Forum Discussion
31 Replies
- mrwackyExplorer
Camper0414 wrote:
More Information! We have a Keystone Laredo 5th Wheel 2005 that is 8 years old. We had a crack in the pin box above the welds and when they pulled down the skin they found a few other cracks. Keystone claims this is not a manufacture defect and our insurance states it was not a sudden issue so no coverage. They have labeled it a Manufacture failure and that can happen with a rig as old as ours. They claim 8 years is an old rig. They questioned how long we thought a rig should last. Our rig is in Great condition and we love every inch of the rig. The only issue we have is we have lost some of the exterior graphic from time in the elements.
Maybe Keystone should be up front with the financial institutions and tell them that their rigs should not be expected to last longer than eight years...therefore a bank shouldn't carry a note longer than, say, 48 months. lol. What they are doing is shirking their responsibility. - LantleyNomad
Camper0414 wrote:
More Information! We have a Keystone Laredo 5th Wheel 2005 that is 8 years old. We had a crack in the pin box above the welds and when they pulled down the skin they found a few other cracks. Keystone claims this is not a manufacture defect and our insurance states it was not a sudden issue so no coverage. They have labeled it a Manufacture failure and that can happen with a rig as old as ours. They claim 8 years is an old rig. They questioned how long we thought a rig should last. Our rig is in Great condition and we love every inch of the rig. The only issue we have is we have lost some of the exterior graphic from time in the elements.
A 2005 RV should not be worn out. In simple terms of old vs. new I would not consider an 8 year old RV new, so I guess you could consider it older.
In the end I'd consider your issue a defect. Frame welds should not wear out! If it were designed spec'd and assembled properly you should not have an issue.
Somewhere along the line Keystone dropped the ball. But honestly 8 years later it's hard to point the finger at anyone.
Unless you can show/prove the damaged was caused by an accident of some sort,large pot hole or contact with some foreign object I imagine the issue is not covered by insurance. If Keystone will not claim responsibility then the repair is all yours.
The real question is what is the cost of the repair? If you enjoy /like your rig it sounds like you should just pay out of pocket.
At some point you need to decide what is the value of your RV and how much are the repairs.
Anything under $5K In say fix it and move on. I do not believe you can replace your rig with anything comparable for less than $5K
Over $5K and:h you have some real evaluating to do. - Camper0414ExplorerMore Information! We have a Keystone Laredo 5th Wheel 2005 that is 8 years old. We had a crack in the pin box above the welds and when they pulled down the skin they found a few other cracks. Keystone claims this is not a manufacture defect and our insurance states it was not a sudden issue so no coverage. They have labeled it a Manufacture failure and that can happen with a rig as old as ours. They claim 8 years is an old rig. They questioned how long we thought a rig should last. Our rig is in Great condition and we love every inch of the rig. The only issue we have is we have lost some of the exterior graphic from time in the elements.
- mountainkowboyExplorerOur Alpenlite is also almost 20 years old. Although it has some problems from the PO, that I will fix, with it being aluminum framed and fiberglass shelled with foam insulation, it should last almost forever as long as we keep up on the maint. It will be getting a new roof this year and I know that the wood roof "edger's" will need to be replaced also. Other than that we are going to do a redesign on the dated interior to suit our needs, and unless it gets hit or crushed by a tree, this will be our last RV. Cause when we're done it will be like new and should last at least another 20 years.
- larry_barnhartExplorerwe have lived in our 2001 alpenlite over 6 years total time and nights. Can't believe it won't last as long as we do.
chevman - mike-uswestExplorer IIOur Alpenlite is a 1994, and last year I figured it needed a new roof. At $3500 I considered a new fifth wheel. We did some shopping in the price range that I figured we could handle, and couldn't find anything that had the interior quality that ours had. Therefore, I have a new roof, and am happy. I redid my solar at the same time, and hope everything will outlast me.
Mike - gitane59Explorer IIIMy fiver is 13 years old and is in excellent shape. Now I have spent quite a bit on renovations and maintenance which is why I keep a very extensive library of photographs should I ever have to have a fight with my insurance company over value after a mishap.
- VulcaneerExplorerAs long as you can keep water out of it. Let water in and life expectancy is short.
- OaklevelExplorerNot a 5th wheel I've seen plenty of Airsteam's from the 50s & 60s and many other makes out there from the 60s & 70s Maintenance & storage Indoor storage can make a huge difference........
- a64armtExplorerDoes the basis for this post reside in how long an RV can or will be financed or perhaps at what age you can no longer buy comprehensive or collision insurance at a reasonable price?
Asking how long something will "last" is a loaded question as others have posted. If you were to compare the life expectancy of two identical cars/rv’s/boats, etc, one spending its life in the temperate climate of the south being cared for by a conservative individual performing regular maintenance and storing it indoors, the other spending its live in the frigid north east, covered in salt by a less than caring individual and living its whole live outside, you will clearly see two different life expectancies.
I’ve seen RV’s that were less than 5 years old that looked horrible and in worse condition than a model from the 1970’s. As any RV owner will tell you, regular maintenance is a major factor. Leaks and small defects must be addressed immediately or the problems snowball into major problems and eventually units that are only good for scrap.
If you are looking at recreational vehicles and pondering insurance or financing, your answers will also vary depending on finance/insurance company and yes the unit in question will also factor. Companies that focus on recreational vehicles will probably be more willing to take a chance on an older asset while your generic companies will be a bit more risk averse and avoid older units.
If you are indeed trying to buy an older RV via financing and are unable to find a bank or insurance company to assume the risk, you might want to reconsider and take their stance as a warning yourself. If these financial institutions are unwilling to accept the risk, should you take the same chance essentially.
It is quite possible you discovered that your unit’s life expectancy per your financial institution was longer than previously thought.
However, if your question is not based in RV financing/insurance, then I am just rambling……
OJ
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