Driving with Health Issues

[LarWood]

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

[kerrlakeRoo]

Great write up Rockhill,
The other thing worth considering may be getting a smaller unit she may be willing and better able to drive a 28' B+.
I can understand the trepidations to the surgery and the Dr's get nervous on them when your're over 70, but you may want to explore second opinios on it as well.

One last thought, If you still a sticks and bricks location as well as the MH, And have a couple of favorite places you visit seasonally, would a destination trailer in one of those locations be an option. It would allow you to go there whenever you wanted and you could travel in a passenger car. And you may even be able to offset the cost some by renting it out occasionally.

[Jack_Diane_Free]

Have you asked your doctor if you should drive or not?

[Tyler0215]

Everyone needs to be able to make the decision as to when to STOP driving. Can you live with the possibility of killing your lady friend and how many others to keep driving.
As hard as it is , you need to sell the MH and stop driving. You already know this, now you have to accept it.

[rockhillmanor]

If your lady loves you and still wants to enjoy RV'ing with you.....she would learn how to drive the MH. With a competent teacher she could learn how to drive it.

I taught a elderly lady that her husband had just died and she had never driven the MH.

Her kids where 'very' quick to put the MH and toad up for sale. That is how I came upon her situation when I answered the ad.

Talking with her I found out she really liked Rv'ing. They were full timers.

Albiet the sale price on that MH/toad was one sweet deal I passed on it and instead I went over to her house every night to give her lessons and over time I taught her how to drive it and learn all the functions.

I'm proud to say she is back on the road solo and has joined several solo RV'ing clubs.

It still puts a smile on my face when she sends me postcards. :C

Don't give up. Find someone that will show her how to drive the MH. So the both of you can enjoy the life of RV'ing together.

BTW: Look up Good Sam club and Escappes Club and read their local club memberships. They both have clubs especially organized to help people with health issues. You shouldn't have to join to look at the list.

Good luck I sincerely hope your significant other considers learning how to drive the RV.

[valhalla360]

When you walk up to the pearly gates to be let in, do you want the crowd in line behind you suggesting a different address is more appropriate?

Assuming the condition is inoperable, yes, it's time to hang up the keys.

[midnightsadie]

can your health problem be fixed? and in my opinion you should hang it up. you could cause a very deadly wreck.

[Cloud_Dancer]

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?

[Crazy_Ray]

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.

[Tvov]

I'm just going to follow this thread.

[Ivylog]

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.

[Scottiemom]

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

[jwoods61us]

X2!!!!!

[jerseyjim]

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.