RV life expectancy

Not all water damage is death, if caught in time. I wrestled with a leaky skylight for years, and have the ceiling stains to prove it. No, I didn't let it go, or camp in constant rain. Until I found Heng's roof seal that thing wouldn't hold water.

My rig's 12 now, and is still very usable, functional and smells good. I enjoy an occasional cigar, never inside, and am fussy about using fans when cooking. That's what really turns me off with older units - the smell.

I have thought about trading up, but when I think of all the work involved in removing all my electrical upgrades including 6 solar panels, I think maybe not.

We full timed in a 1999 Coachman 365 island kitchen, 3 slide outs for 8 years. Got water damage and never was the same.
">Clicky

TenOC wrote:
It will last until you get water damage in the wall. So recoat the the roof ever few years with liquid rubber roof material.

Very true. Our camper is a 1998 Nash. We are the fourth owners, the wife's uncle was the third owner. We doubt it was ever covered. Our 4 years of ownership and the uncles 6 years of ownership we know it wasn't covered. Everything was great until we got a leak. Now a once great little trailer is quickly rotting away.

Full timing will put more wear and tear on fabrics and whatnot. If you are gentle with closing doors and cabinets, they will last a good long time. Most travel trailers don't have great quality fabrics, so that will wear out sooner. A fiver or class A will usually have better fabrics and last longer.

Not full time by any means, but it's always outside year round and it's a 2003 model year Fleetwood Prowler, but I bought it in July of 2002 and it's still dry, solid and all mechanical's functional..

Maintenance is ongoing and keeping it clean, serviced and happy makes me happy.. :)

Mine specifically said in it's manual that it's not meant to be a "full time" use RV, so there you go there... But, it's only a $14,000, 22', #5000 RV too, so there you go right there... I'll bet your 5ver cost a bit more, is bigger and heavier.. ;)

Good luck!

Mitch

It will last until you get water damage in the wall. So recoat the the roof ever few years with liquid rubber roof material.

It all depends on the amount of maintainence effort expended, how much it is used, and where it is used/ stored.

Our trailer is 10 years old this year, gets used 8 months out of the year including fulltime living for 3 -4 of those months, sits outside for 9 months and inside a barn for 3 months, but it still looks new inside and out. Everything works as it should and there are no water leaks.

The above is possible because we purchased a quality product to begin with and have been very careful and persistant in maintaining the rig. I would not trade our trailer for any of the newer rigs out there. Instead, I look for ways to keep it current and up to date. Pride of ownership goes a long way in being satisfied with the rig you have, in my opinion.

Purchase a decent rig and maintain it well and you should be fine with almost any brand.
Barney

Heck, there are plenty of folks that prefer antique/ancient rigs. Of course that means more work.

I also read here about some RV parks limiting access to rigs older than some arbitrary age, but I yet to encounter it.