Hiya all,

Well I finally found the tug for the van.

A 2005 Nissan Navara 3.0l diesel and for some reason I started calling her Bertha (one of the Butt Sisters) maybe it's because she's a bit of a big beast!!!

I'm amazed by how many people have said "She's a big car for a female to drive, will you feel comfortable driving it?" , I just reply, "No, I plan to have the male gene transplant that will give me the confidence to drive it"...........how strange that some people think that because your a female you can't drive a big SUV?

Has anyone else had this experience?

Keep Smiling

That goes in all walks of life Cee from my experience.  I drove interstate semis back when women "WEREN'T SUPPOSED TO DO THOSE THINGS"

I am one of these women that if you tell me I can't do something because of my gender then I am more determined than ever just to do that!!

I have employed many people, both male and female, and I have never expected any of them to do something that I hadn't already done myself, even down to changing dual wheels on the trailer, relining brakes and lapping valves.

Don't ever tell me I can't because I am a female!!!! ...............

You go girl!!

Should see them point when I fly past in the fire engine.

Oh yeah! I get it all the time, even after they've read my tyre covers. Then they see the 20ft van I'm towing and their eyebrows just about fly over their heads. Men and women have a reaction. The men marvel at my ability to manage to park her in car parks. The women just freak out and conclude they couldn't do it. Then I reverse the rig and it's almost "admiration" for my ability. Heck it's so simple - Drive it forward, drive it backward. It's up to me. Out in the country women drive these "family cars" all the time. Shopping, taking the kids to and from school and sport etc. etc. You chosen the tug for the job. Good decision and enjoy the experience. Then you can present a wry smile when you experience the "eyebrow reaction".

I know a number of women who much prefer larger cars than smaller cars to drive and I wonder if those who suggest large cars are too big for "females" to handle are themselves "female". (I think I'm entering dangerous territory here). Many of the drivers of the huge machinery (dump trucks, draglines etc) used in the big mines are now women and I've heard that they cause less damage and down time to the vehicles. (Now I'll have the boys after me with baseball bats as well as the girls!) I have also noticed when travelling that oncoming RV and caravan rigs usually have "him" in the driver's seat rather than "her". I see no reason why this should be so. Also when backing on to a site "he" is almost always doing the driving while "she" does the guiding. I've heard it suggested by a professional towing instructor that it can work better if done the other way round as men are better "guiders". I think I'll go into hiding now!

A friend of mine (male) does most of the driving and when they have to do any backing she takes the wheel, closes her eyes and he directs.  Works every time for them.

I met them in Cairns, well, a similar couple anyway. They were from Albany, WA, and she just steers while he calls play. She could be blindfolded and it would still work out. Bizarre!

Name of Jim and Sharon by any chance Chris?

He drives when we travel because I like to sit with the camera on my knee and take photos.

Sometimes I take the wheel, he takes the camera and its just a no go. Hardly a shot gets taken all day and those he does take are blurry or chopped off heads.

I, on the other hand, with the driving, get little pleasure from it and he loves it. BUT, I do know how to drive while towing. I just think its important in case you ever need to in an emergency.

Ma wrote:

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Name of Jim and Sharon by any chance Chris?

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Not sure, but I don't think so. I just couldn't understand how she could just sit there and steer the car as he dictated, without taking the least bit of interest in what he was actually trying to achieve. Not even a sneak peak in the mirror.

hi guys people give us a wierd look all the time hubby is visually impaired and dosnt drive so i do all the driving towing our jayco dove. back her in where ever she has to go brings a few looks from the blokes

Jeez, Bloody sad that we have to comment on who does what with driving,and what we drive. Isn't it sad. I know lots of women who are good drivers and lots of men too.Conversly there are lots who shouldn't have a licence at all. We should be commenting on how to increase knowledge and skills for those that don't have them.

Patients and practice. The right vehicle, the right advisor who also has patience while you practice. I met a couple at Atherton - he was visually impaired enough to deny a licence and she was the skipper. They had a 20 footer which she handled with ease. Yeah! Why do we question and challenge the abilities of anyone operating one of these rigs? Mind you, there are a few out there who should never leave the house with anything more than a walking frame. They drive at a dangerously slow pace, are oblivious to other road users, and when they pull into a site the driver almost tumbles out of the drivers seat. God knows how they operate a motor vehicle let alone tow a van of any shape or size.

I hear every year of people where the husband does all of the driving and then something happens to him and the wife can't tow and family have to go north to rescue them. Talk about silly I think. I also have friends with an F250 and the big 5th wheeler and she does all of the driving of the rig. They've been around the block twice as well as many other trips. Me, I love my Falcon and the little 10 ft poptop. Suits me and the doglets.

Hi all, just thought I would mention that my wife does all the driving...... I just steer!!