Aging is a funny thing. One day you’re bouncing back from anything, and the next day you make a strange noise just standing up from your camp chair. But here’s the thing: Age and health don’t always go hand in hand the way people assume they do.
Some RVers in their 70s are hiking trails, climbing into truck campers, and exploring the country like they’re decades younger. Others feel every mile in their joints by the end of a travel day. And, honestly, most of us probably fall somewhere in between.
Health can mean a lot of different things, too. Maybe you deal with aches and pains, but still feel strong overall. Maybe you take medications or have limitations, but consider yourself healthy for your age. Or maybe you feel better now than you did 10 years ago because you finally have less stress and more time to enjoy life.
RVing itself can sometimes be a pretty good motivator to stay active. Walking campgrounds, setting up camp, exploring small towns, hiking trails, and just getting outside more often can keep people moving in ways they might not at home. Of course, long drives, bad campground roads, and climbing RV steps don’t always help the knees!
And let’s face it—many RVers know somebody who says, “I’m falling apart,” while towing a fifth wheel across three states and chopping firewood before dinner. Perspective has a lot to do with it.
So we’re curious: How would you rate your health considering your age?
After you vote, leave a comment. If you’d like, tell us your age range and what helps you stay healthy on the road—or what challenges you deal with while RVing. Your experiences may encourage someone else. Thank you!
MORE POLLS YOU MIGHT LIKE:
- Will your next RV trip in the USA be to a destination east or west of the Mississippi River?
- Have you ever had mice, rats, or other critters get into your RV?
- Would you ever stay at a campground specifically because it has a bar or brewery?
- How important to you are online ratings of an RV park when making a reservation?
- Do you plan to spend more or less time RVing this summer than last?
- Overall, has the last year of your life been among the best, worst or the same as others?
RVT1263
“I just stopped in to see what condition my condition was in.”
I’ve had heart surgery, I have an implanted defibrillator, and I’m on several heart medications, but I’m doing great. I bicycle, hike, and live a very active life. Modern medicine is fantastic and I’m blessed to still be healthy and active until such time as the Lord takes me home. BTW, I’m 71.
Thank you for the question, RV Travel. I have one prescribed medicine and work daily around the farm. Many classmates and former colleagues seem in similar circumstance, but usually make frequent weekly trips to workout instead of farmwork. Thus, I am average. Have a great week and safe travels!
I have Muscular Dystrophy, but it is not stopping us from enjoying the Motor Home.
I walk at least 20k steps per day and also do volunteering at State Parks. Having a very active 2 yr old fur baby also helps.
I am 66, 189 lbs and 6′ tall.
Very active, even for men half my age.
The only problem is I can’t sit still for more than 30 min.
Too much to see and do before my time is up.
As long as I take my 14 pills a day, I’m in somewhat good shape. Just get tired easily. (72)
82, with open heart surgery 20 years ago, I’m excellent, comparing to others my age.
But, way out of warranty, and parts are wearing out.
This will be my last summer with my wonderful motorhome. . .only because there are other activities to enjoy and travel plans for my later life. At 87 years I feel great with only statins as meds and eager to continue hiking, biking and kayaking. A three week trip overseas this September is planned and I’ll be selling the Winnebago after the last camping trip.🙁 mid-summer. She has been wonderful with many fabulous memories across the U.S. for more than 20 years.
Wishing everyone as contented/ happy camping experiences as I’ve had for most of my life!
You’re an inspiration!!
While I have a number of medical conditions that would say otherwise, I feel good enough to compete in both Rally & Agility with my dog. I feel that counts for a lot. I will turn 75 this summer.
Massive stroke, triple bypass surgery in the last few years, very active and still traveling and volunteering . On no medications except aspirin. 80 years old my next birthday and Thank God every day for his healing Power. I guess he wasn’t quite done with me yet.
Seeing all the obese, diabetic younger people who never exercise and always on their phone, I am doing hundred times better than them (71, no medicines, healthy weight, healthy glucose) and exercise daily
I am an active person by nature and always have been. I have a difficult time just sitting – and when I do, I am thinking about what I should be doing! My general health and mental faculties are excellent and if it weren’t for the stenosis in my lower back, it would be difficult to tell me from most men in their 70’s! I take vitamins daily, and only two presc. meds for blood pressure; all of which I have taken for many years. Eat lightly (not all healthy since I am the cook now however); weigh 155, lost 3.5 inches and turn 90 on 6 August 26. (I hope!).
82 and have two heart stents (2010 & 2017). No heart attack as both times I decided to go to the ER because something just didn’t “feel right”, I do go to a personal trainer twice a week and take a fistful of meds. BUT my numbers are really good. Only issue is the poor muscle strength and stability of my legs.
Age 73 and active. Hike to and from waterfalls with wife. No prescription meds. God blessed us with 7 active grandchildren. Lot’s of their school activities to be there for.
As the great Clint Eastwood said, “A mans gotta know his limitations.” Not attempting what 20 year olds do.
I’m 65 , both knees replaced, shoulder replacement plus a couple other surgeries.
I hike trails every opportunity ,I go camping every chance I get.
i do heavy lifting for my job and plan on doing it until I’m 70.
i have my aches and pains like every one , most days I feel good.
Have trips planned every 3 weeks for the next 4 months
79, throat cancer survivor, no real health problems, still do pretty much everything I want to do including motorhoming, but shorter days.
At 83 and still RVing, I am in perfect health. Never smoked, not a Vegan, but backed way from fatties foods since age 22. Was a runner for 45 years. As for “Stress” – what is that anyway? Life has always been great. Married for 52 years.
I’ve been dealing with having MS almost half of my life (I’m 69). It gets a little worse every year, limiting me physically especially when it’s hot out. I’ve had a few infections over the past year and bouncing back from them has taken a lot longer than in my younger days. No RVing last year but I’m planning on doing a little local boondock soon.
I sadly had to check the “I’m a wreck” box. I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis shortly before my 50th birthday. I’ll turn 73 in Sept. But I’m not ready to give up camping. In our 32 years of marriage we’ve now been in all 48 contiguous states. And enjoyed every single one. Last summer we camped 89 nights, and 49 of those were our big trip from our home in KY to the Pacific Northwest. I hope I never have to quit because of my health. It’d be a sad, sad day.
I live in a RV+MH retirement co-op community, with ages from 55-95, a study of aging for sure! My experience is life is good until early eighties, then health concerns creep in, by the time 85-87 comes, most of our RV’ers are hanging life on the road up. I’m 83 with knee pain issues, trying to figure out what comes next, cortisone shots, maybe joint lubrication or replacement, we shall see. But still I hit the road and headed north for the summer, Texas is too hot for an old northerner! RV life is good, friends and family still welcome me back, even if I’m a little slower that my old self.
I have 23 prescribed meds. A lot are taken asneeded since I have difficult to control hypertension Yes, I keep a med book to keep track when I’m taking them. Also have very bad case of chronic pain- which is why I bought my camper- I could no longer sleep on the ground. Shoulder replaced 4 years ago. Pain got briefly better but for the last year it’s been just as bad as before the replacement, which is why I’m not going to get a knee replacement. Too much $, time & energy to just have the pain as before surgery. Can’t paddle canoe due to shoulder pain. Can’t even take long walks, which I used to do. Just trying to keep functional.