Right I think that me of all people can justify having a chelsea tractor, but I'm petrified to drive it!! ADvice please!!

[bobsmum]

Having been snowed in and out of home, flooded in and living at the end of the worst maintained road in the western world, we've managed to get hold of a Range Rover in order to be able to survive the extremes of living out here.

But it's so massive I feel like I'm taking up the entire road driving it. I don't have any concept of the size of the vehicle and to make matters worse I can't reach the accelerator - qhelle surprise (I'm 5')

I drove home at 25mph on our deresticted country lane absolutely moritifed and ashamed that I had become a yummy mummy cliche unable to handle one of these beasts. And I've not even tried to park it yet.

How do people manage to control these things???

DD is 20 months and calls it our "'normous car"

I need to get used to it - is there anything I can do to drive it safely and without people cursing the very ground I drive on?

Dh is part filling it with vegetable oil so at least it's not as evil a gas guzzler as some, but even so...

i don't think I'd ddrive a car where I coulnd't reach the accelorator, soiunds bit dangerous tbh

Im 5'2 and drive a discovery bobsmum you just have to move the seat closer to the steering wheel

Im assuming if its running on vegetable oil then its not a new one? The older classic ones are quite a bit smaller than the new ones and are in fact very easy to drive. Just spend some time driving up and down your lane and yo will soon get used to it.

where do you live by the way?

i have just taken posession of a vw transporter and its one big son of a gun. Apart from parking it its fine - people are so scared they move over
i can justify mine as i have lotsa kids-- i think you will get used to it

I'm 5'6" and drive an F150 truck, allthough everybody in the US drive stupid big cars. Have a look under the steering column, there might be some adjustment on how high the steering wheel is, this should make it easier to find a comfortable driving position. Take some time and practise, I now reverse this thing of mine into spaces you'd think twice about getting a ford focus into

Otter - I have already seen the fear in people's eyes as we drive past! Not something I enjoy at all. I know someone who's just got a VW transporter too with lots of kids..now I'll have to search all around your posts to see if I know you! It's not bright green by any chance?

Hana - I'm hoping to get blocks or something fitted on the accelerator - I've only driven it once for that very reason - |I just don't feel safe at all!

Jampots - I've got the seat as far as it will go - I think the problem is something to do with a "long lead" on the accelerator - you need to floor it to get anywhere and I can't reach the floor!!
WE're in central scotland near Loch Lomond btw.

Parking sensor - drool - now much are they?

of course bobsmum if you cant press the accelerator pedal right down at least it will keep you from speeding along.

Honestly just practice. When we went from Range Rover to Discovery it was very weird too despite being similar sizes

Land Rover run 4x4 off road courses which you can go on. My sister, BIL & nephew went on one recently having bought their 2nd Discovery and said it was great.
Should add that BIL was a farmer and is used to driving a big 4x4 but even he rated the course.

Nope Otter - you have a one year old - so not the same person - you can breathe again now

Jampots - but isn't that the reputation that 4X4 women drivers have? I'm used to my nippy little teeny weeny Ford Ka - this is a whole world away.

Speed I am speed....enitrely legally of course.

drroooll.... i love big-a** monster machines. I'm in north america. I drive a 3.4ltr extended mini van.... but it just isn't big enough! I want a massive great extended cab pick up truck with a 5.7 ltr engine.

DW hasn't driven it yet. she's scared sh*tless of it.

sorry, had to post. you'll most def get used it it very quickly but you'll find that driving anything smaller or a conventional size will be like driving a go-cart.

lapsedrunner - that sounds interesting. I guess I just need practise, but that involves actually taking it out on the road somewhere

Daddycool - I know for a fact that dh strokes it when he gets home. He thinks it's a laydeeeee

i said i would not drive the transporter but dp kept goading me
red rag --- BULL!!

So i drove it and was pleasantly suprised drove ot agin today and went a fair way - its fab!

Wouldn't have got home last week to where we live out in the sticks if it hadn't been this sort of vehicle. You have my sympathy, bobsmum. It wasn't my choice of vehicle either, but the most practical solution for our situation. And I'm not up for any gas guzzling arguments before anyone chucks that in the mix, okay!

Right, Bobsmum - find a calm 5 mins and just sit in the driving seat. Adjust the seat forwards (usually a bar beneath the seat that you lift upwards, then the seat can slide forwards, check handbook if need be) and make sure you can operate the pedals without stretching. It's not safe for you to try driving it otherwise! It may also help to adjust the back of the seat to a more upright position, that is usually either a lever or more commonly a wheel at the side of the seat. Sometimes hidden by a seat cover, which makes it more awkward. Depending on the age and amount of use the vehicle has had, sometimes the driver's seat lacks lumbar support, and a small cushion in your back can make a lot of difference.

If you are not the only driver, odds on the other driver/s will prefer a different seating position. You will need to readjust it every time you get in after them. It often means the rearview mirror needs adjustment too. Sigh. But seriously, don't be tempted to drive even a short distance without the seat properly adjusted to the way it needs to be for you. Hth.

you damn skippy bobsmum! there is no better feeling than driving a very large vehicle. better than sex really. well maybe not.

You'll get used to it. I used to have a 4x4 and at first it seemed huge I'm around your height too. I know people don't like them but once you're adjusted to the height/size you actually feel safe IYKWIM

don't know what kind of 4x4 Daddycool's driving???
mine was definately not better than sex

Nah, DaddyCool...........but I'm good at both!

Daddy cool, I have the truck of your dreams boy and I love it
5.4Ltr engine with a 6 1/2 foot bed, lush

I felt so nervous when we upgraded from a tiny Fiesta to a Zafira. But once i got going it only took a very short time to get used to parking it, judging gaps etc.

I used to park in the furthest possible spot, and virtually pull over when another car was coming the other way.

But about two weeks in I could park it on a sixpence! Don't panic, it will get so much easier so quickly.

And clearly you have every right to be driving a 4x4 so don't take the animosity too seriously. Anyway, I read somewhere that one long haul flight to Australia and back uses more carbon emissions than a 4x4 in a year. I am terrible for half-remembered 'facts', but I think the environmental impact is overstated.

oh Ivor, that's a sexy machine. quad cab?

Thanks twinklingstar - I'll get a cushion - otherwise everything's as adjusted as it can get.

Is it really a bad/dangerous thing to drive it if I'm stretching? How stretchy is too stretchy??

daddycool - I did like the big vehicle feel I have to say, but twas most definitely not better than sex.

But the heated seats..now that's another thing

actually, this is my kind of thang

No just a crew cab, got it before I got pregnant! Not the most practical of vehicles but who cares, we don't get global warming over here!!!