Why do men talk about their RVs as if they’re women?

By Julie Schneider

Several years ago when I walked by a group of men gathered in a campground and heard things like, “She’s got a few years on her but she’s still a dream come true,” or “ Look at her lines, isn’t she a beauty” I admit that I thought they were discussing their wives.

I used to grin at the comments, giddy with wonder about what Jim must be saying about me. When I overheard comments about “stretching her legs” I thought they were being thoughtful of the wife who rode for 10 hours straight or the dog that whined with its legs crossed for 100 miles.

Silly me! That was in my naïve past! Now I understand that all these men are discussing the loves of their lives, their RVs! And they are all female! I have yet to hear a man —any man —refer to his RV as a male because, after all, they do cause a great deal of problems, my sweet but not so bright husband points out.

As soon as we arrive at a campground all the men get out and start lovingly wiping down their RVs with special soft cloths that can only be purchased for a small fortune from some rare but brilliant camping supply marketer. I foolishly told Jim I was going to purchase something and he said, “That’s the price of two super cloths or a half tank of fuel…are you sure you need shoes, Honey?”

Then those proud owners gather for a “top this” discussion where each one tries to brag about the greatness of his RV and then the disasters they have lived through. I have heard some amazing stories in this liars club from, “My old girl got 100 miles per gallon on our last trip” to “ We blew all six tires and still made it to the truck stop.”

And then there are the stories that really show where their hearts are…….”Phyllis fell into the cabinet and chipped off a piece of the counter with her front teeth and now I’ve got to find a counter guy to repair it.” And my personal favorite, “Jean didn’t hold on when I went around that sharp curve and fell into the shower, then bounced out and landed on the dog…….guess I will have to pick them up on my way back from getting the shower door replaced.”