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10-23-2015, 08:39 AM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Prescott
Posts: 156
M.O.C. #15914
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Montana Intimidation
Our Montana is 39' and we love it but it has one big drawback. Whilst my wife can tow it on freeways, she is scared to death of maneuvering the rig in any other situation. She is thinking of taking a CDL driving instruction and I'm wondering whether any of you have any opinions either about towing a large RV or about the benefit of a CDL class.
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10-23-2015, 08:51 AM
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#2
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New Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Lincoln
Posts: 2
M.O.C. #17956
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I wouldnt waste the money on a CDL class, Just get out on some deserted streets and let her go. And if you are riding with her, KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT lol.. Let there be peace in the truck
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10-23-2015, 09:02 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Winfield
Posts: 7,327
M.O.C. #6846
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Or a big empty parking lot, and I agree with the part about being quiet, learning is a process of making mistakes and realizing what not to do as a result of those mistakes. Some cones or markers may be beneficial to assist with learning backing and tight maneuvers.
Bingo
__________________
Bingo and Cathy - Our adventures begin in the hills of WV. We are blessed by our 2014 3850FL Big Sky (previous 2011 3750FL and 2007 3400RL) that we pull with a 2007 Chevy Silverado Classic DRW CC dually.
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10-23-2015, 10:32 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Livingston
Posts: 1,150
M.O.C. #12333
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No need to spend money on CDL.... big parking lots, empty side streets, early morning days, etc.
Time behind wheel is most important. Sue does great at driving our set up which is 65' overall when hooked up. She passed the class A non CDL test for her Texas driver's license with no issues in a rather tight and busy Livingston, Texas.
Practice, practice, practice!
__________________
Les and Sue Young, 2009 Int 4400 LP, 2020 DRV Mobile Suites [/url] https://ramblingrvrat.blogspot.com/2019/11/freedom-from-grid-rambling-rv-rats.html[/url]
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10-23-2015, 10:36 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Lincoln
Posts: 856
M.O.C. #8154
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My wife took a behind the wheel RV driving class. She had a great instructor that helped her a great deal and gave her the confidence to handle the rig. It was an all day school that started with her taking the rig down a dead end street and learning to back several hundred yards. Then we went to a shopping center for lunch in which she pulled in and parked. After lunch he took us to a field, placed some cones and taught her how to back into an RV spot. There were may other tips and tricks he taught her (and me...I was able to tag along in the back seat).
It was expensive but really worth it.
Ken
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10-23-2015, 12:18 PM
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#6
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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If you go to a national Good Sam or Escapee's Rally there are folks at those rally's who teach RV driving for a living. When we bought our rig I used an empty parking lot to practice before I tried to put it in it's spot at home. As stated above, nothing adds confidence like practice.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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10-23-2015, 01:35 PM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ione
Posts: 582
M.O.C. #11371
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I guess I am lucky. My wife drove a big, big school bus for 20 years. Drove in the narrow roads of the foot hills, mountains and the big cities of California. I hate driving my truck where she drove school busses.
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10-23-2015, 01:54 PM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: North Ridgeville
Posts: 20,229
M.O.C. #2839
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Like has been said big parking lot and practice .The CDL driving course would be handy to know. Helen has been driving all our rigs for years and I am sure glad she can. I was school bus driving instructor .When a lady would tell me "oh I will never be able to drive this big thing" I would say.. After 12 hours of driving instructions you will be driving this thing like a Volkswagen.... and they would. You can do it.....
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10-23-2015, 02:03 PM
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#9
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Site Team
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Omaha
Posts: 6,749
M.O.C. #7560
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If you come to next years Montana Fall Rally in Goshen, IN your DW can sign up for a driving class put on by Keystone and it is absolutely FREE! They teach the gals to hookup and unhook, tow it around in the fair grounds, and back up into a spot. All this is done with NO MEN ALLOWED to be on site or even watch from a distance. They had some of the men watching from a distance two or three years ago when they were holding the class at the Keystone Service Center and the instructors went over to the men and told them to leave because they were not welcome there even if they were just watching. The gals go away with a certificate from the driving school and you should see the big smiles on their face when the complete the school. Many climb in the TV when they roll out on the final day and head down the road to show the hubby his is not the only one that can handle that TV with the Monte behind it. As stated previously by several here, practice makes perfect and the driving in an empty parking lot is just what is needed for practice in backing and turning but the open road is the best teacher. My DW takes the wheel every time we are out and I sit in the passenger seat and go to sleep because I trust her that much and her ability in towing the rig.
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10-24-2015, 03:32 AM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake Gaston
Posts: 8,773
M.O.C. #12156
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It is like getting on water skis or a bike for the first time. Little bit of practice and your comfort zone grows.
__________________
Mike and Lorraine
2002 3655 FL, 2005 3650RK
2010 3665RE, 2015 3910FB
F350 crew cab dually 6.7
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10-24-2015, 11:05 AM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Kville
Posts: 2,865
M.O.C. #7871
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For some reason, the D/Ws have trouble remembering that if you keep the truck in the center of the road, the 5th wheel will follow. I keep saying..."make the truck go where you want it to go, I guarantee the 5th wheel will follow."
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10-24-2015, 01:04 PM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: North Ridgeville
Posts: 20,229
M.O.C. #2839
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We are on our way to Florida 800 mils so far Ohio TPK,I-77,I-26,I-95 and Helen has dome most of the driving.
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10-25-2015, 08:35 AM
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#13
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Site Team
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Omaha
Posts: 6,749
M.O.C. #7560
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Helen handles that TV and Monte like a pro Rich! My hats off to her! Keep it up and Rich can sleep even more! LOL
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10-28-2015, 07:24 PM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Redding
Posts: 1,421
M.O.C. #12339
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Sue got her "endorsement" last month. In Ca you must have endorsement to tow between 10,000 and 15,000 lbs. Once we installed the RearView safety cameras for hitching up and one on rear of Montana, she was more comfortable. If we get a larger rig next year, we have to get Non Commericial Class "A"s which require an actual towing and parking test. Last month we went out to our Industrial Park and got permission to put out cones practice parallel parking. I believe it's easier to learn RV driving in ones hometown. At least your in familiar locations. Getting stuck in a tight spot, is always my concern on the road.
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10-28-2015, 09:36 PM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Redding
Posts: 1,421
M.O.C. #12339
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I know but keep it down....... I am hoping they don't notice.... .... Lol.
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