We're in our 60's and starting to feel some aches and pains. My wife is tired of climbing up into the bed of our old Lance camper. Not to mention getting down. We've got the dually now so we can start looking for a camper with a slideout. # 1 priority for my wife is a camper that she can easily get into the bed. There isn't much down here in San Diego so I'm sure we'll have to head north to find something. We'll be looking for something used and trying to stay under $25,000. So, any suggestions. Have checked out some pictures of Arctic Foxes and Eagle Caps so far. Your opinions are always appreciated.

Something with a basement or a small 5th wheel.

I would think that something low to the ground and without internal stairs would be best for aging knees. That is just one reason why we love our vintage rig!Lynn

For decades I've noticed when your time is up with a TC, many have gone to something like this;http://www.rvtrader.com/listing/1996-Lazy-Daze-26.5-REAR-BATH-117672047The reason is low entry height and no stairs or steps to get into bed. I think the overhead is a 2nd sleeping area.I googled class C Motorhome and had a good look at the plethora of new (and expensive) models, many now with 4WD. Then I googled Lazy Daze. The few owners I have known are wild about them and were drawn to them because of their personal inability to navigate the stairs and high steps common in a truck camper. Does the blue placard in the glove box mean anything?I'm facing the same, I guess I could call it 'aging' situation with our rig. I'm fine using our 6 speed manual, but Jeanie is willing for me to buy an new truck with an automatic transmission so she could feel more comfortable driving on long trips. Is this the same girl that was a whiz at driving her stick shift, 4 speed, 1961 VW convertible around like a race car?As an aid for getting into the truck which has a 3" lift and taller tires, I installed a stirrup on the pass side as an aid to getting up in the cab. So far we're both fine on getting up the stairs and up the big steps to the bed. So far.jefe

jefe 4x4 wrote:For decades I've noticed when your time is up with a TC, many have gone to something like this;http://www.rvtrader.com/listing/1996-Lazy-Daze-26.5-REAR-BATH-117672047Clicky

In the late 60s we were in a cab over TC in So CA. TCs are nice in CA because of the speed limits on TTs. As we aged it became difficult to get up in the cab over bed. We got into a MH. TCs can go any where. Not no much for TTs, 5vers, and MHs. Getting off the main roads is more difficult. We got back into a small MH without an over head bed so we still had the convenuence of a a lower bed to sleep in. Plus not limited by the lower speed limit towing. Always a trade off.

Best campers for seniors? | Good Sam Community

23 Replies

Kayteg1
Explorer II
Apr 25, 2016
I hope you guys will be able to do it much longer, as I am planning to do.
My father is 91 and still wants to climb ladder for gutters cleaning.
His younger wife will not let him as he is like 75% blind and has vertigo problem.
Still it is the drive that counts the most.
Than as my wife found lately, in TC the steps are the most danger part.
TCINTN
Explorer
Apr 25, 2016
We were just talking about the same situation. What are we going to switch to when we can not get into the bed or just into the camper. I am 73 and my bride is 72. We feel at this rate we will be changing in around 4 to 5 years. Right now our Nothern Lite 811 is okay and we are able to get in and into bed okay. On our latest misson trip after flood in South Carolina many were trying to get us to move to a fifth wheel like our co-workers. Fifth wheel just want go to those special trout streams I also like to go to.
trail-explorer
Explorer
Apr 25, 2016
mkirsch wrote:
My initial thought on this is: Not a truck camper.

Many people cite the ability to go "off road" and "into remote places" as reasons why they'd want to keep the truck camper, but if your creaky old joints are giving you fits climbing in and out of the camper, and in and out of the bed, how far off the road are you really going to want to go?

You're not going to want to have to navigate that rough terrain any more than you want to get in and out of that bed! Do you really want to trudge out to the main road for help if you manage to strand yourself? What about health emergencies?

That is pretty much what I was going to type as well.

If getting in the bed is getting to be hard, it's even harder climbing in to and out of a truck camper.
mkirsch
Nomad II
Apr 25, 2016
My initial thought on this is: Not a truck camper.

Many people cite the ability to go "off road" and "into remote places" as reasons why they'd want to keep the truck camper, but if your creaky old joints are giving you fits climbing in and out of the camper, and in and out of the bed, how far off the road are you really going to want to go?

You're not going to want to have to navigate that rough terrain any more than you want to get in and out of that bed! Do you really want to trudge out to the main road for help if you manage to strand yourself? What about health emergencies?

Just sayin', if the minor act of getting in and out of bed is such a major concern, there are some other bigger picture items to consider as well...
midnightsadie
Explorer II
Apr 25, 2016
the HOLIDAY INN sounds just right.
Merrykalia
Explorer II
Apr 25, 2016
How about a regular travel trailer? Most of them are closer to the ground than a fifth wheel. They are making some REALLY nice, luxurious ones and you can pretty much get any length you want. Since you are currently in a TC, the lack of large outdoor storage will not be a consideration.

When you get it, purchase a set of the Glow Step Revolution by Torklift and install them. They have been a wonderful addition to our 5'er since the DH had both knees replaced, a shoulder replaced AND back surgery.
jimh406
Explorer III
Apr 25, 2016
Unless you really need a TC or want one for some reason, I think there are better options that are easier to get in/out of. I'm not sure how decided you are on a TC, but take a look at the newer Class B designs. If it's a consideration now, it will only get harder in a few more years.

As far as TCs are concerned, I agree that side entry steps are easier get into and also easier to operate, and you can add a ladder handle to the outside. The taller the basement is the taller the camper for the most part. I like having room to sit up in bed which makes the TC even taller. The rear entry campers tend to either have clunky steps or very tall steps.
Bedlam
Moderator
Apr 25, 2016
Side door campers are typically easier to enter and models that have the occupant floor over the truck bed rails have the least amount of climb in and out of bed. These will also have slide outs and baths that you don't have to climb up and down to access. It will be hard to hit your $25K budget and these units will be long and tall. Host, Eagle Cap and Chalet are the models I know that are designed like this.
WyoTraveler
Explorer
Apr 25, 2016
In the late 60s we were in a cab over TC in So CA. TCs are nice in CA because of the speed limits on TTs. As we aged it became difficult to get up in the cab over bed. We got into a MH. TCs can go any where. Not no much for TTs, 5vers, and MHs. Getting off the main roads is more difficult. We got back into a small MH without an over head bed so we still had the convenuence of a a lower bed to sleep in. Plus not limited by the lower speed limit towing. Always a trade off.
gbopp
Explorer
Apr 25, 2016
jefe 4x4 wrote:
For decades I've noticed when your time is up with a TC, many have gone to something like this;
http://www.rvtrader.com/listing/1996-Lazy-Daze-26.5-REAR-BATH-117672047

Clicky

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Best campers for seniors?

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