Going to RV Driving School..... - RV-Dreams Community Forum

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Going to RV Driving School.....

Talensnana · RV-Dreams Family Member

This sounds like something my kids would say.

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

I had to laugh, but I also realize it is a completely different experience to teach a close family member something than someone you don't know.

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

LOL!!! Good luck with the driving school.

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

biggrin smile does that mean the big yellow "Student Driver" sign will be on the roof for 30 days !! biggrin wink

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Great idea, Mike! We'll have to get one! Just picture driving up behind a big rig on a highway with a student driver sign on the back. Sure would give ME pause. : )

Sherry

Bill and Jodee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Driving and swimming lessons - never my own kids

.

Jodee

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Bill and Jodee wrote:
Driving and swimming lessons - never my own kids .

Jodee

Jodee,

Actually, the best day of the year to teach the kids to drive is Super Bowl Sunday. I is amazing how much less traffic there is when the big game is on.

Sadly, though, they seem to want to televise the games later in the day, and Daylight Savings Time isn't in affect yet.

Terry

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

WestWardHo wrote:
Great idea, Mike! We'll have to get one! Just picture driving up behind a big rig on a highway with a student driver sign on the back. Sure would give ME pause. : )

Sherry

Sherry,

Maybe you also should hire some of those "oversized load" escorts as well. They would certainly keep traffic around you in a position where you had less to worry about. We were following some with some really big equipment about a week ago, and the escorts literally blocked both lanes by driving right over the line dividing the two lanes.

That certainly worked to make things easier for the truck drivers.

Oh, and you deserved the "snide remark" from your son because of the "adopted" story. But, you're a lady after my own heart and inclination to make similar comments. The only difference is that my two sons began losing their hair before they were in their 30's. One even just shaves his head now.

Terry

Selah · RV-Dreams Family Member

Well played by your son as I know what it's like teaching teenage girls how to drive a stick shift. I taught both my daughters how to do exactly that. I would not let them get their license until they could drive my 4x4 properly even though we had a automatic as well.

Frac999 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Is there really a RV driving school? Hey come see me and I would be glad to help you.

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

Frac999 wrote:
Is there really a RV driving school? Hey come see me and I would be glad to help you.

http://www.rvschool.com/

Frac999 · RV-Dreams Family Member

bjoyce wrote:
Frac999 wrote:
Is there really a RV driving school? Hey come see me and I would be glad to help you.
http://www.rvschool.com/

Well I'll be, that's a good thing for those that need a little help. I drove a truck for a long time and its just natural.

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

Frac999 wrote:
bjoyce wrote:
Frac999 wrote:
Is there really a RV driving school? Hey come see me and I would be glad to help you.
http://www.rvschool.com/
Well I'll be, that's a good thing for those that need a little help. I drove a truck for a long time and its just natural.

Is it natural for your wife? My wife drives as much as I do and I am glad she does.

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Jesse would teach me, of course, but I thought it was better for our marriage if we hired a pro. He will ride along for the training (you should have heard J & my son kibitzing about THAT! : ) and I'm sure will add to my knowledge as we go down the road.

I am very nervous thinking about hauling the big rig. The most I've ever driven was a couple of large UHauls over the years.

I like your idea Terry about the "oversize loads" escorts! Maybe I could get a tank to clear my path!!

Sherry

Frac999 · RV-Dreams Family Member

bjoyce wrote:
Frac999 wrote:
bjoyce wrote:
Frac999 wrote:
Is there really a RV driving school? Hey come see me and I would be glad to help you.
http://www.rvschool.com/
Well I'll be, that's a good thing for those that need a little help. I drove a truck for a long time and its just natural.
Is it natural for your wife? My wife drives as much as I do and I am glad she does.

Motor homes she has no issue with, 5th wheel she does not want to back but that's her choice but she will pull it straight down the highway.

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Wow! Completed my first day (4-hour) of driving school (RVDrivingSchool.com) and I am totally impressed. My instructor driver is Jerry Caldera and I'm guessing one or two of you know him. He's the most experienced instructor with more different types of licenses to instruct from Class C'S to large double trailers to huge MH's. I lucked out by our happening to be near the area in which he teaches so we came to Yucca Valley, CA for my two four-hour day instruction.

His calm, well thought out information given only as needed was easy to absorb and I have to say I give all you drivers lots more credit for all that you do!

He actually had me pull out of our narrow space to start the lesson! (Well that after we did the basic lights, signal, tire, mirrors, walk around check.) I can turn right, left, go up and down grades, drive at highway speed and he had me back into our parking space when we got back! Of course he was right by my window guiding me. It was amazing that every idiot in this small town was out driving today: Making a right turn in front of me from my left side because I had my right turn signal on and was too slow for her, pulling out in front of me, switching lanes in front then making a right turn. Really, really good practice!

Frankly I was up before 5 this morning quite nervous about driving the Behemoth as I call it and Jerry was here promptly by 9 am.

Tomorrow we go on Freeway, into a fuel stop, and lots more grades and turns & backing. As I was the student, Jesse was welcome to ride along and listen. He learned lots as well.

Cost for the class varies depending upon the type of rig set up you have which determines which class you will be offered and what memberships you have. If anyone is interested for my cost just PM me.

PS, it was recommended by the school that we stay at Yucca Valley RV Park and while it's convenient only for the instruction, it's not a park I'd recommend.

If I can do this any of you can!

Sherry

Alie and Jims Carrilite · RV-Dreams Family Member

Congrats on day 1! The more you practice the easier it gets! It also gives you more perspective from having driven the beast as to why Jessie turns, parks, drives the way he does.

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Completed the second day including driving up and down a 7% grade, lots more turns, backing, parking and learned how to "walk" the truck back while attached to the rig and barely moving it. It was really a valuable experienc and I highly recommend it. I have lots more practice to do but I am no longer afraid and actually comfortable driving. I hadn't even driven the truck in several years so this was big for me. Bet I WILL provide a lot of entertainment when I first park in an RV Park. I've had a lot of encouragement from folks on here and in emails. Thank you all.

Sherry

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

Riding along should have also helped Jesse trust your driving even more.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Well done, Sherry. I'm sure that all of us are proud of you, if for no other reason than you've just given those that may be hesitant to look at the possibility themselves. You need an "Atta-Girl."

Terry

Howard · Host

For what it's worth, the RV Driving School is owned by full-time RVer George Mayleben, who is the uncle of two wonderful RV-Dreams family members, twins Jim & John Mayleben. Although we don't know them as well as Jim & John, we've met George and his wife, Valerie, and it's a great family. smile

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Terry,

Love the Atta Girl! Howard, we're read about the twins on the Journal good to know its in the family.
Bill Joyce, it was your Diana who strongly recommended wives learn to drive as well. You never know when we might need to or just give the guys a break. I have a felling I'll be doing a lot of driving of the rig just because I love to drive.

Sherry

DebbieM · RV-Dreams Family Member

You Go Girl! Sounds like a great class!

Jo and Ben · RV-Dreams Family Member

Good for you Sherry! You are an inspiration, we are going to check out the driving school, maybe I should take the course :)
Jo

cherylbrv · RV-Dreams Family Member

Before we take our rig out of the driveway, mitch and i plan to take RV driving lessons. That should make for a very interesting experience!

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

We'll step one is DRIVING it out of your driveway! This is not a book school. It's 4 hours solid driving each day. You'll both love it.

Sherry

cherylbrv · RV-Dreams Family Member

Sherry -- just to clarify (I was typing that on my tablet earlier....) we do not have a rig yet - have to wait for the house to sell first. In fact, we have never owned or driven anything more than a mini-van!

The rig we'd like to buy (assuming it passes inspection) is in storage somewhere in SoCal so I guess I was saying "driveway" metaphorically (or it was the easiest word to type!). We will not be driving it at all, until we've taken lessons in it. Hopefully the driving instructor will come out to us.

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ha! Today I drove from the site in Benson, AZ to Deming, NM without incident! Jesse might choose to disagree but it was an easy drive. I had to laugh because I had planned to back in our site when we arrived if it took me a 1/2 hour but it was a pull thru.

Of course, Dale from NWEscapees was next to us and ran over to take notes on my driving as we parked next door to them.

Set up quickly and we all took off for a nearby winery! How tough is that?!

Sherry

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

LOL, You had to know if you were pulling in next to us that Dale was going to give you a hard time.

Great job driving!! It was fun to see you behind the wheel as you guys pulled in next to us!! And yes, the winery was a nice little bonus on Sunday afternoon smile

dianneandsteve · RV-Dreams Family Member

Congrats Sherry! Dianne drives our truck occasionally (I hate grocery shopping) and has thought of taking a driving course. Sure would come in handy on those long driving days. Say hi to Dale and Ruth for us.

Safe travels!

DebbieM · RV-Dreams Family Member

Good job! When we come back from the Spring Rally in TN, we will pick up our 5er in Michigan on the way back to CA. I'm determined to do some of the driving after lots of practicing in the lot.

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Sherry - you inspired me, I am now signed up RV driving school when we are passing through SoCal!!

Steve & Dianne - Hi right back to you 2, loved seeing Dianne's pics on Facebook, great looking grandson you have.

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Wow Ruth! You continue to amaze me as I observe all your and Dale's logistics while working full time.
You will love Jerry if he's your instructor but I'm sure they're all good!

Sherry