Ladies--Do you drive the rig?

[Montana_993]

I guess I am working in to this from the other side. Dennis gets us there and then he gets out and I get in and back it in. I am fairly new to this - just started this summer, but we usually get a bit of an audience when they see the switch going on. So far so good. I use several tips from above, keep my hand at the bottom of the wheel, use my mirrors and just take it slow - others will wait - no need to rush - "haste makes waste" and none of us need that. He is trying to get me to pull it but one of our biggest problems is that we usually have two vehicles (we still do the work thing) and there is no way I would attempt it without him in the truck with me. One day I am sure I will get there - all things take time. Horray to all who have inspired me to forge on in this adventure !!

[Gypsy]

Vickster,

Thanks for the virtual pat on the back! It feels as if your very hand touched me.

[captbanjo]

Sharon's post concerning her solo driving abilities and overcoming her fears was very moving to me. The truth is, I was scared to death when I first got my 3400RL this summer. I told my wife that I'd need a minimum of six trips to overcome my fears and acquire some skills. We ended up doing eight and it's been great for me. I'm pretty comfortable now, though still concerned while backing. As for my wife, on our second trip out I pulled into a rest stop and when we left I handed her the keys. Was she furious! To top it off, a blinding rain storm hit as we left. But the bottom line is that I gave her the keys on the trip back. She's now comfortable on I95 but says she would never drive in our town. I know she could overcome her fears the same way I did (and Sharon did) by forcing her own hand, but I leave it alone. I figure if I can get a couple of hours of down time here and there, it's good for both of us.

[sreigle]

Captbanjo, thanks for a very candid post. I think you can figure that every last one of us on this forum sometimes royally screws up the backing up part and just pulls out and starts over. At least, I know I do. Sometimes I hit it perfect on the first try, other times I should have stayed in bed. You've probably already figured out that very slow, very small corrections, is the key. It also helps to have someone back there with a walkie talkie or hand signals to talk me through it.

[Gypsy]

Captbanjo, Steve and others - It's nice to hear that backing is a continuing challenge even to those with lots of experience. It confirms my feelings of inadequacy at times, and lets me know that I'm not alone. In fact, sometimes the sites that should be the easiest to back into turn out to be the places where I mess up the worst!

Sharon

[vickster]

Gypsy - You are welcome! Vickster

[vickir]

Gypsy, Fla Native and all the other lady drivers ... I am in awe!

What Steve said in an earlier post about me having no interest in learning to drive with the rig is true ... since I know he would NEVER be able to relax while I was driving and would probably make me crazy with his back-seat driving!!! Many years ago I did try to back the boat trailer down the ramp so Steve could load the boat. What a fiasco!!! I do know that if we were toodling down the freeway and Steve were suddenly unable to continue driving I would be able to call 911 and drive us to a rest area.

However, after reading in all these posts how so many of the "fairer sex" are driving with rigs, I'm beginning to feel an inkling of desire to learn. We'll see what happens.

[ragdoll]

Vicki, you can do it! I started with a 2 lane road and now able to drive anywhere, backing is an exception but will work on it at some point in the future. It was in a lot at the axle place, Jack had just had knee surgery - with a little advice and looking at the situation I managed to get it turned and out the gate onto the street and home - he did have to put it in the driveway but at least it was home.

Safe travels.
Lorraine

[Bob Pasternak]

As I told my girl-friend, you point the trailer where you want it, then follow it. Worked for me for a lot of years.