Long trip with 95 year old lady

[dale662]

My '89 Prowler is on my sister's Calf. farm, while I'm in Minnesota with our 95-year-old mom. Think it's safe to take both mom and trailer across country behind a 1-ton van?

I haven't towed this 31 footer before, and it has just sat for 15 years. New tires and checked brakes and wheel bearings, for sure.

It's not pretty. Will the parks give me grief?

Thanks.

[Boband4]

I love the movie laydown plan!! Sounds much better than a lot of what is out there now. Be sure to post here when it will be released.

[aftermath]

So you are worried about traveling with a 95 year old lady? Don't worry, you should be able to keep up with her and if you can't, invite along a friend to spell you.

Another adventure in traveling.

[westend]

profdant139 wrote:
I got dibs on the screenplay! Meryl Streep in heavy makeup as the 95 year old. Dennis Quaid as the driver -- or maybe Jeff Bridges? Buddy movie -- they bond during the long drive. Hilarious black water valve disaster scene, touching memories of the old days, violent arguments about what really happened on that trip to the Wisconsin Dells back in 1955. Thelma and Louise meets Driving Miss Daisy. Cameo by Jack Nicholson from About Schmidt as the curmudgeon in the RV park. Big twist -- the 95 year old has a wicked sense of humor and surprising mechanical ability to deal with deteriorating trailer -- skills acquired as Rosie the Riveter, which son never knew about till now.

Secret weapon: they stream Pandora through an iPhone to the car stereo. I recommend creating a channel based on the Andrews Sisters -- pure uptempo World War II nostalgia. Works on a lot of levels -- great soundtrack, easy acquisition of songs for the movie due to old copyrights, and you can match the songs with locations -- Kansas City Blues, Route 66, and so forth.

Open the movie in the Fall -- not a summer flick. Limited release -- AARP demographic -- they can afford movie tickets and don't need to pay a babysitter. I smell an Oscar!

You're either in Hollywood or missed the exit...nice formulation. You missed one thing, though, the female love interest.

[profdant139]

I got dibs on the screenplay! Meryl Streep in heavy makeup as the 95 year old. Dennis Quaid as the driver -- or maybe Jeff Bridges? Buddy movie -- they bond during the long drive. Hilarious black water valve disaster scene, touching memories of the old days, violent arguments about what really happened on that trip to the Wisconsin Dells back in 1955. Thelma and Louise meets Driving Miss Daisy. Cameo by Jack Nicholson from About Schmidt as the curmudgeon in the RV park. Big twist -- the 95 year old has a wicked sense of humor and surprising mechanical ability to deal with deteriorating trailer -- skills acquired as Rosie the Riveter, which son never knew about till now.

Secret weapon: they stream Pandora through an iPhone to the car stereo. I recommend creating a channel based on the Andrews Sisters -- pure uptempo World War II nostalgia. Works on a lot of levels -- great soundtrack, easy acquisition of songs for the movie due to old copyrights, and you can match the songs with locations -- Kansas City Blues, Route 66, and so forth.

Open the movie in the Fall -- not a summer flick. Limited release -- AARP demographic -- they can afford movie tickets and don't need to pay a babysitter. I smell an Oscar!

[dewey02]

djgarcia wrote:
You will experience possible restrictions with the 10 yr. rule in larger "Resort" type RV parks.

Or ones with a 95 year rule.

[MarkTwain]

You will experience possible restrictions with the 10 yr. rule in larger "Resort" type RV parks.

[time2roll]

One ton van, piece of cake.
RV parks, stay out of the fancy places.

95 yo mom... what does she think about this? I hope she can groom herself etc.

[dadmomh]

What if.......... I wouldn't even consider for a moment taking a 95 year old/young lady on a trip that far and surely not with the trailer possibly giving you headaches. If mom has any health issues and you're in the middle of Lord knows where, you will need all of the above photo'd items to get through it. Either the trailer or mom could be a problem....suggest you don't combine them.

[MarkTwain]

Suggest you take at look at Good Sam's "Emergency Assistance Plus" program in case you need "medical evacuation" while on your trip.

[westend]

Sure, it could work out good. I would plan your overnights carefully. Have some backup spots in case a half days travel is in order so that no one gets stressed.

There's a lot of info left to be put between the lines like health conditions, purpose of trip, will you be flying to CA, etc. The one ton van and the trailer should be a good match, no worries there as long as a WDH is in the mix.

[gbopp]

SprinklerMan wrote:
I say go for it , life is a gamble it could be quite an adventure . Last year this old guy came rolling in the campground in a late 1970's trailer , there was moss on the roof , looks like it had not been washed for 10 years , plywood on 2 windows . he made it from Florida to Pennsylvania . His tow vehicle was a old uhaul box van . It worked .

I'm guessing that campground didn't have a 10 year old rule? 🙂

[SprinklerMan]

I say go for it , life is a gamble it could be quite an adventure . Last year this old guy came rolling in the campground in a late 1970's trailer , there was moss on the roof , looks like it had not been washed for 10 years , plywood on 2 windows . he made it from Florida to Pennsylvania . His tow vehicle was a old uhaul box van . It worked .

[coolbreeze01]

Bull Rider wrote:

The 95 year old ladies I know don't drink any more, but they don't drink any less either :C

[ccxnola]

I have no idea as to the condition of the trailer you wish to pull -
BUT... if is 15 years since it has moved, the basic maintenance and repairs will most likely be more than it is worth - unless you get the parts donated and do the work yourself!! In addition to the tires and brake work you mention, ALL plastic and rubber hoses should be replaced, Wheel bearings replaced, electric wiring checked and replaced as appropriate, fridge and furnace checked with care and repaired as needed, Bedding and matresses replaced, and the list goes on and on!!

Then...Grandma certainly will not be happy with the likely problems to be encountered with the old trailer as you travel along the way!!

If flying is not an option, Use the car / RV and stop at hotels / motels to make it a pleasant trip!

JMHO - learned the hard way!!!