Who Drives With Airstream in Tow?

[Brawny]

Originally Posted by Minno

We both drive, about 50/50. I think it's VERY IMPORTANT that both people of a couple can hitch up, unhitch, and drive the trailer. If one is ill, the other one can still travel. Chris usually backs her into campsites, because that's my big weakness. I can do it if I have to.
My dad put me behind the wheel when I was 16 and taught me to tow their trailer. It's a very valuable skill, and I don't have to rely on others if he's sick and we need to travel.

Kay

We picked up our AS last April, and I did all the driving for the first couple months. I had open heart surgery scheduled for the end of June, so my DW took over driving duties for the month of June to make sure that she would be able to do look after everything post-surgery.

She did a great job, for sure. We had a couple trips in July - September where she looked after everything from soup to nuts, including backing into the Hensley coupler (she's still a LOT better at it than I am!), getting us to the destination, backing us into a campsite, and disconnecting/leveling the trailer.

Now that I've fully healed, we split the duties. We're both comfortable with any of the tasks. I'm a bit better at backing the trailer into a spot, and she's better at getting the Hensley connected. Typically I drive, but its definitely something I hope we'll continue to share, just so we both keep in practice.

Its great being able to share the responsibilities like this - and a real load off my mind, knowing that if either of us took sick while on a trip, the other would be able to cope with getting us home again!

[Smari]

I do. My 8 year old has the same lame excuse about not having a driver's license when I suggest he drive.

He's very good at guiding me when backing up.

[Rgentum]

I hook up & drive. She finds rest stops & overnights. BigDog, in the back seat, supervises.

[moosetags]

I do most of the towing, but SuEllyn does some of the driving on the open road.

Brian

[m.hony]

I do all the driving and parking.
We talk about how she needs to learn, but haven't done it.
I don't want to be in a rush when she is learning, but somehow we always seem to be in a great big hurry.
Maybe when we retire...

[Sharleen]

We share the towing.

[fwjumper]

Both. She drives as well or better than I, although hasn't had much backing experience. We should correct that. On trips out west, I try to save her for the days crossing Kansas, Nebraska or S. Dakota with huge crosswinds. Once in Kansas, after she had offered to drive numerous times, I accepted her offer after we had been in a construction area for many miles with concrete dividers on both sides, seemingly only inches away. They continued for many more miles with her at the wheel. She doesn't let me forget that one.

[CAV]

Solo female AS'er!
Drive, hitch, backup, minor repairs, and upgrades....check! Not that big a deal with a backup camera on the F150.
The Labrador doesn't drive yet, she's only 5.

[Swillv8]

I'm 34 she's 29. Just picked up a motorhome in the far south. I'd imagine it's looking like a 50/50 possibly on long hauls. Short hauls 5 hrs or less I'm the driver. There were some roads with zero shoulder in some states, and it's a wide load which to my amazement she is probably more comfortable behind the wheel then myself on narrow roads. But then again I get uncomfortable with the speed she travels, with me its hammer down as much as possible and I don't like to stop unless necessary.

[Coolbreeze]

The majority of the time I drive and Linda navigates, checks traffic and reservations. She has started driving some where the roads are straight and less congested. I do all the tight maneuvering and backing up now. Hope to get her started backing up this year. It is a skill she may need to exercise some day. We both hitch/unhitch the AS and get H2O, etc. set up. Always a team effort.

[featherbedder]

Wife takes care of inside I do not have to worry as she never misses what is to do for travel, except brings enough food for 10 people. I do outside such as driving set up etc. Some times she will watch when I'm backing into hard spot but not always as my experience driving towing, trucks, farm mach. etc. covers 78 yrs. w/ lic. and a few before lic. I do not trust her driving with AS or no trailer. She drives like my mother did. I would not even get in car with her, some times wife has to drive w/out trailer when I'm sleepy or she is designated driver when I have one drink but never more than 1, plus navigating no way all she does is get us lost. I will say that in emerg. I think she could do job with AS as she hauled horses in 2 horse trailer many miles, backing etc. some places very tight with never a prob. and it was short wheel base as 31 ft AS much easier to manuver than shorty. Also long wheel base 4 door long bed pu that is hard to do w/shorty trailer.

[gunnyrose]

We both tow about 50/50. I can hitch up to the Hensley, but I have trouble getting hubby to let me do it very often. That will come this season��

[Rocinante]

We share driving equally. DW is better at backing into campsites while I direct from outside, but I'm improving.

[KayakGa]

I will drive; more concerned about my "solo" backing up since it took me 45 min to get into my drive ; will practice before my first trip in 3 wks

[PovIndy]

We share the driving 50/50 - On our 4500 mi trip out west last fall we would switch off every couple of hours - She does a great job driving - that allows us to stretch our legs and gives our dog Benji a chance to make friends with the locals - I do the backing and outside setup duties while she secures the coach - works for us!

[banderabob]

Mostly me, though the Mrs put in a few hours on a recent trip.

[Air83]

100% Female driver here. My German Shepard snores from the back seat. It's one of those wake her went we get there.

[kendrick.l.j]

I doing the driving, towing, backing up, parking, navigating, planning, cleaning, cooking, finance, minor repairs, laundry, shopping, dog walking and anything else that needs to be done. Might take me longer to get ready but it will get done and I enjoy every moment. 57y/o female w/30 foot Classic and 2500 RAM
I tow it, I don't have to actually get out and push it. Doesn't take brute strength.

[USAtraveler]

Ditto, Mollysdad. 2nd opinions from the passenger seat can be too numerous and rarely helpful.

[CarolynSteve]

We split it--
We switch off every two to three hours...
Carolyn drives and I sleep or read or play with the computer or work..

She dozes or plays music when I drive..
Carolyn doesn't like hitching but she can..
Carolyn doesn't like to back up but she will "some day".
Carolyn doesn't like to drive in traffic but she will. She has taught me new amazing
eloquence English used by truck drivers, taxi drivers and longshoremen as well
as hoodlums, criminals and thugs..

Ladies and Gents--don't forget Valentine's Day..

c'ya on the road
Steve and Carolyn
WBCCI #10778