We were a bit late joining last night’s campfire. Other campers had already gathered around the welcome warmth and were in the middle of a discussion. The topic? “How old is too old to RV?” As we joined our chairs to the circle, I took a quick glance at the other folks there. Whew! Hubby and I were safely within the age range represented: 30s through 80s. (BTW, I’m terrible at guessing ages. This was my best estimate for the ages of people gathered.)
Recent changes in the RV world
Settling into my chair, I thought about how things have changed just in the past five years. We’re seeing more and more younger, working full-time RVers than ever before. It used to be that only retired folks with a solid pension could enjoy an RV lifestyle. That’s changing. And changing quite a bit! What’s driving younger working people to a life on the road? Opinions differed around the campfire.
Claudie commented: “I think younger folks just don’t want the responsibility of owning a home, raising a family, and committing to the betterment of a community. On the road, they’re only responsible for themselves. They’ve opted out of the norm, like irresponsible hippies did, back in my day.”
T.J. had something to say about that: “Wait a minute! Just because I’m working remotely doesn’t mean I’m somehow opting out of community improvement. My RV is my home and I do act responsibly by taking care of it. If my wife and I decided to start a family, we might make a change. But for now, this works best for us. Did you ever stop to think that maybe this is the new norm?”
Another 30-something, single gal added: “COVID pushed me into RV living. So far, I’m loving it! This might be the only time in my life that I get to travel, meet new friends, see new places, and earn a paycheck—all at the same time!”
There are many, many reasons why so many more folks are joining the RV life. COVID and having to isolate, the lack of affordable housing (to rent or own), and the growing ability to work remotely are just some of the reasons for the uptick in RV ownership. Young families now know that their children can learn remotely, and many other parents have decided to home-school, as well. RV manufacturers have taken note and are working to add RV offices and work-stations along with other new configurations to appeal to the new and changing faces of today’s RV buyers.
The internet is also helping people get into the RV lifestyle. Folks of all ages can now buy older RVs and fix them up. You can find step-by-step directions for how to install or repair almost anything on YouTube. And Pinterest has countless ideas for designing and decorating your RV to reflect the way you and your family want to live.
A dramatic shift in RVers’ ages
80-year-old John said: “It’s best to RV when you’re young. I think this will be our last year RVing. Travel days really get to me. I get really nervous now when I drive our Class A. I never used to feel that way. Plus, my wife has trouble getting in and out of our RV. The steps are getting to be too much for her.”
John is not alone. Many of our “more experienced” RVing friends are calling it quits. Others are looking for viable solutions. Take John’s scenario for example. If he and his wife still enjoy escaping the cold Minnesota winters, perhaps he can hire someone to drive his RV to southern Florida. I see many permanent stairs leading up to RVs in our current park. These steps feature handrails on both sides for stability and ease of maneuvering. Maybe some kind of alternative step configuration or a ramp could be a solution for John’s wife.
“Well, we’re only 59,” Julia commented, referring to herself and her husband. “I’d love to keep on RVing. It’s the reason we retired early. But I figure that with today’s used RV prices, we can sell now, bank the money, and buy a better RV in a year or so. We’ll get back into RVing then.”
As with most of life’s major decisions, choices remain distinctly individual. We all act on decisions in light of our current circumstances and future goals. The brutal truth is that circumstances change. Goals sometimes need to be modified. So, I finally asked the question that everyone seemed to be carefully tip-toeing around: “How do you know when it’s time to hang up the RV keys for good?”
How old is too old to RV?
A hush fell over the circle of RVers. Old Timers seemed to lean in to learn the answer. Younger RVers hesitantly made eye contact with others in their age group, but offered no opinion. At least not at first. Then:
Bonnie, age 69, finally said, “Well, we plan to keep our rig. We’ll travel until failing health puts a stop to RVing.”
Several people around the campfire nodded in agreement. It makes sense to me. If you no longer feel safe or confident in your driving skills, it’s definitely time to put up the keys—for your own safety and the safety of others on the road.
Here are a few additional health considerations to think about:
- Eyesight: Have your eyes checked at least once each year, and renew your prescription as directed. Tell your eye doctor about any concerns. Always wear sunglasses when needed to protect your eyes from glare.
- Strength: The “set up” and “take down” of common RV routines require a certain amount of body strength. For example, if you have a fifth wheel, you or your travel buddy need to be strong enough to climb up to access the RV hitch inside your truck bed.
- Balance: Troubleshooting RV problems may require you to access your RV roof or climb a ladder to access your exterior refrigerator panel, for instance. The ground around your campsite may be uneven, feature trip hazards like rocks and branches, or otherwise pose challenges for someone who does not have adequate balance skills.
- Agility/flexibility: Maneuvering your RV requires a good bit of agility. Think: twisting around to back up into your site, cornering a rig on narrow roadways, wrangling water and sewer hoses, and more.
- General health conditions: If you must see a doctor or receive health treatments regularly, you will need to plan your trips around those important visits. Or research places along your planned route that can accommodate your ongoing health needs.
Can you ever be too old to RV?
“No.” At least that’s what 90-year-old Carl says. He and his wife plan to keep on RVing until they “Either run out of money or good sense—whichever comes first.”
Todd seemed to summarize the conversation best: “You’ve got to be honest with yourself or pay attention to your travel partner, kids, or doctors. They might see things you don’t see for yourself. If you are healthy, have good reasoning and reaction skills, and can handle the physical parts of the RV life, go for it!”
What do you think? How long do you plan to enjoy the RV life? Travel on over to my forum and we’ll continue the conversation.
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##RVT1040
We are 65 and have been RVing about 10 years. For the last 5 years we have lived in our RV about 7 months/yr. We love it and we don’t want to stop. But, we know the day will come when one of us will get ill or eventually it will just get too hard for us to keep living in the RV. In the meantime, we fully intend to keep up this lifestyle and see as many waterfalls and sunrises that we can.
Age is just a number. The real deciding factor is physical ability and mental acuity. My neighbor at 64 is talking about quitting rving because he finds driving the 20 mi to the lake to be too taxing. Another friend much older forgot he was towing his RV and tried to go through a drive-thru with the resulting damage to the building and totaling the RV. The unfortunate thing about mental acuity is you may not realize that you can no longer do it.
👍🏻
Exactly right. The lifestyle doesn’t promote getting off your butt. If you are inactive at any age your body deteriorates and you put others at risk on the road.
Interesting question with no real answer. I am 80, almost 81, and still enjoy traveling, my wife is 75, almost 76, and is experiencing health issues. We are leaving next week to go to a Bluegrass festival and visit with one of her friends. She complains of getting ready to go and then complains about coming home.
Sure, we are close to giving up our love of RV’ing but our love of travel and new friends will not be diminished. The mode of transportation may change, the size of the RV may change but, our desires will not.
Several years ago I met a 92 year old gentleman that was still going strong, saw him doing maintenance on his rig, out walking and doing other things as well as younger people.
Another gentleman we met was 98, his wife did the driving, his wife set the rig up but, they both were out walking and doing things together.
You are never too old to enjoy life as long as you try.
My husband is 63 and I’m 8 years older. He is the driver and I’m the navigator. We tow a 20 foot TT with our F-150. We have camped for over 40 years and we have learned a lot along the way. We looked forward to our retirement when we planned hit the road for a month or two at a time. When my husband retired in 2020 we sat at home after all our trips were scrubbed. Last year we finally did our first month long trip. We traveled in July and August to South Dakota and Colorado. We stopped in 16 campgrounds, many for just one night. Along the way we met so many wonderful people! Many campers these days are camping to avoid other people. Not me! I try to start up a conversation with anyone who looks the least bit approachable. We have met people from every age group and we have learned much from other campers. People are so interesting. No one is too young or too old to camp. We plan to camp until we no longer enjoy it which would probably be because of poor health.
I joined the RV life in my early thirties and at 77 am still very much into it. Worked for an RV dealer in the beginning because I needed a job and slowly realized it was my love for the lifestyle that motivated me. Flunked out of my first marriage led me to a love I was fortunate to excell at, RVs. Got married again; 40 years now, and she shares a love of RVs! Close to 50 years with everything from tent campers to motor homes we have met some of the most amazing people! Young and old, everybody has a wonderful story to tell. Listening is an art , practiced daily will bring a wealth beyond comparison. Relax with knowing you are growing older not old.
As long as we have memories, yesterday remains. As long as there is hope, tomorrow awaits. As long as we have love, tomorrow is beautiful. As long as we have faith, anything is possible.
Since you call your Husband “Hubby” does he call you his “Ol Lady”?
No. Probably “wifey”. That’s how we do it. Hubby and wifey work well for us.
Regarding age, I am 78 and have been needing a power chair for years now, but my driving skills are unimpaired. The reason my wife and I are selling our trailer is that driving has changed. The roads have become a demolition derby. People now are driving like Lemmings. Even the 16 wheelers, who I greatly respect, have a greater number of bad eggs than ever before.
If that were not bad enough, the road conditions are becoming atrocious. Barrels and barricades, potholes and detours, and the traffic can make a hundred mile run seem like a stress test. We like camping and traveling, but have weighed the cost and are opting out. Still enjoy your publication. Thanks
The roads are terrible. I -10 just west of Quartzsite is horrible with all the truck rutting in the right lane. I live in NM and getting home I drive some of the worst.
Keep hearing and reading about people talking about Hippies like its a Bad thing.
Lol.
Being 70 myself I dig the lifestyle.
Go figure!
My wife and I have always thought of ourselves as youthful. Even today in our sixties we don’t think or act our age and we love it! About ten years ago we did a fall camping trip to Bar Harbor and Acadia NP in early October. We met a nice couple at the kayak launch from Michigan. At the time the other couple was in their sixties and I thought gee, we won’t look like them when we are that age, plus would be doing a whole heck of a lot more RV’ing/camping “before” we get that old.
Well here we are today, we are now that couple and looking forward to a minimum of 120 nights this year.
My only concern is if I should die or have a major medical issue when camping. My wife cannot tow my camper, hook it up or tear it down. I would hope campers by us would help as I would help them if they were in that same situation. I have AAA RV plus so I hope they could at least tow my travel trailer home or to a RV dealer to sell. She’d have to drive the truck home with my two dogs. Maybe in a few years I’d have to think about buying a small class c motorhome.
No need to worry she can ask for help and they will come out of the woodwork
It is not an age thing but the ability. Some can, where some no longer can.
Abilities decrease with age. However various abilities decrease at different rates with different people. So, one age cannot be applied to all people. But I think folks in the age range we are talking about already know this. Nevertheless an interesting article.
“if you have a fifth wheel, you or your travel buddy need to be strong enough to climb up to access the RV hitch inside your truck bed.” I don’t need to do that.
My biggest challenge at 74 is trying to keep my weight down. I’ve never been the least bit heavy, but my lifestyle isn’t nearly as active as it used to be. Gaining weight can make everything more difficult, including getting on the roof.
How old is too old to RV? It all depends on the RV’ers involved. My uncle, age 91, camps with us all the time. Hooking up and driving his own truck and travel trailer. He needs no help setting up camp or splitting firewood. He also delivers meals on wheels to the elderly each week, works a food bank and soup kitchen as well as ushers at his church. May we all be so lucky.
My wife’s grandparents full timed in a large 5er into their mid 80’s. Her grandfather’s sudden fatal heart attack was the end. They worked for volunteer organizations on-the-road for 20 years enjoying travel all over the US while meeting many new friends and helping to do good. I can’t think of a better life or “retirement.”
So how long? As long as you still have the desire and can!
Started FT at 55 in 2006. Still going. Our travels have left me with the paradigm that men give out around 80. Either mentally or physically. I know there are exceptions(And denials).
RVs are NOT an “Investment”. They are a glorified car that is an “Expense”. Depreciation and inflation will eat up any “Market strategy” you may embrace. Buy what you want and KEEP it. Cry once.
I have no problem with the younger people exploring their options. One cautionary tale, we met a US couple in Mexico that were working by Web with U.S. clients. They were very proud they had developed a plan of the minimum number of days they had to spend in the States to remain qualified for all the benefits, while keeping their assets outside the US. These types(As well as Corporations) are parasites. Taking all they can out and contributing as little as possible.
We reassess RV travel every season. I do not see the “when to stop” as a function of age but a function of health and practicality. If I cannot physically or mentally function well enough to safely travel by RV …. I will stop. We have been at RVing in one form or another for going on 50 years now. In many ways I think we are far safer now than when I was young and stupid. Like most things in life it is time to stop when it is no longer fun. Keep RV-nnn!
We’re 67 and 63. We said when we started fulltime we would go until we can’t or don’t want to anymore. I think we will know when to quit. We started because tomorrow isn’t guaranteed and still feel that way.
Another article like “gray is the perfect color to paint your house”.
There is no perfect- just judge mental people! You can listen to others opinions of perfect, then go do what works for you.
Great article and comments below.
Into our 16th year of RVing with the first 8 fulltiming in a 40 foot motorhome and went to all 49 states. Then we downsized to a 33 foot for 5 years. Now we have a 25 foot Leisure Travel Van. Easy to drive, park and maneuver. We do 6-8 months RVing a year.
We work off a 5 year plan when we re-evaluate if we want to do another 5 years. I am now 79 and my wife is 81. In 2026 at 84 & 86 we will “re-evaluate again. We love the RV lifestyle.
Although we had been camping a handful of times while our kids were at home, we didn’t start camping more than once every ten years until we were 67 and 69, bought our TT a year later. We aren’t full time, and some might even consider that we don’t camp often enough to justify owning a TT. We’re now 72 and 74 and are heading out for a week next month. As we plan our first trip of “the season” (for us it is a season – it’s changed a bit since we moved from the desert of Colorado to the humidity and heat and bugs of the southeast) I think a lot about when we’ll decide it’s time. I think we have a few years left though. Heck, we didn’t even know we were considered “elderly” until the pandemic called us that.
There is so much more to think about than age. I am 74 and could drive to almost any larger city in this country without looking at a map. East of the big river show me any town on a map and I could drive there and never look at a map again. I am able to do anything that is needed around a camp site. This said I have sold my motorhome and gave up RVing because of the cost. The last trip in the car after selling motorhome was from Florida to CA then to OR east across the country back to Florida. A trip of about 2 months staying with friends and relatives. The trip cost less than it would have been in our motorhome. Having spent several years traveling and work camping it would have been great to have our home with us if we could have afforded it but we were able to see and do so much more by car and mooching off people, LOL. But if we win the lottery we will be back on the road. So I think money causes more old people to stop than just age.
I agree completely that the cost of maintaining an RV is extremely expensive. People are always told that staying in hotels is more expensive, but, I’m not sure this is true especially when you consider that on a cost basis for the actual number of days you’re using your own rig the cost is extremely high. Remember that every day you’re not using the RV it’s still costing you money. Why is that? Insurance, registration, maintenance and replacement for items that fail over time. You are only paying for the use of the hotels as you use them. None of those other factors exist.
The only “cool factor” is owning your own rig is exciting….. it’s like being your own “Captain Kirk” on the highway……. people love that….. but, it’s an expensive ride.
I have to agree, last year we moved to central FL, bought into a RV village, put our TT into storage then when gas went up into the upper $4 range we traded our 13 mpg truck in on a Toyota Camry hybrid (47.8 mpg at 75 mph, 56.4 mpg in town) and haven’t looked back. Since both our families still lived in TN and AL we made several trips “back home”. We recently moved back home as the cost of living was taking more of our income than we liked. In that years time and traveling by car it has revealed that we were really spending massive amounts of money using our truck and trailer for traveling. We don’t travel extravagantly so a motel room costs about what a night in the RV, but the gas is much less, and the stress of driving is less. We still talk about getting something small just for 3-4 days at a time.
I agree with Todd.
I will say that I am glad I retired at 55 and started going full-time then. Later we half time RV’ed up until I turned 71, not that I was not able, but because the wife got tired of it. I thought about getting another RV, but the prices are too high and I read where getting into parks is getting to be too difficult. I can Foresee the market getting flooded with used RV’s in the next couple of years and values way down.
I want to know how to handle all the requirements of not having a mailbox or physical address,
‘Changing Lanes’, ‘You, Me and the RV’ and others on YouTube have numerous episodes on things like mailing services, taxes, medical and vehicle insurance and other issues facing full-timers.
Check out Escapees RV Club https://escapees.com/
My parents full timed for 13 years from just before his quadruple bypass until 2 years before his passing at 87. During that time they had their mail sent to my house, I would collect it sorting out the usual junk mail and send it to them in care of general delivery and give them a call to let them know it was on the way. Back then I could send a 1st class mail package for $3. About every 2 months they’d send me a check for $25 to cover costs. It worked great for that time, I wasn’t going far out of the way to work to swing by the PO and mail it. You might look into that type of arrangement.
My DW and I are 82&79, we are in excellent health according to our Dr. We gave up our 38’ Class A because I didn’t feel I was competent to handle the responsibilities of such a large vehicle. We downsized to a truck and 23’ travel trailer which I’m much more comfortable handling. We will continue as long as our health holds out. We don’t go as far as we use to, but we still enjoy our trips.
Good 👍 for you both! Adapt and “keep on trucking” as we spoke in the 70s ..
Are you that old?? Lol
Simply NO “cut & dry” one size fits all answer. #1 question; are you HEALTHY enough to SAFELY drive and manage an RV? If you are, do you still enjoy the RV lifestyle? I started RVing 11+ years ago and STILL have not seen everything I’d like to. Not that many years ago, I remember a serious bedbug problem in some (many?) hotels / motels. That’s not a problem in my RV. The places I’d like to see more of are often more accessible to RVs than to folks in motels. At an RV rally, I met a 92 year old gentleman who was still RVing. I hope to reach that age and still be healthy enough to safely drive my rig! When you stay in a motel, you’re basically living out of a suitcase (not something I’m wild about). Bottom line: EACH person / couple has to decide what’s best for them based on THEIR circumstances.
Interesting post and comments. Not the question raised but I agree with Claudie – you should be raising kids in your 30s. A society which doesn’t value this is a society with an expiration date.
I’m 65 and hope to RV for the rest of my life. The one thing I think will become increasingly difficult is putting a full propane tank into the fifth wheel. It’s a PITA now, not just because of the weight but because it’s such an awkward job to do. No problem with the weight (yet) but the angles and contortions needed to get it in there.
Access to health care the older you get is everything. If you have a medical emergency in a remote location it could be fatal, but, having said that it’s impossible to predict and prepare for this.
Get annual physical check ups and watch your diet and exercise to ward off problems. Enjoy your life, but, be practical about your limitations. Age catches up with everyone and you can’t avoid it.
There’s no easy answer here and it’s all based on individual’s health conditions. There’s no generalizations here; every person is unique and it’s impossible to make any assumptions.
We are both 79. Neither of us is in perfect health. We have been full time in our current 36 foot DP for 10 years. This was after 10 years of most time RVing. I am currently planning a cross country trip from SoCal to NY state. It will be our 21st such crossing. We have reduced drive time to 2 hours each per day so the trip will take a while. We will get off the road for at least 2 nights every so often, what’s the hurry? We have full medical coverage at both ends of the trip and we have had the misfortune to need to find excellent care along the way a couple of times. Life can be like that. Once I had to call a son to come bail us out as we needed to drive from El Paso to Charlottesville and my wife was in no condition to drive. The lesson is fairly simple when one of us can no longer drive this big rig (for us) we will park it, hang up the keys and resort to Plan B. We haven’t decided what plan B is!
I’m turning 65 and my MH is 44. I’ll pack it in when one of us croaks.
GMC Motorhome?
My husband and I, each 69 years old, subscribe to the idea of our Go years, Slow years, and No years. We are in our Go years now, but I expect in 8-10 years or so we’ll be in our Slow years where we take a couple days to drive 300 miles. Our No years will see us possible getting a park model and taking day trips.
We Can’t get on the roof. The dealer has a free inspection. We can’t get under the fiver. I made some blocks to set under the self leveling Jack’s without pulling the pins. We have electric awnings. I’m not bragging but saying the good old days are now.
First, thank you Gail (and RV travel staff) for this feature. I hope the many many full timers, and the rest of us, find options to get around the rising costs. Unfortunately, the cost of everything is rising and we will all have to be creative to continue to enjoy RVing.
When it’s no longer enjoyable is when you’re too old to RV. When the pain outweighs the pleasure, Hang it up.
FT 17yrs – In observing over the years I feel 80 is a turning point, for most people. OF COURSE everyone is an individual but lots of physiologic things happen around this age. I’ve seen 30 year olds I wouldn’t trust and 90 YOs I’d follow anywhere. Many 80s guys have said the ups and downs become too much for their knees. Reaction times lengthen into the realm of dangerous. Attention/cognoscente issues arise.
I’m focused on 80 as a stopping point, which is arriving WAY too quickly!
I’m 76 and the wife is 80. She’s my second set of eyes for the road and my navigator for 55 years.
This our 14th year as RV travelers with a 30’ TT and in a few weeks picking up our new “quick get away rig”, a new truck camper. All we need in life is a state highway and the horizon ahead.
Life’s way to short to sit around and be a grumpy old person. Your kids will spend your saving so fast it would make your head spin.
Make lemonade while you can, and go until you can’t.
Don’t forget to send RVT a check once in a while, the articles and the comments section is worth every dime you send them.
I like your positive way of thinking about living life, Dan. 👍 And thank you for the mention of RVtravel.com. We appreciate it, and YOU, very much! Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Based on the comments, this article was an excellent conversation starter!
Seems obvious the determining factor is not age but ability — some folks just shouldn’t attempt RVing or camping at any age, while others can keep going for many, many decades.
The ‘too old’ answer has a lot of variables, but to me the core response is “when you or people around you are unsafe”. Driving is the 1st no-go, but doesn’t matter if you are stationary. RV maintenance is the next no-go, but doesn’t matter if you have someone able to do it, either volunteer or paid. Getting in and out of the RV can be an issue, but decks, ramps;, etc. may mitigate that. So back to my statement, when you or people around you are unsafe. You either stop or if possible, change your situation to regain safety.
“At least that’s what 90-year-old Carl says. He and his wife plan to keep on RVing until they either run out of money or good sense—whichever comes first.” I LOVE this answer!
As WE age I find that we plan shorter trips a bit closer to home (under 1,000 total miles). Over the years we have explored and explored and found what are now our fave boondocking sites. We seem to gravitate to these sites instead of new explorations into strange areas. Is this what it referred to as “old and set in our ways”?
We just sold our bumper pull trailer and bought a 2003 33ft class A. Our plan is going from California to Tennessee and back. In getting stuff ready I’m thinking after we get back I’ll see if I can sell our MH. We are in our mid 70’s and the thrill is fading the excitement is gone. With all that’s going on in Traveling it might be time to move to another way.
Thank you, Gail! I anticipate going until my early 80’s, if I live that long and my health stays good enough. I’m already 66, so, maybe, another 15 years; we’ll see.
As with most things in life, one size does not fit all. My 93 y/o uncle still hooks up his travel trailer to his truck by himself and goes camping. He does all the set up by himself and everything else associated with camping. He is not your “typical” 93 y/o. He also works at his church’s food bank, works the local soup kitchen and delivers meals on wheels to the elderly and housebound folks!
We plan to continue using our Motorhome as long as health lets us. My last doctor said I have maybe 20 years yet. That would be 103 years! Our class C V-10 motorhome would be 40 years. I keep all repairs up to date and have updated the interior.
The wife and I have been traveling in our RVs (3 different ones so far, class C, class A and now a 30’ travel trailer); have been traveling for 15 years and leave Florida for the Calgary Stampede next month. A 7000+ mile trip. We are both 79 and in good health. Plan to keep traveling as long as we are healthy and there are places to go.
Bless your hearts. I will be your age some day. However, I have my limits. You are camping still because everyone sees you and identify your capabilities through age and come to your rescue and help you. You can keep camping because of all of these wonderful people. I am not a selfish person and I am just saying I don’t go camping to wait and look for the older citizens and help them so they can continue to do camping trips Lourde help me. I can not believe I just said this to everyone,