Is 70 the age to stop towing

I'm not really a "planner", except that I was trained to be a good flight planner. But, I finally bought me a truly comfortable and stable, long-wheelbase, diesel pusher. Its good power-to-weight ratio makes it a safer vehicle as well IMO. As a retired commercial pilot, I'm still a good SCANNER (enhances positional awareness). When driving my Dutch Star cross-country, I stop every couple of hours, walk the puppies, and exercise my legs. I listen to my cardiologist every 6 months (heart good, no obstructions). I love fishing, I'm a happy camper. I can see myself doing the same for the next 6 years (to the age of 86).

I'm 78 and still towing. I have had a few doubts over the years, not so much about my reaction times. Visual acuity raised its ugly head a couple years back and a visit to an ophthalmologist revealed the cataract on my left eye needed to be removed, problem solved. I usually plan a 500 mile day and if the body says 300 miles is enough that is okay also.

I retired as a CDL driver ten years ago and at that time my goal was a 600 mile per day average. Since then I have did a couple 800 mile days and the cost was too high. Exhausted when I finished the day and highly fatigued the next. Not worth the cost to my body or mind.

The main thing is listen to what your body is telling you, don't delude your self on an established goal. Remain flexible in your driving expectations and enjoy the journey. The destination will always be there the next couple of days.

I was trained to SCAN, a method of constant eye movement ahead, behind and inside the cab glancing at your instruments. This eye movement keeps you aware of your vehicle and the traffic around you. The added advantage is it also keeps your blood pressure normal and no fixated driving.

Be safe, enjoy and arrive at your destination with no harm to yourself or others.

Cloud Dancer wrote:
I'm one year away from age 80, and I'm wondering if anyone cares to know how good a driver I am? Well, it doesn't matter does it? I know I can pass the vision test, AND a driving test.
So, the question remains the same, who will determine the method for eliminating substandard drivers?
BTW hooking up and towing my GMC Envoy behind my Dutch Star, in a safe manner, is a piece of cake. I even know the science behind the procedure for maintaining control in event of a front tire blowout. How do you test for that?

After vision, and knowledge, and driving test results, and other good-health criteria ... how's your brain-to-muscle and muscle-to-brain communication/reaction time?

That age-related declining communication/reaction time is beyond your and your doctor's control, but critical to being a truly good and safe driver. Fast actions and reactions are especially necessary given the way other drivers act - and expect you to act - when they're in their SUVs buzzing around you in an RV.

I love Supercharged's posts! They are usually good humored and good for a belly laugh most of the time. Very few should be taken seriously but responded to in the same "tongue in cheek" manner in which they are posted.

Personally, I hope he continues to post for a long time to come.:) . We need some good natured banter around here now and then. :B
Barney

I called him out on the 3rd page:B

Yeah, some people don't recognize it as a trolling post and think the suggestion/question is serious, so they get a bit upset that someone would want them to quit towing before they are ready. Which is kind of the whole point of the thread: get people stirred up so they post. But it isn't overly mean-spirited like some threads, which get closed pretty promptly.

Supercharged was the troll:S

So, did Supercharged respond to the troll, or does he himself engage in trolling. Either way, I'm in with my 2 pennies.

Just remember this is a trolling thread, not to be taken seriously. So don't get too upset and think someone is taking potshots at the old people. The thread is just to stir people up and get responses.

Again, don't take the OP, and this thread, seriously.

I'm one year away from age 80, and I'm wondering if anyone cares to know how good a driver I am? Well, it doesn't matter does it? I know I can pass the vision test, AND a driving test.
So, the question remains the same, who will determine the method for eliminating substandard drivers?
BTW hooking up and towing my GMC Envoy behind my Dutch Star, in a safe manner, is a piece of cake. I even know the science behind the procedure for maintaining control in event of a front tire blowout. How do you test for that?