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05-11-2019, 12:43 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Central Valley, California
Trailer: 1998 Casita Spirit
Posts: 101
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As we age...
In reading current and past threads, a number of you have mentioned changes you have made to your build (or later mods) that might be useful as we age. Getting old in a trailer is not something I’ve thought much about. I have heard mention of reinforcing walls so as to install grab bars, additional lighting and Springfield mount. What specific thoughts does everyone have?
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05-11-2019, 01:59 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Juneau, Alaska
Trailer: 2015 17A - Ready for more Maiden Voyages ....
Posts: 881
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Getting old? I never thought there was much future in that!
I refuse!
Tom
__________________
Consciousness: That confusing time between naps
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05-11-2019, 05:52 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Naugatuck, Connecticut
Trailer: 2017 50 TA, 2016 F150, 2.7 Ecoboost
Posts: 1,056
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🤔 Major modifications? Eat right, lots of exercise, go camping as often as possible. Can’t beat the clock but you can slow it down😎
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05-11-2019, 07:17 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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I find the pole by the door and outside handle handy to exit sideways using two hands as well as having handrails on the 5.0 model steps and 21 model by the bed. Having ambient lighting at night helps your eyes adjust better, 120v and 12v night lights. The lower exterior light to illuminate the outside step helps and I avoid trying to balance on one foot in the bath room, so the foot flush option is avoided. Having 12v wire runs avoid lying on ones back trying to feed wires in and around items. Just my thoughts on making it easier to use as we age.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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05-11-2019, 08:21 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: ..., New Mexico
Trailer: 2013 Esc19/'14 Silvrado
Posts: 4,193
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Ditto anything that makes bending, kneeling, reaching or seeing and lifting safer and easier. Any stepping up or down is a potential danger point. Never felt a need to have reinforced walls for any of my add-on grab handles.
__________________
Myron
"A billion here, a billion there...add it all up and before you know it you're talking real money." Everett Dirkson
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05-11-2019, 09:18 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Bremerton, Washington
Trailer: 2019 5.0 TA
Posts: 1,141
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One of my first mods on our new 5.0 was teak grab handles by the stairs to the loft. We also use the “stripper” pole by the sink for exiting. Added remote controlled LED lighting behind the frosted upper cabinets that we can operate once in bed. Ordered captains lights in all 4 corners.
__________________
- Arnie & Paula & Kizzy the rat terrier
https://www.arniesea.com
- 2019 5.0 TA, 2017 Tundra Platinum.
- Bremerton, WA
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05-11-2019, 09:57 AM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 11,023
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My concession to aging has to do with ladders. I will wash Ten Forward (and wax what I can reach) one last time. I've fallen off a ladder twice now and don't want that to ever happen again. From this last point on, I'll either pay someone to wash/wax or just put up with a dirty/chalky trailer. That may be harsh to some or totally unacceptable. Oh well. I know how dangerous ladders can be. I'd rather change my attitude, than fall off a ladder and perhaps never be able to camp again. YMMV.
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward
2014 Escape 5.0TA
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05-11-2019, 10:26 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Tucson, AZ, Arizona
Trailer: gone, 19 and 21 & 17B with 5.0 now. gone
Posts: 790
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as we age
DOWN SIZE! Also since we have a steep drive way, I drag the two full cans up the hill and Nancy brings the empties down. That appears to the dangerous direction.
Jack
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05-11-2019, 02:53 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Placerville, California
Trailer: 2018 Escape 17A double dinette
Posts: 1,518
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I asked eti to wait and install the black outside handle when I arrived. The usual spot was too high for me. My 17 has no pole by the door—the refrig is on that wall. I had that wall reinforced and put a moen grab handle there for exit.
__________________
--Time and trouble will tame an advanced young woman, but an advanced older woman is uncontrollable by any earthly force. --Dorothy Sayers
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05-11-2019, 05:02 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Bremerton, Washington
Trailer: 2019 5.0 TA
Posts: 1,141
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Donna D.
My concession to aging has to do with ladders. I will wash Ten Forward (and wax what I can reach) one last time. I've fallen off a ladder twice now and don't want that to ever happen again. From this last point on, I'll either pay someone to wash/wax or just put up with a dirty/chalky trailer. That may be harsh to some or totally unacceptable. Oh well. I know how dangerous ladders can be. I'd rather change my attitude, than fall off a ladder and perhaps never be able to camp again. YMMV.
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Donna, I agree that ladders are dangerous. Do you have room at your place for rolling scaffolding? Something like this with the guardrails added would provide a large, safe stable way to maintain Ten Forward. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Werner-6...S-72/202822418
I use an aluminum scaffold plank between two A-Frame ladders. It is much safer and I don't have to get up and down the ladders every 3 feet.
__________________
- Arnie & Paula & Kizzy the rat terrier
https://www.arniesea.com
- 2019 5.0 TA, 2017 Tundra Platinum.
- Bremerton, WA
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05-11-2019, 05:19 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Ventura County, California
Trailer: 2013 19 Escape
Posts: 7,204
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Donna D.
My concession to aging has to do with ladders. I will wash Ten Forward (and wax what I can reach) one last time. I've fallen off a ladder twice now and don't want that to ever happen again. From this last point on, I'll either pay someone to wash/wax or just put up with a dirty/chalky trailer. That may be harsh to some or totally unacceptable. Oh well. I know how dangerous ladders can be. I'd rather change my attitude, than fall off a ladder and perhaps never be able to camp again. YMMV.
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Totally agree with you Donna . And you don't even need to be on a ladder to fall . Slipped in a ,would you believe handicap shower at a campground in 2017 . Really took the wind out my sails . It was slippery on a incline . Thank goodness I was done and dressed . But I ripped my right arm rotator cuff totally off the bone and refused surgery . Luckily that was the worst . But it has changed my life and what I can do . My arm will atrophy if I don't do certain exercises every day for the rest of my life .
Be careful on ladders too and you know it isn't worth having a shine on your trailer and maybe get hurt . Just do what you can ! Pat
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05-11-2019, 06:45 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Donna D.
From this last point on, I'll either pay someone to wash/wax or just put up with a dirty/chalky trailer.
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I've decided I too will ignore the roof, at least. I can't see it anyway, and my understanding and experience is that I will get shorter as I age, so I'm not likely to see the roof any time soon.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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05-11-2019, 08:25 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Bremerton, Washington
Trailer: 2019 5.0 TA
Posts: 1,141
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo
I've decided I too will ignore the roof, at least. I can't see it anyway, and my understanding and experience is that I will get shorter as I age, so I'm not likely to see the roof any time soon.
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Unfortunately I park my trailer in the drive, one story below my side kitchen deck where all our trash and recycling cans are. I see the roof every time I take out the trash!
__________________
- Arnie & Paula & Kizzy the rat terrier
https://www.arniesea.com
- 2019 5.0 TA, 2017 Tundra Platinum.
- Bremerton, WA
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05-11-2019, 08:31 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Bremerton, Washington
Trailer: 2019 5.0 TA
Posts: 1,141
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Patandlinda
But I ripped my right arm rotator cuff totally off the bone and refused surgery . Luckily that was the worst . But it has changed my life and what I can do . My arm will atrophy if I don't do certain exercises every day for the rest of my life .
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Oh Pat! I'm so sorry this happened. Even with surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff two years ago, my wife still has limited motion in that arm.
Our shoulders are asked to move in a greater range than any other joint in the body. It is hard when they are injured. Good on you for keeping on the exercises!
__________________
- Arnie & Paula & Kizzy the rat terrier
https://www.arniesea.com
- 2019 5.0 TA, 2017 Tundra Platinum.
- Bremerton, WA
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05-11-2019, 10:09 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Front Range, Colorado
Trailer: 2017 5.0 TA picked up in July 2017.
Posts: 523
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Dust, dirt and bug splotches protect the gelcoat from UV damage almost as well as wax does.
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05-11-2019, 11:29 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Ventura County, California
Trailer: 2013 19 Escape
Posts: 7,204
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Quote:
Originally Posted by arniesea
Oh Pat! I'm so sorry this happened. Even with surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff two years ago, my wife still has limited motion in that arm.
Our shoulders are asked to move in a greater range than any other joint in the body. It is hard when they are injured. Good on you for keeping on the exercises!
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When the surgeon told me my odds , I decided to go to PT and that helped with more movement and the pain . Now I use the information I learned and do my best at home . I was told the socket space will just get bigger and of course , seniors best friend , arthritis. At this age I will just deal with what comes along . Arnie ,I was just lucky it wasn't worst like the hip etc. PT really helped . One of my son in laws had 2 surgeries and he still has trouble .
As we age we just need to take it easy . Thankyou for caring Arnie Pat
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05-11-2019, 11:31 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Ventura County, California
Trailer: 2013 19 Escape
Posts: 7,204
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SFDavis50
Dust, dirt and bug splotches protect the gelcoat from UV damage almost as well as wax does.
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You just gave me the best laugh of my day ! You know what probably true ! Pat
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05-12-2019, 07:45 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Powell River, British Columbia
Trailer: 2017 Escape 17B
Posts: 118
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Donna D.
My concession to aging has to do with ladders. I will wash Ten Forward (and wax what I can reach) one last time. I've fallen off a ladder twice now and don't want that to ever happen again. From this last point on, I'll either pay someone to wash/wax or just put up with a dirty/chalky trailer. That may be harsh to some or totally unacceptable. Oh well. I know how dangerous ladders can be. I'd rather change my attitude, than fall off a ladder and perhaps never be able to camp again. YMMV.
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After a few near mishaps, I purchased an orchard ladder. Their wide stance makes them quite stable and they are very easy to set up, even on uneven ground. Great help when placing the cover on the RV each fall. And picking fruit of course!
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05-12-2019, 10:17 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: DFW, Texas
Trailer: 2018 21 Sept 7 2018
Posts: 1,073
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Just don’t tear your triceps muscle and tendon off your elbow like I did this past November. Just now finishing therapy now to play major catch up getting ready for escape rally
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05-12-2019, 10:55 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Ventura County, California
Trailer: 2013 19 Escape
Posts: 7,204
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Oldtimer
Just don’t tear your triceps muscle and tendon off your elbow like I did this past November. Just now finishing therapy now to play major catch up getting ready for escape rally
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I can't sort of relate OUCH ! Pat
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