Easiest rig to travel in as an aging senior?

[mccreainmd]

We want to downsize. Currently we pull an 2014 Airstream 25’ Flying Cloud RB twin with a 2023 Ford Expedition. We are both 75 years old, active adults. In making this decision, we need to consider our age and what would be easier to travel in as we grow older? (FYI: We travel with a dog). In addition, we are snowbirds on the East coast and make the North/South commute twice a year. We mostly try to vary our route to see new things and to avoid Route 95. In addition, we vacation in the trailer 2-3 times a year and consequently spend approximately 6-8 weeks rv’ing yearly.

Currently we are considering downsizing to a 23’ Air Stream Flying Cloud FB twin but want to look at all our options: Should we go to a smaller travel trailer? Should we consider a camper van? The crux of the question is what is the easiest rig to travel in as an aging senior who hopes to continue in the RV lifestyle for years to come?

I would welcome any thoughts.

[field & stream]

We are a few years ahead of you, camped in vans for many years before our first Airstream, and have downsized (from a 23’) to simplify our travels. However, what we did may not fit your needs and desires.

A few particulars would help:
— can you share a 48” wide bed? 52”?
— how important to you is a dinette?
— are you willing to convert the dinette to a bed daily?
— is a wet bath acceptable?
— how important to you is the size of the kitchen?

Just for openers, we ditched vans for the increased ease and freedom of day tripping in the tow vehicle. We downsized trailers for the ease of driving and parking and eliminating fussing with the heavy weight distribution hitch.

[Bill M.]

We are a few years older. I see nothing wrong with your current rig and no advantage to downsizing or going to a van. Have though about it. You still have to deal with a hitch of some sort. A 25 is not a hard size to pull. Ours maybe a little easier since it is one of the old, narrow ones. What we have downsized is the distance of our daily travel and we reserve a lot of pull throughs now just to lower the worry stress about finding a space. My thought is to invest part of the huge money you would spend downsizing into doing more traveling now while you can. I have pretty much decided to just trailer as long as we can and then maybe keep the trailer on a site in Florida and drive back and forth each season. (snowbird). In fact we have the site with a trailer on it now. Of course at our age notions take a back seat to health and what we actually can do.

I do know couple who just downsized their travel trailer to a large Basecamp. They are 65-70 age. They really like it. My predictipm that when they pass 80 they will be back in a real trailer.

[Steamguy]

Maybe I can help.

My late wife had a disease which affected her mobility. At the time, we had a nice SOB (Some Other Brand) travel trailer with a slide, but it required four very tall (12" tall) steps to access. It became too much for her to easily enter and exit, and I explored all the different trailers I could find in the local area as a remedy.

I ended up with Airstream, it was really the only good fit. Only two steps up, and in our 27FB, there was always a place to put a hand while walking. And if not, there are good suction-cup devices that are rated as handgrabs.

I would encourage you to explore all the different floor plans, and spend some real time just sitting in, and mimicking activities, that you normally do when camping. (Do not neglect the lavy.) You will likely have to go back a few times during your selection phase. Take your shoes off and walk around with your eyes closed, and your partner nearby for safety. Go from sitting to standing with your partner nearby for safety but again keeping your eyes closed. Do all this with the goal in mind of seeing if you naturally find surfaces to assist in your mobility.

I cannot make any recommendations for self-powered camping vehicles, as that is a personal choice as to whether you wish to incur the maintenance tasks which come with them. On every unit we owned, the very first job was a complete teardown of the braking systems - they seem to be universally (and frighteningly) neglected.

For us, we had a few different units over some 45+ years of camping, and the only clear path for us would have been a converted bus; as I soon became tired of the compromises made when a camping body is attached to a van chassis.

Hope that helps. Others here will also have their perspectives.

[LNBright]

I’m with Bill on this, I don’t know that downsizing helps that much, that you’re already home in your current one.

I don’t think there’d be appreciable difference in driving a 23’ or smaller versus your 25’. You’re still going to use the tongue jack for lifting and leveling, same step height…. I don’t know that you really gain anything going smaller.

[mccreainmd]

I would prefer a bed that we don't disturb each other to get up in the middle of the night. The twin works best and has extra storage. A small dinette is ideal - just large enough to eat at. I'm not willing to convert the dinette daily. One of us wakes up early and quietly sips our coffee while the other is a late sleeper. A wet bath is acceptable and would prefer one with a small sink. Kitchen size isn't too important.

I see your point to eliminate the need of the weight distribution hitch. What size trailer is the largest to not need a WDH?

Thanks for taking time to respond.
Penny

[Fungus]

Smaller trailer means smaller tanks.

Comparing the 2014 23FB to the 2014 25FB you would lose nearly 20% of gray water and more than 50% of black.

Model: Fresh/Gray/Black
25FB: 39/37/39
23FB: 39/30/18

And that is a very slight downsizing.

This may not matter to you.

[field & stream]

Originally Posted by mccreainmd

I would prefer a bed that we don't disturb each other to get up in the middle of the night. The twin works best and has extra storage. A small dinette is ideal - just large enough to eat at. I'm not willing to convert the dinette daily. One of us wakes up early and quietly sips our coffee while the other is a late sleeper. A wet bath is acceptable and would prefer one with a small sink. Kitchen size isn't too important.

I see your point to eliminate the need of the weight distribution hitch. What size trailer is the largest to not need a WDH?

Thanks for taking time to respond.
Penny

Welcome to the world of trade offs!

As a premise, I am going to assume that you want to keep your Expedition as a tow vehicle and that you want to stay with Airstream. Otherwise, the options are almost too numerous to discuss! (e.g. Casita, Oliver, etc.)

Given your preferences, the 23’ twin is the only Airstream that checks all the boxes. All of the smaller Airstreams have climb-over beds which you can only work around by converting the dinette, either daily or permanently. Trade offs. At that point, while the 23’ will be marginally easier, I tend to agree with those who say why bother switching.

FYI: I am aware that what we did is a bit radical, but we went all the way down to a 16’ with double panoramic windows. By converting the dinette permanently to a lounge/bed, we have individual bed/lounges at each end of the trailer (40” and 48” wide) separated by a curtain if desired. In my opinion, this is the best sleeping and lounging setup in any Airstream of any size. We either eat outside, eat on our laps, or set up a small portable table.

Your question about the need for weight distribution is one of the most debated topics on these forums! However, within that debate there seems to be agreement that the relative sizes of the tow vehicle and the trailer is a key variable. We towed our 23’ and our 16’ with the same half ton Yukon XL. We tow the 16’ without weight distribution or sway control, and did not and would not consider towing the 23’ without both.

Trade offs………

[GOUSC]

I am 67 so not at your age yet. I tend to fall in line with those suggesting keeping what you have. The only real issue I see is putting the hitch on/off the TV. Other than that, going to a smaller RV wouldn’t be any different to me. I use a dolly to roll it to/from the TV. When it gets too cumbersome I think I would reach out and pay a neighbor for that. Use the extra money from changing RV’s to spoil yourself with non-RV trips.

As one poster stated, you have to evaluate the trade offs. What will you gain with a smaller RV / what will you lose if you get rid of your current RV?

[Turkeybaster]

I enjoyed reading this thread to hear about folks rv-ing well into their 70’s and beyond. We are in our mid 50’s and look forward to many more years enjoying the heck out of our favorite hobby. It’s inspiring to hear you are adapting to keep enjoying what you love. Is there an air-forums category for senior citizens? There should be.
TB

[majorairhead]

I'm gonna push for a class b to tool around in when the time comes.

[Bill M.]

Maybe e convert the present trailer to a twin bed. And tale out the dinette. do not know your trailer layout. Ours is a twin with no dinette and we like it. If you want to trade trailers anyway then for sure get a size you will feel comfortable with.

[Lily&Me]

I, of course, am partial to a ClassB, will be 75 on my next birthday and am getting ready to head south and southeast for a couple of months.

Widowed now almost 10 years, with about 100,000 travel miles behind us with just me and the dog.

You can’t beat a BVan for ease and simplicity in travel, in my opinion, a go-almost-anywhere vehicle.

You do have to know and get along with your travel partner very well, however, as it is a level of closeness not everyone can tolerate.

A good idea to spend some time in one before making a purchase, is my suggestion.

Maggie

[LNBright]

Originally Posted by Turkeybaster

I enjoyed reading this thread to hear about folks rv-ing well into their 70’s and beyond. We are in our mid 50’s and look forward to many more years enjoying the heck out of our favorite hobby. It’s inspiring to hear you are adapting to keep enjoying what you love. Is there an air-forums category for senior citizens? There should be.
TB

The wife and I are in our early 50’s: the first ‘rally’ type of event that we went to, had a great time, really enjoyed meeting everyone, realized we’d found ‘our people’, but we also looked around and realized we were the ‘youngsters’ there, maybe 3/4 were already retired (were just now becoming ‘empty-nesters’ ourselves, are practicing at being retired, although we both have several more years to go before our pensions kick in).

Point being: sure, there are some on here that did well early and jumped into the Airstream life, or did a rebuild project, or can work remotely and decided to get an Airstream instead of a house, etc., but I think, for the most part, a large portion here are already retired, or are at least approaching such. So while there isn’t a specific subforum for seniors, I would expect just about any of the topics here could end up needing to address its subject from a perspective of, we just aren’t as spry as we once were….

[Mollysdad]

Being in your age range, I'm not sure downsizing is the way to go.
What's important to me is entering with the fewest steps possible.
I added a grab rail inside to help me make the step. Smaller Airstreams have the same step, so it's a tie.


Next would be a comfortable place it sit. IMO, the foam seating in everything short of the Classic 30' fails. Tie.
Two people and a dog means the need for floor space. Bigger wins.
Two people have clothes, is the storage adequate?
I have a 26U and think I'm spoiled with the large bath and shower.
Having to open the bathroom door to pull up your pants gets old fast.
I'd insist on a fridge with a separate freezer. Although a trip to the store is almost a social event, you gain nothing with going small.
Easy access to storage? Twin beds for the win!
More floor space for dressing? Twins win again!
Single axle vs. dual axles? I'd never have another single. Too much riding on that one wheel.
Hitch? If you can't lift either, then you'll use the electric tongue jack. I don't find a WD hitch to be a detriment, just takes longer.
I lift the truck and trailer enough to put the bars on without tools.
What I find awkward is the sewer hose. I prefer connections that are accessible without kneeling. Of course, the campground end can be a challenge too. But it's a tie unless the gate valves are tucked away in a locker. Smaller tanks mean more trips to dump.
I think I've made mine as painless as possible, a cap with a handle, and an extension on the hose so I can make the connection just leaning over.
I daydream of having a Classic 30 and selling the house. It's exhausting to provision for trips and reverse when I come home.
That's my ramblings.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

There are a whole lot of variables and most of them are pretty specific to you and your crew.

How big is the dog and how active? Our Neuf is more active, our Lab outweighs him by a couple pounds ... burp .... Fitting the 4 of us in a van is "interesting", it does work for us. There certainly is more room in the trailer.

How much "stuff" do haul along? Simply reducing that part might be the first step. If you go to a van, reduction *will* be a big part of that process.

Once you get here or there, it sounds like you settle in for a month or four. With just a van, driving over to have dinner is a bit more exciting.

How are the knees, hips, and shoulders doing? That may impact how much of a "step up" you can handle. There are ways (step stools) to deal with this. It can be a hassle. (Even more so if the dog is the one of the ones with the knee issues ...).

Until you get down to <= 20', I don't think you are doing much to help with towing or hitching up. At that point you are pretty close to a "van sized" trailer.

Do you do your own maintenance or do you have somebody else fix stuff? Things like pulling off the wheels to change the brakes seems to get less fun as I get older ....

Yes, this list could go on and on and on ....

Bob

[bigfoot390]

As a 70+ year old with a same aged wife having a 30 classic with a few mods seems to suit us best. We narrowed the dinette to comfortably fit just 2 instead of a tight fitting 4 to give us more floor space. I also converted to twins in the rear instead of that awful double bed they came up with.

We tow with a F250 which seems to suit us as far as towing and daytripping.
I guess the real question is how much actual activity is one doing to keep in shape to deal with the issues that come with camping. Changing tires, hitching and unhitching, leveling hookups and dumping etc.

I guess it all comes down to what one can safely lift and handle with realistically knowing ones shortcomings.

"A man's got to know his limitations." Clint Eastwood

[dralanir]

We downgraded last year from 30”Globetrotter to 27” Airstream Atlas. And we don’t regret it.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by mccreainmd

We want to downsize. Currently we pull an 2014 Airstream 25’ Flying Cloud RB twin with a 2023 Ford Expedition. We are both 75 years old, active adults. In making this decision, we need to consider our age and what would be easier to travel in as we grow older? (FYI: We travel with a dog). In addition, we are snowbirds on the East coast and make the North/South commute twice a year. We mostly try to vary our route to see new things and to avoid Route 95. In addition, we vacation in the trailer 2-3 times a year and consequently spend approximately 6-8 weeks rv’ing yearly.

Currently we are considering downsizing to a 23’ Air Stream Flying Cloud FB twin but want to look at all our options: Should we go to a smaller travel trailer? Should we consider a camper van? The crux of the question is what is the easiest rig to travel in as an aging senior who hopes to continue in the RV lifestyle for years to come?

I would welcome any thoughts.

Lots of folks, us included, have similar thoughts. I know my "single" buddy bought a "new" 23' FC 5 years ago, and thought it was too small for just him after couple years, so he moved up to a 25'. We had 3 different model 25's over the years, before moving up to a 28'FCT. Thought about/looked at downsizing to a 25' again but wife says no. We look at the "camping van" options from AS, and others, but I am 6' and no matter how impressive these vans look, I don't think I would be comfortable with the sleeping set up nor the wet bath. Class C is attractive with the different options for power plants from Ford, RAM vs the "MBZ only" which many folks who owned the MBZ said limited their repair options. But, then there is the "dingy" question; what type/size vehicle to get and new issues such as additional insurance, maintenance, and dealing with issues associated with towing another vehicle.

I am not sure what we will end up doing, but for now, we still like the size of our AS when we are camping in it. These decisions are always challenging as we get older...I hate the thought of making the wrong decision!

[DaveP]

2X Bigfoot390. We are a 71-year-old retired couple in reasonably good shape. 28-foot Classic twin bed with plenty of floor space. Blue Ox hitch which is not too heavy. RAM 3500 truck which very comfortably tows the trailer in most all conditions. Our main concession is limiting our daily travels to 300 miles or less, and we only travel during daylight hours. We aim to keep this up for another 10 years. We'll see!