Age and RV'ing

[RoadEyePie]

I know health is the biggest factor and I'm generally in good health but 67 now. How long can I expect to get out of this adventure? Good health means I could live to 90+, but I can't do a lot of physical stuff at that age. So what is a practical age that a person can do what ever needs to be done with respect to pulling, setting up, maintenance, etc? If I continue to have generally good health, can I do this 10 years from now? I don't think I want to make the investment for just 5 years. Hope this isn't a stupid question.

[baraff]

Sure, why not?
I'm 64, just had both knees replaced. Good health otherwise, although that left hip.....might be an issue down the line.
We had a truck and travel trailer for a while, loved the space, hated the hassle. We bought a small Class C, minimal set up in a campground.
Buy what you think you can handle. I like simplicity and easy set up. A lot of times I just hook up the electric and don't bother with water and sewer, use our water tank and pump.
We fully expect to do this for at least another 10-15 years, barring the unforeseen. And no one can predict that.

[Gordon Dewald]

Fellow down the street is 98. Not typical but he is doing well.

[Mr_D]

Who knows? I'm 71 and getting ready to go full time until I can't anymore. No way to tell when that might be.

[saddlesore]

I am 68, will be 69 in a few months..
Wife retires in 15 months,
Plan on selling the sticks & bricks,(Have a huge "estate sale"..everything goes....then invest the proceeds from it and all the extra baggage and rigs We've acquired over the years.
Plan on buying a large map of the US and a hand full of darts......
Throw a Dart & turn the ignition key!

I intend to keep on keeping on until I cain't, then will settle down... or not ...

Keep in mind..
Your 1st coach is a learning tool..
BUY USED! & buy one with everything you "think" you want and will need..
As You will make mistakes and have booboo's We all have.....(sometimes more than twice..)
Within a year or two you will discover..about the RV

What you love about the RV...
What you can kinda-sorta tolerate with the RV..
And what you absolutely hate about that !@#$%^%$#@! RV.
Then you can go get what you should have gotten in the first place..
Happy Hunting

Every Day You put off retiring...Is just one less day of being "Retired and RV'n"

[tuffr2]

Can any of you guys put on shoes that need tied? I can, but not easy.

I put on shorts like an old man too.

[Bob_C]

I'm 75, and can do all the same things I did when 50.....some just a little slower.....trick is to make what you can work off of an RF controller.....slides, landing gear and stabilizers, awning and awning lights, and so forth.....work smarter, not harder! And yes, can still tie shoes and wear the same size clothes I wore at 20!.......and having a coffee pot with water plumbed to it outside, that can be reached without get'n up, is also a plus....TV is there too!....lol

[96 Softail]

Originally Posted by manwithnorv

I know health is the biggest factor and I'm generally in good health but 67 now. How long can I expect to get out of this adventure? Good health means I could live to 90+, but I can't do a lot of physical stuff at that age. So what is a practical age that a person can do what ever needs to be done with respect to pulling, setting up, maintenance, etc? If I continue to have generally good health, can I do this 10 years from now? I don't think I want to make the investment for just 5 years. Hope this isn't a stupid question.

Truly, only you can answer that question because you're the only one who knows what your health condition is.

[J Birder]

I'm 76. I still do routine maintenance, like repacking the wheel bearings, winterizing, etc. However, I am slowing down some. Last summer, we spent a week camped at just over 9,100', and I found that hiking more that about 3 miles got really tough, especially if there was much elevation change involved.

Joel

[brucev]

Originally Posted by manwithnorv

I know health is the biggest factor and I'm generally in good health but 67 now. How long can I expect to get out of this adventure? Good health means I could live to 90+, but I can't do a lot of physical stuff at that age. So what is a practical age that a person can do what ever needs to be done with respect to pulling, setting up, maintenance, etc? If I continue to have generally good health, can I do this 10 years from now? I don't think I want to make the investment for just 5 years. Hope this isn't a stupid question.

Keep going as long as you can, when things change, adjust. I am 61 but was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2016. Am operating with 45% of lungs removed. I still do pretty much what I want but I have adjusted. I get tired easier so no more 400 mile days, still work 9 hours a day to pay health insurance but I am tired in the evenings. My wife and I try to take at least one short trip a month of 3 or 4 days and possibly a longer one in the summer. Plan to keep going as long as the good Lord gives me a choice. A good friend from church was in mid 80's when he sold his RV. The only think I don't do enough of is get my boat out, but that will probably change too.

Live long and prosper, at 67 you are just getting started!

[RoadEyePie]

Originally Posted by baraff

Sure, why not?
I'm 64, just had both knees replaced. Good health otherwise, although that left hip.....might be an issue down the line.
We had a truck and travel trailer for a while, loved the space, hated the hassle. We bought a small Class C, minimal set up in a campground.
Buy what you think you can handle. I like simplicity and easy set up. A lot of times I just hook up the electric and don't bother with water and sewer, use our water tank and pump.
We fully expect to do this for at least another 10-15 years, barring the unforeseen. And no one can predict that.

So are you saying a Fifth Wheel is more involved and difficult than a Class C? Don't you have to pull a toad? What size Class C did you go with?

[RoadEyePie]

Originally Posted by 96 Softail

Truly, only you can answer that question because you're the only one who knows what your health condition is.

Actually I don't think anyone knows the answer to that question as it pertains to a single individual. Bad health can visit anyone at any time, so I'm not counting that as a part of the equation. I meant on "average" how long does the average person continue before saying, this is getting too difficult to continue. But I've seen a few replies from folks in their mid to late 70's which is good enough for me.

[tcg]

My dad is 82. He can do everything he's been doing all his life. Drive a tractor to cut his 1 acre lawn, plow/shovel his snow. Work in his wood shop, drive for hours at a time to go on little vacations, help his kids and grandkids, playing golf every day, etc...

Until 6 weeks ago when he suffered a stroke. He's gone from doing all that to using a walker. Him and my mom are now in the process of selling everything and moving to a very nice assisted living apartment/condo.

Just like that, he's done but he's moving on to a more leisurely life albeit less active.

He retired at 58 so he's had good run of being very active. Right now he's a little depressed but once he gets settled I think he'll be fine.

Just last week I lost a freind and business associate who was only 55 to a sudden illness.

Point is... who knows. Go out and enjoy life, it all comes to an end a lot sooner than anyone would like.

I have heart disease and probably won't make a long and healthy retirement so we're doing it now while we can.

If you only get five years so what if it's five years of enjoyment.

The last two years of mostly weekends with a few week long trips and a couple months in Florida was more than I ever hoped for and it's been awesome.

If it all comes to an end tomorrow I'd be a happy camper.

[MJoyce]

I'm 62 and will retire in a few months. For planning purposes I'm using 80 as the time when I may be a little more sedentary. I'll adjust as things change, but for planning - it's 80.