Will your wife or girlfriend drive the HDT?

[The Few]

Hello all, just a few questions for all you duty experts out there..

 

Now that I have my wife's attention, and she is all thumbs up with us getting this HDT RV hauler, I asked her a question that I assumed would be an easy answer..

 

I asked her, if she plans to drive the HDT as well, and she gave me a look that I DID NOT want to see or expected.. ( she looked at me as if I just told her we are broke)!!

 

She is intimidated of the size and width, but I assured her that it would be a great experience, as I have watched other ladies on you tube driving them for the first time and they enjoyed them..

 

SO, what experiences has your wife or significant other had with driving these trucks on the road?

 

I would appreciate any feedback!

 

The Few

[Shallow Draft]

Mine will drive but she prefers not to. The differences in the operating systems do take some time to get used to.

Brake feel and shifting are different than a pickup truck.

[sclord2002]

My wife has driven the truck but not pulling the camper...my girlfriend has not driven the truck...oops, just kidding on the GF part. I want my wife to drive towing so that she would feel more comfortable if she had to drive it in case of an emergency. i think the first towing experience would be better done under non emergency conditions. Charlie

[hone eagle]

My wife drives it but not hooked up , she would not drive the pick up hooked to the trailer either .

[LindaH]

While we haven't had an HDT, we did have an MDT which I drove, both solo and pulling the fifth wheel. I would have no problem or hesitation driving an HDT.

 

You might want to consider taking an RV driving class which should go a long way in helping your wife feel comfortable in driving your rig. While she might prefer not to, and not do it often, she should at least be comfortable in doing so in case an emergency ever came up where you were unavailable or unable to drive.

 

http://www.rvschool.com/

[Jack Mayer]

Danielle drives both towing and non-towing. It is not difficult, only "different". BUT, that does depend on the truck.

 

With our Gen 1 610 with auto shift Danielle - at 5' 1" - had a VERY difficult time with the clutch. And the driving position of that truck for short people was, lets just say, "challenging".

 

On our Gen 2 with I Shift she not only has a far more comfortable driving position, but the automated trans makes a huge difference for her.

 

So there is no "one" answer on driveability for smaller people.

 

On the size issues - it is interesting. I've taught many people to drive that were very intimidated. One question to ask is "Are you comfortable with driving (or learning to drive) a motorhome". Typically the answer is Yes. Well, the HDT is no different than a MH on the road. In fact many MH's have a far greater wheelbase and are far more challenging to drive. Now, add the trailer and it is a different story...that does require some additional training. But many people are less intimidated by a MH than the "big truck". Which is kinda interesting, to me, anyway....

[The Few]

Danielle drives both towing and non-towing. It is not difficult, only "different". BUT, that does depend on the truck.

 

With our Gen 1 610 with auto shift Danielle - at 5' 1" - had a VERY difficult time with the clutch. And the driving position of that truck for short people was, lets just say, "challenging".

 

On our Gen 2 with I Shift she not only has a far more comfortable driving position, but the automated trans makes a huge difference for her.

 

So there is no "one" answer on driveability for smaller people.

 

On the size issues - it is interesting. I've taught many people to drive that were very intimidated. One question to ask is "Are you comfortable with driving (or learning to drive) a motorhome". Typically the answer is Yes. Well, the HDT is no different than a MH on the road. In fact many MH's have a far greater wheelbase and are far more challenging to drive. Now, add the trailer and it is a different story...that does require some additional training. But many people are less intimidated by a MH than the "big truck". Which is kinda interesting, to me, anyway....

 

Danielle drives both towing and non-towing. It is not difficult, only "different". BUT, that does depend on the truck.

 

With our Gen 1 610 with auto shift Danielle - at 5' 1" - had a VERY difficult time with the clutch. And the driving position of that truck for short people was, lets just say, "challenging".

 

On our Gen 2 with I Shift she not only has a far more comfortable driving position, but the automated trans makes a huge difference for her.

 

So there is no "one" answer on driveability for smaller people.

 

On the size issues - it is interesting. I've taught many people to drive that were very intimidated. One question to ask is "Are you comfortable with driving (or learning to drive) a motorhome". Typically the answer is Yes. Well, the HDT is no different than a MH on the road. In fact many MH's have a far greater wheelbase and are far more challenging to drive. Now, add the trailer and it is a different story...that does require some additional training. But many people are less intimidated by a MH than the "big truck". Which is kinda interesting, to me, anyway....

 

good Answer Jack!!

I think she would do fine, but I will have her in empty parking lots for as long as she is ready to step up to something more challenging.. Crawl, walk, run!!!

[hone eagle]

To Jacks point have your wife observe school buses for a while ,look at the typical SB driver - if they can do it so can she .

I find the SB sometimes more difficult to get around in then my truck and trailer.

[The Few]

While we haven't had an HDT, we did have an MDT which I drove, both solo and pulling the fifth wheel. I would have no problem or hesitation driving an HDT.

 

You might want to consider taking an RV driving class which should go a long way in helping your wife feel comfortable in driving your rig. While she might prefer not to, and not do it often, she should at least be comfortable in doing so in case an emergency ever came up where you were unavailable or unable to drive.

 

http://www.rvschool.com/

Thank you Linda,

I would feel MUCH BETTER if we did this together, because we have to be confident with each other..

 

ALSO, I would rather teach my own wife than some other person... It has a LOT to do with comfort, trust, and just plain fun...

[phoenix2013]

Picture is worth 1,000 words, 40 years ago, how that for a "trust".

 

40 years later, she learned to multitask even further.

 

But she'll drive, fly or skipper anything that moves,

 

and teaches other ladies how to drive big rigs.

 

 

 

[The Few]

Picture is worth 1,000 words, 40 years ago, how that for a "trust".

 

40 years later, she learned to multitask even further.

 

But she'll drive, fly or skipper anything that moves,

 

and teaches other ladies how to drive big rigs.

 

 

 

,

Phoenix

 

I can only tell you that I am shooting to be in your shoes! You have been with each other for over 40 years, and still at it strong!

 

PLUS, you married someone that is NOT afraid to take charge.. Congrats to you and the "Captain" sir!!

 

And for all of you other men out there that "ALSO" has the ultimate "Captain" in your life, my hats off to you as well!! That is what makes life and being together THAT MUCH MORE enjoyable!!

[Phil D]

 

I think she would do fine, but I will have her in empty parking lots for as long as she is ready to step up to something more challenging.. Crawl, walk, run!!!

 

That's exactly how I got my wife to drive our T2000.

 

She was entirely supportive of purchasing an HDT (but then, a few years earlier she'd been horrified by having to watch as a travel trailer with malfunctioning electric trailer brakes pushed me through a very busy intersection against the light), but adamantly opposed to driving it herself. After a few months of riding along, I suggested one Sunday afternoon that we take the truck to the parking lot of a former grocery store so that she could learn to drive it. After a few sessions in that parking lot she was willing to drive it on the road, and has driven it many times since.

 

She still insists, though, that she isn't interested in towing on the highway.

[The Few]

 

That's exactly how I got my wife to drive our T2000.

 

She was entirely supportive of purchasing an HDT (but then, a few years earlier she'd been horrified by having to watch as a travel trailer with malfunctioning electric trailer brakes pushed me through a very busy intersection against the light), but adamantly opposed to driving it herself. After a few months of riding along, I suggested one Sunday afternoon that we take the truck to the parking lot of a former grocery store so that she could learn to drive it. After a few sessions in that parking lot she was willing to drive it on the road, and has driven it many times since.

 

She still insists, though, that she isn't interested in towing on the highway.

 

Hello Phil,

Yes sir, we know what's best for our situation!!

 

As I mentioned before, in order for my wife to have the confidence to even attempt to drive is, we MUST have patience, time and support!!

I let her know, she is just going to learn to crawl and walk, before she can run..

 

Thank you for your input sir!!

[RickS]

Here in our province you can drive a HDT single axle with a class 5 license but, require an air brake endorsement "Q" rating. When I was going to take the air brake class I suggested to my DW that it would be good for here to have this as well if like mentioned there was an emergency. So, we did the class and exams that followed and she also got her air brake endorsement. I do all of the driving and she reminds me that she will drive if there was an emergency.

[The Few]

Here in our province you can drive a HDT single axle with a class 5 license but, require an air brake endorsement "Q" rating. When I was going to take the air brake class I suggested to my DW that it would be good for here to have this as well if like mentioned there was an emergency. So, we did the class and exams that followed and she also got her air brake endorsement. I do all of the driving and she reminds me that she will drive if there was an emergency.

 

RickS

 

I don't blame her, I would be nervous to drive that beautiful set up as well..

 

As soon as I run over a curb, I "DO NOT" want to hear your mouth!!! LOL

[Jack Mayer]

 

RickS

 

I don't blame her, I would be nervous to drive that beautiful set up as well..

 

 

Well, I got to drive that truck and nothing bad happened.....well, nothing we told Rick about, anyway.

[RickS]

I was wondering what happened to the truck.... ...Colorado mountains are hard on those HDT's

[Carolaow]

To The Few's Wife:

Read through this thread, paying special attention to those beautiful ladies in Phoenix 2013's response. I don't know about you, but it simply warmed the cockles of me ole' heart. You can do it, girl! Stretch, and enjoy the feeling of tremendous accomplishment once you are comfortable with the task. Then--yes then!--enjoy the looks you get as you go strutting down that road, all in charge. And when you hop out of the driver's side at the campground after nudging your sweet hubby awake, smile, apply a little lipstick, and have a nice walk, hand-in-hand. You have both earned it.

Good luck and enjoy!

[phoenix2013]

The few,

The secret to marital "longevity" is the ability to tolerate "each other hobbies", she liked traveling, I liked many other things.

I rebuilt one of these in my garage over a period of three years.

 

She made a decision that if "that idiot" spends three years in the garage I'm going to get my ticket and fly it when he's done".

 

This was the day she was "examining" a Volvo 770 to decide if it was going to be the smaller 610 or 770.

 

She decided on the spot that she "could handle" the larger 770.

[Jack Mayer]

 

She decided on the spot that she "could handle" the larger 770.

Phoenix, even in your elderly state you may recall a conversation we had on the phone once where I advised you pretty strongly "not to drive that road at night" when you were coming by my way in your new truck.....

 

Now, had I known you were going to hoodwink your woman into driving that stretch I would have kept my mouth shut....If I recall, your "excuse" was you wanted to take pictures of the mountains....but you might have neglected to tell her what I had said....

 

Good thing the women are very capable drivers....

[Star Dreamer]

The wife will drive our HDT both with and without the trailer. She hasn't backed it up yet though or hooked up yet. Prefers to leave that for me.

[4Girls&aMan]

DW took my rig ice skating.... Wish I had been there for that one.

 

There are a lot of women driving class 8 trucks to earn a living today.

 

Jack is right about the MH thing - I'd rather drive my 30 foot sport car than a 45 foot motor home - although we probably have similar turning radii. DW will talk to anyone about driving -if your wife just needs to hear it from other women bring her to the National Rally or next year's ECR. Or PM some of the ladies to arrange a conversation. My DW doesn't "prefer" to back up, but practice will get her there.

 

If your DW is willing to try go for it.... It is so much better than a dually pickup!

[RickW]

 

 

This photo answers the question of if she drives ......

 

That was her first time driving a HDT back in 2009. Now when asked she will take anybody out for a lesson.

 

She drives both bobtail and with trailer. When originally discussing a HDT she figured she would only drive a drive once or twice just to say that she has. But as you can see from the smile that would not be enough. As for the size, once she drove the truck and realized it was not as difficult as she made it out to be in her mind, the size was less of a issue.

 

On long stretches it is nice to split up the driving. It even gives me a opportunity to do my impression of the old goat as seen in his first photo. It is important to inspect the inside of the eye lids, assuming you not the one driving.

[Darryl&Rita]

[bjarm]

My wife has driven bobtail for a few years and this year started pulling the Teton. It was a process for her as our Volvo is a manual 10 speed. I gave her a gearmaster for her birthday and that's all she wrote....she managed Boise morning traffic and did her first Oregon 2 lane highway today. It was particularly pleasing to hear her cursing the idiots who want to pass, then dawdle during the pass and then pull in two feet in front of our rig.......oh, now she is driving she wants more bling for the truck...gotta look good when you are driving!

Bruce