Why do I feel more apprehensive about taking MoHo out? (1 Viewer)

Apr 12, 2012
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This has been happening a lot lately.

The first year we had MoHo we found some amazing places with a combination of Googlemaps and OS Explorers. Wild camped most nights. I took MoHo down some particularly tight singletrack lanes to find beautiful parking spots. I manoeuvred with little problem around vehicles heading the other way. and generally utterly loved our first year of motorhoming.

These days (now into year 3 of MoHo ownership) increasingly I feel apprehensive when taking her out. I worry about whether we'll get stuck, if we can fit down little roads, if I'll find somewhere to park; and coming home will someone have blocked my parking space...

It seems daft and it's really irritating. Once we're on the road I love driving MoHo, but whereas before I would happily drive to whatever isolated spot my navigator directed me; now I am reticent to leave main roads and only happily go to places we know we can park.

I think it is partly that a lot of the spots we visited in the past have removed the overnight parking charges for no overnighting signs; and the rise in >6'-6"< signs and height barriers around to deter us from entering places where as previously we have passed with no issue.

I guess I no longer feel the same freedom MoHo once offered and feel more like a nuisance.

Why? I don't want to be a boring fart worrying about these things. I want to get back to enjoying the adventure as I used to.
 

Inthezone

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Feb 14, 2014
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Perhaps you have fallen out of love with uk touring, have you tried france, I know its got the added cost of the tunnel / fuel but we are venturing across next weekend for the first time because we have been told that its a lot easier to be in a MH in europe, just a suggestion ::bigsmile:
 
Jul 12, 2013
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Have a look at Britstops. They provide a book of places you WILL be able to stop at safely in the UK for FREE. They do expect you to buy a drink or meal depending what their particular stopover is. I think it costs £25 for a years membership.
The book shows pictures of places to stay with phone numbers to call in advance and how big the parking space is etc. To date I have not visited a bad one.

Alan

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hilldweller

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I manoeuvred with little problem around vehicles heading the other way. and generally utterly loved our first year of motorhoming..

Experience is working against you. You now know what can go wrong.

Just have to do the best you can.
 

Jim

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Jul 19, 2007
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Hi Jimothy, the more you dwell on it the worse it will get. Make a point of getting out in her more; even if its just a few miles to a local site. You'll soon have your mojo back:thumb:
 
Sep 3, 2013
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Apparently, very frequent flyers can suffer similar anxiety whereby the more they fly, the more anxious about flying they become.

I think Jim's right. Stop worrying about it and try to focus on enjoying your time.

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Jan 27, 2013
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I can understand this feeling of apprehension. Last spring I had an encounter with a French white man driver. It was a reasonably wide lane and because I saw him coming, I pulled way over to the right and slowed down to 35Kmh, he carried on at around 80 kmh.

He didn't stop. When I got out I expected to see a lot more damage but luckily (?) he only smashed the near side mirror. But for the rest of the vacation I was driving in the verge.

Thinking about how I felt immediately afterwards I made a few changes when I got home...

I now carry a spare N/S mirror, indicator lens, bulb and duct tape. I also stripped down the rear view and reversing mirrors and re-engineered the brackets to give me an ideal view and avoid the, "Where did he come from?" aspect of driving on fast roads.


Some months later I found myself in the smallest French street, going down hill, with cast iron posts buried in the ground either side. It was a challenge, and my navigator hopped out to see me through and fold back mirror on parked cars. It was hellish but something HGV drivers have to do on a regular basis. So what if held up some traffic, or created a little drama for the onlookers - they will have forgotten it by the next day and so should you.

One thing I would say is take caution when listening to instructions from a sat nav and use a map and common sense.

Remember your van is designed to be driven like a van, you won't burn out the clutch doing a 15 point turn, getting stuck in mud or reversing back the way you came :thumb:
 

Mousy

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Sep 13, 2013
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Thanks Jim. You are absolutely correct - I need my MoHo mojo back.

What's the phrase? Feel the fear and do it anyway?

I feel the same, after every trip out I feel relieved to have got home without incident.

I'm trying to focus on having a good time and enjoying it, I wish you well in the return of your mojo, maybe a rally or meet where you could chat and share adventure stories will help?

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scotjimland

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Lots of good replies..

I had the same problem with my RV.. all 36ft of it.. and the longer it went on.. the worse it got..

I had taken it everywhere.. From Scotland to France, Spain Germany, Portugal.. even a tour in Morocco.. had no problem driving or maneuvering.. but as time went on I couldn't bear to take it out.. , stomach churning.. feeling sick .. and that was after 5 years, 3 of them living in it full time ... so I sold it. Not just for that reason but I was glad when I walked away from it..

I am now looking for a small motorhome.. around 6 mt.

so .. if it's size, think about downsizing.. maybe a panel van conversion.. they can go just about anywhere a car can..except under barriers..
 

Hollyberry

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Hi Jimothy, the more you dwell on it the worse it will get. Make a point of getting out in her more; even if its just a few miles to a local site. You'll soon have your mojo back:thumb:

I agree with Jim--it's the anticipation of what MIGHT go wrong that's causes the stress. I started to get the same and then thought what the hell, what's the worst that's happened so far? ( sat nav directing me up single track lane--I survived that!)

British roads are a lot crowded than they used to be, driving definitely more aggressive than I remember and parking more difficult.

Try to state what's the worst thing that's ever happened in a m.home trip-- you survived it.

And definitely try France, especially Brittany and Loire Atlantique coast . Quiet roads, easy parking and stunning scenery.
 

Bailey58

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I know how you feel, I tend to be apprehensive about trips out too. Too many excuses not to go, hospital appointments, still got 2 different specialists on the go, the surgery for the doc and asthma nurse, blood checks, dental check up then apptments for the work, optician, other holiday commitments to the Faroes, by air or take the car, theatre visits booked and so it goes on.

All in all it leaves too little a widow to get away in the van. But we did do Switzerland last year via Rouen where we managed to avoid 2 low bridges at the last minute much to the amazement of the traffic behind us. We got stuck in narrow streets in [STRIKE]evil [/STRIKE] medieval Oppenheim too but managed to extricate ourselves with a brief walkabout and the wife stopping the traffic.

We've just been to Blenheim, plan to do the war graves this year and we've booked Peterborough so all is not lost. If some counselling is required join us for a pint. :Smile:


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C

Chockswahay

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Don't worry, you are not alone on this one. Lots of good advice already given so I have nothing extra to add.

However……………. I have a 6m panel van conversion, and still in the 'honeymoon' phase and charging around Europe (France, Portugal, Spain already done….Denmark, Sweden and Norway in a few weeks time)………..and I feel a little apprehensive sometimes too :Sad:

At the ripe old age of 56 I am thinking maybe it comes with getting older ?

:Blush::Blush::whatthe:
 
Feb 22, 2008
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I think it's an age related thing, having had a few weeks at home it always take a while to get back in the swing of driving the RV , when I was younger I would take anything on without a second thought, but now I do have a degree of apprehension.
I will still take a trip or two into Europe this summer and book my ferry for Spain next winter and an RV trip in the US the following spring :thumb:
Don't give up :thumb:
 

scotjimland

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At the ripe old age of 56 I am thinking maybe it comes with getting older ?

:Blush::Blush::whatthe:

Yes, yes and yes

at 56 I would have driven anywhere in anything .. no probs..

now.. I'm happy to find a parking place at Tesco and not hit a trolley

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Mastercamper

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Dec 7, 2013
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I know how you feel, I tend to be apprehensive about trips out too. Too many excuses not to go, hospital appointments, still got 2 different specialists on the go, the surgery for the doc and asthma nurse, blood checks, dental check up then apptments for the work, optician, other holiday commitments to the Faroes, by air or take the car, theatre visits booked and so it goes on.

All in all it [HI]leaves too little a widow to get away in the van[/HI]. But we did do Switzerland last year via Rouen where we managed to avoid 2 low bridges at the last minute much to the amazement of the traffic behind us. We got stuck in narrow streets in [STRIKE]evil [/STRIKE] medieval Oppenheim too but managed to extricate ourselves with a brief walkabout and the wife stopping the traffic.

We've just been to Blenheim, plan to do the war graves this year and we've booked Peterborough so all is not lost. If some counselling is required join us for a pint. :Smile:

Luckily I don`t yet suffer the apprehension. Maybe I don`t need a little widow after all!
:Eeek::Eeek:
I am sure that once you hit the road again all your worries will vanish.:thumb::thumb::thumb:
 

Allanm

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Jun 30, 2013
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Funny, mines the other way round. I feel really comfortable driving the van, most of our driving is in France where roads are empty, fuel is cheap(er) and I am sitting on the kerb side.
When I get home, driving the car, I feel I have aged 30 years and can't judge the width of the vehicle.
Back in the van, everything is ok again.
Maybe you need to downsize a little, or just go to Europe.
We are planning a trip around the UK in a month or so. I am getting apprehensive. Narrow roads, loads of cars, nowhere to park...free...and the thought of using campsites fills my wallet with dread.

Allan
 
Aug 7, 2007
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Apprehensive

There is no need to fear anything after you having owned a "MOTORHOME" ((not a moho !!!that is what my granddaughter used to say but now 2 she can say it properly) for several years !! just take it easy and it's like swimming or riding a bike all will come back again and you can enjoy your trips in be it for a weekend or a longer trip away !!:Smile:

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Bailey58

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Luckily I don`t yet suffer the apprehension. Maybe I don`t need a little widow after all!
:Eeek::Eeek:
I am sure that once you hit the road again all your worries will vanish.:thumb::thumb::thumb:

Can't imagine what the wife would say if I took a little widow along with us. :RollEyes:
 
Nov 3, 2013
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Hi.
Think,"Supermarket Home delivery vans".... They get everywhere and "Whenever:Doh:".$***£ G/son! "Failure is not an option"(Flight director Kranz Apollo 13. 1970) There is also a school of thought out there," If it looks to narrow,take a run at it" (Just remember to keep your elbows in:ROFLMAO:).
Just to ease the pressure,old morris 8 GPO vans had rubber front mudguards/wings on ,have you tried sourcing a pair of those ?
Tea Bag
 

Puddleduck

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Just remember you have "right of size". I always prefer a larger vehicle to a smaller - far easier to drive, at least going forwards. :RollEyes:

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