There are subjects about classic motor homes but how about classic drivers. I was just reading another forum and someone asked opinions about the age of drivers. I know this must have been covered before but here goes. How old and how far per day, I'll start, can anyone beat my story?I started driving a 35 ft. National Tropical gasser when I bought it new in 201 at the ripe old age of 68. In 2003 I traded it for a 2003 39 ft. National Tradewinds with a Spartan Chases, the difference was amazing. When traveling cross country I try to cover 400 miles a day. I'm a Korean vet with heart stints, otherwise good health. I just turned 85 last month and traded for a 40 ft. Canyon Star gasser. There has been a big improvement in handling and ride of the gasser since 2001. We will head back cross country in a month or so and I still plan to cover 400 miles a day, if I can do it without pushing too much. I have the advantage of having a much younger wife (8 years :B ) who is able to take the wheel when needed.

Age has little to do with physical ability. Everyone is different. I'm sure that there are some 25 year olds that could not drive a Class A safely. I congratulate you for you abilities at your age an d wish you many more years to come.I should add that I am only 72 years old and have no problem driving our Class A with a toad all over the country. I am also able to still carry a 200+ league bowling average with several 300 games in the last few years and I maintain an active pilots license. I'll know when it is time to slow down. :B

I am 78 and just got another DP. I routinely tow a 32ft car trailer from 50 to 1000 mi every weekend, I drive the race car also and actually won a race a couple of weeks ago----I'll drive till I or the kids decide its time to stop

I am 78, and have been driving all types of vehicles all my life. However, I do realize that I am getting uncomfortable in drivings situations that would have been everyday normal several years ago. Much of this is due to the increased traffic on many roads, but mostly due to the fact that there are more unaware idiots on the road that do not know or care about anything except what they want to do, and have no concern about anyone or anything sharing the roads they want to drive. I do take a lot more caution, realize my own limitations, and try not to push those limits.

Just upgraded at 73 and still do 1000 mile days when necessary.

rgatijnet1 wrote:Age has little to do with physical ability. Everyone is different. I'm sure that there are some 25 year olds that could not drive a Class A safely. I congratulate you for you abilities at your age an d wish you many more years to come.I will second that big time I know many people older than I am who are "Younger" physically. and even more who are younger but Much older physically. Most folks guess me 5-10 years less than I am.

Old age | Good Sam Community

xctraveler
Explorer
Jul 31, 2018
DW and I are both 75. Just got back to home base from a 3,500 mile round trip. Outbound was a lot of short days 50 to 150 miles. We trade off at the wheel every two hours so no one gets tired or strained. The return was different. DW needed to get back to doctors and was advised not to drive. I did 4 days of average 350 miles with stops every couple of hours to rest the butt and empty the personal holding tank. I am surprised and happy that I was able to handle all the driving without feeling any stress. We try to keep speed at or under the low road speed so we are being passed not passing, but not so slow as to impede traffic. My reflexes are those of a 75 year old and I drive to allow for that. Since DW has as many miles at the wheel as I do, she is capable of taking over even "on the fly" should bad stuff happen.
georgem2106
Explorer
Jul 31, 2018
Only 64 years young but our rule is "250 miles or 3 o'clock".
toedtoes
Explorer III
Jul 31, 2018
ArchHoagland wrote:
I'm just a little over 10 years old in dog years so I figure I've got a long time to go before I quit driving around the country.

Depends. Are you a big dog or a little dog... :)
ArchHoagland
Explorer
Jul 31, 2018
toedtoes wrote:
ArchHoagland wrote:
I'm just a little over 10 years old in dog years so I figure I've got a long time to go before I quit driving around the country.

Depends. Are you a big dog or a little dog... :)

Hot dog. 105+ around here past couple weeks.
tropical36
Explorer
Jul 31, 2018
GHOST1750 wrote:
There are subjects about classic motor homes but how about classic drivers. I was just reading another forum and someone asked opinions about the age of drivers. I know this must have been covered before but here goes. How old and how far per day, I'll start, can anyone beat my story?

I started driving a 35 ft. National Tropical gasser when I bought it new in 201 at the ripe old age of 68. In 2003 I traded it for a 2003 39 ft. National Tradewinds with a Spartan Chases, the difference was amazing. When traveling cross country I try to cover 400 miles a day. I'm a Korean vet with heart stints, otherwise good health. I just turned 85 last month and traded for a 40 ft. Canyon Star gasser. There has been a big improvement in handling and ride of the gasser since 2001. We will head back cross country in a month or so and I still plan to cover 400 miles a day, if I can do it without pushing too much. I have the advantage of having a much younger wife (8 years :B ) who is able to take the wheel when needed.

Just one question and why do you feel the need to drive 400 miles a day, when seeing the country and stopping to smell the roses, is what it's all about?
Harrydavidson
Explorer
Aug 01, 2018
ferndaleflyer wrote:
I am 78 and just got another DP. I routinely tow a 32ft car trailer from 50 to 1000 mi every weekend, I drive the race car also and actually won a race a couple of weeks ago----I'll drive till I or the kids decide its time to stop

Is this Ken by any chance?
toedtoes
Explorer III
Aug 01, 2018
tropical36 wrote:

Just one question and why do you feel the need to drive 400 miles a day, when seeing the country and stopping to smell the roses, is what it's all about?

What it's all about is different for everyone. There's no right or wrong way to do it.
xctraveler
Explorer
Aug 01, 2018
400 miles would be a beyond the norm run for us for either emergency reasons or just because. A normal run when repositioning would be 250 miles. When exploring an area we might move 40 to 75 miles just to provide easier day trips in the tow'd. No right or wrong, well 1,000 miles in a day would be WRONG for us even in extreme circumstances. Would park the rig and fly to destination.
ArchHoagland
Explorer
Aug 01, 2018
tropical36 wrote:
GHOST1750 wrote:
There are subjects about classic motor homes but how about classic drivers. I was just reading another forum and someone asked opinions about the age of drivers. I know this must have been covered before but here goes. How old and how far per day, I'll start, can anyone beat my story?

I started driving a 35 ft. National Tropical gasser when I bought it new in 201 at the ripe old age of 68. In 2003 I traded it for a 2003 39 ft. National Tradewinds with a Spartan Chases, the difference was amazing. When traveling cross country I try to cover 400 miles a day. I'm a Korean vet with heart stints, otherwise good health. I just turned 85 last month and traded for a 40 ft. Canyon Star gasser. There has been a big improvement in handling and ride of the gasser since 2001. We will head back cross country in a month or so and I still plan to cover 400 miles a day, if I can do it without pushing too much. I have the advantage of having a much younger wife (8 years :B ) who is able to take the wheel when needed.

Just one question and why do you feel the need to drive 400 miles a day, when seeing the country and stopping to smell the roses, is what it's all about?

Drive across Texas on I10 five times and you'll see why 400 miles a day, or more, is a good thing.
xctraveler
Explorer
Aug 01, 2018
Arch, I get your point, we have made that drive more than 15 times over the years. Just allow 3 days for the 880 mile run instead of 2 and get a great audio book good for 12 hours. Done. Without getting out my journal I can't spell out the stops, but Fort Stockton is one for sure.

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