my first time ooooo

arumba

Guest
well just drove our 20ft 3" MH for the first time it was a bit scary as ive not drove anything that long before. My hubby is used to driving buses and said its easy well it would be for him. I didnt find it that easy as the hand break was at a different side that im used to and the gear stick was tiny and not a big one lol (now now you guys I am talking about the gear stick here) lol I did put it in the wrong gear a few times and it will take me some time getting used to using 6 gears and having no central mirror but 4 wing mirrors did take some getting used to. I did manage to reverse it ok though but it did help having a reversing camara to look at. Anyway I felt a little more confident on our way home although I did put it in the wrong gear a few times. hopefully my next driving lesson with my hubby at my side I will do even better lol
 
you'll be fine I'm sure. If I can do it anyone can :scared: My hubby never drives, just barkes the directions out to me from behind the map and a tin of beer, :lol-053:

:wave:
Lotty
 
Hi. I drive our motorhome and my hubby has never driven ours either. Ours is 21' 6" and I dont find it a problem. Good luck with it, you will enjoy it.

Angela.
 
Good luck, Arumba! My (ex-bus driver) husband got me to drive our 21ft Autotrail - I wasn't happy, but I did it, and it turned out it was just as well, as recently I HAD to drive it or cancel a visit to Newton Abbot with friends, as he had a small stroke, and was banned from driving for a month.

I don't mind driving the MH on nice big roads likethe A30 and the A38, but I'm not keen on towns and narrow roads. It's the WIDTH that bothers me most, rather than the length (please note I refer to the MH here!!) as we had a wing mirror scat off by a tractor, and they're not cheap to replace. Our progress up to Newton abbott was punctuated by anguished squawks from the pasenger seat of "Move over!!!" as I tend to be a bit of a hedgehugger!! Hopefully I'll get it right one day!

I think it's a good thing if both partners can drive, even if one only does it rarely, as you never know when the main driver could be out of action. At least if you have done it a time or two, it won't be so strange if you HAVE to do it.

I agree with you about the handbrake, apart from being on the wrong side, it seems a long way down. My husband got an extension for his, and now it's much easier to get hold of!! (And the handbrake!!)

Well done you, keep up the good work, it won't be long before you feel really confident!

KP x x
 
hi i do all our driving cos hubby"s got dodgy eyesight. i have driven vans for years and can honestly say that i feel scared if i have to drive a car, in a van you are so much higher and you have huge wing mirrors, practice some more, get used to the width, enjoy.
 
Good for you girls...I just haven't got the bottle to get out on the road in our 26footer. I know if you can do it then so can I but feel if I could get out onto a disused airfield first just to get used to it I'd be happier. Michael my partner is looking into possibility of getting me a driving course for larger vehicles .. don't need the test just the experience and the nerve!

Sue:drive: that'll be me one day!
 
suej said:
Good for you girls...I just haven't got the bottle to get out on the road in our 26footer. I know if you can do it then so can I but feel if I could get out onto a disused airfield first just to get used to it I'd be happier. Michael my partner is looking into possibility of getting me a driving course for larger vehicles .. don't need the test just the experience and the nerve!

Sue:drive: that'll be me one day!
Click to expand...

Go for it Sue, you could come along to our Ladies meet then.:banana:
The caravan clubs run manoeuvreing courses and some insurance companies offer discount if you have been on one too :drive:
 
kernowprickles said:
(snip)
I don't mind driving the MH on nice big roads likethe A30 and the A38, but I'm not keen on towns and narrow roads. It's the WIDTH that bothers me most, rather than the length (please note I refer to the MH here!!) as we had a wing mirror scat off by a tractor, and they're not cheap to replace. Our progress up to Newton abbott was punctuated by anguished squawks from the pasenger seat of "Move over!!!" as I tend to be a bit of a hedgehugger!! Hopefully I'll get it right one day!
(snip)
Well done you, keep up the good work, it won't be long before you feel really confident!

KP x x
Click to expand...

I found the nearside mirror useful to tell me how far I am from the kerb/ hedge & help me get my positioning right. That "Move over" thing is something my wife (who is also a regular driver) shouts as well, I think it is mainly due to sitting on the "wrong side" of the vehicle for a change so their mind is telling them that there is far more van on their left than there actually is. Not sure I have explained that right, but when driving, most of the van is on your left, but when a passenger very little of it is, so they tend to misjudge clearances.

We did a number of short trips as days out to get used to driving, parking & using the domestics, which all helped us build confidence ready for the big trip to Islay next week.
 
Well Done...I'm sure you'll get used to it...

and I'm sure your hubby will be telling you to check your mirrors every 5 to 8 seconds..as all bus drivers do...LOL

One thing worth watching out for...when your cruising on the motorway in the nearside lane and passing an on ramp watch out for the numptie who races up the ramp and just HAS to get on in front of you...it can give you a bit of at fright at first, till you get used to them...:mad1:

They're usually driving a souped up 10 year old Corsa...LOL
 
at the moment ive mostly driven on A roads but it was the roundabouts i didn't like and people who overtook me and cut straight in front of me not giving me any room it was a bit scary :mad2: i am dreading B roads i also hate narrow roads as a passenger let alone as a driver lol
 
arumba said:
at the moment ive mostly driven on A roads but it was the roundabouts i didn't like and people who overtook me and cut straight in front of me not giving me any room it was a bit scary :mad2: i am dreading B roads i also hate narrow roads as a passenger let alone as a driver lol
Click to expand...

Although I'm a coach driver I am not embarrassed to say if it looks too much of a squeeze and/or approaching traffic looks too wide or coming towards me too fast I slow right down. Annoys the hell out of traffic behind me but better that than clipping something
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who viewed this discussion (Total:0)

Back
Top