We are glad that we have started doing this now.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by B00merang

In spite of this mental challenge (which he won, btw) I love his advice...you'll see he is one of the best. jon

Don't you mean "in spite of his being mentally challenged"?

[cazual6]

Nice!

We rented from Cruise America to go to Grand Canyon. On the way back, I stop by the dealer only because it was on the way.

I had a grin on my face and my wife turned to me and said wipe that smirk off your face.

As I looked and drooled, the salesperson tap me on the shoulder and said, congratulations. I said WHAT? My wife signed the paper work, took it home the following weekend.

I was 36, I'm glad we did it too. So I can feel your excitement, and age is nothing but a number.

To good health, fun adventures and the youth at heart.

Enjoy....

[Rgentum]

Atsushi wrote: "But if we wait until we retire, say the age 67, I honestly don't think we would be able to handle learning this many new things or enjoy the experience."
_________________________

Dear Young Whippersnapper,

Now, don't you go putting old geezerhood down. This old fogey retired two years ago, at age 72, bought an AS, and in two seasons has put over 25K miles on it, learning new things, enjoying the experience, and avoiding any crash and burn. I'm sure my experience is not unique at all, and, had you waited a few years before acquiring your AS, you would be able to repeat it without any problem --- it's not that onerous a task, not onerous at all.

BTW, welcome, & I'm delighted that you're enjoying the experience, even without the benefit of multi-decades of birthdays behind you.

Sincerely,

Richard

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Rgentum

Dear Young Whippersnapper,

Now, don't you go putting old geezerhood down. This old fogey retired two years ago, at age 72, bought an AS, and in two seasons has put over 25K miles on it, learning new things, enjoying the experience, and avoiding any crash and burn. I'm sure my experience is not unique at all, and, had you waited a few years before acquiring your AS, you would be able to repeat it without any problem --- it's not that onerous a task, not onerous at all.

Seconded! Like the t-shirt I'm wearing right now says (trying to read it upside down…) "Don't mess with old people. We didn't reach this age by being stupid."

But full disclosure, I bought my Airstream at (difficult mental math and finger-counting here…) 53, and I'm now 59 for the first, but not necessarily last, time— I may be 59 again in a future year; it's a good age to be. I just like the shirt because the ex-girlfriend I wore it for was 14 years younger than me, so to her I was old. Age is relative.

[Atsushi]

My wife and I have absolutely no past experience with anything related to towing or RVing or camping or mechanical maintenance.

So the whole experience has been really intimidating. "What the hell did we get ourselves into?" pops in my head quite frequently still after 3 months of AS ownership. However, it is indeed rewarding to overcome this.

Again, I'm really glad that we are going through this learning experience now rather than later.

[Brawny]

My wife and I are in our mid 50's (don't tell anyone I gave away her age! ), and we're 'practicing for retirement' like many others here.

We've been camping since we were kids, and still have enough camping gear to outfit at least 2 scout troops for a jamboree! We've moved through a bunch of trailers over the years - home-made Class B, really old Class C, 10 foot 750lb ultralight trailer (Taylor Coach - great family business!), and finally purchasing our 2004 30ft AS early last year.

We're really looking forward to retirement, and hope to spend much of it exploring the USA during the cold months and Canada during summers. For now, we get away every chance we get. I can't recall spending a vacation NOT camping somewhere in my adult life... Well, except for a couple winter 'mental health' trips to Cuba :-)

Congrats to the OP on getting started!

Cheers,
Brawny

[LifeinaTube]

Originally Posted by minno

"life is short and you can't take it with you". That's what i tell people who ask me why i have a mustang, and airstream. I see plenty of people every day who are disabled (i'm a nurse in nursing homes), and can't get out and "do" anymore. So i know, life throws a curve ball or 2 sometimes. I want to live so i get out and do as much as i can whenever i can.

Kay

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[maa]

We are 33 and just bought our first RV and AS. So glad we didn't wait longer and get to enjoy it with our young children.

[m.hony]

Still working-
Bought an Airstream 5 years ago-
Bought a white box sob 7 years ago-
Tent camped for a lifetime before that-
The bad economy of '08 changed my outlook/viewpoint on a lot of things...
I decided we might as well get a truck 'n' trailer and enjoy some of our money now.
3 weeks of vacation per year, several 3-4 day holiday weekends per year, and many weekends in our trailer- 25 or so trips per year- 80-something nights per year in the trailer-
Always have at least 6 camping reservations or rallies planned for 1-2 years out and other events just happen along the way.
Certain events/rallies we go to every year and plan our entire year around them.
Then we go to a couple of new destinations each year as well.
I really enjoy the RV lifestyle.

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Around where I live, indoor storage is $100 a month

That's a steal! My area has very little indoor or covered storage, my covered space is about $250/mo. Concrete, the sun never shines on it, I have 30 amp power, I have security, I have wash stations and dump station.
I hate the price, the drive to get to it, but it sure is nice.

[m.hony]

We keep ours at home.

[Lara Me]

I'm glad I waited to buy my Airstream. Said no one. Ever.

Bought our first AS 4 years ago, recently swapped for our second. It has pushed us to explore new places and meet new people, and we camp much more than with tents. Our kids are now teens, wished we did this when they were little.

Only wish there were more accessible camp spots here in the summer, as you need to book 6-8 month in advance to get anything decent.

[TCA and GPO]

Wow that's a lot of time off...how lucky for you

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

That's a steal! My area has very little indoor or covered storage, my covered space is about $250/mo. Concrete, the sun never shines on it, I have 30 amp power, I have security, I have wash stations and dump station.
I hate the price, the drive to get to it, but it sure is nice.

Hi

The place I'm talking about is nowhere near that nice.....you are getting a lot of things I don't have (30A power, dump station, wash, paved drive up, ....)

Bob

[jimca]

Just turned 71. My wife and I just bought a restored 67 Caravel. I really didn't consider my age but rather my health and state of mind. I'm still the same kid that hopped in a VW with a buddy, our banjos and guitars and headed for CA in 1969 leaving the Midwest behind. My first wife and I bought a 76 21 foot Airstream in 1977 and spent a year traveling the country with a couple of trips down the Baja. It was great. Now with my lovely wife Linda, we're excited to rediscover our "inner hippy" and get back out there, guitar and all! Not going to let age be an issue. Just don't feel it yet.

[Atsushi]

Originally Posted by jimca

Just turned 71. My wife and I just bought a restored 67 Caravel. I really didn't consider my age but rather my health and state of mind. I'm still the same kid that hopped in a VW with a buddy, our banjos and guitars and headed for CA in 1969 leaving the Midwest behind. My first wife and I bought a 76 21 foot Airstream in 1977 and spent a year traveling the country with a couple of trips down the Baja. It was great. Now with my lovely wife Linda, we're excited to rediscover our "inner hippy" and get back out there, guitar and all! Not going to let age be an issue. Just don't feel it yet.

Great that you guys are enjoying Airstream.

The point that I wanted to make in my original posting had less to do with age. It had more to do with "doing/learning this for the first time" and age.

I think it's easy for people who had lots of experience in their youth to say, "I'm 75 and my age has nothing to do with it."

Imagine for someone who has absolutely no experience with anything resembles RVing, vehicle maintenance, towing or even just camping.

I can of course only speak for myself for sure, but I was one of those people until we got Airstream this year. Knowing the steep learning curve that we are experiencing right now (It's overwhelming at times), I am glad that I am going through that now (I'm 50) and not for the first time when I'm 75.

Maybe I will be just as energetic and inquisitive when I reach 75 (I can only hope), but I think I would be less interested in at least towing or mechanical challenges in general if I had no prior related experience.

If you are becoming an RVer and towing for the first time in your life at the age of 75 or older with absolutely no related experience in the past, good for you! I admire you very much.

[jimca]

Originally Posted by Atsushi

Great that you guys are enjoying Airstream.

The point that I wanted to make in my original posting had less to do with age. It had more to do with "doing/learning this for the first time" and age.

I think it's easy for people who had lots of experience in their youth to say, "I'm 75 and my age has nothing to do with it."

Imagine for someone who has absolutely no experience with anything resembles RVing, vehicle maintenance, towing or even just camping.

I can of course only speak for myself for sure, but I was one of those people until we got Airstream this year. Knowing the steep learning curve that we are experiencing right now (It's overwhelming at times), I am glad that I am going through that now (I'm 50) and not for the first time when I'm 75.

Maybe I will be just as energetic and inquisitive when I reach 75 (I can only hope), but I think I would be less interested in at least towing or mechanical challenges in general if I had no prior related experience.

If you are becoming an RVer and towing for the first time in your life at the age of 75 or older with absolutely no related experience in the past, good for you! I admire you very much.

I can tell you that I was and am bit apprehensive about towing. I don't think its age but rather caution. When I was 33, I just did it. At my age now it's because I'm just more guarded overall. I do feel like a first timer. I remember very little about the ins and outs of buying, learning the systems, hooking up, towing, setting up etc. There is a wealth of knowledge now that wasn't available then. I do think it's an individual thing. I know 50 year olds that are "old men." My father in law got his motor cycle license at 82! To your point, Is starting at 50 more advantageous than 70? I would have to say yes. Pulling an Airstream or any RV isn't for everyone BUT if you're up for it, go for it!

My point is, I want to encourage those who have the desire to take their time, do their homework and if you're up for it, regardless of age don't be intimidated. Sure there's a learning curve but that's life. Just one guy's opinion.

[Flat 6]

Hi Atsushi and fellow Newjerseyian,

I started a whole thread on this a couple of weeks ago.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f483...re-173136.html

I am 10 years from retirement and wondered how I could fit an AS into my full time working life. Good to see how you did this.