Forum Discussion

Dougjpr's avatar
Dougjpr
Explorer
Aug 01, 2015

Coach life

I sense that this may be a loaded question because there are so many factors involved.

What would the life span of a properly maintained coach be?

I understand there are so many different manufacturers using different quality materials than can impact the life of the unit and components can fail.

Looking at used units and was just curious on others thoughts

Thanks

Doug
  • Depends a lot on how well it is built. But in general I like the previous post on this thread that said 30 on gassers and 40 on DPs. Many well built bus type coaches are just getting started at 20 years. I just looked at pictures of a gorgeous 29 year old Wanderlodge. That one has a very long way to go. We have a couple of 1980's Bounders (gas) in our RV club. They look and run great.
  • I just sold a 39 year old class "C" with 127k miles that drew raves at every spot we parked it. Lots of love, and lots of maintenance went into it.

    A well maintained coach should do that well or better.
  • The life of any vehicle depends on the size of the owner's wallet. Any vehicle can last indefinitely if parts are replaced as they wear out.
  • Turned 20 in January.

    Just got an enthusiastic compliment on our rig from a fellow Rver at the fuel pump today. :)
  • Let me think... since my Prevost was manufactured in 1972, that would make it 43-44 years old.
    It is in perfect running condition, so I guess another 60 should be easy achieved.
    Stainless steel body should last at least 300 years, so all the worry are rubber parts.
    I don't use the bus lately as my sons moved away and for 2 of us we have luxury truck camper, but we plan to move long distance this year and bus sure is good moving vehicle.
  • We are going on thirteen years with our diesel pusher and it still looks like new and running great at 61K miles. We plan to keep it for several more years since it has been a pretty good coach.

    But I think any coach will last you a long time if you take care of it. Change the oil and filters at regular intervals. Lube the chassis as per manual instructions. Lube seals on the slides on a regular basis. Keep your furniture clean and apply the proper leather cleaners as recommended. Wax the coach at least once a year to preserve your paint job.
  • Indefinite.

    Sure, things will break and need to be fixed/replaced, but that will happen with any rig. Barring catastrophe or neglect, the end-of-life for most coaches are when 'proper maintenance' doesn't make financial sense any more given the value of the unit. But ignoring that, you can make any unit last just about forever.

    See classic cars, for example.
  • I AM IN A 1990 Class A gasser and I to expect it to last longer than I will be traveling.
    If you are meticulous about maintenance and do not mind the few blemishes a coach develops over the years the I think 30 years on a gasser and 40 on a DP is feasible
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    I'm at 11 years on this DP and plan on using it for another 10-15 years at which point I'll have aged out, not the MH.