of calling a friend to come get the TT. When the meds kicked in, and last morning I woke up OK. But I do, and I'm sure you do. Know people who will help you out. Keep their numbers close.

my DW will drive, forward, and she does participate in all of the hooking up and unhooking to know how it is all done. She won't back it up though.

Wife is more afraid of navigating than driving. I drive the open roads and she does the cities while I handle the map or GPS. I make a great passenger and she don't mind :)

Good thread!The wife here is somewhat willing.Our truck is a diesel stick and the one time she tried it she kept popping the clutch and killing it.Too bad there isn't someplace around here that offers an RV drivers course.It would probably be better if the wife was taught by someone else other than me.I'll be watching this thread :)

DW won't drive | Good Sam Community

Johno02
Explorer
Apr 24, 2013
IMHO, Although I do most of the driving in our MH with toad, I did teach DW to drive it, and have her do so on many occasions. At that it usualy takes two of us to drive, (one to drive, the other to tell driver how), having her with experience helps. Primary thing is that if something happens to either of us, the other can get us to help or home.
There are a number of RV driver classes available, especially at Samborees or gatherings.
pf32450
Explorer
Apr 24, 2013
Fizz the problem I have is I am not a very good passenger have a tendency to be a back seat driver no matter where I sit. However my DW does want to drive on a trip to Disney World in July so I will do my best to suck it up and let her drive. She has towed other trailers in the past so not really any other reason for her not to drive other than me.
deleted-2
Explorer
Apr 24, 2013
Good thread!

The wife here is somewhat willing.
Our truck is a diesel stick and the one time she tried it she kept popping the clutch and killing it.

Too bad there isn't someplace around here that offers an RV drivers course.
It would probably be better if the wife was taught by someone else other than me.

I'll be watching this thread :)
Fizz
Explorer
Apr 24, 2013
Wife is more afraid of navigating than driving. I drive the open roads and she does the cities while I handle the map or GPS. I make a great passenger and she don't mind :)
mikedboyd
Explorer
Apr 24, 2013
my DW will drive, forward, and she does participate in all of the hooking up and unhooking to know how it is all done. She won't back it up though.
Terryallan
Explorer II
Apr 24, 2013
Howie3 wrote:
I haven't seen this topic posted before so I thought I would see what others thought. We have a modest sized rig (TV & TT) that my DW will not consider driving. This really isn't an issue as I enjoy doing the driving anyhow and can go for hours if need be. It's just in the back of my mind that if she needed to drive in a pinch (eg. I lost my glasses in a lake, sudden illness while camping, you name it) I would rather she have some experience with handling the rig. BTW, our first TV was rather small and I could see her concern in anticipating shifting down on hills, etc. However our current TV is designed to tow and handles the TT easily...just set cruise and it practically drives itself, downshifting on descents, etc.
Am I being overly concerned about this or should I encourage her to take the wheel occasionally on quiet stretches of road? How do others handle driving duty? Anyone run into a situation where they wished they were more prepared in this area? I'm an experienced camper so know that preparedness is never a bad thing.
Your thoughts?

I'm in the same boat. DW won't even consider towng the TT. And to be honest. IF it scares her, or your DW. The best thing is. Don't try to force her. A scared driver is a dangerous driver.

As for your glasses. Lencrafters can make you a new pair in an hour. Yep. I broke mine, and we had to get a new pair on the trip.

As to the illness. I once woke up with vertigo. Spent 2 days on the couch, Could not drive home. Was on the verge of calling a friend to come get the TT. When the meds kicked in, and last morning I woke up OK. But I do, and I'm sure you do. Know people who will help you out. Keep their numbers close.
camp-n-family
Explorer
Apr 24, 2013
I'm in the same boat. I prefer to do the driving and it's hard to give up my seat, towing or not. I've been trying to get my wife to see the importance of being prepared in the event of an injury for years. Can't trade her in for a new one so I work with what I've got. I do make a point of explaining everything I do so she understands the purpose. Now just need to find a way to get her behind the wheel. Problem is every other year the tt seems to get bigger right when she's about to get comfortable.

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