RegDean
Ontario
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Assuming good health and sound mind, what is a reasonable expectation of longevity for one towing a TT? Are you significantly over 70, or know of others who are? Any over 80?
What are the issues that arise with advanced age and how might they be handled? I am in my mid-70s and do all the towing, DW has never felt comfortable doing so, and is not about to change! We know of many who drive their cars well into their 80s and even 90s, but towing, as you all know, is a much more challenging activity. Your thoughts and experiences would be appreciated.
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robbie69
wauconda, il usa
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that you're even asking the question is a good sign. alot of it will depend on how realistic and honest you are with your self. when you notice that your reactions aren't as fast as you would like them and/or you start to forget to do things hitching up, setting up or tearing dowm-and i don't mean once in a while, we all have 'brain farts' every now and then. then it may be time to reconsider your capabilities. this is where the being honest/realistic with your self comes in-or if family/friends mention that you appear to be having lapse's in judgment. had a bull headed F-I-L that shouldn't have been allowed to drive a lawn tractor let alone his 'lead sled' buick wildcat. he had become a hazzard to himself and others but wouldn't listen to anyone.
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Opie431
Bellevue, MI
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We have known people 85+ towing TTs and not making any mistakes that we were ever aware of. It depends on many things.
My father had to give up pulling his TT at 83 but not because he could not tow any longer but because my mother's memory was gone and he did not want to go without her.
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QCMan
Lawn Guy Land, New Yawk
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To put an age limit on towing would be unrealistic. As said, honest evaluation of your driving and towing skills will go a long way. When you hear horns all the time and people give you the one finger salute a lot it is time for an independent evaluation. There are also a lot of "younger" people that should not drive or tow anything. Age is not relevant, skills are. That can be addressed using a system like Ontario uses which is to retest drivers periodically after they reach 65. It eliminatees hard feelings in families, keeps good drivers on the road and gets the bad ones off of the road.
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Go Dogs
South of Pittsburgh, PA
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More and more it seems that there are stories about elderly drivers causing accidents because they mistake the gas pedal for the brake. I honestly think that people should be given a driving test when they reach a certain age. I know that AARP would fight this.
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VintageRacer
Dundas, Ontario
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Well, since your wife apparently was never the right age to tow, you already know that it's different with every person. You'll stop towing well after you should have, probably, and defend your right to do so to the death, hopefully only figuratively. Towing is harder than just driving, maybe plan to downsize to something like a Sprinter size vehicle to stay on the road.
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nelson
Clio,Mi USA
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There are young people that should never tow so I don't think age has much to do with it. If you can back it in you are doing better then a lot of people, Can you see, can you turn your head, do you use your mirrors and signals. Many can't and don't and still drive there car at any age. It is a hard decision we will all have to make some day if we are lucky enough to live long life's.
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Jay Pat
Round Rock, TX
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Another option to combine with other view points.
Yearly doctor check ups. Advise doctor what you are doing and your concerns about your abilities.
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skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
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I would think that advanced age might be a good reason not to BEGIN towing but if you're BEEN towing for some time there is no reason towing would be any different than any other driving skill. Yes you CAN become a bit absent minded and sometime forget things you USED to easily remember but age itself isn't a good reason to stop traveling/towing. It's all about how easily and how WELL you do it that matters. Be honest with yourself and try to evaluate your skills, keeping in mind that sometimes it's easier for a third party to do this but by SOME means make an accurate assessment. Note any time you do something that you wouldn't have done in the past or where you even FEEL differently about a situation. Chances are that as long as you're comfortable and confident about your driving (and it's verified by DW) you're probably doing OK. For what it's worth, I know some folks in their 40s and 50s that really shouldn't be towing and not SURE they should even be driving 
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hawkeye-08
Northwest
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My wife's uncle just told us recently that he is selling his truck and 5th wheel trailer (he is 84). He said it was because the cars that cut him off are just too close and if he was in an accident he would probably loose his license. He wants to continue to drive his car though...
My Dad is 80 and has no issues... but he does not tow in the high traffic area that wife's uncle does.
Someone in the middle of Wyoming might be fine but they might have difficulty in Los Angeles.
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