I see the Grey Nomad Times has a story about a new caravanner's partner who refuses to drive while towing. I certainly can understand someone who hasn't had experience with towing having that fear. Luckily my wife is not too fazed by doing some of the driving with the van or our boat behind. We've towed boats into the north west of WA for many years with her often enough driving long stretches. But most of that country is little more than flat as a pancake.
She must have done around 30/40% of the driving on our 'big trip' last year, and I was thankful for that, because my ability to cover the kays tends to vary from day to day. The only time when neither she nor I wanted her to drive was in some of the mountain country in Victoria and NSW. There is just nothing to compare with some of it in the Big State.
I was just thankful that mostly, I could rely on her to take over if I was feeling a bit second-hand. She's a quiet bird but a game one and a darn good and adaptable partner on the road. It's gold to have that. Could other GNs tell us about their experiences?
I do the driving in general, but Kathy has a couple of drives on each of our trips to keep her hand in with the towing, and is happy to take over if I feel a bit off, or tired. I am happy for her to take over, as I have always trusted her driving, both in the country and in the city. I do know she enjoys the drive, but at the same time is happy to be the passenger when I do drive.
She is also happy to drive herself around when we stay in towns so that she can have some "her" time if I don't want to look at the shops. This is in cities as well as country towns and is in the Cruiser.
I would always encourage partners to keep skills up to be able to drive if necessary if either health needs, or need to make kilometres (as in outrun weather) means a long day is needed.
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Regards Ian
Chaos, mayhem, confusion. Good my job here is done
Yep A-K, that's always an option for us on the road. Sometimes the partner is just as tired as the driver. One our trip we chose not to travel at night, but we often have when coming home from fishing holidays in WA's north to dodge hot weather. We take it slow to avoid roo strikes. Nik has sometimes driven for hours until we've pulled over in some roadside park up. I've done a bit of shooting in my time and she drove for me then too.
-- Edited by JocknNik on Sunday 21st of May 2017 11:08:10 PM
That's good advice Ian. You never know when it becomes essential that she can take over. We seem to do everything together so 'she-time' was only when she was clothes washing. We'd often separate when fishing though. She certainly doesn't need my help with that... well, most of the time.
-- Edited by JocknNik on Sunday 21st of May 2017 11:11:52 PM
Mrs can drive it but no MR licence . Doesn't want to get it . Tought mrs how to drive it in case of any emergency .. yes we prefere not to night drive .. Only when we have bookings a head etc The Rangers in WA chased up up a little .. We worked our way around that , knowing when they are patrolling !!
Fishing is possibly our most separated activity, more or less, at least when land based. Her first ever Murray cod. Went back of course as it was undersized and out of season. The other is a cr**py ol' carp, but not a bad one and gave her a good tussle. That one fed the ants Caught at Mulwala.
-- Edited by JocknNik on Sunday 21st of May 2017 11:26:20 PM
The rangers in WA can be hot on free campers in some parts. Seems they've eased off on parking-bay sleepers in the south-west because they've been made to realize that it's life threatening to continue to drive late.
My wife drives sometimes to give me a break,the thing simply follows the car,why can't an experienced female driver not tow the van to give the old man a break just common sense .
now reversing that's needs a bit more experience but she's keen to learn But that could cause me some distrease .
When we purchased our new van. I booked us both in for a Towing Course with Tow Ed. Best thing we have ever done. Although I am still to drive, I have the confidence to do so. Turns out I am better at Reversing into site than the Old Man
-- Edited by Kaid on Monday 22nd of May 2017 08:43:32 AM
G'day all.
The lovely lady and I take turn about when travelling. She drives one day and I drive the next. LL also does sometimes reverse into a site, I am better at reversing and LL is far better at giving direction when reversing. Both of us like to work out together where to position the van on a site. I think we do it well for us.
Regards Robert
The "Child Bride" handles the car well - with or without a box on the back - in a forward direction. Unfortunately when it comes to reversing any sort of trailer (Box, Camper, Caravan) it is a disaster. It is just that she has a mental hurdle in that her brain doesn't compute the spoken left or right command - I've even tried the Port and Starboard option, just does not compute.
I bought small hand held UHF's thinking this would solve all problems ie she could drive and allow me to call either "L H or R H down" - doesn't compute - we can't switch roles as can't distinguish left from right. As far as distance behind caravan or beside a tree - "you're right" means that there is either a millimetre or a foot between clearance and "Bang".
I suppose I should clarify "handles the car well in a forward direction" - It means she has no fear. She has whilst driving the Strzelecki accelerated up a blind crest and like Mr Risky in the TV commercial flown through the crossed red flags, landed car and camper-trailer struggling for traction on the edge of a massive wash out - with me in the Navigators seat (with crossed fingers & toes, no sounds from my silent screams) - looking down an embankment reminiscent of the Grand Canyon. The "Child bride" is now laughing hysterically like the Demon possessed saying "Now wasn't that fun".
Still I wouldn't trade her in on a sensible astute navigator for all of Goldfinger's bounty - We enjoy being out in God's country enjoying red dust sunsets and campfires.
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Possum; AKA:- Ali El-Aziz Mohamed Gundawiathan
Sent from my imperial66 typewriter using carrier pigeon, message sticks and smoke signals.
I do some driving on the long hauls - if we take bus & ute, I drive all the way. I only got my licence 3 years ago, and most of my practice has been in unpopulated areas, so I don't drive in heavily populated areas. Although I must admit, the 53m road trains scare the bejabbers out of me still....
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The Mobile Madhouse: me (Rosie), him (Troy), a kelpie, a kelpie-dingo, a husky & a rainbow lorikeet.
Strange about the road train . It's a mental thing . I find they keep on the road and straighter than most other traffic . Good on anyone learning to drive . I find reversing requires GOOD communication between observer and driver . The hard part is for observer to see but still be seen by driver . Often see people waving having no idea if it means left or right ? Swatting flies maybe ?? Lol
I had to tow our van back from Moe campsite after hubby tripped over dog and broke his elbow. Was quite scared with the experience. Now pull the van a fair part of the time. Still get a bit nervous especially coming down hills.
don't usually drive but have done on a couple of occasions due to medical issues , so I know I can if I need too. Even managed to back it onto the lawn without assistance even if it was a bit crooked.
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Jenny and Barry
2009 Roma Elegance / 2013 Colorado. Permanent travellers 2011-2015 now just travel for 4-6 mths
Missus drives sometimes as much as I, More so with the D-Max. She 5ft1 Not comfortable behind the wheel in patrol. But drives it as well as I do.
Towing. Drugs I'm on put me to sleep as soon as I concentrate on straight line. She does most of driving nowadays. I do the reversing.
Ex-Truckies, we used to backing rear end of 40ft tray into some interesting places. Even more so with a couple on the back or a 4 wheeler But missus with handset IS a godsend EVERY TIME.
Those women who have a licence and no physical problems. Really. ARE being selfish to their husbands.
Plus. as said. What happens if you coupla hundred kliks from anywhere and he has a heart attack or something. Wake up woman.
ONE DAY. you may NEED to be able to. My missus 71.(Whoops. Head smacked. 70 yrs madam says.)
5ft 1. and would outwheel most blokes driving rigs on here believe me.
I woke up once. Madam doing 140km's with Patrol and 6.5mtr off roader. Overtaking a row of Cattle trains. (5 I think) cruising at 85\90ish on back roads. Quite happy wheeling along. handset in one hand. Talking to lead trucker so she'd know when to pull in for oncoming traffic.
If you not comfortable driving your rigs people.. get so. One day. You may NEED to be.
They only tiddly little things really, in todays traffic.
-- Edited by macka17 on Monday 22nd of May 2017 01:29:03 PM
-- Edited by macka17 on Monday 22nd of May 2017 01:32:50 PM
Possum, I'd like to see some of those episodes with your mrs on video. Sort of things good You Tube is made of. Fun stuff. Gotta respect her. Nik can reverse boat trailer fairly well but lets me do the caravan. We've worked out a set of hand signals that work most of the time. But I tapped a tree lightly in Lakes Entrance, which might not have happened if we'd used the hand-helds we had on board. Duh!
I think I'm inclined to agree that the lady should at least be sure she can take over competently if necessary. Unfortunately, as the years pass, the chances of needing help on the road increase quite a bit. Our distances covered would be seriously affected if I had to do all the driving.
Hey AK, if I said that she'd be able to point out the many times I do it to her As far as seeing each other with reversing, I still occasionally have to remind my lady about the old saw 'If you can't see me in the mirror, I can't see you!'
Macka, you lady sounds like a card as well. Some of the stuff I sometimes have to take makes me drowsy too.
Yea Jock. I can sit in passenger seat all day. Alert as anything. 20 min's behind wheel. Where's the eyelid props.
If I drive till sleepy first thing. Then madam drives till I wake up. I'm normally. Good for most of day after that coupla hrs. It's just that first kick off.
We normally do 2 hr stints. then it sweet. Stop. Coffee. walk. and change over driver.
But we don't do the 1000\1100km's a day nowadays. getting Point A to Point B. Yeppoon to Darwin. or reverse, going home again.
Didn't bother with much in between . After doing it for near 20 yrs.
-- Edited by macka17 on Monday 22nd of May 2017 05:36:22 PM
Yes, fairly regular stops for us too. I've always been amazed by people who can do 1100kays in a day. Best I ever managed was about 560 kays non-stop alone. Never again! I was more sore than tired at the end. I find if I eat even a reasonable meal I'm falling asleep within 1/2 an hour when driving. Light snacks low sugars for me.
Multi's and Semi's 7 days a week solo and tandem drivers. Your system grows into it.
Just like 2-10\10-6\and 6-2 shift work. Alternate weeks. Your system NEVER adapts, but your brain says.
Wages and kids. So you go off to work like a good little boy.
These "workers" nowadays would die in the Ar-e if they had to do a fraction of what we did to earn a crust. Don't even appreciate, That if it wasn't for us and our generations.
They wouldn't have a fraction of what they have today. And probably speaking Japanese this side of the world.
Us. EXNortherners. We'd be saying "Dankashern mine' herren"". and goosestepping.
PS.
last time I drove down to Adel from Yeppoon.
Took me 32 hrs.
-- Edited by macka17 on Tuesday 23rd of May 2017 02:38:57 AM
So true. I'm just thankful I didn't have to do it. Missed the Nam too.. 'indefinitely deferred' as they put it, if you didn't win the lottery. I have nothing but respect for the diggers. And long-distance drivers!
I drove dump-trucks for a living. 12 hour shifts in the end. It's not the same as long distance. Stop-start. But you had to keep awake. I always had some trouble with it. Gave it away in the end after 22 years before I wiped myself out.
My wife can drive our RV, but delegates her authority to me, when we travel together
I do all the driving, when we are on tour
At home base we only have the one car, and she will do all the local driving, and I will do the driving on any trips which are more than 100 kilometres
My husband and always I shared the driving on long trips. Might have been a different storey with the van though. Had it sitting in the driveway for two weeks before I got up the courage to take it for a test drive. lol. Luckily son had no such qualms he picked it up for me in Sydney and drove it home to Canberra. 100,000ks later piece of cake.
Friends of ours used to swap drivers but after the wife tried to overtake a road train & their rig ended up demolished in a roadside culvert she's given towing away for good.
We only have one driver 'cause that's all we need. We like to travel in small steps so that we really get to see the country not just look at white lines.
A lot of people say they've been to places when all they've really done is drive through that place, they wouldn't have a clue what's there.
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Cheers Keith & Judy
Don't take life too seriously, it never ends well.
Trip Reports posted on feathersandphotos.com.au Go to Forums then Trip Reports.
Used to drive the dumps too Jock.
. or the D10\11's when my excavator was being serviced.
or Broke down (once)
He had a coupla Komatsu 340\350?s. Same size as Cat 10. 35 more hp.
But Waaaaay more push with a full blade.
777's mainly with Mick. I had a Kobelco 975 160ish tonner) Excavator.
3 buckets sand\dirt to the Tray.
2 1\2 buckets of clay had them leaning a bit. But they were only the 80 tonners.
(Big dumpers went under the 400ton Liebherr.) Clumsy old girl that one.
Draglines. Bout the same. But Gently. and not often.
Good for bucket, control-balance though.
Lining up the swinging bucket with a "looks tiny" dumper tub.
Little Lima's. Marions. Link Belts. (250\300 tonners.) Swing 'em all day.
My favourite machinery of ALL.
The Big electric Walkers. Boooooring.
too slow and tiny buckets for size.
Old mans machines I reckon.
Driving.... Yes.
Road trains would be one of the easiest to overtake.
Talk first. He'll tell you when clear for a while,
but you can normally SEE any dust clouds coming.
Get out EARLY. line up. Accelerate then just drift past.
They very rarely move around and just plod along.
First coupla times it seems to take forever.
But after that it's just more time than a single tray\box rig.
Most TOWN drivers pull out just not quite clipping rear corner of tray on overtaken veh.
They frighten me, watching them on main drags .
Have NOOO control of any swing that may occur.
Then the vacuum from the being overtaken trailers pull you in. Goodbye.
Just like two ships too close.
Early is the operative word. pulling out. and get your speed up. and straight.
preferably b4 getting alongside. if possible.
In R\T country it's all over a looong distance. You don't try if any traffic dust cloud on horizon.