How old is too old?

[Ro646a]

I am in my 70s and in good health, but I am thinking ahead to when I will no longer be able to safely handle my
40 foot diesel pusher.
Is there any consensus as to how old is too old to be doing this?

[Horsedoc]

Before Katrina several years ago, we were on the Gulf. Ran into a older guy from "up north" who was still driving and doing the snowbird thing. He was in his late 80s. Point of this story is that he had a heart attack while we were there in the park. Other folks there were very concerned that his wife would not have anyone to care for her with him in the hospital.
I never was able to find out how it turned out for them - we left a couple of days later

[Ivylog]

Agree if you’re asking the question, something doesn’t feel right… you need to get some 2nd opinions on your driving. I still fly my plane but less often by myself as it would be a shame to ruin a nice plane if I had a heart attack.

Had a test of my 76 year old reflexes a couple weeks ago. Idiot decided to back into a busy 2 lane road when I was 50’ away at 45 mph. Fortunately the oncoming car was 150’ away and I was able to hard left an an immediate hard right, back into my lane. If the oncoming car had been closer, I’d hit the idiot without even having time to put on the brakes. It was all over before I had time to think about it or get pissed. Other car had to stop for the idiot that blocked the entire road so it could make a U turn.

Just did our usual 1500 miles to CO in 2 days and hope to be able to keep doing that for another 10-15 years.

[Fizz]

Two things were touched on.

Anxiety at the thought of travelling. What use to be a mild challenge now leads to over thinking and worrying. It's just not fun anymore.

Physical condition. I can't sit for more than an hour without stiffening up. I can change a flat tire but I need a nap after 🙂
I walk for an hour everyday but hills kill me.

Mainly it's overcrowding everywhere, campgrounds & roads.

The trailer is permanently parked a the cottage and used as guest quarters.

[Gjac]

Proverbs 23:7 says "For as a man thinks in his heart so is he." Said another way, Henry Ford used to tell his managers "If you think you can or if you think you can't your right." I just went camping up in the White Mtns of NH with my two GS's and hiked a Mtn that used to take me 1 hr and 15 mins to hike and now took 1 hr and 30 mins. My oldest GS who is 21 had a hard time and was behind me the 16 year old was ahead of me, but we all made it to the top. In my 40's and 50's I used to run the trail down, in my 70's now it was hard just to walk down with out my knees giving out and falling which I did several times. We all think and age differently and have to sometimes adjust. If you have a 40 ft DP or large 5th wheel now and feel uncomfortable driving it maybe a small trailer or Class C is a solution to keep you going longer.

[QCMan]

You will probably find that you will age out physically before you age out mentally. That is my take on it after talking to many folks around the country as I have had the same concern. I started asking the question when I was 55 and I am pushing 70 now. At this point the parts seem to be wearing out faster than they can be repaired or replaced. That being said, my time to park the tt will be when I cannot handle the hitching and other tasks. So far, it is only the wife that keeps her keys in the freezer.

[pennysmom09]

We stopped towing 2 years ago when my husband reached 80. This was only because we found we got too stressed when things went wrong. We leave our rig parked in our favorite park on site in Florida. We still enjoy the Rv life with our friends who also return each year.

[nickthehunter]

wildtoad wrote:
Everybody is different. The fact that you are asking this question tells me you still have a few left. When you start scaring the DW with your driving, need help parking, then you may need to reconsider what you’re doing.

I feel quit the opposite, if your asking it’s probably time.

[agesilaus]

I'm 72 and going strong, I find that I just need to work my way up to strenuous activity. Take progressively longer and steeper hikes for an example over several weeks. That gets me conditioned, and my wife, for longer steeper hikes. WE aren't as resilient as we once were and loose conditioning more quickly. 3 weeks of little exercise puts us back at the start of the cycle.
I've run into several 80 year olds on the road. Of course real ailments can affect us but a lot is mental.

[mr_andyj]

I think you are getting forgetful. You asked this same question months ago.

[Crowe]

but I am thinking ahead to when I will no longer be able to safely handle my
40 foot diesel pusher.

You just answered your own question.

[J_R2]

When you worry less about where you left your keys and more about where you left your rv.

[Janss]

There will be no consensus. Just like driving a car, you are too old when you feel that by driving, you are a danger to yourself and others on the road. Be honest with yourself and considerate to others about when that time comes.

I'm curious...exactly what are you thinking about when you think ahead to when you can no longer handle your rig.

Hopefully you are living life to the fullest while you can!

[Bird_Freak]

You are the only one that can answer your question. I have seen folks stop at 50 and seen some still going at 90.

[Grit_dog]

If you’re thinking about it and wondering, you’re not too old.
Once you start misplacing your RV and wearing your underwear on the outside of your pants, you’ll be too old, but will forget to notice!

[Lwiddis]

Individual capabilities vary. Some shouldn’t be driving at 60.