Motorhoming in your 80's

[Ealander]

I shall be 80 later this year and was wondering how many Funsters are still motorhoming in their 80's, and if so, what kind of changes they have had to make. Many thanks for any advice.

 

[VXman]

I clicked on this expecting some nice pictures of 1980's motorhomes.

Anyway - so I'm not disappointed, heres one...

 

[WESTY66]

I clicked on this expecting some nice pictures of 1980's motorhomes.

Anyway - so I'm not disappointed, heres one...

View attachment 752014

Must admit I thought the same

 

[Ealander]

I have obviously made a stupid mistake with the title. How do I change it to reflect age? Maybe I need to start a new one.

 

[Lenny HB]

I clicked on this expecting some nice pictures of 1980's motorhomes.

Anyway - so I'm not disappointed, heres one...

View attachment 752014

Me too

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[Roby2008]

I have obviously made a stupid mistake with the title. How do I change it to reflect age? Maybe I need to start a new one.

Please leave the title alone, confusing people is all part of the fun.........

 

[L' Hobo]

I have obviously made a stupid mistake with the title. How do I change it to reflect age? Maybe I need to start a new one.

Nah! Don't bother to change it, when we're nearly 80, we'll click on anything!

I'm 78 and very little has changed except, I no longer chase wine, women and song, now they have to chase me!

But seriously, I still have my 1989 VW California that I drive locally for fun, anywhere further, I use my Murvi Morello that has a toilet, shower, TV/DVD etc.and room to move around in if I'm subjected to rain for a week.

Life has to be taken slower, but being retired, that's not a problem.

I have just returned from 6week that started in East Anglia, then on to Quackers, Devizes, Weymouth and Dartmouth for a fortnight exploring all of Southern Devon (Kingsbridge, Totnes, Plymouth, Salcombe etc.) with my trusty Bus Pass.

Life is an attitude of mind, things you now find hard to do, look upon them as a challenge, thing you can do, enjoy!

I will be now be home for a few weeks, catching up with friends and sorting the house, then off again for another few weeks further North.

You only have one life, end it contented!

 

[RobbyMClark]

I shall be 80 later this year and was wondering how many Funsters are still motorhoming in their 80's, and if so, what kind of changes they have had to make. Many thanks for any advice.

Long may your wheels turn.

Ps keep the title!!

 

[Littlewheels]

I clicked on this expecting some nice pictures of 1980's motorhomes.

Anyway - so I'm not disappointed, heres one...

View attachment 752014

As you know Glendale was a highly respected brand in the day,strange now to think that the above was a state of the art

 

[Beemobile]

Age is just a number, I used to love wild places and walking, now it's more fun places and talking, I go where I can, see what I can, walk where I can, it's a breeze -

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[Tantalus]

I am 76 and have just arrived in Beziers after 10 days travelling down. Hubby is 86 but doesn't drive. We still enjoy exploring new places and love the food and wine. We know our motorhome time is limited so enjoying as much as possible. This trip we spent 2 nights in Calais and 2 near Rouen and caught the train into that city. The weather has been mean so hoofed it southwards. Undecided whether we shall continue to Spain, returning by ferry, or return northwards if the weather warms up. Its great to have choices.
We have the Euro health cards and used one once about 8 years ago. Our MH is over 20 years old so no breakdown insurance, so far, so good.
Go for it for as long as you can.

 

[carolyn]

It’s not just your age in years it’s your general health and mobility. Plus of course factors like insurance costs go up on the van with age. Travel insurance over 80 goes up if you want to go abroad.

We’ve all seen sprightly 80 year olds and crumbly 60 year olds. Just keep going whilst you can still enjoy it. That’s our plan. Once it becomes burdensome we’ll do something else. Nothing is set in stone.

You’re a long time dead as my Mum always said and she died at 55 so knew what she was talking about!

 

[tonka]

IF.. I get to 80.
I hope i'm still driving a motorhome, using a computer and making people click on links to get them confused...

 

[Davecrawf]

I have obviously made a stupid mistake with the title. How do I change it to reflect age? Maybe I need to start a new one.

I don't think you have made a mistake with the title. Motorhoming in YOUR 80's is very clear to me. You didn't say Motorhoming in THE 80's
I'm in my 70's so thanks for making me feel young

 

[Martin-123]

I'm nearly 65 and just bought my first camper. It's a 1974 Mercedes Hanomag 206D. I'll be living in it full time until I die.
It's great to hear that there are so many people older than me still touring. Well done to them!

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[cyberyacht]

I don't think you have made a mistake with the title. Motorhoming in YOUR 80's is very clear to me. You didn't say Motorhoming in THE 80's
I'm in my 70's so thanks for making me feel young

<Panto>Oh yes he did.</Panto>. However for a definitive answer to the intended question, ask me in about fifteen months time. Currently I'm grabbing it while I can. OH was refused licence renewal last month so, as these things and physical constraints close in on us, it's very much carpe diem.

 

[waveflyer]

Just completed our first year in a moho, a Swift Escape and started when I was 80. I guess there are those that can and for many valid reasons those that can’t. We are among the lucky ones.

 

[gergint1]

I shall be 80 later this year and was wondering how many Funsters are still motorhoming in their 80's, and if so, what kind of changes they have had to make. Many thanks for any advice.

My Wife and I are 85 years young and still enjoying the way of life ,we drive to France plus Spain , the only difference is we now have to walk to to the toilets not to good at running now.
We are off to France shortly.

 

[Northernraider]

I clicked on this expecting some nice pictures of 1980's motorhomes.

Anyway - so I'm not disappointed, heres one...

View attachment 752014

Me too

 

[Lenny HB]

IF.. I get to 80.
I hope i'm still driving a motorhome, using a computer and making people click on links to get them confused...

Snap.

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[Northernraider]

As you know Glendale was a highly respected brand in the day,strange now to think that the above was a state of the art

My uncle dick had a Bedford glendale ...he had a wide range of motorhomes but I remember he had one of these and also towed a caravan with it for his daughter and grandson to sleep in.

 

[Northernraider]

I've 30 years to go yet before I'm 80 , I should be able to get a morelo then for about 50 quid

 

[Philip Hutchinson]

I shall be 80 later this year and was wondering how many Funsters are still motorhoming in their 80's, and if so, what kind of changes they have had to make. Many thanks for any advice.

 

[L' Hobo]

Me too

All these 'expectant people', have we got to get used to another non-binary groups? LGBGTEXP.

 

[rod_vw]

We hope that we will be Motorhoming in our 80s. Not too many years to go to find out!

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[Philip Hutchinson]

Ditto, Kiwi currently in Finland, just been up through Sweden & Holland having rented from McRent in DUS must be about the 6th time in Europe inc UK . 8 week trip back down thru Norway.
This trip planned or covid, what a nugget that was !
Your driving skills dont change just the age but to quote our son (geriatrition ! )
AGE IS JUST A NUMBER
we are doing this trip with health issues but what's the risk ? Stay home and go quietly or enjoy what's left of it ! This may be the last time we risk going so far home but you never know. You lot only have a few hours to get to some of the best touring country in the world dont stop !
Summary : it depends on health not age and who knows what tomorrow might bring ~ take the risk !
Philip
PS. not all rented Van's are driven by amatures !

 

[Geistguy]

Long ago I decided I couldn't do a thing about growing old but decided never grow up ! Still motorhoming, riding my motorbike and enjoying every moment. Age 78 and a bit .

 

[Claris]

I shall be 80 later this year and was wondering how many Funsters are still motorhoming in their 80's, and if so, what kind of changes they have had to make. Many thanks for any advice.

Bought 1st camper van as an 80th self birthday surprise. Had 5 1/2 weeks touring round France and northern Spain. Lost a n/s wing mirror to an obliging builders lorry in San Sebastián, which put a bit of a damper on things till a friend in France managed to find a peugeot dealer who could replace it. I tried various dealers in Spain, but delivery of part was weeks due to summer break. Apart from that hiccup, had a great time and planning on returning in the next few weeks. As a solo traveller, find emovis tag for motorway tolls a must, though try and avoid motorways if possible. Even though height of holiday season only once not got on a site, but they suggested a fellow site close by. Found the driving very easy, on last day drove 500 miles non stop ( not intentionalay, but got to Rouen saw sign for Calais, and carried on!)

 

[frenchie46]

Ealander was interested to know about changes needed to keep on keepin' on when you get older, and people's experiences of what they did and needed to do to keep on motorhoming. I think this is an important topic for many of us, and I for one, at 77, would like to hear some practical advice about insurance, licences, practical difficulties, etc from motorhomers who have experience of this.

It is true that travel insurance gets very expensive as you get into your 70's. We have a Nationwide Flexplus account, and by paying £13.00 per month we get free travel insurance (with a small supplement if you are over 75) and free full AA breakdown - at home, UK and Europe, roadside, at home, recovery, etc - for all our vehicles, including the MH.

Our own philosophy boils down to "make it as easy as you can to keep on doing what you enjoy" Which begs the question, what is it you enjoy? When getting older meant my wife and I couldn't cycle camp anymore, we went car camping. When arthritis made sleeping on the ground difficult (and getting UP off the ground!) we bought a VW camper van. And when we spent a miserable 3 weeks in the Scottish wind and rain with no toilets (needed more and more frequently!) or place to dry our clothes, we bought a motorhome. We now have electric bikes, something I stupidly resisted for a while but it means we can still enjoy cycling. And if driving the van gets difficult (Peugeot Boxer dash mounted gear shits are not easy with arthritis, nor using a clutch in slow traffic), if we can afford it we would like to get an automatic (rare I know, but they exist). But maybe there are other vans that have a very easy gear shift? Perhaps someone could comment?

 

[Gillygrim]

I'm 81, John's 91 and we're currently planning our annual 'long' trip to France. For many years this was 3 months in the South. Until she was 98 my lovely mum came with us then she decided 3 months away was too long and cut it to a week in Normandy after which we'd put her on the ferry from Le Havre to Portsmouth and my daughter or my brother would meet her there while John and I continued South. John now has hip and knee pain so this year we've decided to stick to Normandy, Brittany and Burgu

ndy just for six weeks so that we can have other, shorter breaks throughout the year as well. I do all the driving and thoroughly enjoy it.
Footnote : Mum died at 104, still living in her own house, still doing her favourite baking and climbing step ladders to get her recipe books.! She went quietly and peacefully after a four day setback with me beside her.
Tai Chi on the beach the Christmas before she died.