Towing seniors

[Richarddjr]

Wife and I are in 70’s and want to tow our fifth wheel to Alaska next spring (2020)
Wonder if any other senior rvers have driven at our ages ?

[fjr vfr]

Many of us are in our 70's and travel with an rv. Once you get this age everything depends on your health. If you're still fit enough and have decent reflexes there's no reason why you can't do it.
BTW, my wife and I road our Goldwing to Alaska pulling a trailer in our early 60's, 13,000 miles round trip. We tent camped along the Alcan highway and back across Canada finishing in Virginia.
Today we just pull our 5th wheel camper all over the country. We have a standard bed pickup and pull a 30' trailer.
One thing I've learned is to stay within yourself. In other words don't take on more than you can handle comfortably. You can go longer with less.

[wingnut60]

76 now and made the AK trip in '12 and '16--my wife and I had no problems with making the trip--except for a blown engine on the '16 trip. No flats, no windshield cracks, just a bad engine--not the fault of the highways. There is a Facebook site called "RVing to Alaska 2020" if you do FB, lots of info there. Also one for 2019 that may still be active.
Go For It!!
Raised in WF, by the way--old High '61.

[Notanlines]

What they ^^^^ said! We rode our Harley (sidecar and trailer) to St Anthony, Newfoundland last summer/fall from Memphis. Gone about two months. We were 70 and 69 respectively. Our plans are to go back to Alaska next summer with the 450 and a late-model used pull behind. I don't want to pull the Suites up there. Remember, you can't put this off any longer. Keep us up on your decision.

[theboondork.com]

I'm 73 and I full-time in an Arctic Fox 30 foot fifth wheel without any trouble at all. One difference from when I was younger is I don't drive long distances the way I use to, but of course now I don't have to, so it's a rare day when I will travel 200 miles in one sitting. My motto is, slow down and enjoy the trip as much as the destination.

theboondork.com

[Richarddjr]

76 now and made the AK trip in '12 and '16--my wife and I had no problems with making the trip--except for a blown engine on the '16 trip. No flats, no windshield cracks, just a bad engine--not the fault of the highways. There is a Facebook site called "RVing to Alaska 2020" if you do FB, lots of info there. Also one for 2019 that may still be active.
Go For It!!
Raised in WF, by the way--old High '61.
You are a couple years younger than me I was class of 58 Birdville high school (Fort Worth ). But we played old high when coach Golding set national win records.
Glad to meet you.

[wingnut60]

Richarddjr,
Hope you get to make the trip--it is worth it. Get the Milepost book now to start planning, and be sure to check the FB group.

I get a laugh each time I look at your post title----"Towing Seniors" Well, I suppose they are towed the same way as other people....

[Stripit]

Richarddjr,

I get a laugh each time I look at your post title----"Towing Seniors" Well, I suppose they are towed the same way as other people....

Now that is FUNNY.....

[Richarddjr]

Well the medical profession would have you in a nursing home Instead of driving to Alaska. Never sure seeking inspiration when told by so many for so long That. You have gone over hill.
Glad I put a smile on your face.

[wingnut60]

Preparation, Patience, Perseverance--will all be needed for the trip. It won't be much different than a long trip in the US, EXCEPT--large areas without cell coverage. A CB radio can help if breakdown occurs. If you try to do too much in too short a time is when problems happen is my thinking--slow and easy beats fast and furious. So much to see, so little time.....you can't do it all in 3 months

[fjr vfr]

When you go, make sure to carry extra fuel. When we went I looked forward to the next gas station listed in the "Milepost" book but when we got there, there were barriers across the entrance and weeds blowing through. :confused:

We went on to the next station which had gas, but the pump was broke! :shock:
I emptied my 1 1/2 gal gas can into the Goldwing and when we got to the next station we were running on fumes. I bought another 2 1/2 gal tank and never needed it after that.


You will see almost every vehicle on the road carrying a spare tank with good reason.


Have a safe and fun trip. You will love it. ;)