Mild Rant. Don't Any of You Take care of your RV?

I believe Rv's are a lot like Exercise equipment...
You buy it cause it seemed like a good idea, use it for a couple of weeks, then hang your laundry on it until you sell it.:S
My trusted Rv mechanic says a 10 year old rig with 10k miles is more likely to have problems than the same rig with 70k miles

Well don't keep us waiting, whatcha get ?

I'm the OP. We finally bought one and now I am THAT guy too!

cgmartine wrote:
I have a 2008 Tioga Class C. I can't keep my hands off of it. Every couple of days I am out with a rag in my hand doing something to it. Since I am retired, this is now one of my hobbies. My wife tells me I polish it so much I am going to rub the paint off. It is under a covered carport. So far this year, I have waxed the outside some six times. I just love seeing that shine!

I know that dude........Me :B

Maybe I love this thread cause I treat all my TOYS including my RV better than my home...
who knows why ??

'en Plain Air' wrote:
This IS an interesting thread. I'm wondering if the large numbers of poor condition units is a testament to owners care-giving, or maybe more to manufacturer build quality? If the screws come loose, the walls delam, mold develops etc, perhaps the manufacturers share the blame here, not just the owners.

What an awesome thread. Never owned one but I'm fairly certain that the old travel trailers from the 50's and 60's will outlast any new rigs 5-1.

I feel your pain in all of this. After several months and many miles and a dozen or so poorly maintained RVs I looked at the Rental market.

There I found a Well Maintained Clean Rig that had what I wanted and in my price range. I couldn't be happier.

I agree 100% with what this person said. I did the same thing from a good dealer and I couldn't be happier either. Mine kinda found me I think so keep looking and good luck. Rentals from a good dealer are well taken care of. Mine was used for 1 season and I saved about 30,000. on it.

Happy camping

I wonder why anyone would rant about how someone else uses what they bought.

Motor Homes, Campers and RVs of any type were bought to be used.
They were not bought for an investment and to be stored and polished daily.
Anyone who buys a new one will see the fast devaluation if they want to sell.

The usage ranges from weekend warriors to full timers and all in between.
All ages from the young couples with children to us retired folks.
All physical abilities from the very healthy to those fulling their bucket list.
The RV is enjoyed by all in many different ways.

Maintenance ranges from routine to the obsessive compulsive and is performed
by the DIY person that is physically able or paid for by someone without
the knowledge. Economic conditions also play a big part in how something
is maintained. Without walking in someone else's shoes, we will never understand
their circumstances.

Same is the way customization may occur.
Some people like a factory stock unit and would not change a thing.
Others of us feel that the cookie cutter approach leaves a lot to be desired.

Will the next owner like? Who cares? He did not buy it nor is he using it.
The new owner take a major hit in value as soon as he leaves the lot. He is
looking at his enjoyment and not someone else's.

I could care less if a future buyer does not like the changes I made. They can go buy a new one and make their own changes to stay with the cookie cutter approach.

Anyone that stays in an RV for any length of time will not keep it uncluttered
and white glove inspection ready. If the owners are comfortable in it, they paid
for it, they own it, that is all that matters.

In place of being judgmental, that is a two way street, people should mind their own business and enjoy what life they have left.

Instead of ranting about what is for sale, save up and buy new.
Take the hit and complain about that.

Life is short. Too short to worry about little things.

I was uninformed enough to buy a 1983 with water damage, then crazy enough to take on a cab over rebuild. At a couple of points I worried I bit off more than I could chew. In the end, I am becoming very satisfied with my choices, but I would not want to go through that again. I am taking good care of our 26 ft. Jamboree for a long time to come.

Maybe the issue is that too many people who buy RV's just don't have the skills to care for them once they are out of warranty and then its all about money..

Those few of us who can, keep our rigs healthy and going. Those lacking the skills, sell them off when a repair cost exceeds their comfort zone. So it just a slow process of deterioration for most of the RV's out there.

Jose

Actually, I'm surprised by the number of used RV's available in the Denver area. I agree that certain areas of the country are better for buying used. Phoenix definitely, maybe Texas too as many retire to that state for the lack of income tax. OP is right in that you can never tell the quality of an RV from photos alone. And it appears there are way more toads than princes! Yet it is very possible to find a used RV to fit your needs--fewer of course from 2008-2009 when the market crashed. That is about the sweet spot now too, used at 5 years old and as second owner.