Does towing make you nervous?

[Iwannacamp]

I cannot be the only one who gets nervous while towing??? O.K. I will admit a few things.
1. I try to plan route around busy highways/cities 2. I am constantly worried about trailer, tires, hitch, road debris, traffic, etc... 3. Navigation can be a problem at times 4. Fear of tight access in parking 5. Food or rest stop in and out access 6. Missing an exit or turn and getting in a tight spot

I want to travel weeks/months at a time someday, but I have some growing up/learning to do.

I will admit a few hundred miles in on a trip some of this gets easier. Does it get better at some point?

[mblee21]

Towing doesn't make me nervous but backing into my storage unit does. Very tight!

[merrykalia]

I am usually kinda hesitant for the first 20 miles or so, but both DH and I have towed our assorted RVs for many miles. We have gone from a popup (I predominantly towed that one) to a hybrid (we both towed) to a 35' TT (he predominantly towed) to a 36' 5'er (we both towed) and now, we have a 43' 5'er that we have both towed. I am usually the backer-in-er. We will pull in, we will both get out - he directs and I back it in.

It works for us and there is very little yelling or disagreements. We both know how important correct directions are, so we try to give good ones.

When we go somewhere that we are not familiar with, we will stick to major highways and state roads. If time permits, I will bring up Google Earth and put my eyes on the highways and major intersections. It helps a lot.

[BandJCarm]

Of course it does!

Just less than before, and more than it will in the future. But it'll never get to zero for me.

[Old car]

Generally not nervous--but very aware. I do get a bit tense when there is shoulder or lane construction and they use the concrete barricades to narrow down the lanes.

[Skyliner]

I only get nervous backing up when my wife is next to me. If she isn't there, I can back up first time with no issues but takes me 4-5 attempts if she is with me. I guess its performance anxiety?

[retireearly]

Yes, and that is why we now have a motorhome. Towing gets easier the more you do, but it was never fun after five years. Now we are facing the issue of wanting to tow a car along, but I think that will be easy due to the size advantage the motorhome has as a tow vehicle.

[5picker]

Not nervous but certainly on a heightened awareness.

There are a LOT more things to be considered when towing something and a lot can go wrong quickly.

But... as you learn how your rig reacts/tracks/etc, it does get easier.
You can't let it frighten you to the point where you don't/can't/won't go out.

If you don't think you need to pay attention and think/watch about what you are doing, especially when towing, you shouldn't be hooking up and going. Driving scared isn't good for anyone.

[TheWolfPaq82]

More aware than anything. The YAHOO's that pulled out in front of you...like you can stop on dime with 10,000 lbs behind you. I live on a semi-busy street with hills on both ends, so backing in can be a little nerve racking, when you have people that can't wait 20 seconds for me to get in the driveway and clear the street. Can't count how many times I've been honked at, yelled at, and that just makes me move....even S L O W E R...and I'll move back and forth an extra time or two in the street...just to make them Happy !
I can be a stinker when I want to be.

[seagrace]

It doesn't make me nervous, I've been towing stuff for many, many years. I do, however, concentrate more than if I'm not towing. Speed, traffic, road conditions, mechanical issues, weather are all taken into consideration and monitored.

[Restcure]

Sometimes nervous, always more aware. Aware of:

• Other drivers (please, for the love of all that's holy, give me two seconds ahead of you and, when merging, two seconds behind)
• Upcoming on- and off-ramps
• Sharp turns
• Gas station approach and departure
• Places to stop for food, bathroom etc
• Level (and not so level) crossings
• Unfamiliar territory

[packrat48]

somewhat concerned about tires even though I check them daily also fuel stops in tight places. but get really tense if road gets snowy

[jeffnick]

TPMS to monitor trailer tires.
Waze to monitor road conditions (cell phone program) that advises you of traffic, stuff on the highway, location of cops...
Never a gas station - only truck stops (and Walmarts).

[RobertDS]

Nervous? I almost puked the first time I pulled out of the lot with our 5er.

100 miles to our place. It was fine.

I will be fine next time. Just breathe deeply, relax a bit.

[DreiHunde]

Originally Posted by 5picker

Not nervous but certainly on a heightened awareness.

There are a LOT more things to be considered when towing something and a lot can go wrong quickly.

But... as you learn how your rig reacts/tracks/etc, it does get easier.
You can't let it frighten you to the point where you don't/can't/won't go out.

If you don't think you need to pay attention and think/watch about what you are doing, especially when towing, you shouldn't be hooking up and going. Driving scared isn't good for anyone.

THIS! So much this!

[Crusadernoob]

NO WAY! Thats some of the fun! I love it, but yes, I am always checking mirrors, truck gauges just to be on top of things. Guess maybe I should've gone down the career path of a transporter or got my CDL.

[Martsing]

I love the process of towing and the idea of moving our mobile bed and breakfast from one place to another. I hate that there are some very stupid people on the roads with us and so many of them have no clue how to act around my rig.

Marty

[dreadlocks]

I had a bit of anxiety at first, but Ive got alot of miles towing under my belt now and its no big deal.. It gets better, especially after a few butt puckering situations that you and your TV handled perfectly.. once you trust your TV, your rig and your driving skills its just a different driving mode.. like switching back and forth between a manual and an automatic.

My problem now is I tow so much that I keep driving around like I have a trailer behind me when I dont.. Oh wait, I can do the speed limit now and pass people at will

[kfd82]

Originally Posted by Iwannacamp

I cannot be the only one who gets nervous while towing??? O.K. I will admit a few things.
1. I try to plan route around busy highways/cities 2. I am constantly worried about trailer, tires, hitch, road debris, traffic, etc... 3. Navigation can be a problem at times 4. Fear of tight access in parking 5. Food or rest stop in and out access 6. Missing an exit or turn and getting in a tight spot

I want to travel weeks/months at a time someday, but I have some growing up/learning to do.

I will admit a few hundred miles in on a trip some of this gets easier. Does it get better at some point?

I suggest pulling a trailer every where you go for a while. When I got my learners permit I started pulling low boys and stock trailers. There was almost always a trailer hooked up to my truck. I learned to drive while pulling a trailer.
The more you do it, the easier it is.

[Jim34RL]

No, not really I just concentrate on my surroundings. A lot depends on your tow setup when you tow. I like a fifth wheel for the easier ability in towing over a travel trailer. Another thing I have learned is, I do not have to be the first one there just tow at what every speed feels comfortable for you. I also rely on my GPS to help me navigate along with my DW.