Motorhome Driving After Retirement: 4 Risks You Might Not Expect

If you’re approaching retirement, or you’ve already entered it, then the prospect of travelling the country, or even the wider world, might appeal. A good motorhome can help to turn this dream into a reality.

At the same time, a motorhome is a large and potentially difficult vehicle to handle, and you’ll need to prepare for the road. This can be done in a number of ways.

Changes to Health and Driving Ability

Getting older can bring with it a range of health problems. Our eyesight and hearing might suffer, and we might not be as quick to react to changes on the road as we once were. There are even suggestions that over-seventies could be banned from driving for failing an eye test.

In most cases, this decline won’t cause a problem, provided that you keep aware of your own capabilities. This might mean being conservative about your speed and reaction times. Leave plenty of distance between your vehicle and the one in front, for example, since a motorhome can be a difficult thing to stop.

Increased Mileage and Vehicle Wear

After you retire, you’ll have much more time to spend behind the wheel. This can allow you to take longer and more frequent trips, which is a good thing. But with this advantage comes extra responsibility to be on the lookout for wear and tear, and to conduct more frequent services and other forms of preventative maintenance.

Navigating Modern Tech and Evolving Road Laws

The advantage of buying a new motorhome is that it will often come equipped with special devices, like satnavs, that can vastly improve the driving experience. Getting the best from these often means taking the time to sit down and puzzle through them. Make sure that you keep systems up to date, where appropriate. You might also be on the lookout for changes in the rules of the road, especially if you’re frequently moving from country to country.

You might one day return to a familiar part of the world and find that the speed limit has been lowered. Make sure that you’re aware of this before you arrive!

Unforeseen Financial Pitfalls

A carefully planned retirement can be quickly derailed by unforeseen expenses. If your motorhome should need extensive repairs, or be damaged by incidents that aren’t covered by basic insurance, then you might find your retirement ambitions run aground. A good budget, and investing in the right motorhome insurance, can make a big difference.

The Growing Risk of Theft and Security

Motorhomes are inherently tempting targets for thieves and vandals. They’re often filled with valuables, and older travellers who are far away from home in an unfamiliar part of the world could be particularly vulnerable. Make sure that your vehicle is stocked with a generous complement of alarms, cameras, and other security devices.