The test was preformed in a 36’ Diplomat
The first Lazydays Friends and Family Rally Roadeo took place on November 4 at the Seffner campgrounds. Rain deterred some who signed up, but those who participated had fun and discovered how skilled they were behind the wheel. This Roadeo does not rope steer and have clowns popping out of barrels, this roadeo is a test for the best RV drivers on the road. Whoever can maneuver, park and back in an RV will be named the champion.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what I can do,” said Steve Hepfer from Sarasota, who drives a 36’ Monaco Diplomat. “How safe am I really on the road?”
Contestants drove the same 36’ Fleetwood diesel and encountered five challenges on the rodeo course:
- A simulated toll booth
- A sharp right turn
- A slalom
- Backing into a simulated campsite
- Pulling forward into a simulated campsite
Drivers try to avoid tennis balls on cups.
“Each challenge was there for a reason,” explained Snow Chamberlain, Lazydays Events Coordinator. “For example, the slalom heightens the ability to know where you’re sitting in the coach and shows how well you reference the traffic lane.”
The slalom presented the biggest challenge of the day. Most drove through it tentatively – except for Karl Franz, a Lazydays Ambassador from Casselberry, Florida. He was through it before his wife, Rita, even knew he was behind the wheel.
Halfway through the rodeo, a contestant began backing up into the simulated camp site. Within seconds, everyone heard the sound of crushing fiberglass – twice. The Fleetwood had collided with an electrical outlet pole.
When the driver returned to the tent, one of the contestants asked, “Couldn’t you hear it?”
“I did the second time,” he answered sheepishly. After some comforting words from his fellow RVers, he joked, “I’m never going to live this down.”
Despite the L-shaped gash in the back of the RV, the contest continued. “It shows how much we rely on the second set of eyes on the ground,” said Snow. “It makes it difficult if that ground guide isn’t there.”
The next contestant was hesitant to take the wheel. “Don’t be scared,” Snow called after him. “It’s already cracked.”
The winner Chuck Kuchta looks out
his side-view mirror.
After the scores were tallied, Chuck Kuchta from Middleburg, Florida won. Normally behind the wheel of a 32’ Holiday Rambler, he left only 8 inches between the Fleetwood and the cone after backing the RV into the space. “I just wanted to see what I could do,” he smiled. Chuck claimed his prize, a digital picture frame, at the awards ceremony that closed the rally.
Asked if there will be another rodeo at Lazydays, Snow smiled. “I think we’re going to have to. We’ve opened the door. When people find out how much fun it is, it will be a request.” Snow also hosts many rodeos throughout the year while traveling to different RV shows.
Snow instructs a turn.
Snow hopes more women participate in the next rodeo. Although the wives attended to support their partners, none of them drove. Several said they didn’t drive enough to feel comfortable taking on the course. “There are two reasons it’s important for both people to drive,” said Snow. “First, in case something happens to one of them. Second, it’s a lot more relaxing when you’re not doing all the driving.”
For information on driver confidence courses or to participate in the next rodeo, Email Snow.
If you need to brush up on your RV driving skills – Watch Barney’s Drivers’ Confidence Courses.