How long have you had your C?

Drive a '75 American Clipper that my dad bought new. I maintained it for him, and bought it from him in '85. We still drive it about 3000-5000 miles a year.

It's 39 years old. Do you know how old that is in Dodge years?

My parents had their Minnie Winnie for 20+ years until they sold it to my sister and BIL just this year.

We've only had our C for one year, but look forward to a very long relationship with it :)

I've had my Tiger CX, bought new, for 8 1/2 years and just over 60K miles.

One thing that I think will extend the life of any RV is covered storage when not being used. It keeps the direct sun exposure off of it, reduces the need for washing & waxing, and at least defers leak damage. Depending on your building codes, you may be able to put a low-end metal carport over it for $3-4,000.

Jim, "Why do I wear loud socks? To keep my feet awake!"

Bought our /93, 22ft classC in 2000.
It now has 270000 kilometers.

We are leaving next week for an extended tour
of the Canadian maritime provinces.

Over the years, we have replaced several components
including, trannie, fridge and engine air conditioning.

We have no desire to trade as we have never seen a unit
that we like better.

We had a 1972 Chinook in the family for nearly 30 years. The Chevy van in was built on had rust issues but the house was OK.

24' Class C owned for two years-single retiree. 3rd RV behind a 25' trailer and 17' class B. They all had their plusses, but the 24' C is the best overall compromise.

My travel falls into two categories: Long vacation caravaning with friends-hundreds or thousands of miles. Or frequent shorter vacations to the beach or local areas.

I got tired of hitching up the trailer for an overnighter at the beach. I also got tired of backing it in alone in crowded conditions or at night-then unhitching. I found I did not use it as much as I'd like.

For me the short 24' C, toadless (or with motorcycle trailer) is best compromise. It is my camping kit in a vehicle. Twist the key and go. My intention is to keep it at least ten years.

I bought my first class C new in 1976. Kept it for 21 years. Visited 47 states while owning it. Somehow missing Michigan. Like a lot of things, I thought I had out grown it. Just thinking about it brings back fond memories.

I have been thinking about this too. We are just starting retirement for both of us. We bought an 03 in 09 and love it. Every time we go out I think how perfect it is for us. It is only 22 ft. but we can easily sleep 6 in it. It is easy to drive.
But as it ages, maintenance gets more difficult. We had some rot when we bought it and fixed it and the eternabond I put on all the seams is getting ratty looking. The awning rotted at the top, my temporary fix worked for a few years but it is off now and fixing it is kind of a big project. I just replaced the water pump and we have put in other RV refinements, better faucets, etc.
In 5 years we have put about 20,000 miles on it for a total of just over 40,000. We could be putting more on now that we have retired. Just returned from a wonderful cross country trip with two little grand kids. So how long will this RV last for us? What will go wrong and will we be able to keep up maintenance? Will the appliances start to die?
They don't make anything like our model anymore. What would we replace it with? I am keeping a newer RV in mind but hesitant to spend a big chunk of our retirement savings on a luxury item. Not sure how our needs might change--could be we will lose flexibility for getting up to the top bunk.
It is now 11 years old--How long CAN we reasonably expect to keep it?

We bought our 2012 Nexus 11 months ago and have put on 17,500 miles. I can see us in this coach for a very long time as for us, for now at least, it is a perfect fit.


:B

Bought an '06 in '09.

I think if maintained it should hold up many years. The issue if the "new" stuff they add to new models that everyone drools over like exterior kitchens, fancy built-in awning LEDs, etc. You just have to resist that aspect of upgrading.