TEO
Inverness, FL, USA
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Joined: 08/07/2003
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I know the feeling well. When we got our first Class A, my wife complained that I was much too close to the edge of the road. I let her drive and sure enough, it did seem that we were much too close to the edge. However, if you check the righthand mirror, you can see that the motorhome is actually tracking well away from the edge. You just have to realize that the feeling that you're almost off the road is an optical illusion.
Paul
Paul & Helen
2002 Winnebago Journey DL
1999 Jeep Cherokee toad 
Yellow Lab, Jodie and Chocolate Lab, Coco 
FMCA 98905
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HeresLucy
Southeast FL
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Joined: 03/11/2004
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In the first year of our ownership I was a terrible CoPilot. The worst times when we encounter merge lanes. But I've learned to just close my eyes. Now I keep busy with reading magazines or working on sewing projects...so a hobby can be a big help. Assuming you can keep your eyes off the road.
If we were going to be traveling several hours in the mountains or unfamiliar roads that we don't normally travel and I felt extra nervous about it I'd probably take a couple of Tylenol PM. That would relax me for sure.
She'll have to find ways to cope with this that are her own, but perhaps some of these ideas will help. I do think the more trips you take the easier it gets. Good luck.
Lucy
2006 Allegro Bus 40' DP
2005 Grand Cherokee
Visit Here's Lucy for CG reviews, trip experiences, etc.
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Gau 8
United States
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Joined: 11/06/2009
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Not sure I would ever sleep with my wife driving.
Y-Guy wrote:I can relate, first time I rode with my wife driving I was about to scramble up the wall. Try having her watch you and not the road, or take a seat in the back for a bit. It took me a while to get comfortable, yeah I'm a bit of a control freak so turning over the reigns was hard but man I sure like being able to take a snooze while heading down the road. Just takes time.
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nickelAF
Charleston, WV
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Joined: 02/01/2009
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tohare wrote:I learned to relax when I realized If I could see the road side line in the rearview mirror on the passenger side we were all set, I just put my feet up and relax.
Remind her it is her dream also..
Xanax (alprazolam) is a benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety and panic disorder
07 Fox 31WRB
04 6.0L 4X4 Excursion
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rooster55
Panhandle, FL
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Joined: 05/12/2008
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Quote:Xanax (alprazolam) is a benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety and panic disorder
Yes it is..allowed me to get up and over Cloudcroft in NM I think it was? All a little blurry other than the horror of realizing I had navigated DH to the foot of a 10,000 ft high mountain. Oops. I didn't think someone would would plop one out in the desert like that. On our approach I kept wondering where the roads were that skirted or went around. Yeah.
It has a teeny little railing...just enough to flip the coach over if something goes wrong!!
Knees were knocking...I grew up in flat little Florida, so the saga continues. At least I still go.
Becky
Bob & Becky
2007 Newmar Ventana 3936
06 Ford 250 PSD
07 Yamaha FX SHO Waverunner
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ShapeShifter
Buffalo, NY
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Joined: 04/03/2007
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I'll bet much of it is based on her perceptions. As others have stated, sitting in the passenger seat it feels like you are much farther over than you really are (just as sitting in the driver's seat it can feel like you are much closer to the center line than you really are.)
You might try taking her out to a lonely mall or industrial park. Drive along an access road, keeping your normal distance from the edge. Ask her where it feels that you are in the lane, and then stop and have her get out and look. I'll bet she's surprised how much room there really is. Repeat this a few times, and she may just calm down when she realizes you're not as close as she thinks you are.
On the other hand, this little exercise just may show that you really are farther over than you think you are. In that case, you will then be able to adjust your driving position, and that right there may make her more relaxed.
Finally, adjust the convex mirror on the right side so that she can see the white line on the side of the road. Find a compromise position that works for both of you. Then, if she starts to feel that you're going off the side of the road, she can check the mirror and see that you really do have a some room to go.
2007 Holiday Rambler Endeavor 40PDQ
400 ISL Cummins/Allison
2002 Chevy Avalanche toad
Inside: Him, Her, and a pack of little furballs...
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bigbubba1959
Illinois
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Joined: 09/04/2007
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My wife always critized my driving skills.However she never drove the motorhome........Then we were on a trip we got stuck in construction area / accident.
We sat and waited for 45 minutes move 5 ft then sit another 30 minutes. Well i told her i HAVE to use the bathroom right NOW I cant wait. I said all you need to do is move it 20 ft forward every once in awhile. She said ok that fine..........Well while I am doing my sitting business I feel the coach start to move...Ok no problem then i hear her scream..........WE ARENT STOPPING!!! Seem the exact same time decide to go to bathroom they open the road. Off she going for an amazing 35 miles to nearest rest area.
She did a great job however I was nervous as hell!! So i see there point in the passenger side view . IT is scary . However the wife and i no longer argue about my driving skills. She respects my view and i respect hers!!! lol
if once you dont suuuceedd
If once you deont succeed
If once you dont succeed try tryyyy
If once you dont' succedd
Ok if once you dont succeed just freaking DO IT!!!!!!!!!!
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OnSafari
Alabama
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Joined: 03/28/2009
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I am so glad to see this post. Being the wife. And having major difficulties being a passenger after a serious car accident. So far I have not ridden in the 36' motorhome, I follow in the car. (We have only camped close to home so far).
When he first starting driving the MH, he hugged the curb, crossed the line constantly. He has been driving it (occasionally) for about a year now and pretty much stays centered.
I'm hoping that following and seeing that he is centered in the road will make me less nervous on our upcoming trip. DH hopes so too because I can really freak out. 
1991 Safari Ivory Hi-Tech DP
2008 Ford Escape
Shasta - Border Collie mix
Dakota - Blue Heeler mix
Chuck - Vietnam Vet, USMC
Ayn - Darn good cook
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Badeye
Bonaire GA
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Joined: 03/06/2003
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When you sit in the passenger seat and look out the side window you think that you are much further right than you really are. My DW had the same problem for several thousand miles but now is much better tuned in to the situation. Since she does not drive the MH, size problems as she is less than 5' tall, that is not an option for us. I had her to just look out the windshield and not look out the side glass and down. It gave her a much better perspective of where the MH was located on the road. We have been traveling over 5 years now and she does not get too excited about where we are located on the road unless I drift over and contact the rumble strips.
Badeye
"No one can guarantee success, only effort."
Bob & Fran
2005 Coachmen Sportscoach Elite 40 ft DP
2002 Dodge Durango
Ready Brute Tow Bar
Ready Brake Tow Brake
FMCA F324606
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nickelAF
Charleston, WV
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My wife was a nervous passenger, but Xanax helped her get accustomed to the view. Now she only worries in construction sites where they have placed the temporary dividers on both sides about 10ft apart.
She has gotten comfortable enough to handle California HWY 1 from Fort Bragg
to Bodega bay, with no drugs. Thought it was a fantastic drive and wants to do it again.
Rumble strips were mentioned. I have discovered that when my wife starts nodding off and getting a little bored, then start complaining about being tired. I just hit the rumble strips a few times and she wakes up refreshed. No longer bored, a little grumpy, but wide awake.
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