They had about $450k adjusted for inflation. Interest rates around the time this was made were ≈11%. So if they invested in laddered CDs, with no mortgage or any property tax on the RV to worry about, they could conceivably live off the $50k annual interest alone for the next 20 years until they could start collecting social security. These days you’d need about a million to do that.

Well, maybe one person on that amount. Otherwise with a single 35 year old with $250,000 x 40 years, is about $6250 per year. I still don't think it would work. On the other hand, interest rates during the Carter years were as high as 18% so maybe with that scenario. But certainly not with today's pitiful returns.

$190,000. in 1985 was nearly a half million dollars, speaking in terms of today's money as adjusted for inflation. So no, it is not really "pipe dreams" if you know how to be wise with your money.