Motorhoming into retirement

[scirocco22]

That is definitely a concern to a lot of RVers, normie. Personally, I'm in pretty good health so it's not a real big concern of mine at the moment but does pose scenarios which I do think about.

Most full-timers will give up the extreme nomadic style of travel when health problems set in to a point where they need frequent medical attention. As you point out, it presents a myriad of problems. It seems to me that a lot, if not most, RVers that I run into have a home base. Either a stick house or some type of property where they can park their unit which they call home ...a place where they can always come back to; a place where they established relationships whether it be with doctors and other support specialists or just family and friends.

I've actually seen a number of folks on crutches maneuver around their motorhomes without too much of a problem. One lady who used crutches told me it's easier to live in the motorhome than in her house because she didn't have to go as far from one place to another in the RV as she had to in her house. Remember, most large RVs have several slide-outs that make the living area much wider when parked.

I've seen two coaches with lifts installed. One was a bus conversion that had the lift on the front stairwell and the other had a lift installed somewhere in the middle of the coach. That couple told me that they both use it but she needed it more the he did. He found it came in handy when parked at a site when he had to in and out of the unit to set things up, etc. I also once talked with a guy who was considering a 5th wheel trailer and looking at the possibility of having some kind of lift installed for his wife who couldn't negotiate stairs at all.

I'm not an expert nor do I know that much about RV "accessibility" issues but as I say, there are folks who love RVing so much that they find ways to make their life-style possible.

Has anyone else seen such examples?

[Crew Chief]

A solution for medical issues while RV-ing may be coming to a truck stop near you. I've heard about a doctor in AR that is trying to open a chain of truck stop medical clinics across the country. I don't remember his name or further details, but medical care for truckers and RV-ers who don't have a "home base" or, if they have one, don't get there very often. I sure hope this guy or others are able to get a good chain going. I'm sure that they all will be in or adjacent to the large chain travel centers/truck stops that are safe, clean and inviting to RV-ers as well as the rest of the traveling public. I believe the Petro Stopping Center in West Memphis, AR is the first location he's working on. Stay tuned!


Sirocco22, the first time "HANDICAPPED" slots appeared in truck stop parking lots, many wondered what they were for. Since then, stories of truckers that have overcome disabilities to earn commercial driving licenses are legendary! I've personally seen drivers and their spouses who ride with them use special equipment to drive and enter/exit the truck with ease. They haul freight that can be unloaded by someone else (as I do!) In fact, we have an outstanding driver on the dedicated account I serve who has only his right leg. Our trucks all have automatic transmissions and he gets in/out of the truck just fine and can even hook & unhook a trailer without any help! So an RV oughta be easy!

[Wisteria]

I don't know which other states have them (maybe most do) but in California we have something called "Doctors on Duty," that are open 24/7 and anyone can go to them. They also take insurance. They have real doctors. Because they're kind of the "fast food" medical offices, we often call them "Doc in the Box!"

[Mnslickinaz]

RV.Net Open Roads Forum is a great site for rving info.