Thoughts about our 9 year old 5th Wheeler

richfaa wrote:
We had our 06 3400 Montana for 7 years and over 70K mikes traveled. We used it hard and it served us well but not without many problems. We did replace the OEM suspension with the Mor Ryde IS system. We had over the years 5 failed holding tanks, Frame flex, Peeling and shrinking graphics. The fridge failed after 6 years and we went through two Apollo half time ovens. It goes without saying that we also went through 3 sets of tires but never had a blowout.

We purchased a 2013 3402 Big Sky in June of 2012. It is setting here in Florida with two leaking holding tanks and the Nor cold fridge failed here last winter. We popped two wall panels on our way to Florida the Ardmore shelves collapsed and the bottoms of two dining chairs fell out in October.In hindsight we should have kept the 06 3400 and spent 5 or 6K in upgrades and repairs. If you have a older brand 5th wheel and it is serving you well hang on to it. We made a big mistake in the purchase of the 2013.

It's a tough call, but from experience hanging on to my nearly 16 year old 99 Superduty bought new in july 98 I think it was the right call. Paid for, not a daily driver, used to tow a Montana fifth wheel that is going on 7 years old .It is also payed for, I know what I got, and having no issues I will stay with both ,and see how things go.

To replace the two , got to be around 110K at least , minus whatever I get out of the old ones, maybe 15K for the truck ,and again maybe 30K for the trailer, maybe. That leaves me owing around 65k. I can do a lot of repairs for 65K. IMO I am money ahead.


Rich, listening to you ,and you being an experienced rv'er confirms my decision to hang on to what I got..