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LarWood's avatar
LarWood
Explorer
Jun 30, 2017

Driving with Health Issues

I have been RV-ing for many years and now, at 79 years old, have a new health issue that could cause death at any moment. An Aneurysm in my stomach could burst and cause me to pass out and die within 20 minutes. I can accept this, but I don't want my death to cause injury or death to others if this should happen while I am driving my Motorhome. My girlfriend is a tiny lady and afraid to learn to drive the RV. So if we are to continue traveling we need to find another way. Has anyone heard of an emergency device that would allow the passenger in a 42' Class A coach to take control in an emergency situation and steer the coach safely to a stop? Pulling the air brake knob at 65mph is not the answer as it would lock-up the brakes on all wheels and cause the motorhome to skid out of control and perhaps smashing into nearby people and/or vehicles. Any ideas would be welcome, thanks... Larry
  • I've never heard a warning of this kind before. I'm thinking about the possible ramifications. Is it the beginning of a new trend, I wonder?
  • Larry, My Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) was found in 2008. I have it monitored yearly. If it gets to 4.0 cm then they take it out. I have been driving and leading a normal life. Talk to your Doctor about it. A LOT of people have one. Enjoy your life.
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    For what it's worth, Google has a Larry James Wood in Las Vegas that is 79 years old. Welcome Larry and keep on RVing.

    "burst and cause me to pass out and die within 20 minutes"...pretty sure that's enough time to park it on the side of the road. Pulling the parking brake at high speed is NOT going to lock up the drive tires. Go out and try it...you can push it back in. At a slow speed, less than 20 mph it may lock them up but with a tag you are still going to stop straight ahead.
  • If your ladyfriend is afraid to drive it, she sure as heck is not going to be able to "steer it to safety" should you die at the wheel. I know with AAA's, they have to wait till they are at a certain point before they will fix them, but you need to have a heart to heart talk with your doctor about getting it fixed if that is possible.

    My husband has a serious heart condition and he quit driving the big rig when he thought his condition could interfere with the safe driving of the vehicle. I now do all the driving of our 40' Class A towing our Flex. He drives the cars and our small B+ motorhome. Those would all be easier to manage if he should have an incidence driving.

    So my advice is to go to something smaller she can handle easier and wouldn't be afraid to take over.

    Also, you are misinformed about the air brake. The manufacturers tell you to reach over the driver and pull the air brake in an emergency. It will slow the rig down gradually and allow a person to take control. It would be scary for sure, but that is what they say.

    Dale
  • Larry...what can I say? STOP driving ANYTHING and have that problem taken care of.

    Unless.....can you spell "t r o l l "? I can't believe this....you knowing and writing...STOP DRIVING ANYTHING.

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