Who has "Trained" the "other half" to Tow

[fez111]

Ever since we started taking two cars on vacation (one to pull the RV and one to pull our boat) in the early 80's, my wife, who had never pulled a trailer before, was pressed into service to pull our boat(s). She has been pulling 19-21 foot tandem axle boats/trailers for almost 40 years. When she backs the boat down the ramp into the water we can see guys that are watching elbowing their wives and asking why "they" can't do that! There is not a man alive (including me) who can back a boat up better than my wife.

For the winter 2016-2017 my boss let me/us relocate to Florida from Michigan. A month after we got there we found and purchased our "deal of the century" Solitude 379FL in nearby Lakeland, Florida. Our problem? Two RV's in Florida and only one truck. Since I was working far away and with a deadline to remove one of our two RV's from the park I was unable to take the old RV back to Michigan. Again pressed into service, My wife, by herself, packed up the dog, connected the 5th wheel to our truck, and pulled the old RV back home to Michigan!
Of course I was worried about her being alone on the road, but her ability to pull a 9000# RV that far was never in question.

We have discussed her pulling our 14,000+ Solitude, but she let's me do it. However, if i became incapacitated I know she is more than able to do it.

Now for my speech to the women out there: Don't let anyone tell you that a woman shouldn't pull a large trailer, 5th wheel or otherwise. Women drive school busses and Greyhound busses. They pull boats and fly jumbo jets. They will only be limited by their own doubts and fears. Go for it.

[SGT ROC]

Now for my speech to the women out there: Don't let anyone tell you that a woman shouldn't pull a large trailer, 5th wheel or otherwise. Women drive school busses and Greyhound busses. They pull boats and fly jumbo jets. They will only be limited by their own doubts and fears. Go for it.

Well said!

[ssidiver]

We purchased our 5th wheel late last August and my husband has done all of the driving so far. I scheduled a RV driving course for April and am really excited to learn how to safely operate the rig for most of the same reasons already mentioned. I can’t imagine driving all over the country and never getting behind the wheel or backing into a camping space or getting through a gas station. I just need the knowledge and skills and reduce some of the driving burden from my husband. I decided on a driving course because, like golf, never learn from your husband. Patience is a virtue but not the best description of my hubby.

[livinthelife]

We purchased our 5th wheel late last August and my husband has done all of the driving so far. I scheduled a RV driving course for April and am really excited to learn how to safely operate the rig for most of the same reasons already mentioned. I can’t imagine driving all over the country and never getting behind the wheel or backing into a camping space or getting through a gas station. I just need the knowledge and skills and reduce some of the driving burden from my husband. I decided on a driving course because, like golf, never learn from your husband. Patience is a virtue but not the best description of my hubby.

Both my husband and I took the RV driver class. Even though he had towed our camping (utility) trailer in the past, it just seemed like a good idea for both of us to take the class, so we'd both be on the same page of "how to......"

And, the second person was a lower cost.

[BubbaChris]

My wife learned to tow our TT out of a need to be able to in an emergency. And on longer trips she'd take a turn behind the wheel. But she was never comfortable. Granted, because we had an Andersen WDH, she would also get us fully hooked up on her own (and did so for many trips). But the way the TT pushed us around always had her on edge. And because our rig was extra unstable until I changed to LT tires, the Ford anti-sway kicked in violently several times while she was driving. I don't blame her for not liking it.

Now that we have the Solitude, the fiver feels so much more solid and stable. She's insisting on driving during parts of most trips, and has handled more than 50% of some days. She still wants me behind the wheel for parking or anything like that, but that's only because we haven't created parking lot practice time for her.

Best regards,
Chris

[MarJohn]

My husband taught me how to drive/tow our 5th wheel (our 3rd one). We are a team in hook up and tear down. He does the hitch, leveling and dump. I set the blocks, water and power. I also secure everything inside before pulling out.
After 40 years together, we have it down.
Happy travels!

[case24]

This summer I'm going to purchase a 2019 Grand Design Reflection 37' 5th wheel. I already have a Dodge Ram 3500 6.7 L Diesel Short Box Crew Cab. I plan to go to parking lots and back roads to learn the ropes and practice parking, backing up etc. A friend and I are hitting the road in October. She has no desire to even drive the truck let alone the 5th wheel also.
So I'm going to get information on a driving outfit and give the info to my son. If we run into any problems we just call him and he will get everything back home. We both are going to learn all the setup and breakdown and she is an excellent navigator.
So two women are hitting the road and we can hardly wait for our retirement.

Case24

[SGT ROC]

This summer I'm going to purchase a 2019 Grand Design Reflection 37' 5th wheel. I already have a Dodge Ram 3500 6.7 L Diesel Short Box Crew Cab. I plan to go to parking lots and back roads to learn the ropes and practice parking, backing up etc. A friend and I are hitting the road in October. She has no desire to even drive the truck let alone the 5th wheel also.
So I'm going to get information on a driving outfit and give the info to my son. If we run into any problems we just call him and he will get everything back home. We both are going to learn all the setup and breakdown and she is an excellent navigator.
So two women are hitting the road and we can hardly wait for our retirement.

Case24

I think that is going to be my back up plan also. I have twin sons who COULD tow the rig home, although neither is enthused about towing anything. If not them I have several brothers in law who all pull 5th wheels. I think my wife's oldest sister would give it a shot too. She drives their MH everywhere. Hope for Good times when you hit the road. I take it you'll be full timing?

[Lance Glogowsky]

My wife loves to hook everything up. She double checks everything for me. However she won’t tow. Last year we stopped at a rest stop so she could use the restroom. I got in the passenger side of the truck and locked the passenger door. She came out and wanted in the passenger side however I would not unlock the passenger door. She was forced to get in the drivers side and drive. She drove from the rest stop to the next offramp, about 3 miles. That is as far as I have gotten her to drive with the trailer connected to the truck.

[SGT ROC]

My wife loves to hook everything up. She double checks everything for me. However she won’t tow. Last year we stopped at a rest stop so she could use the restroom. I got in the passenger side of the truck and locked the passenger door. She came out and wanted in the passenger side however I would not unlock the passenger door. She was forced to get in the drivers side and drive. She drove from the rest stop to the next offramp, about 3 miles. That is as far as I have gotten her to drive with the trailer connected to the truck.

LOL - that would never work with my wife. She would walk before she would do something she has her mind set not to do. I've tried that before with other things. It resulted in much silence around the hose for a long time. I think I might be able to convince her to drive around a local empty parking lot though. We'll see.