How old is too old on year model?

One of the biggest thing with a RV is.
It not how old it is
Has it been taken care of and well maintain.

Mark Heisler is right on. I bought a 2008 new at the end of 2007.

I have replaced tires, inverter, and the main A/C unit. Plus any number of small things.

Now I try to keep up on stuff, but the mirror in the one closet door just broke, the rubber around one of the slide-outs is deteriorated and the carpet is getting tired looking. So despite my best efforts, it no longer is as good as new.

So if you do find a unit that is lightly used and practically in showroom condition, don't let the age automatically scare you away.

X2 on what Mark said. I had a 10 year old Carriage, and took very good care of it through the years. All the little stuff had to be done, glued, replaced, or tightened, but in the end, I would take it anywhere.

No major appliances, but had laid up 2k for major repairs, but I did yearly cleaning of coils, contacts, and connectors. Did the bearings and brakes, balanced the tires and all went well.

So look for a well "taken cared of" trailer, and not for what year it is. A fabulous 10 year old is better than a beaten up 3 year old. Good Luck

The DW and I were shopping recently for nicer fifth wheel.
Even though our intent was to buy new or close to recent a number of used units by private sellers and dealers were very well cared for.

We've seen quite a few 10-12 year old units that were just beautiful.
Granted the interiors were dated, yet totally functional.

Based on our shopping experience I'd say not much past a 2003 year model.

Good luck with the searching.
Example of what's out there.

There are a few "fairytale" deals waiting to be found, but they are rare.

One of my coworkers just purchased a 1960 Shasta from another coworker for $1,000. I about fainted!! The Shasta had been purchased new by this gals parents, used a handful of times and tucked away in their garage. The parents passed on and the trailer was taken to the adult kids home and tucked into their garage. It had not been used more then 15 times TOTAL. It was always parked in a tight, dry garage. No mice problems, no leaking nothing. They took the trailer right in and had it resealed, and checked out from bumper to bumper. Not a piece missing or a dent on the little beauty. The new owners did sand and varnish the inside and replaced a few other things. The original paint is PERFECT. I consoled myself by knowing the people who bought it understood the grandness of this vintage trailer.

A newer unit with A/C, generators, gas fridge, water heaters etc sits and deteriorates in different ways. There are some plusses to the simplicity of oldies.

Once something starts leaking.. it's never ever good if not caught fast.
.

Thank you. We've been using my fil's '03 Hi-Low, but he traded it yesterday for a 2014 brand new tt. We're so happy for them, in a lifetime of camping it's my inlaws first brand new one. Thus, it's time to buy our own. I know I may have to compromise on age to get things I really want, if it's in great shape. Since we're experienced campers, we know what we need/want for our crew. It doesn't have to be full of bells and whistles since we spend most of our time outside. The last two trips we've taken it's rained on us, so we do want some more room than the Hi-Low provided on indoor space.
How about outdoor kitchens? Yay or No? That's another thing I'm willing to compromise on, if it's like an '03, great shape w an outdoor kit I'd be interested.

The fabric inside can be ugly as homemade sin for all we care, so long as there's no holes in said ugly fabric. :)

I would much rather have a top quality older unit than some of the new cheap stuff being put out. My MH is now 11 years old and I still look at it as new. Very little has gone wrong on it and people don't believe it is that old when I am out with it. We have added a few improvements and kept it up as well.

we have 2004 f'ver and love it. It looks almost as good as the day we bought it. You can find some excellent deals this time of the year. I don't see us getting rid of the f'ver for along time. Good luck

Our coach is a 2000 and we purchased it used at 10 years old. We have no plans to replace it as we have had very little trouble, don't even have 50,000 on it yet and everything works great. The interior is neutral, so not outdated looking.