Letters from our students

A personal testimony from one of our students

Last weekend I completed 8 hours of RV Driving School. I've always been the navigator and have enjoyed all the scenery as a passenger. The recent purchase of a 36' Country Coach diesel prompted me to consider--what if Terry broke his leg, got the flu or just had to leave the party early! How would I get home? I knew I needed to learn to drive the rig. Since Terry claims I don't listen to him (it may be a bit true), I ordered up private driving lessons for 2 four hour sessions. I was very nervous; scared I would fail; scared I might get a ticket etc. As the weekend grew closer I was really in a panic, yet I had given my word and Terry was thrilled and supportive that I might actually listen to someone else.
The lesson was in the Lancaster/Palmdale area and we headed for an RV Park for the rendezvous with Jerry Ray. Jerry was at the park awaiting our arrival, greeted us warmly and boarded our coach for the safety inspection. Insurance, drivers license check completed, Jerry showed me a written list of the things I would be learning in the 2 days. Terry was to be left behind sitting in his lawn chair with RV magazines to read. Gratefully, Jerry maneuvered the coach out of the tight RV space, onto the freeway and to the "classroom area." He has a route with WIDE streets, no traffic and is a perfect place to practice. He parked along the curb and told me what he was going to ask me to do, then, he drove the route explaining each technical move of right hand turns. The big moment--he said "O.K. you get in the driver's seat." Several minutes later the driver's seat was adjusted, the steering column tilted and most important the mirrors adjusted to my specifications.

Jerry strategically placed orange cones behind the coach and taught me what I could and could not see. It was time for me to start the engine. Oh boy this was the first time I had ever driven this rig and my hands were sweaty and I was tense. The long street allowed me to get the feel of the throttle and to practice applying the brakes. When I got to the corner, Jerry gave careful strategic instructions to line up a "turning point." I figured the side window wood railing would do and turned the wheel like crazy when this point appeared. Whoops--too wide. Guess what--no one shouted at me, honked or gave me a ticket. I simply had the chance to correct the "Pivot Point" at the next turn. Lots and lots of right turns later. I was getting dizzy but also gaining confidence in my judgment as the mirrors told me how close I was to the curb. Just when I was feeling a bit cocky, Jerry asked me to pull over and he explained left turns. Same process, lots of practice. I can set up a 90 degree turn, and 100, and 70 and can go straight.

Next, I learned how to turn around in the middle of the road. Are you kidding? This is a 36' rig. I am taught where my wheels are, where the front end is and maneuver 2 "Y" turns with only 1 back up. Wow, this could beat driving around the block if the navigator makes a mistake. Time for a lunch break as I'm exhausted. Even restaurant parking had tips on how not to get blocked in a space.

After a relaxing lunch break, turns were reviewed and freeway on/off ramps were the challenge. It's actually easier to go straight than to turn, so this part was a piece of cake. Now I can drive freeways. I actually drove back to the campground, honked the air horn to awaken the sleeping Terry and proudly parked perfectly in spot #73. What a work out. I was due for a nap, quiet in my confidence that I'd made a break through-- the knowledge that I can drive in an emergency situation.

The next morning, Jerry met up with us promptly and asked me to drive out of the campground. This I did with ease at each turn, pivot point and use of mirrors. Day 2 is an advanced lesson where I experienced narrow, single lane curvy mountain roads. My hands gripped the wheel, yet Jerry's patient reassurance that he wasn't scared, allowed me the belief that this was working. Pac brake, up shifts, tach readings and proper braking were aspects of this lesson. So intense was I that when the stealth bomber flew overhead I chose not to take my eyes off the road for a look.

The next portion of the lesson was my favorite--REVERSE. I backed up for blocks. Then I backed into a 9' camp space from every possible angle with every imagined tree in sight. Several times Jerry, standing outside to give me independence, applauded. Seems I'm pretty good at backing. I think I must have listened very carefully to all of the instructions. Just when I was feeling cocky again, Jerry instructed me to drive back over the twisting, climbing mountain pass, which I mastered without leaving fingerprints on the steering wheel. He pushed me to tasks that I never dreamed I could do, let alone by now I was even having a little fun driving. I'm sure it was Jerry's competent reassurance and mirror tips. We measured tree branch obstacles and judged the distance to them. Now it was time to tackle the Mall parking lot on a Sunday afternoon. I told Jerry this is why we have a tow vehicle. He told me how to maneuver in the coach and without even having to unhook if the spots are large enough. Guess what, I could have shopped this mall easily.

We leave for vacation on Wednesday and I will drive some, but even if I never get a turn, I will be a better navigator as a result of these 8 hours. I highly recommend the course to all navigators, beginners and even for those with experience, and the tips are great!

Here's a tip. The deal I cut with Terry was that I would take the RV Driving School, if he would take Country Western dance lessons with me. Stay tuned for the results of those lessons.

Betty
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