Planning ahead, for the end ...

[cwdavis]

The DW & I are wondering whether y'all out there, on the road full or part-time, have contingency plans for that topic none of us really want to talk about, namely, what to do when an emergency of some kind leaves the DW stranded, hubbie gone for good (for whatever reason) or totally incapacitated, and a MH to transport somewhere and to dispose of.

In the worst case, if not most typical, the DW doesn't drive the MH and does want to be personally responsible for handling the selling of it.

We know there are travelers insurance plans that include coverage for a driver to get the MH home, but we'd appreciate hearing what kinds of experiences out there folks have had, their solutions and thoughts, and contingencies they might have.

Thanks in advance,

[JumboJet]

I test drove a motor home last July that had made less than 1/2 of a planned trip.

The couple purchased the motor home in NW Arkansas. Drove 800 miles on a trip to some place in Illinois and the husband unexpectedly passed away.

The wife had someone go get the motor home and put it up for sale at an RV consignment dealer. The motor home with less than 2,000 miles on it was for sale for $78,000. Book value was almost $100k.

I need to update my wife on things.

[J-Rooster]

Good question to ask my roadside service planner.

[2gypsies1]

holstein13 wrote:
I would start with cleaning up the loose ends in your life now. What does your estate look like? Does your wife understand every asset you own and what to do in case of your death? Do you have a ton of possessions she'll need to dispose of? How do you want to be disposed of? Buried in a nice cemetery with a big tombstone? or cremated and spread out somewhere? Do you have life insurance? Does she have the contact info? Will she draw on social security or veteran's pensions, etc.

Does she know how to pay all the bills? Do you have car loans, credit card debts, mortgages, etc. Make sure those continue to get paid and make sure she knows to stop paying medicare or insurance premiums, health club memberships or any other services that are exclusive to you.

Does she know where the Social Security numbers, birth and marriage certificates, military discharge papers, company benefits booklets, car titles, powers of attorney, and current statements for bank, brokerage and retirement accounts are?

Make sure everything is well documented and your wife knows where to find the documentation. The RV driving is trivial compared to the disposition of assets and cleaning up the assets, arranging the funeral, etc.

Good recommendation not only for RVers on the road but for everyone. The children should also know these things.

[CA_Traveler]

Our kids could and would come to help. I also have the Elks Emergency Assistant Plan and they will provide help including driving.

[holstein13]

I would start with cleaning up the loose ends in your life now. What does your estate look like? Does your wife understand every asset you own and what to do in case of your death? Do you have a ton of possessions she'll need to dispose of? How do you want to be disposed of? Buried in a nice cemetery with a big tombstone? or cremated and spread out somewhere? Do you have life insurance? Does she have the contact info? Will she draw on social security or veteran's pensions, etc.

Does she know how to pay all the bills? Do you have car loans, credit card debts, mortgages, etc. Make sure those continue to get paid and make sure she knows to stop paying medicare or insurance premiums, health club memberships or any other services that are exclusive to you.

Does she know where the Social Security numbers, birth and marriage certificates, military discharge papers, company benefits booklets, car titles, powers of attorney, and current statements for bank, brokerage and retirement accounts are?

Make sure everything is well documented and your wife knows where to find the documentation. The RV driving is trivial compared to the disposition of assets and cleaning up the assets, arranging the funeral, etc.

[WandaLust2]

Since I can no longer drive even a car, and this may be a permanent condition, this is something I fear when on a trip away from home. I have no idea what I would do or who I would call - and we have 5 cats with us at all times.

[prstlk]

Take a look at the plans from gsam. Air travel, coach return, pet return, etc. Read carefully as not all services are free. Some are travel or consulting only. Not a total paid deal.

[cwdavis]

Thank you all for your input; we are very much obliged! We'll be looking into the FMCA and other programs, and otherwise getting our ducks in a row. You've given us a good start ...

[Ivylog]

The DW drives some so that's not a problem but long term she would not keep the MH, I probably would. FMCA assist, Visa, and kids should take care of anything else.

[frankdamp]

One of the main reasons we decided to sell our Class A was the fact that it was physically impossible for DW to drive it because of her height.

The F53 chassis has no telescopic steering column adjustment and limited angular adjustment. The Flexsteel seats had no height adjustment and not enough fore/aft. Her feet didn't reach the floor and she had a foot-stool on her side of the cab.

Unfortunately, we didn't check this stuff out when we bought the rig. When we realised the predicament, our emergency "get you home" was a one-way airline ticket for our retired son-in-law or another family member to come for us.

[rgatijnet1]

There are various plans out there that can take care of medical emergencies, return of your coach AND your PETS, as well as getting your remains back home.
If you have one of these types of policies, it doesn't matter who can drive or not. They will take care of things.
Basically the answers for all of your concerns can be addressed by examining the different travel insurances that are out there. It is one of those things that is best taken care of early when you can make rational decisions, sort of like having your will prepared.
Things you can do to help are having all of your medical information with you when you travel, as well as contact information for all of your doctors AND loved ones that need to be notified during an emergency.
I should add that if you have specific plans, like a living will, you should carry a copy of that with you so that your wishes are carried out in the event you are not able to explain them yourself.

[WileECoyoteSr]

In 2004 I had a heart event that almost left both me and my wife stranded half way across the country from home. And that was back when I thought I could take care of anything that came up. I don't care to repeat that experience without some support system in place. That is why when I joined the NRA last year I was very interested that they offered to its membership the support of Emergency Assistance Plus. ( https://www.emergencyassistanceplus.com/home ) After much review I could not find any negative reports on there plan and so I worked with this provider to design a support plan for my wife and I.

EAP will get me to the care I need (ambulance, air ambulance) and cover anything my health insurance does not for that transportation. They do not provide medical services or pay for them. But once I am in the care of health professionals they assign a case worker, usually a nurse, but if necessary a license doctor, to review the care I am given, and advise my wife and I on the quality and status of that care. Usually this is done by constant phone contact, but if necessary they'll send a doctor to be with us at the hospital. If together we agree I would be cared for better at another facility, they will move me there. If I would be better off in the care of my home town doctors, and can be transported, they will provide air transportation, either commercial or charter, for my wife and I, to my home area.

They do ALL the arrangements so my wife doesn't have that worry.

And if I don't make it, they'll arrange to get my widow and my body home.

If that leaves our vehicle, whether a car or RV, stranded, they will send someone they trust and know out to drive my rig home. Or, if I elect, they'll fly someone I trust, like one of my sons, out to drive the rig home. All that costs me is the fuel I would have put in the rig going home anyway.

Under our "Family Plan" my wife has the same benefits as I.
I have no affiliation to this provider. I'm just relaying what I've been promised, in writing, in return for my membership fees. Judge for yourself what they offer. But for me and my wife, this is peace of mind.

[crasster]

The way we look at this is not to spend life in worry. If something bad happens, that's what hotels and relatives are partly for. Plane ticket home and have a cousin go get the coach.

[2gypsies1]

We both drove, taking turns constantly to stay comfortable with it. We both know how to do all the connections to the RV and the towed vehicle.

We don't understand why women think they can't do it. They drive cars just like men do. Men and women have the same skills with a car. You don't need to be a big strong guy to drive a RV. There's no strength involved. Yes, the first few times are tense - for BOTH men and women - even if the guy doesn't say so. However, the more you do it the more comfortable it is. Don't just drive it a few times and say "I can drive it". You need to keep up with it. If you don't know the steps to take, make some cards and keep them by the dash.

As far as selling a RV - the best would be to have a relative or close friend help you. You could also take it to a consignment - PPL in Houston is good - then there would be no hassles in selling it.

Things have a way of working out when the time comes. Deal with one thing at a time.