Scared

Auntie Sandy · Joined: 11 Sep 2008 Posts: 7

Hi to all,

Last time I posted I was going to buy a 5th wheel. Well not anymore. I'm going with a class C 30'. Boy, am I scared about this. I will be going solo except for my little dog, Kimi-7lbs. Will be 66 years old when I do this and plan to travel in it for around 2 years or so, and will be selling my house. I've got the "what ifs": I have a flat tire, car trouble, or the like. Can I really do this? Then I think why not? I'm not stupid or half dead! I'm very independent but so scared. Would love to hear from all you women who are doing this.

Thanks.

Auntie Sandy

Adrienne · Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 6:34 pm Post subject:

The best answer I can give you is to read the Women RVers blog with last year's posts from June. I went through everything you're worried about.

Age means nothing in RVing. You're a solo female RVer at 66. You're a solo female RVer at 89 (like Lee Snow who just hung up her keys) after driving her 27' Travco class A towing a VW Beetle.

You sell your house--you have a home. It has wheels. When it breaks, you fix it. Emergency road care is affordable and reliable.

The best thing about having a motorhome is you don't have to get out to get in. If the weather is lousy, you can pull off the road and park somewhere safe, never leaving the vehicle except to walk your dog.

You'll be surrounded by the best kind of people: RVers. I have never in 38 years put out my hand and had anyone refuse to shake it or help in any way.

If you join RVing Women, you'll have support in the US and Canada no matter where you travel.

Like the Nike ad says, "Just do it."
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Adrienne Kristine
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http://www.RVTravel.com
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otrider · Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 9:27 pm Post subject: You Can Do It

Ditto! Couldn't have said it better! It was the folks on this website (thank you everyone) who helped me get over the "what ifs" and the panic attacks, and have talked me through, and laughed at some of the predicaments I've gotten into. But regardless I did it. I learn something new every day and that's what keeps us young and our brains ALIVE. 66 is YOUNG these days. You're right, intelligent and NOT half dead.

You can do it. Just start slow and tiny/baby steps. Don't drive to Florida for your first trip like I did...you might get lost in an orange grove on a one-way street!

That was almost 2 years ago and I'm not done yet.
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Pam
'06 F250 V10 Alas No More Choc Mousse has gone to it's new home in Port Clinton, Ohio
New Addition to the Family
2010 F350 V10 4x4 430
'99 30' New Vision Ultra

JerryH · Joined: 06 Nov 2005 Posts: 125 Location: Texas

There are a lot of books written by Sharlene Minshall who soloed all over the US, including Alaska, Canada and Mexico for many years. They would be great for you to read and learn how a single woman can enjoy solo travel.
Jerry
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International 4700 Custom Tow Truck &
38' King of the Road fifth wheel.
"Running the roads seeing God's Great Creation."

Adrienne · Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 5:10 pm Post subject:

Charlie is one of my mentors. I have all her books and read them several times. We've emailed but never met in person.

By all means, read her books!
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Best--

Adrienne Kristine
Forum Administrator
http://www.RVTravel.com
http://www.FreeCampgrounds.com
http://twitter.com/AdrienneAXK

DXSMac · Joined: 30 Apr 2008 Posts: 619 Location: Pacific Northwest

I'm 52 and have been RVing solo for four years. I still get scared when I drive my Class C. But here is the mantra I learned to tell myself:

"If you need it, it will be there."

I got a flat tire; was able to get it fixed.

My cat had an emergency illness while I was camping somewhere, I got him in to a vet: TWICE!

My tank heaters fell off and were flapping while I was driving on CHRISTMAS EVE! I found an RV repair place that happened to be open; got it fixed.

Just keep telling yourself: "If you need it, it will be there" and forget about the What IFs.

JJ
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Please check out my blog on RV'ing without a tow car:

http://rvingtoadless.blogspot.com/

Feel free to leave me any comments.

blamb · Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 7:23 pm Post subject:

I'm scared too (see my intro post). Only difference is I won't be traveling... but I'm still paralyzed and panicky with the what-ifs!

Nice to know I'm not alone.
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1996 Carriage Carri-Lite 532 RKS Cashay Series
Full-time, stationary in RV park year-round
29/F and 2 dogs Smile

- Complete RV Noob!

otrider · Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2008 7:45 pm Post subject: If I Can Do This, So Can You

Auntie Sandy, I just want to reassure you. You can definitely do this. I am in the process of traveling from Seattle to Michigan with a 30' fifth wheel. I went through Yellowstone and had problems with my lights (on a dark winding road). Then I thought I had fixed them and had more trouble on another REALLY high winding road in the Big Horn National Park. I finally got them fixed yesterday. I was fine; the trailer was fine. My point is you do what you have to do: you just deal with the problems one at a time as they arise. They don't all happen at the same time. Thank goodness! And the other thing is that they are not always big problems. Most of the time they are small anoying little items that are no big deal. Yeah, sometime something major happens just like when you live in a sticks/bricks. One time I came home from work and found it raining in my family room! The caulking between the house and garage had failed. You just deal with them as they come.

Go for it!
_________________
Pam
'06 F250 V10 Alas No More Choc Mousse has gone to it's new home in Port Clinton, Ohio
New Addition to the Family
2010 F350 V10 4x4 430
'99 30' New Vision Ultra

otrider · Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 6:21 pm Post subject: Where Are You Now?

I was re-reading your post and wondering where you are in the process. Did you give up or go for the gusto? Would love an update.
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Pam
'06 F250 V10 Alas No More Choc Mousse has gone to it's new home in Port Clinton, Ohio
New Addition to the Family
2010 F350 V10 4x4 430
'99 30' New Vision Ultra

Seeria · Joined: 19 Nov 2006 Posts: 19

Aye, give us an update, please. Smile

I've solo traveled around the US at various times in my life, done a bit of RVing with family as well, so understand it can get scary. Emergency roadside service is a big deal in my opinion. Reading up or taking classes on safety (driving, fire, natural disaster) and personal self-defense are things I don't regret in the least. Oddly enough, I've had to use such knowledge only when land-house bound, never on my trips. o.O

The ability to experience other people, places, and cultures is a too great a plus to let the fears overcome you.

babe1002 · Joined: 06 Nov 2005 Posts: 12

YOU GO GIRL! As long as you are financially able to sell your home and travel, there is no reason not to. My only caution would be for you to know that you can get back into a stick-built house when you no longer want to or can travel full-time. The what-ifs that you mention are easily taken care of with a good roadside assistance program and good insurance coverage, not the least of which is health insurance. There are all kinds of single RVing groups out there if you choose to be a part of one, but where will you find friendlier or more helpful folks than those who are parked right next to you in an RV park or on this website? I think a Class C is an ideal vehicle from the standpoint of handling and maneuverability, and is a perfect choice for you. I am the same age as you, and if I were single, I would be on the road in a heartbeat. Happy Travels.

raceee · Joined: 22 Nov 2008 Posts: 14 Location: Ontario

I have been driving my motorhome for 10 years and almost everything has happened to me. I am still here. I blew a left front tire in a construction area and thankfully I remembered what to do: don't brake. What did I do? I cried, screamed and then called my emergency road assist. That is worth its weight in gold. Don't leave home without it. Another time was at a T/A gas station just outside of Portland. Got gas and it wouldn't start. Called emergency road and they towed it to the repair. I live in Ontario, Canada and was far from home, and no one to help so I worked it out. Now I can do anything, so bring it on. I hope to go west this summer or early fall. Anyone want to tag along or maybe I can join up with someone to see what I missed in the west last time? lol Barbara
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Single and staying home this winter darn. Oh well there are other years.

BrianSue · Joined: 09 Dec 2006 Posts: 15 Location: USA

I am not a woman but am a former trucker and fulltime RVer with advice about driving a big rig. It is all done with mirrors. Never forget the mirrors. Practice, practice, practice. Find a big parking lot where there is an area with no one around, and practice backing and parking until mirrors become part of your normal functioning. Remember you also need to learn to watch the mirrors when going forward as the back end of a long vehicle tends to swing when you make turns: turn right and the rear end goes left, etc. The further back the rear wheels are, the further off the front wheel track they will go, so practice watching where the wheels are when making a turn - lots of turns. You will need to swing wide with a longer vehicle. Practice until you know how wide you need to swing. You can do all of this in a safe parking area. When mirrors are second nature, a lot of your fear will go away.

raceee · Joined: 22 Nov 2008 Posts: 14 Location: Ontario

Brian, that is exactly what I did: went to a large parking lot, put up two plastic boxes and learned to back up between them. I love my rear view camera. I know the point I can pull in after I have passed a truck or car. Side mirrors are very important and learning the distance you need. I also don't look around when I am driving. I need all my attention on the road. When it isn't busy and no vehicles around, I will hug the centre line and take a look.
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Single and staying home this winter darn. Oh well there are other years.

aischa · Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2009 11:37 am Post subject:

You go, girl. There is so much to see and so much to do. Also there are always people to help if needed. We RVers are one community. Just ask if you can't get into a parking spot. Someone will direct you.

When I got laid off, I asked the puppies where they wanted to go and they answered, "We want to see Niagara Falls." So off we went. That was in 2005 and we've been traveling the country since then, meeting great people and finding places that are awesome.

We made it through flat tires, blown out tires while driving, rain, snow, blown engine, scratches while attempting to park, bisons using our campground as an overnight stay, and much more. There is always a rainbow at the end. And if not, there is always emergency road service.

I have to admit, though, that I did not sleep for many many nights after I finally decided to sell the property. I thought, "What have I done? Am I stupid? I must be," but at the end, it's all good.

As my friend says, I am not homeless, only my rig is. DanceBanana

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babyboomer on the run