We are in Branson, MO for the week, primarily for RV Driving School. The owner/instructor is Rick Andrews, a retired professional truck driver. He came to our camp site this morning bright and early at 7:45am. I guess he doesn’t understand that we are retired and believe that only birds should get up that early.
After spending some time reviewing basics about RV systems, we practiced hitching up. Pam was assigned the job of backing the truck up, while David was responsible for guiding her in, handling the landing gear, releasing and engaging the king pin jaws, and attaching the trailer umbilical cord and break-away switch. Rick taught us a great set of hand signals that saves us from yelling to each other over the noise of the diesel engine about how far to back up, when to cut left or right and other maneuvering directions. Now we can scratch the set of airport guidance lights we were contemplating buying, to avoid all the yelling, when we arrive late at night during “quiet hours” and need to park the rig!
Next was backing up. Since Pam was already in the pilot seat, she went first. We backed down the road around a curve, strictly relying on the hand signals of the “spotter”. Boy is it hard not to look into the mirrors to see where you are going and just trust the spotter! Then Pam had to back up straight, learning to use reference points on the trailer and the truck. Easy when you know the trick.
The next lesson was incredible. Rick picked a site that was hemmed in by trees, two trucks and another fifth-wheel and told us we could back up our rig into the site. Both of us thought it would be impossible (and we have much experience in putting a trailer into a campsite). But, again, Rick taught us the tricks and Dave put the trailer in beautifully. The owner of the campground came past and was amazed we got it in. He said he wished every one of his guests could back up like that!
Our final lesson of the day was city traffic. First Dave then Pam had to drive through Branson and all of its traffic. Not only that, but make left and right turns in heavy traffic using only one lane and not taking any curbs.
Incredibly we could do it! Strictly a matter of physics and timing.
What a fantastic instructor Rick is. The tips and tricks he shows are so valuable. And Rick is so calm and reassuring, he gives you the confidence to do it!
Finally, back to camp—to crash. Tomorrow is another six hours, including freeway and mountain driving. Stay tuned.
Too exhausted after the stressful day (a great excuse not to cook), we went to a little Mexican restaurant that Rick said was the best around.
What a great meal and the friendliest host/waiter. We highly recommend it! It is Little La Hacienda on US 65 Business in Hollister, MO just east of Branson.
After spending some time reviewing basics about RV systems, we practiced hitching up. Pam was assigned the job of backing the truck up, while David was responsible for guiding her in, handling the landing gear, releasing and engaging the king pin jaws, and attaching the trailer umbilical cord and break-away switch. Rick taught us a great set of hand signals that saves us from yelling to each other over the noise of the diesel engine about how far to back up, when to cut left or right and other maneuvering directions. Now we can scratch the set of airport guidance lights we were contemplating buying, to avoid all the yelling, when we arrive late at night during “quiet hours” and need to park the rig!
Next was backing up. Since Pam was already in the pilot seat, she went first. We backed down the road around a curve, strictly relying on the hand signals of the “spotter”. Boy is it hard not to look into the mirrors to see where you are going and just trust the spotter! Then Pam had to back up straight, learning to use reference points on the trailer and the truck. Easy when you know the trick.
The next lesson was incredible. Rick picked a site that was hemmed in by trees, two trucks and another fifth-wheel and told us we could back up our rig into the site. Both of us thought it would be impossible (and we have much experience in putting a trailer into a campsite). But, again, Rick taught us the tricks and Dave put the trailer in beautifully. The owner of the campground came past and was amazed we got it in. He said he wished every one of his guests could back up like that!
Our final lesson of the day was city traffic. First Dave then Pam had to drive through Branson and all of its traffic. Not only that, but make left and right turns in heavy traffic using only one lane and not taking any curbs.
Incredibly we could do it! Strictly a matter of physics and timing.What a fantastic instructor Rick is. The tips and tricks he shows are so valuable. And Rick is so calm and reassuring, he gives you the confidence to do it!
Finally, back to camp—to crash. Tomorrow is another six hours, including freeway and mountain driving. Stay tuned.
Too exhausted after the stressful day (a great excuse not to cook), we went to a little Mexican restaurant that Rick said was the best around.
What a great meal and the friendliest host/waiter. We highly recommend it! It is Little La Hacienda on US 65 Business in Hollister, MO just east of Branson.
1 comment:
Sure looks like fun!!!! LOVE the restaurant. Just got back from China - this sure looks a whole lot better than anything I saw. I can almost feel the "zen"!!!
Anne Musson
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