Sometimes I sit and think. Other times, I just sit! Recently, while 'sitting and thinking', I was wondering how much longer I'll feel safe driving our MH. I'm now 74 and in reasonably good health but know that at some point I'll have to stop driving the MH not only for my safety but for the safety of others on the road. So, was wondering... at what point (age) you decided it was time to hang up the keys (if you've made that decision) or at what age you expect that to happen. I know that issue varies greatly with everyone because none of us know what health or physical condition we might be in either tomorrow or the future. My question might not be answerable except by those who have already 'hung up the keys' but would like to hear thoughts/opinions about this issue. Thanks!

I'm 76, just retired last year. Of coarse if we have medical problems we should realize our limitations. I just had cataract surgery because I was having eye sight problems. Now 20/20 except for reading. I suspect every one is different. I find as I get older I don't have to get places quite as fast. Take my time and drive shorter distances.

I'm "only" 66 but had an incident with my right eye this past fall that got me close to thinking about this very topic. My wife is disabled and I am the chief cook and bottle washer, pilot and mechanic. While dealing with the vision issue I had decided that if my right eye was lost I'd hang up the keys - not a second thought. Too much at stake. Too many poor drivers out there to contend with now than ever before. I think we all know when the time comes it just that some of us will not admit it. As it turned out my eye is fine and I will continue to drive until I reach that "time" myself.

I get a flight physical that PHYSICALLY determines if I am still safe to fly my own plane. There is also a flight test that goes along with my physicals to determine if my flight skills have deteriorated. Perhaps you should talk with your family doctor about annual physicals specifically geared towards your vision, reflexes, and cognitive ability, as they pertain to driving. This might even include a road test to see how well you handle the RV. Sometimes an outside source is the best way to get an honest opinion of how you are behind the wheel.

Goufgators, personally, I don't think there is an 'age' that automatically is a cut-off point. It is definitey a person's physical ability. As long as you can see well, have the strength to turn the steering wheel and apply the brakes, have pretty good neck movement and can walk with decent balance, I think those are the 'reasonable' requirements of ability to drive a large motorhome. And, your mental comfort level is also important.I had a great aunt that I took care of that lived to be just shy of 101. Her physical ability to walk, think and manage her life were good to about 95. She never learned to drive but certainly had the ability I think up to 95.It's all about the physical, not the number.MM.

I have often though of the same things. I am now 78 and in reasonably good health. We are getting ready to make a two month trip up north & wonder some times what would happen if my health went sour while on one of these trips. I do have a son that lives in TN and I am sure he would help us out in case of an emergency. But you know if we didn't do this camping we wouldn't do anything, so as long as I feel safe and my health is good I am going to continue & hope if things happen it will be at a time when we are home.

Been sitting and thinking... | Good Sam Community

WyoTraveler
Explorer
Aug 02, 2014
I'm 76, just retired last year. Of coarse if we have medical problems we should realize our limitations. I just had cataract surgery because I was having eye sight problems. Now 20/20 except for reading. I suspect every one is different. I find as I get older I don't have to get places quite as fast. Take my time and drive shorter distances.
bhivetravels
Explorer
Aug 02, 2014
I'm "only" 66 but had an incident with my right eye this past fall that got me close to thinking about this very topic. My wife is disabled and I am the chief cook and bottle washer, pilot and mechanic. While dealing with the vision issue I had decided that if my right eye was lost I'd hang up the keys - not a second thought. Too much at stake. Too many poor drivers out there to contend with now than ever before. I think we all know when the time comes it just that some of us will not admit it. As it turned out my eye is fine and I will continue to drive until I reach that "time" myself.
rgatijnet1
Explorer III
Aug 02, 2014
I get a flight physical that PHYSICALLY determines if I am still safe to fly my own plane. There is also a flight test that goes along with my physicals to determine if my flight skills have deteriorated.
Perhaps you should talk with your family doctor about annual physicals specifically geared towards your vision, reflexes, and cognitive ability, as they pertain to driving. This might even include a road test to see how well you handle the RV.
Sometimes an outside source is the best way to get an honest opinion of how you are behind the wheel.
Mr_Mark1
Explorer
Aug 02, 2014
Goufgators, personally, I don't think there is an 'age' that automatically is a cut-off point. It is definitey a person's physical ability.

As long as you can see well, have the strength to turn the steering wheel and apply the brakes, have pretty good neck movement and can walk with decent balance, I think those are the 'reasonable' requirements of ability to drive a large motorhome. And, your mental comfort level is also important.

I had a great aunt that I took care of that lived to be just shy of 101. Her physical ability to walk, think and manage her life were good to about 95. She never learned to drive but certainly had the ability I think up to 95.

It's all about the physical, not the number.

MM.
darbyjudy
Explorer
Aug 02, 2014
I have often though of the same things. I am now 78 and in reasonably good health. We are getting ready to make a two month trip up north & wonder some times what would happen if my health went sour while on one of these trips. I do have a son that lives in TN and I am sure he would help us out in case of an emergency. But you know if we didn't do this camping we wouldn't do anything, so as long as I feel safe and my health is good I am going to continue & hope if things happen it will be at a time when we are home.
BigSkyBob
Explorer
Aug 02, 2014
I'll be 76 in October and love driving my MH. I hit the gym every other day which helps maintain my physical ability to operate the rig safely. I'm also an avid 4 wheeler and think nothing of navigating really rough trails for 20 or 30 miles round trip. When I feel I'm not 100% confident in my ability to operate a large motor vehicle in a safe manner I'll hang up the keys to the MH. The keys to the pickup will probably follow at a later date unless some unforeseen physical event precludes that. I've had cataracts removed from both eyes and my vision is excellent now. I feel it's a choice only the individual can make to determine their personal abilities. Like Clint said, " a man has to know his limitations".
Ivylog
Explorer III
Aug 02, 2014
:Bmy roll model is a couple that bought a new Beaver MH at 83. She was limping from breaking her leg snow skiing the previous winter.
My kids may take my keys away but I can still hand prop the airplane.:B
rgatijnet1
Explorer III
Aug 02, 2014
darbyjudy wrote:
I have often though of the same things. I am now 78 and in reasonably good health. We are getting ready to make a two month trip up north & wonder some times what would happen if my health went sour while on one of these trips. I do have a son that lives in TN and I am sure he would help us out in case of an emergency. But you know if we didn't do this camping we wouldn't do anything, so as long as I feel safe and my health is good I am going to continue & hope if things happen it will be at a time when we are home.

For those of you, including me, that are concerned about the possibility of having a problem while on the road, there are several different plans that address this very situation. My wife does not drive the RV so if I have any kind of a problem that prevents me from driving, we have a problem.
I have the CoachNet Premier Emergency Road service which includes taking care of things in a medical emergency in addition to the usual road service issues. CoachNet
rockhillmanor
Explorer
Aug 02, 2014
Mr.Mark wrote:
Goufgators, personally, I don't think there is an 'age' that automatically is a cut-off point. It is definitely a person's physical ability......It's all about the physical, not the number.MM

X2

I have seen some pretty scarey 30 year olds behind the wheel of a MH! :B
racerchaser
Explorer
Aug 02, 2014
Great subject. I to, like others, have had these thoughts. At some point we all have to "give it up." Last year after two consecutive years of multi-month trips I decided to pass on any more long range trips. We now use the coach for one or two rallies per month and four months in Florida. At some point we will transition to a park model in Florida just like many others. What will we do with ourselves the rest of the time? Well, boredom is a self-inflicted wound. I have never had any problem keeping busy. If the only thing keeping you moving is the coach you might want to rethink your lifestyle.

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