According to the RV professionals present at an Oregon Unit Airstream rally, 300,000 accidents occur annually due to backing up. It was subtly implied that a woman was likely behind the wheel each time.

Simmer down, trailer chicks: stereotypes don’t grow in a vacuum, and that’s why a “Women’s Towing Clinic” is on the program again at Alumafandango, always patiently and artfully presented by Thom from George M. Sutton RV.

“What’s the difference between men’s towing and women’s towing?” teased a blogger friend of mine. The answer is, nothing. And everything.

I have the honor of presenting a session at Alumafandango 2014 as well. At “Tow It Alone”, we’ll share concerns, adventures, and tips for women who seek to set aside their fears and experience the multilayered thrill and benefits (adventure, control, solitude and safety) of learning to Airstream solo.

Afterwards, Thom from Sutton will help participants get comfortable with hitching, answer questions, and individually assist while they take turns backing and towing—skills that couldn’t be more important for a trailering woman to learn.

“You need to be able to know how to do this,” says Thom, and he’s absolutely right, for safety’s sake. I know it’s carefree and comfy in the passenger seat—I love it there too—and the hitch components are heavy and greasy. But what if your spouse is tired, or on cold medicine, or has had one too many microbrews? What if he takes a powder at the rest stop, or runs off with a waitress from the Cracker Barrel? What if he gets sick? (Ask Thom about this horror story of humiliation: a hapless California woman once called a male neighbor back home for help when her husband took ill and checked into the hospital during a camping trip. The man had to drive two hours both ways to rescue her.) 

What’s most striking about these “for women” towing sessions is how their men push to the front as the Airstream techs address the group of ladies, blocking their view and sucking up the airspace, leaving no room for the women to ask questions. I’ve been to three of these clinics and it’s the same every time: the clingy male mates hang around to watch and “help”, asking show-offy questions to prove how much they know about Airstreaming. Sir, leave your woman alone for two minutes. Are you afraid you’ll lose her to that alpha male from the dealership? Or that if she learns to tow she’ll become independent and pack up that trailer and leave your ass crying in the driveway someday? My money is on the latter.

I’ve also noticed that only a scant few females publicly admit they never get behind the wheel of their tow vehicle. I’ve talked to too many women who tell me they let their husbands do all the driving to know that the group is undersharing. The ladies are keen students and eager to participate once the first volunteer slides into the driver’s seat, though, and attentively watch as the each takes a turn. Empowered, they soon begin to fire trick questions about the finer points of hitching and overall maintenence at the instructors.

My favorite takeaways from past Sutton sessions are, one: twist the chains before crossing them; two, use a cotter pin or plastic quikclamp to raise the breakaway cable and “umbilical” cord up to the locking mechanism (to prevent dragging near the ground), and three, “always maintain your Airstream in excellent condition, so when you divorce over backing up, you’ll recoup top dollar.”

My tips for towing alone? Take this advice from someone who has wrecked her Airstream three times. (In my defense, the tire blowout and the errant rock that ravaged the underbody and banana wrap were not my fault. The $7500 damage incurred at the gas station in Ritzville, however, was.) 

Number one, go slow. Number two, go slower. 

Make the tailgating jayhonk with the gun rack in his Silverado go around you on the highway, and as he does, enjoy giving him the finger. Do not be intimidated into taking an off-ramp any faster than you’re comfortable. Crawl through service stations at a snail’s pace. If it seems safe, simply bring your rig to a stop and ponder your next move. Employ this Buddhist slogan: stay calm, assess the situation, and do the obvious. And tune out all backseat drivers. (I’m looking at you, Mr. Spouse.)

I’ll be sharing these tips and more at the Tow it Alone session at Alumafandango on Friday, September 5. Ladies, join us!

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