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 > DW is real nervous

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Timster

Stanton Iowa

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Posted: 11/06/09 08:44pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Just got retired as a UPS driver for the past 33 years,my DW and i have been planning a trip in our motorhome that we have had for about 18 months.It will be our first major trip,about 3,000 mile round trip from Sierra Vista Az.As the time draws near to leave,she has all of a sudden got cold feet about motoring down the hyw. in a 37 ft wind catcher.She says when she is sitting in the passenger seat it feels to her like we are going right off the edge of the road.I keep telling her she just needs a little more seat time,other than locking her in the closet till we get there ,maybe you could tell me something that would put her a little more at ease,thanks

Y-Guy

Tri-Cities, WA

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Posted: 11/06/09 08:51pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I can relate, first time I rode with my wife driving I was about to scramble up the wall. Try having her watch you and not the road, or take a seat in the back for a bit. It took me a while to get comfortable, yeah I'm a bit of a control freak so turning over the reigns was hard but man I sure like being able to take a snooze while heading down the road. Just takes time.


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smkettner

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Posted: 11/06/09 08:53pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I was going to say give her the wheel for a few hundred miles.


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GTN_and_Catz

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Posted: 11/06/09 08:54pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

JD & Coke?

How about starting the trip (or a test trip) with her comfortably seated on the couch or recliner with a pillow, blanket and book? Let her come to her own conclusion that you stand a reasonable chance of keeping it out of the ditch. After a while, maybe she'll trust you enough to come up front and tell you how to drive.


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dunnpe

Antioch Ca

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Posted: 11/06/09 08:55pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

My DW also feels that way sometimes on some roads. Her first way to take that edge of the road fear away is 1) she crochets and listens to her Ipod or 2)she will just leans back in her co-captain chair and dose off while listening to her Ipod or 3)she gets the portable DVD player and watches a movie or even gets up and moves to the couch (buckled in, of course) and does any of the three items listed. She is much better now but still enjoys dooing the trhee items listed to pass the time.

It also helps if you aren't driving on very narrow roads at first. Once she gets the hang of it that you have the driving under control her anxieties will lessen.


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Rick-Texas

Texas

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Posted: 11/06/09 09:00pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

After a few trips I finally let mine out of the toad, never heard another complaint.
ok that never happened but did give it some thought.

topflite51

In The Desert of Nevada

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Posted: 11/06/09 09:01pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

GTN_and_Catz wrote:

JD & Coke?

For who?


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awsmom8

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Posted: 11/06/09 09:06pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

smkettner wrote:

I was going to say give her the wheel for a few hundred miles.


Seriously, your wife needs to learn how to drive the motorhome. There may be a time when you are sick, injured or in the hospital while out on a trip and she may need to drive it. I used to be an RN near Sedona AZ and occ. we'd get a husband admitted with chest pain, etc and the wife had no clue how to drive their rig.

As far as cold feet, I think everyone's suggestions are great. Looking out the passenger window is not the best of ideas. Remind her you are a professional driver, having worked for UPS for many years. Have her bring a few things from home too- a comfie blanket from the couch. Hopefully, in a few mths you'll look back at this and laugh.


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mtdew999

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Posted: 11/06/09 09:18pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Very common and the only cure is letting her drive.

rr2254545

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Posted: 11/06/09 09:27pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Yikes a problem we had the same and I just retired as an accountant not a professional driver like you. After a few weekend test trips and her driving we are fine now. I think it really helped when others noted that the prespective from the passerenger chair was different. When she adjusted the passanger side mirror and could see I was inside the line that helped too.


R Ream
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