Age Concern
Not a subject often talked about seriously.
The Duke announced he is handing in his license and this seemed to be well received by the public.
The time must come when an OT has to consider swapping the High powered Estate and 4 berth Tourer for a small compact Motorhome to continue active camping.
Is there an unwritten rule something like the 85% ratio we discuss so much.
I thought this might be a courteous forum among gentle folk to raise the question of when you think this should be for a fairy fit and active octogenarian or at what age did you make the change and why?
Moderator Edit:
As the Tow Cars and Towing Section is really more about actual tow cars and relative issues with towing vehicles, I think this post would be better suited to the Caravan and Motorhome Chat Section so I'll move it.
Comments
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We came to caravanning from tenting in our 50's, as we wanted to avoid putting up tents and wanted a bit more comfort. Now at mid / late 60's we are switching to a 6.94m MH. From over 12metres of car and van. More because of the ease of moving on and the type of touring it will open up, rather than any problems with towing or caravanning in general. I think the age to which folk will feel confident to carry on with our hobby will vary greatly. Depending on health / physical / mobility problems. As will the type of rig they will feel confident in handling.
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I don’t think there can be any generalisation. We all age in different ways and rates. Physical and mental ability varies and some continue towing well into their 80s while others of us find it becomes a bit much in our 60s.
Just do what feels right for you.
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I am nearly 72. I had a medical just before my 70th birthday so I can keep my full licence and continue to drive a minibus.
I think every driver over 70 should have to have a medical, It means that things like poor eyesight, or being unable to answer simply questions, or dangerous heart problems would stop them driving but that is a safer option that driving regardless.2 -
I don’t think changing to a MH has anything at all to do with age. Someone not fully competent to drive a combo carefully is just as likely to be as uncompetent with a MH. Driving is all about observation, reaction and understanding the rules of the road, and the behaviour of one’s chosen vehicle. We drive a small MH, a classic car, a 4.0 litre monster of a Jeep and another Jeep we use for towing. All different requiring different driving techniques and reaction/observation times.
I agree that a small MH can be easier to deal with on sites, a lot less humping around of water and waste water, and very quick to set up.
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my next van will have a self levelling system with automatic winding down of steadies
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My decision to swap to a MH was solely on the convenience of touring style rather than any physical constraints. Having said that, I do find they seemed to have moved the ground a bit lower these days.
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I do find they seemed to have moved the ground a bit lower these days.
Cunning aren't they. They have lowered it very gradually over the last 30 years so that you don't notice at first. If you are unfortunate enough to take a tumble you may well find that they have also made it harder
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Sensible observation TW. That's the only way to look at it. There are also some who have only ever run motorhomes and others who will only use caravans. There are adaptions that can be made to both if needed when folks would like to continue using them. At some point it's a decision about whether any of us can continue due our own limitations.
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I thought this might be a courteous forum among gentle folk to raise the question of when you think this should be for a fairy fit and active octogenarian or at what age did you make the change and why?
I like your post but as far as I know, I am not a fairy!
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David said that he would be concerned about having to rely on public transport with a motorhome.
You responded 'you don't need to be dependant on public transport when you have a M/H, ours is 6.5m long and 2.1m wide and so far there has never been a place we haven't been able to take it'. Giving the impression that parking was not a problem but then went on to say that you don't use car parks and go out for the day in open country.
I have certainly been to meany places where even parking the X-Trail can be tight on length and turning circle.
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There are always alternatives, Easy. Another car park, another street, even another town but, like Husky, we’ve not had a problem other than trying (stupidly?) to drive through The Valley Of The Rocks at Lynton with the hedges brushing both sides of the van. Your X-Trail would have had the same problem. Parking has not been an issue.
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If age has anything to do with changing to a motorhome then I expect its more to do with simplifying life rather than much in the way of physical condition. We would have changed to a motorhome some years before we did but whilst we were working I don't think we could justify the expense for the amount of time we would have been able to use it. We carried on with the caravan for a few years after retirement but eventually got fed up with all the checking before setting off and also worried about whether we would have space to hitch up on the road etc. I would say that driving a motorhome is more physically demanding that driving a car, at least until you get used to it. Although a car and caravan usually translates to a large outfit driving a motorhome is very different depending on size. The smaller the motorhome the easier it will be to take it out for the day. We currently have a larger motorhome which we never take off site. However we plan where we go carefully and there are lots of sites that are either within walking distance of somewhere interesting or a short bus ride away. Lots to think about if you decide to change.
David
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No thoughts at all for changing my van for a MH as too many downsides. I use my van for touring but have he added bonus of being able to use the car in the isolated places we tend to gravitate towards. For bird watching a car (preferably 4 wheel drive) is essential for me. If a time comes when towing becomes an issue I will keep a car and use B&B’s
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There is no unwritten rule about age, just common sense, politeness and consideration for other road users. I am 75 and tow a Bailey Ranger with a Tiguan , a total length of just under 12m. I have a mover fitted but nothing else to aid caravanning. Every 3 years I have to fill in a form stating that I have no medical problems that could effect my ability to drive and that I can see ok. I have an eye test every 18 months and as a matter of routine I am asked if I drive. I did see it suggested that we oldies should produce a recent eye test result when we renew our licence every 3 years (but this must show the corrected result not just the test result as now). Think this would not be unreasonable. There are of course other factors which could effect ones ability to drive safely but they would be very difficult to police without all, say over age 80, taking a retest; but some folks much younger really shouldn't be driving.
Hanging up your licence will always be a hard decision and I hope that when the time comes I will have the common sense to do it, my OH will ensure that I do!
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I do not think there is any rule here. Essentially a 20 year old may have problems to prevent driving and we all reach the point at which we should give up at different levels.
Possibly 75 or 80 is the point at which you need assessing but it is all a matter of opinion.
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When at work I used to take all of August as my holiday. We used to travel to Europe staying in a variety of accommodation including self catering, hotels, B&B’s etc. The cost of touring this way was no more than owning the caravan. Other benefits included better mph, cheaper ferry prices, cheaper recovery and insurance, no parking problems, having the roof down in sunny weather. Although we love the caravan just reading what I’ve written above makes me yearn.........🌞
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For long stays somewhere, here or overseas, we would prefer car/van or big MH option, as you will probably need to carry a bit more stuff, and of course will be living in it a lot longer. But many folks we see in smaller MHs, say up to 6.5 metres have few issues using them on a daily basis. You might think carefully about how you get on and off places like Dartmoor, but ironically it was our solo Jeep we scratched on a granite wall, not our MH. We first had a camper van in our early 20’s. It’s only age related if the tasks seem to be getting harder. We see some octogenarian van owners out on basic CLs on a regular basis, older vans as well. Touring is as easy or hard as you want to make it. First question to ask yourself if things are getting hard is how can I change what I do? It isn’t always about having to change touring outfit, it might be as simple as just not taking as much clutter, or picking a pitch with care, ie one close to a tap so you just top up the aqua roll!
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And for some of us there are other alternatives. As some of you may remember a couple of years ago we bought a static caravan. Very hard to give up our beautiful Bailey Cadiz but it was all getting too much for us, not just the towing. Purchased our static van with great trepidation; how would we like being in one place, what would the neighbours be like etc. We spent a long time choosing our site and did our homework. We love it! Can't wait to get back there at the beginning of every season. Lovely little community with great neighbours, we have made some really good new friends. Really don't mind being in one spot as it is so very different from where we live. Stratford upon Avon always seems to have plenty going on and lots to do/see close by. Also our son and daughter and theirs kids use it. All set up when we get there, just our second home. We had been caravanning for many, many years and were so concerned about giving up. Our only regret now - that we didn't do it sooner.
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When we got to the wrong side of 70 we down sized the big caravan for a smaller Eriba - I never bothered with a mover because at first I could push it and now sturdy neighbours (usually Dutch) gather round to help while I lean hopefully on it.
At the same time we dumped the awning, a lot of kit, the aquaroll and wastemaster too - the only water I fetch now is in a coffee pot or a two litre plastic bottle, and we would never dream of using non facility sites. We gave up UK travel in favour of long haul fights, but we still tour Europe with the caravan. We don't stay put on a single site and move on every few days.
None of our favourite places across Europe have much in the way of public transport so we use the car every day. I suppose we could manage with a PVC but I think I am too old to re- learn real motorhoming, and we would both hate car park style tarmac aires. Sunshine, a shady tree, white wine and birdsong is more our style. The photo is Moulin de Mellet near Agen last summer.
Regards to you all.
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Wow, 6.5m long, my tow car is 4.7m, each to their own and i am sure you love it, but could not live in such a small space for 3 -5 months of year, am with CS, self levelling and auto corner steadies plus a person that comes and puts your awning up, yup, they will do that in Spain.
not that i have ever done it, but never say never.0
, perhaps I should have said "with our type of touring we don't do built up areas ,so don't use carparks"
