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GHOST1750's avatar
GHOST1750
Explorer
Jul 27, 2018

Old age

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.
Class A

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  • toedtoes's avatar
    toedtoes
    Explorer III
    Jul 28, 2018
    Just a warning to be careful out there. My dad was about 71 when he had a heart attack while driving on the freeway. Fortunately, he was not towing the 5er and his passenger was able to get him pulled over to the shoulder safely. Had he been driving alone and/or with the 5er, it might not have turned out so well.
  • GHOST1750's avatar
    GHOST1750
    Explorer
    Jul 28, 2018
    DallasSteve wrote:
    GHOST1750 wrote:

    I started driving a 35 ft. National Tropical gasser when I bought it new in 201 at the ripe old age of 68.

    That means you are over 1800 years old! That's definitely too old to be driving.



    Wise guy!:)
  • DallasSteve's avatar
    DallasSteve
    Nomad II
    Jul 28, 2018
    GHOST1750 wrote:

    I started driving a 35 ft. National Tropical gasser when I bought it new in 201 at the ripe old age of 68.

    That means you are over 1800 years old! That's definitely too old to be driving.
  • tinkerer's avatar
    tinkerer
    Explorer
    Jul 28, 2018
    That encouraging, I turned 70 this summer and on my 2 DP motorhome. My goal is to get one more and one a DP with a tag axle. My grandson informed that we have get a motorhome with 2 wheels in the rear!
  • LadyRVer's avatar
    LadyRVer
    Explorer II
    Jul 28, 2018
    I will be 75 in a couple of weeks. Have done all the driving of a motorhome w/toad or towing a fifth-wheel since 1994. Hubby did not like to drive and was a good navigator. He preferred sitting in the passenger seat and I preferred driving. Now that he passed away, I am still out on the road by myself with my cocker spaiel. I hope I have at least 5 more years of wandering and maybe 10? I think we will all know when to hang up the keys...just whether we want to or not. But, it will happen.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Jul 27, 2018
    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.
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    Jul 27, 2018
    Just upgraded at 73 and still do 1000 mile days when necessary.
  • Johno02's avatar
    Johno02
    Explorer
    Jul 27, 2018
    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.
  • ferndaleflyer's avatar
    ferndaleflyer
    Explorer III
    Jul 27, 2018
    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
  • rgatijnet1's avatar
    rgatijnet1
    Explorer III
    Jul 27, 2018
    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

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