Bill, I think almost every inexperienced RV driver has felt
like you. While camping in a RV park (corner lot), we were
almost wiped out several times when inexperienced RV drivers
tried to round the corner! My advice is to drive to a nearby
campground where you're familiar with the layout. Practice
there, but not on Labor Day or other summer holidays! Wait
until you have the place almost solely to yourself. Practice
driving on four lane sparsely used highways (no fancy curves
or climbs yet). You can also, when backing up, us flags or
strips of cloth on poles (placed high), to mark where you want
the RV to go. It's like most other skills, you just have to
practice. If you do decide to sell the RV, you might want to
consider buying a smaller RV or camper or even toy hauler so
you can still enjoy traveling this way. They are much easier
to maneuver and much better on gas. Also, the charge at RV
parks will be less. Don't give up, very few people did it any
better than you when they were learning. Hope you'll keep us
posted on your decision about RVing!
On 9/03/15, Astrid wrote:
> You're not dumb at all.
>
> My parents used their RV mostly to park and stay for a few
weeks here and
> there.
>
> We just travelled in July for 8 nights and the hotel room
rates were awful.
> Even with high gas prices, you must come out ahead with an RV.
>
> Some people I've heard rent it out when they're not using
it, particularly if
> they pay to park it for the season somewhere.
>
> Astrid
>
>
>
> On 9/03/15, Bill t wrote:
>> Really, it's an rv /camper question.
>>
>> Finally got my 32 foot chateau drive able rv fixed up so I
>> can use it. It had been sitting in my driveway so long that
>> the tires all six) cracked from dry rot. Shame on me.
>>
>> Part of the reason it had sit there is because I feared
>> driving it. Yeah! Me, an ex special forces soldier a feared
>> of driving an rv. Madness. Moved it four times...knocked
>> down the mailbox twice, got it stuck in the yard once and
>> destroyed the downspout on one side of my house...
>>
>> Well, time to confront my fears and either use the rv. Or
>> sell it.
>>
>> Finally to my question...
>>
>> The other reason I didn't want to drive it is that the gas
>> mileage is horrible, particularly when towing my Jeep
>> Patriot, which I usually drive.
>>
>> My question has two parts, really. Anyone here done the
>> rv/ camper thing? Did you have similar experiences? How
>> did you handle the mileage thing?
>>
>> I am wondering if, perhaps, the possible savings on food
>> (have microwave, will travel!) and lodging ( I could park at
>> wall world for free, even though I despise wallmart) will
>> offset the expense of gasoline.
>>
>> All responses are but please don't call me stupid as I
>> already feel really dumb!
>>
>> Now...I just hope this thing posts and people can respond
>> to me
>>
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