Well...I don't have much experience with driving our fifth wheel yet, I have driven it a short distance and it really was not to bad actually.

On our last trip a month ago, my DH decided he wanted me to finish driving the last few miles to our home. Now mind you,
we live in a rural area so I did not have to deal with any traffic or anything like that, it was me and the road by ourselves.

I was scared stiff, but I hopped behind the wheel of our truck and off we went. I had to get a feel for "not crowding" the center
line of the road and I tended to drive "slowley" LOL....but our fiver really handled well and I hardly knew our 33 foot rig
was behind us.

Turning corners was not that bad, I took it wide but again I did not have any traffic or I probably would have been scared.

I plan on driving a bit more, "little bits at a time" as I think it is very important incase you are in a situation and are forced
to drive for some reason or another. (I hope that never happens to me). My dh is concerned just in case something would
happen to him on the road, that I am able to get us to safety if need be and that is probably a smart call. Weather I will be able to
do it is totally another issue, but I think I probably could if need be.

I am happy just being the "navigater", but I will practice from time as it sure won't hurt.

I was totally comfortable pulling a 40 ft 5th wheel with a F350. Granted I never backed it into a spot, but pulling down the highway and through town and even big cities at rush hour wasn't a big deal for me. I also had a 35 foot motorhome for a while. I blame it on coming from a family of truck drivers... a certain amount of genetic predispositioning. lol Now we have a much smaller bumper pull and I'm not at all comfortable with that.

We're looking for either a MH or most likely a 5th wheel now. My fiance and I both agree that we will do a driving school when we find our rig. He's a lot more nervous than I am, but I think it will be good to have a neutral 3rd party teach us the ins and outs of things like parking...

Hi, we do not have a 5er yet, but we have a HD 2500 crew cab that we use to pull our 25' trailer. And up until Nov, we had a 30' trailer also. I probably do 90% of the driving and do the parking and backing with hubby directing where. I also grew up around trucks and have felt very comfortable with them. Drive as much as possible because the more you do the better you will be and more confident. I even taught our (at the time late teens) daughter to pull a trailer. Go girl! I want to be able to do it all even the hook ups because if, heaven forbid, something should happen with DH, I could get us where we need to be. Practice, practice, practice. Also did I mention my DH prefers NOT to drive, but take pictures while I drive.

Rosie, all I can say is, go for it. Sharing the dream and going for it is what counts. Hopefully we can see you down the road. I'll have to remember remote leveling when we look for a 5er.
Best wishes,
Candy

You are a woman, so are GREAT at multi-tasking naturally! Always remember that.

I took 2 classes MANY years before I pulled m first RV. Lazy Days (Florida & now in Arizona) teach classes to people for a small fee in a Lazy Days RV, so you do not have to OWN your RV before you take their classes.

RV Driving School is operated by full-time RVers who attend some of the different rallies around the country - and will teach you for a fee - in your own motorhome. Some of their trainers may even be RVing within driving distance to you now. Contact them at http://www.rvschool.com/rvschool/Home.html

Another suggestion is to find an RVer who will mentor you. Have them work with you a few weekends showing you how to park, back up, connect. Etc. It will give you confidence and knowledge to help you make a decision.

Look for solo female RVers who are active bloggers. You will read about the challenges they face and how they overcome them. Here is a gal I am currently following that I really admire. She is a retired teacher, who boondocks, is a solo and has 2 canines to keep up with! http://rvsueandcrew.wordpress.com/

 

Edit by moderator: Activated links.  Terry

-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Sunday 15th of April 2012 06:36:38 PM

You will do fine 

I recently drove my fifth wheel from Sacramento to Garner State Park in TX. Actually my son drove it to Phoenix because I had just gotten released from the dr. because I broke my hand in January and he felt more comfortable doing that first leg with me.  He flew back to CA and I drove by myself to TX.  I had no problems, even with the few hills, staying overnight (dry camped at an Escapees Park in NM and a Walmart Parking Lot in TX.) and got to the Park early for my first Workamping Gig.  

Back last August we both took a class to learn to drive my 5ver.  The advise that sticks out was to stay off the paint (keeps you in your lane) and take the wide turns slowly.