I realize there are infinite variables, but let's say a 34 foot mid-priced fifth wheel, well taken care of, used for full-timing - what is the general life expectancy? We have owned a few campers, but for various reasons have never kept them for longer than 4 or 5 years. We are getting ready to full-time and are wondering how many years we can expect to get out of a camper. Thanks!

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.

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

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

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

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.

RV life expectancy | Good Sam Community

47 Replies

Redsky
Explorer
Jul 03, 2014
Sea Dog wrote:
Redsky wrote:
Personally I know of no one who has kept their RV for more than 5 years and most have made changes in less time. Going first to a larger trailer from a smaller one and then from the larger trailer to a motorhome or from a class A to a class B.

Go to nearby RV parks and campgrounds and talk to the people there about how long they have owned their present RV and how long they had the prior RV and when they plan to change what they now have for something else.

Well then, you do not know me!

We have had our /93 class C for twelve years and have
no plans or need to change.

Exactly! That is why I suggested going to a campground and talking to LOTS of people. Some people have lived in their house for 40 years and others have lived in their homes for less than 10 years. Some people are driving 30 year old cars and will put 200,000 miles or more on a car or truck others buy a new one every 4-5 years over after it gets over 100,000 miles.

Point is that the OP does not have any first hand experience but can talk to people that do and a campground is a good informal survey of average RVers's with no particular axe to grind.
We have seen most all of North America
and will leave in a week for yet another tour
of the Canadian maritime provinces.
kakampers
Explorer
Jul 02, 2014
JEBar wrote:
as with many if not most things, the quality of construction/components coupled with the quality of care given over time are critical .... the more components are used, the quicker they age .... we picked ours up on Halloween Day of 2005 .... it has been in use for 6 - 8 months a year every since .... both AC's, the frig, central vac, washer, dryer (twice), springs, shocks, spring hangers, all three slide motors, couch, both recliners, entertainment center (twice), fireplace remote (three times), Fantastic Fan, door lock, generator auto switching control, kitchen and bathroom water fixtures, and several sets of tires have all been replaced .... other components have been repaired .... many mods have been added, the most expensive of which is a Bigfoot Auto Leveling system .... the camper itself was ruggedly built and continues to perform well .... in short, if you start out with a well built camper, are willing to take care of it, and replace components as needed, it can last you a long, long time

Jim

Actually, in pushing ten years fulltiming, we find that the everyday use of appliances, etc., actually makes them last longer. Have never replaced the fridge, A/C's, water heater, etc....and that includes six of those years in one unit. Everything was still working perfectly, and because we took care of regular maintenance, inside and out, that 2008 Bighorn was like new when its was traded for our current unit...would still have it but wanted a different floorplan.
chilly81
Explorer
Jul 02, 2014
A motor home or a trailer? I'd expect different answers. There's a lot more costly mechanical issues that could sign the death warrant of an older motorhome. A trailer that you haven't rolled and have maintained so it hasn't leaked... there's not much you can't repair at a fairly reasonable cost.
handsome51
Explorer
Jul 02, 2014
If you take care of it and do the proper maintience it will last as long as you want it. I bought a cabover camper new when I was working. I had it for 23 years. Had no problem selling it because I took care of it. I now have a 2006 carriage 5th wheel I bought new in 2006.
funpilot
Explorer
Jul 02, 2014
JEBar, good advice. I am lucky and have access to a RV repair shop that is not a dealer that will do that service for around $100.00. I confirmed that you do not have to take it back to the dealer just a licensed repair shop. Is that too much in your opinion? Also, the dealer pays for it and I look at it as an option I can use. I will be getting a Livinlite trailer (28BHS) and for me this could be a good thing, since the trailer could out last me. But, as always, do your own research!!
JEBar
Explorer
Jul 02, 2014
funpilot wrote:
First, buy your RV from a dealer that participates in the Warranty for Ever" program. http://www.rvwarrantyforever.com/Home.aspx

please, do some serious researching prior to getting involved in Warranty Forever .... this thread might help .... bottom line, in a very short period your yearly inspection cost will far outstrip the benefits .... its a cash cow for dealers

Jim
funpilot
Explorer
Jul 01, 2014
First, buy your RV from a dealer that participates in the Warranty for Ever" program. http://www.rvwarrantyforever.com/Home.aspx

Add Livinlite.com to your list of trailers to look at as they claim they can be "willed". http://www.livinlite.com/camplite32rls-overview.php

No rot, and no costs on repairs on covered items. Unfortunately, the warranty for ever only applies to the original purchaser.
JEBar
Explorer
Jul 01, 2014
as with many if not most things, the quality of construction/components coupled with the quality of care given over time are critical .... the more components are used, the quicker they age .... we picked ours up on Halloween Day of 2005 .... it has been in use for 6 - 8 months a year every since .... both AC's, the frig, central vac, washer, dryer (twice), springs, shocks, spring hangers, all three slide motors, couch, both recliners, entertainment center (twice), fireplace remote (three times), Fantastic Fan, door lock, generator auto switching control, kitchen and bathroom water fixtures, and several sets of tires have all been replaced .... other components have been repaired .... many mods have been added, the most expensive of which is a Bigfoot Auto Leveling system .... the camper itself was ruggedly built and continues to perform well .... in short, if you start out with a well built camper, are willing to take care of it, and replace components as needed, it can last you a long, long time

Jim
John_Joey
Explorer
Jul 01, 2014
A lot of very optimistic opinions so far. I have a 97 5'ver that I leave down south now. It is one of the oldest in a park of over 600 sites.

Prior to that I had a '96 MH which we would go cross country in. I saw very few gas MH that were older then mine with out of state plates on them. There would be a few more old Diesel MH's, but still not an abundance of them.

Remember as a traveling FT you will be driving your home down the road. Just think what that action would do to a S&B house. When you buy your rig make sure it will have as little twist as possible. The rig needs to be rigid so seams and junctions do not start to open up. As others have stated, once water gets inside then you got problems.

IMO, you get about 10 years of good solid usage out of a RV. During the 10-20 span you'll be fixing things to keep you busy. After 20 years if you're really using the rig, then it is all a bonus and it could end as soon as a repair pops up that costs more then the rig does.
motorcycle_jack
Explorer II
Jul 01, 2014
There are three items that will kill an RV regardless of quality of build.
First is sun damage. Keep it cleaned and waxed at least once or twice a year. This will keep caulking from starting and keep a nice luster to it. Also you will notice any problems starting like cracks (seal immediately) or missing screws or bolts.
Second is roof preparation. Keep it free from holes, loose seams and reseal every few years.
Third is cleanliness inside. Vacuum the flooring, furniture and dust everything and wipe down with something like Pledge. Mop the floor with a good quality product for your floor. Use the cupboard doors softly (open gently and close gently).
Do these and your unit will last as long as you need it too - 10, 15 even 20 years.
Oh, do the maintenance on your trailer as required by MFG's schedule too.

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