Too old?

Warmleys

Warmleys

Joined
Jul 15, 2015
Posts
70
Likes collected
47
Location
Bournemouth
Funster No
37,168
MH
Majestic 125 3
Exp
3 months
My wife and I have just retired and we are off for a few months around UK. I know it depends a lot on health. I am 66 , I noticed that my confidence isn't what it was when driving. I know many motorhomers continue well into their late 70s.
Would be interesting to see how many over 70s are still travelling
 
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Why not? You don't have the time to do it until you retire.

But you need to plan ahead, so you have the right 'van (under 3500Kg) when you reach 70.
 
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I drive lorries occasionally and in my opinion 1of the most dangerous things on the road is under confident drivers and this isn't meant as a dig at the op or anyone else it's just my observations if your lacking in confidence everything takes on a new and to a certain extent a scary role even missing a junction on a roundabout becomes a problem and this means you are worrying about your self and not concentrating on what's behind or next to you which means the 44 tonne attic may have to take evasive action which then has a knock on effect to traffic behind him and whilst you then bumble off oblivious to what going on the poor old lorry gets dogs abuse for making what to everyone else was a stupid manoeuvre. At 66 you are by means over the hill and incapable of driving and if you are just lacking a bit confidence why not try and find a local driving instructor or even talk to the advanced driving institute and go out in the mono and get some reassurance and a confidence boost and for the sake of a few quid your journeys will be much more enjoyable for both you and your wife which in turn will make the whole trip much nicer.
Just in case any missed it this is just my opinion and is not meant to upset anyone.

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I’m not sure that the lack of confidence is so much an age thing but maybe a reaction to what we’ve all been through in the last year.

Personally, I am finding that I don’t want to do the miles that I used to with weeks away, preferring shorter outings closer to home.
 
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No problem at all over 70 but I suppose it helps if you had been driving a motorhome or something of similar size before that age which, in your case at 66, you would.
 
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Warmleys said:
My wife and I have just retired and we are off for a few months around UK. I know it depends a lot on health. I am 66 , I noticed that my confidence isn't what it was when driving. I know many motorhomers continue well into their late 70s.
Would be interesting to see how many over 70s are still travelling
Click to expand...
Is your confidence lacking because you're thinking it's a big van to drive?
If so don't worry, once you've done a few miles it's no more difficult than driving a car. Whatever you drive you get used to the dimensions 👍
 
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Grummyb said:
I drive lorries occasionally and in my opinion 1of the most dangerous things on the road is under confident drivers and this isn't meant as a dig at the op or anyone else it's just my observations if your lacking in confidence everything takes on a new and to a certain extent a scary role even missing a junction on a roundabout becomes a problem and this means you are worrying about your self and not concentrating on what's behind or next to you which means the 44 tonne attic may have to take evasive action which then has a knock on effect to traffic behind him and whilst you then bumble off oblivious to what going on the poor old lorry gets dogs abuse for making what to everyone else was a stupid manoeuvre. At 66 you are by means over the hill and incapable of driving and if you are just lacking a bit confidence why not try and find a local driving instructor or even talk to the advanced driving institute and go out in the mono and get some reassurance and a confidence boost and for the sake of a few quid your journeys will be much more enjoyable for both you and your wife which in turn will make the whole trip much nicer.
Just in case any missed it this is just my opinion and is not meant to upset anyone.
Click to expand...

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Upvote 0
Grummyb said:
I drive lorries occasionally and in my opinion 1of the most dangerous things on the road is under confident drivers and this isn't meant as a dig at the op or anyone else it's just my observations if your lacking in confidence everything takes on a new and to a certain extent a scary role even missing a junction on a roundabout becomes a problem and this means you are worrying about your self and not concentrating on what's behind or next to you which means the 44 tonne attic may have to take evasive action which then has a knock on effect to traffic behind him and whilst you then bumble off oblivious to what going on the poor old lorry gets dogs abuse for making what to everyone else was a stupid manoeuvre. At 66 you are by means over the hill and incapable of driving and if you are just lacking a bit confidence why not try and find a local driving instructor or even talk to the advanced driving institute and go out in the mono and get some reassurance and a confidence boost and for the sake of a few quid your journeys will be much more enjoyable for both you and your wife which in turn will make the whole trip much nicer.
Just in case any missed it this is just my opinion and is not meant to upset anyone.
Click to expand...
 
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You are right gummyb. I do get my confidence back a little though after a few days.
What I find hard are narrow roads. Last year we did the NC500 in Scotland. I really didn't enjoy it much because I spent the whole time maneuvering our MH round tiny roads. My wife loved it as she could sit back and enjoy the view
 
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Richard n Ann said:
Is your confidence lacking because you're thinking it's a big van to drive?
If so don't worry, once you've done a few miles it's no more difficult than driving a car. Whatever you drive you get used to the dimensions 👍
Click to expand...
 
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Ironically, I was a white van many until I retired. I think it's because our mh is 7.4 mt and so expensive
 
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Warmleys said:
Ironically, I was a white van many until I retired. I think it's because our mh is 7.4 mt and so expensive
Click to expand...
Don't worry about it then, once you get in it it's the same as the works van 👍 I drove transits for years. The length doesn't make any difference most of the time.

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Mid 70s and think i have a lot more miles left in me. Can still do North West to Dover in one hit if need be but i have spent most of my life as a HGV driver, but must admit it is getting harder due to the amount of traffic on the road and having to anticipate incompetent motorway drivers. The only time nowadays i enjoy driving is when i get off the ferry.
 
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John H. said:
Why not? You don't have the time to do it until you retire.
Click to expand...

Dunno about that, I pick up my motorhome next Wednesday and Im 51 2 weeks later, I intend to be away once a month for the first 12 months as a minimum probably all UK based.
 
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Warmleys said:
Ironically, I was a white van many until I retired. I think it's because our mh is 7.4 mt and so expensive
Click to expand...

I can sympathise with the feeling of anxiety due to the value of your precious MH. I've driven works vans and minibuses that already had dings and scratches so wasn't too fussed about them.

If it makes you a more defensive driver that's no bad thing nowadays. Not the same as a lack of confidence, which will improve as you add more miles.

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The beauty of motorhomes is that they are always ready to go. Which means if you are retired you use it a lot. Days out, weekends away and longer trips, you'll be amazed how quickly your confidence and skills develop. Best of luck

If you motorhome for the next 20 years, I doubt you'll be the oldest on the campsite. Best of luck.
 
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I'm 73 and enjoy driving anything as much as I did in my teens. I drive very different vehicles at the moment - our car is a Smart and the Motorhome is just short of 8 metres 5.4 tonnes. Second medical this Saturday. 15 minutes & £55 every three years.
 
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Little & often.
Don't make travelling days a major expedition - just a few miles will do.
There's no rush.

If you find narrow single track roads stressful - plan destinations that have few of them.
Look for HGV or Coach routes to various attractions - I learned that one after a squeaky bum moment going through a narrow arch at Castle Howard.

I tend to look at Google Maps & Street view to get an idea of what the roads are like near a proposed destination.
 
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The only way to find out is to try it!

I'm 76, solo and retired 15 years, much of which I've spent touring Europe with my 25yr old m/h, sometimes trailering my m/bike to ride in classic bike events.
Jampot at Clent.JPG

Just before the lockdown I rode my modern bike to Spain and back with my sons.

Setting off for Spain..jpg

Owen smiling.jpg


For ten years I've only had use of my left arm (I was right-handed) so the motorbikes and motorhome controls have been adapted for one handed riding/driving. The most difficult bit when motorhoming is winding the awning out and back but I've found a way.

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I’m ten years older than the OP and love driving our 4.5t 'truck'.
We are now 600 miles from home in Scotishland and I find the moho more relaxing to drive than the car.
The high seating with its better view of the road ahead, comfy captains chairs and cruise control make for a relaxing drive…………as long as you choose your route carefully.
Getting yourself trapped in narrow French/Spanish village streets is another matter entirely.
Good planning essential. (y)

Richard.
 
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Both over 70 both drive the motorhome over the years it has changed from 90/10% me/John to 55/45 mainly due to WW fan being an auto which we both love. Found it daunting getting back into it when I was in my 50s but a quick test drive with the hire company andI was fine.
Dies your wife drive could she be encouraged to give you a break?
First time I got in the van after lockdown I was a bit nervous but did get over it ok. Think the enforced staying at home has caused a lot of folks to be apprehensive about things they did without thinking.
 
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By the time we use our van again we will need a refresher course on what everything does. Haha
 
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Bought our first motorhome 6 weeks ago at age 67. Getting used to the fact that she's slower off the mark than the VW Tiguan, but enjoying the fact that Brunhilde has a track wide enough to avoid climbing and descending the speed bumps. Driven 381 miles since purchase,and am still getting used to the drive and handling, but it does get better and more comfortable/familiar each trip. It's opened up a new way of life, and the bits that fall off the Van, or stop working give me something else to curse about.

Steve
 
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Janine said:
I’m not sure that the lack of confidence is so much an age thing but maybe a reaction to what we’ve all been through in the last year.

Personally, I am finding that I don’t want to do the miles that I used to with weeks away, preferring shorter outings closer to home.
Click to expand...
This is absolutely how we feel so that is what we are doing this year. The roads feel frantic at moment but I am sure this feeling is due to having been confined to our own little patch for so long.
 
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