Wife fearful in Class A

[WeMosey]

We have sold our truck & 5th wheel, and are looking at Class As. DW, however, feels quite fearful riding in the ones that we have looked at. Not sure if it's the big windows, or just the size of the Class A as compared to riding in a truck, or just a combination of things. Has anyone else's wife experienced this fear? And was she able to overcome it?

[klm]

Yes!!!!!! The more you rv travel, the more comfortable you will get. Don't get so comfortable in that passenger seat that you don't EVER get behind the wheel. It is so important that both of you can drive the motorhome, all it takes is a little practice - confidence will grow with each time behind the wheel.

[falconbrother]

I think my wife was uneasy at first but, that's long since in the history books. After a trip or two she'll enjoy it up there.

[Jean_S]

Glad you got over your anxiety, WeMosey. I was not thrilled with the rocking and rolling, myself, when we switched from a truck and trailer to the Class A. I'm mostly OK with it, now, although the narrow, steep roads and switchbacks in Yellowstone shredded my nerves. We have a towable dinghy, now, so we can get in, park the MH, and drive the mountain roads without white knuckles.

[jobythebay]

PatStab wrote:
I make my husband nervous if I'm driving and he scares the daylights out of me when he is driving. Each of us are good drivers but just something about being in that passenger seat.

Now DD is happy as a clam with me driving and we do great, she said she would rather have me drive then dad. I think that is too funny. But then he seldom goes with us anyway. It's hard though when you are afraid, maybe get some pills for anti anxiety so you both can have fun.

Now that's a thought or lots of Kahlua and cream. :S Jo getting more nervous as the time gets closer.

[Bumpyroad]

on my trips I let the wife learn by picking out two rest areas about an hour apart with nothing between them.
bumpy

[BigRabbitMan]

WeMosey wrote:
Fearful wife update Part II: Well we just got back from our 1st trip! I must say I got over my fear pretty quickly! DH was surprised that I did as well as I did. I do have a lot of faith in him as a driver -- he drove a fire truck for over 20 years, plus pulling our previous 5th wheels and TT. So all is well; I can't wait go again! Oh, and our trip was to Oklahoma, so we were traveling some pretty rough roads!

That is great news and what we were all hoping for. Enjoy your coach with many more trips. Thanks for giving us the update.

[jobythebay]

Sully2 wrote:

RVER wrote:
Riding in pass seat is scary but MH riding can be more comfortable. My partner wants to go back to a MH from fiver. We had a MH then bought the fiver. Much less maintenance etc. but she feels safer on overnights in truck stops etc. we do love the room in our fiver so MH would have to come close to that. Sitting on right side seat can be unnerving.

Most definitely!

I'm going to drive it just from one exit to another just in case of Ann emergency. well see how calm dh is 🙂 also I Ann to far back from my pretend brakes so I can't use anything on my side to brake!

[sowego]

I'm glad to hear you had a good trip!

[WeMosey]

Fearful wife update Part II: Well we just got back from our 1st trip! I must say I got over my fear pretty quickly! DH was surprised that I did as well as I did. I do have a lot of faith in him as a driver -- he drove a fire truck for over 20 years, plus pulling our previous 5th wheels and TT. So all is well; I can't wait go again! Oh, and our trip was to Oklahoma, so we were traveling some pretty rough roads!

[dubdub07]

okhmbldr wrote:
Today I drove (in my car) from Branson to OKC on I-44. I passed five Motorhomes on my drive, and since reading this thread I noticed that all five were hugging the white line on the right side, some were a full tire width on the shoulder. After this observation I can see why the passenger would be fearful riding in that seat.

I will share what I think is logical; hug the center and give yourself as much room on the right as possible. This does two things; 1) it makes drivers going the other way a little more aware of you as you are on the center stripe. And 2) those that are NOT paying attention or things that may give you a need to swerve gives you a little more maneuver room on the right. This way if the shoulder goes away, I am still riding that center stripe. I have never, nor will I ever, ride the white stripe on the right. You can't judge that stripe as well as you can the center anyway. Much safer, IMO, to use the strip you can judge best.

There are a lot of fatalities from drivers hugging the right and hitting stranded motorists and police every year as well.....food for thought.

WW

[jobythebay]

Iluvrvcamping wrote:
Here's my female/passenger advice for your wife.
Ride on the couch till you get used to the floating feeling you are experiencing when riding in the MH. Sitart sitting for short periods of time in the passenger seat. When you start to feel anxious or panicky go back to the couch. My hubby and I have been rving for almost 20 yrs now and sometimes I still sit on the couch when I get a nervous. 🙂
I'm driving our rig at least half of the time now and love it. Just give it time and you will become comfortable riding in the passenger seat.

My husband suggested I do that but not because of the feel of the MH but because of the closeness to the side. I feel as if he is going to hit mailboxes, etc. But this is our first MH so I think it is a matter of getting used to the fact he won't hit anything!!:E

[DesertSpooners]

Personally, I prefer driving and let the DH sit in the passenger seat. 🙂

[rrpoulin]

What work for my wife was to know where the passenger side front wheel was in relation to her seat. Once we nailed that down, she was a bit less fearful and then got over it in a couple of hours.

She is still jumpy once in a while but then, she does that in any car 🙂 If your wife is a long time driver, that will happen. Hell, I put on the brakes when I'm in the passenger seat too hehe...

[PatStab]

I make my husband nervous if I'm driving and he scares the daylights out of me when he is driving. Each of us are good drivers but just something about being in that passenger seat.

Now DD is happy as a clam with me driving and we do great, she said she would rather have me drive then dad. I think that is too funny. But then he seldom goes with us anyway. It's hard though when you are afraid, maybe get some pills for anti anxiety so you both can have fun.