Hi Readytorv,
I love to hear it when another woman says she WANTS to drive the motorhome! Too many women are intimidated by the size of a motorhome, but they're actually easy to drive. Even though we had been driving motorhomes for many years, when we got our first 34' diesel pusher we decided to take the RV Driving School course. We both learned a lot, including some of the tricks you talk about. If you can't take that one, some of the big RVing rallies have a Ladies Driving seminar for a nominal fee and with hands-on experience. Take advantage of any seminars like that because you'll learn a lot and it helps you gain confidence.
Of course, the best thing to gain confidence in lieu of formal classes is practice, practice and more practice. Can you find a big empty parking lot somewhere? If so, take some brightly colored "cones" and set them up so you can practice driving between them and then backing up. Drive around in circles so you can learn to feel how hard you can turn, both right and left. One of the "tricks" I've learned to keep in the middle of your lane is to place your right foot down the middle of the lane which often has a black streak. If you have a backup camera that also helps you see if the back end is in the middle of the lane. The other day I was driving the motorhome without the car attached and I realized how much I use the backup camera because the little white car wasn't in the middle of the lane! :
I missed it. We used white strips initially and they actually do help. When turning corners - if there are two turn lanes - choose the one on the outside because it gives you a wider swing. If you're turning on the curb side lane, go far enough forward that the rear end clears things on the sidewalk. Also, if you tow a car, keep your eye on it during turns to make sure it clears the curb before turning.
When backing make sure you look over the site first and note any obstacles to avoid, not just on the ground but also up in the air like overhanging tree branches. When backing straight, use your side mirror to focus on some object and keep it in your mirror. That helps you back straight. If you need to back into an angled site, drive beyond the site along the same side of the road as the site. Put the rear drive wheels just past the edge of the site, then start backing and turning sharply at the same time. Of course, you have to have your eyes on any obstacles like picnic tables. Sometimes you need to tip the side mirrors down to see everything. Always try to have a "spotter" behind you to help do what you need to do. When we get to a campsite I usually drive in, whether it's a pull-through or a back-in site. Jerry spots and guides me so we're parked where we need to be for reaching utilities, extending the slideouts, leaving enough space for the car, and even getting the rooftop satellite dish in the most advantageous position.
You and your spotter need to use hand signals that help you know whether to swing the rear end left, right or straight. Hand signals like the airline people use are easy and pretty universal. Make sure you both know the "Stop" signal and have your foot ready to hit the brake immediately. It's amazing how many sites have some obstacle such as a tree smack dab in the middle rear of the site. Another problem is utility posts that are so high you can't extend the slide without hitting it or have it placed in such a way that the bay door can't open. We had to change sites tonight because when we arrived at the assigned site the utilities were on the wrong side and were too far to reach. These things make it all an adventure! Also, I would advise not driving such long days that you arrive at the campground after dark. It's much easier to find your site and hook up in daylight!
You'll be surprised at quickly you learn to feel what you need to do. Start with easier drives, such as Sunday morning on a freeway, then work up to more difficult driving. When we left the factory with that new 34' DP, Jerry wanted to read the manuals so he could learn about our new diesel engine and the transmission so I began driving. When I got through Indianapolis with cement barriers for construction, surrounded by big trucks, and in a light rain I knew I had survived my trial by fire and could drive anywhere. Hopefully your first one will be easier!
Perhaps the best advice I can give you is not to let other drivers get you rattled. Always remember that it's your money that has to pay for repairs caused by doing something stupid. We all have those little dings we brought on ourselves, but don't let them happen because someone else is impatient and rattles you to the extent you make an expensive mistake. Don't be like the person who went through a toll booth and wrecked his expensive mirror because he couldn't hold up all those other people while he went outside to bring in his mirror so it wouldn't get damaged. We do what we need to do to stay safe and protect our investment. You take control and you'll do just fine!
Good luck and enjoy your new rolling home. Your husband should like having someone to spell him so he doesn't have to do all the driving.
ArdraF