RV Transport for Elderly Mom

I'm not sure; depends upon how smooth the ride is in your Class C. Given that you are looking at air travel between two major cities which would allow for a direct flight (i.e. no plane changes required), I would seriously consider the air travel instead. Even accounting for arriving early at the airport and waiting on baggage on the other end, you are looking at 6 hours or less door to door. If you think she will be able to get quality rest in the Class C, then that would be fine but not if she is basically going to be drifting in and out sleep the whole time.

I'd fly. 94 and recovering fr broken leg climbing into a c? Good luck

IMHO an RV trip is a very bad idea. Put her in a wheelchair through the airports and onto/off the plane where she will be secured for the short flight. Easy peasy.

15 hours minimum and getting in, out, and around the RV, the way you are describing her seating appears to be without a seatbelt and perched unsecured on an air mattress, possible breakdown or other delay issues could turn very unpleasant for 94 year old.

What about the train in the handicap bedroom.
A little expensive, longish trip BUT all her meals included and brought to her in her room, Nice big window to look out. Bed for sleeping, and a toilet and shower.
No airport security or lines.
Leaves at about 2 PM and arrives the next morning.
Make sure you select passenger with disability and companion. Also you can call and book for no extra fee. Make sure you ask for wheel chair service to and from train. In CHI there is a nice first class lounge with amenities for her use.

What is your mom saying? Maybe she'd enjoy the adventure of the drive!

fly they take great care of you, and its all over in a couple hours. what you gonna do if you have a major break down on the highway, and its 103 degrees outside.

Wow! It sounds like an awesome opportunity for her, but the really big question is: How does SHE feel about it?

Other things to consider would be:
Can she make it up and down the steps safely?
Will she be able to safely use the bathroom in the RV?
Will she be able to put her leg(s) up, if the doctor has recommended that?
Will she be able to move around enough to prevent DVT?
15 hours is a long time all in one go.

I hope someone will still take me RVing if/when I'm 94!!!

midnightsadie wrote:
fly they take great care of you, and its all over in a couple hours. what you gonna do if you have a major break down on the highway, and its 103 degrees outside.

Any form of travel has its own risks.
MY DW has spinal cord injury and was stranded overnight in MSP due to weather in another city. No help from airline even though she use W/C. I managed to take care of problem by renting a limo to drive her to a hotel which I booked online. The next morning I had her picked up and dropped of at airport. Another time she was stranded at both MIA and JFK with no help from airline. Both delays were mechanical (they claimed) so no help. So an extra day in a hotel near MIA and a night in a hotel near JFK.
BS on great care; one airline was Delta another American.
I myself was left high and dry by Jetblue when I was returning to JFK from Dominican Republic. Plane was late coming in and the Jetblue people where not at the counter to receive my bag after customs. In addition there was no W/C for me to help me get to the Jetblue terminal from the international arrival building.

I am just coming out of a period of months in casts and wheelchairs and I am only 70 years old and fairly healthy otherwise. The thought of being the disabled person who is being transported that far in an RV - ugh! Getting in and out of the RV would be difficult enough.

Bathroom access would be probably difficult. Is the door large enough? Are there grab bars?

My vote would be the plane. Maybe be the train.

Take your mother on a nice RV trip when she is healed up and more mobile. She will enjoy it a lot more then.

Thanks for your quick input. I had not thought of the train. I know the airports were difficult for her in the past, even with a companion. I can get her up the steps and into the bathroom in our RV as I can do it in a small bathroom, but the length of the drive is questionable. Right about in and out of sleep. That is typical for her but probably not a problem. What if she gets really uncomfortable and I CANT change transportation methods? But that is true no matter what we choose.
I've taken the train to Chicago in a bunk room and it was reasonably comfortable, although we had to go to the dining car for meals, maybe handicapped will bring meals though.
I'll take more advice before I decide and of course see if she thinks the train is an option. She seems game for the RV, she had ridden in it before but only on short trips and before she broke her leg.