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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Buying An RV -> Can a petite person drive an RV?
Post Info TOPIC: Can a petite person drive an RV?
Future Fulltimers


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Can a petite person drive an RV?
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We are still some years away from going full time so we have not yet test drove any MH or TV.  However, I am 6'1" and my wife is a petite 4"11".  So she is a concerned about being able to drive a large Motorhome or Truck.  I am assuming that the drivers seat and pedals adjusts to all sizes but I am curious to hear from others of similar sizes about the driveability.  She has driven a minivan for years when the kids were younger.  Usually I drive when we are together anyhow, but naturally I want her to be able to handle whatever vehicle we get and it could have an effect on whether we get a MH with a small toad (so she could comfortably drive the vehicle once parked), or a large truck with 5er. 

Steve

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Judy


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I am only 5 1" and have no problems.  We just got a 550 HDT and am now learning to drive it. Also drive it with the 5th wheel. Seats do move forward and also now go up and down for the petite people.
southwestjudy & Bob & 2blackdogs

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Karon


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I am 5'3" and I drive our 40' motorhome.  Adjust the seat, the mirrors and buckle your seat belt.  My husband and I both love driving our MH.

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Tim & Robyn


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I asked this question with regard to choosing an HDT as our tow vehicle. I got this reply from Jack Mayer, which I couldn't find until the Search function got fixed (thanks Howard!):

Your wife will have an issue, but it is resolvable. Danielle is "tall" in comparison - 5'2". The seat is OK - it goes forward enough. The issue comes from the air ride in the seat. To have it up enough for good suspension her feet do not reach the pedals comfortably. Mainly, her heel is not able to rest on the floor in front of the fuel pedal. We solved this with a 2x6 about 10" long that we put in front of the pedal - it permits her to rest her heel on something, which makes it comfortable to drive.

Danielle can push in the clutch to the floor OK. She thinks your wife may not be able to - depending on how long her inseam is....Danielle has short legs, though. We have friend s that overcome this with Velcro on the clutch pedal, and a small block that sits on it, effectively extending the pedal. Although this sounds "kludgy", it actually works well, and does not move or slip.

Remember, on an HDT with an autoshift, you only push the clutch to the floor when starting out. Same with a manual, since you are floating shifts (without using the clutch at all).

New trucks have adjustable pedals.

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Digitog41


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Steve,
Have you ever watched the TV program, "Little People, Big World" ?
It is on TLC on Monday nights and follows the daily lives of the Rollof family.
In a recent episode it showed their family vacation in a 40' MH. The husband and wife and one boy, are about 4' tall  and had no problem driving.
Regardless, it's a great show and we love it.
 Good luck,
Ken

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