Anyone out there adhere to the "new rig every six year rule?

toedtoes wrote:

Danpaine wrote:
Sorry, should have specified "rig." We should all be following the six (or seven?) year tire rule. Editing.

Nope. The OP is talking about the rig.

I looked back and you are correct. I do believe he edited his post to clarify.

Atlee wrote:

wa8yxm wrote:
Hneymoon was in a Tent.

.....

Don't need a new Rig.. but I could use a new wife :)

Of course if you get a new wife, you'll probably be back to honeymooning in a tent. :E

If his current wife reads this, he'll probably be in the doghouse.

wa8yxm wrote:
Hneymoon was in a Tent.

.....

Don't need a new Rig.. but I could use a new wife :)

Of course if you get a new wife, you'll probably be back to honeymooning in a tent. :E

Hneymoon was in a Tent.
Then we got a PUP
Then a 13' Scamp soild trailer (neat little polystyrene bubble)
then in 2005 a 38' Class A (13 feet wide when fully set up)

And I'm still sitting it as I type this.

Don't need a new Rig.. but I could use a new wife :)

On average, I've had my trailers a lot less years than 6 before getting rid of them, but it had nothing to do with the "six year rule". They were all used, plus we figured out those particular floor plans just didn't fit the bill for us.

However, that has changed. In June of last year, we got a brand new Jayco 23RB. We finally found one that has enough storage inside, that has both a sofa and dinette, is large enough inside for the two of us, but not too large that I need a .75 or 1 ton truck. And as an additional plus (for me), it doesn't have a slide.

At 70, retired, and with this trailer checking so many boxes for us, I do anticipate this to be the last RV that we ever own, and I'm hoping that I have a number of years left to do this RV thing.

DrewE wrote:


I'd venture to guess that this rule, if it actually exists, was formulated by dealers or finance companies as a way to keep their gravy train rolling along. Rolling over the financing into a new vehicle doesn't seem to me to be a winning idea in the long run, but rather a technique for getting deeper and deeper into debt, assuming I'm understanding what is going on properly.

It's actually called the *GOLDEN* Rule (for a good reason!)..:W

Puts YOUR "gold" in somebody else's pockets!..:S

Besides the gravy for dealers & finance companies (and "deeper & deeper" for you) - it's also gravy for states with high sales tax and vehicle registration fees.

Better "rule/s": If it ain't broke, don't fix (or trade) it."

'Course if you won the lottery or have buck$ to throw to the wind, or it fits your lifestyle, life is short, so why wait six??..:B

~

Ours was 10 years when we bought it. Less than 22K miles, and about 25 to 30 % of what it would cost new today. Plan on keeping it for at least another 10 years.

BigRabbitMan wrote:

toedtoes wrote:

Lantley wrote:

toedtoes wrote:

Grit dog wrote:
As funny as the 6 year rule is, antique RVs are functional, if that’s what the budget allows, but not too many drive 40 year old vehicles around because they’re better than newer ones (unless you’re talking 20-30 years old, then I’d take a 40).

I didn't say "better", I said "better construction". The molded fiberglass design means there are no corner/edge seams to weaken or leak. Doesn't delaminate. And the manufacture didn't cut corners on quality parts or workmanship.

To find a small class C motorhome with the build quality of the American Clippers is nigh on impossible.

Maybe I can agree on the RV side however there have been lots of improvements to the 1975, 42 year old chassis.
Does it have a carburetor?

Notice I didn't mention chassis. :)

Yes, it's a carburetor. The chassis is where the bulk of work has gone - replacing 40 year old parts that have worn out.

But even with an old engine, this clipper costs less to buy and own than a near new motorhome would cost just to buy. And while a new-fangled engine would be nice, it isn't worth the expense of upgrading and losing the build quality of the house (not to mention the windows that let in the light and you can see out of - these new rigs are dark and cavernous).

Mine used to have a carb. First I upgraded it to an Edelbrock MPI fuel injection system. It ran great with greater torque etc. but I wanted more. So I purchased a rolled GMC 2006 pickup with a Duramax turbo diesel and a 6 speed Allison tranny and transferred the engine, tranny and dash cluster and everything else needed so now I have a sound 42 year old coach with 2006 power train. Best of both worlds!

That's always on the table in the future. :)

toedtoes wrote:

Lantley wrote:

toedtoes wrote:

Grit dog wrote:
As funny as the 6 year rule is, antique RVs are functional, if that’s what the budget allows, but not too many drive 40 year old vehicles around because they’re better than newer ones (unless you’re talking 20-30 years old, then I’d take a 40).

I didn't say "better", I said "better construction". The molded fiberglass design means there are no corner/edge seams to weaken or leak. Doesn't delaminate. And the manufacture didn't cut corners on quality parts or workmanship.

To find a small class C motorhome with the build quality of the American Clippers is nigh on impossible.

Maybe I can agree on the RV side however there have been lots of improvements to the 1975, 42 year old chassis.
Does it have a carburetor?

Notice I didn't mention chassis. :)

Yes, it's a carburetor. The chassis is where the bulk of work has gone - replacing 40 year old parts that have worn out.

But even with an old engine, this clipper costs less to buy and own than a near new motorhome would cost just to buy. And while a new-fangled engine would be nice, it isn't worth the expense of upgrading and losing the build quality of the house (not to mention the windows that let in the light and you can see out of - these new rigs are dark and cavernous).

Mine used to have a carb. First I upgraded it to an Edelbrock MPI fuel injection system. It ran great with greater torque etc. but I wanted more. So I purchased a rolled GMC 2006 pickup with a Duramax turbo diesel and a 6 speed Allison tranny and transferred the engine, tranny and dash cluster and everything else needed so now I have a sound 42 year old coach with 2006 power train. Best of both worlds!

Danpaine wrote:
Hi, Everybody. When my wife and I bought our then-new Class C at an RV Show in 2016, lots of people we spoke to talked about the 'six-year rule,' in that when you buy new, after six years it's customary to trade your unit in for a new one, roll over the payment, then go another six years, trade, and so on.

We're just curious, is it common to do this? Or do most people just buy the unit they like, keep it and pay it off forever like we are?

Thank you.

Never heard of it,,
people who do this must have more money then brains,,or just trying to impress others with new stuff..
Im keeping my rig forever and when its unusable park it in my backyard and use it as a storage shed..
Now that I put aluminum skin all over it should last longer them me..