With lots of years experience Houseboating , Recently purchased a new entry level Salem ultra light . For the purpose of joining the adult kids with there rv's. Perhaps 2 to 3 spring wk ends same in the fall.It's easy to see the construction material is doll house like ( definitely got what I pId for). May be durable enough for the way my wife an I will treat it.Wish I could say the same for the highways, So as you shop another issue worth considering. I65 will shorten its life I promise. One of those factors a new buyer won't think much about.......If your still reading spoke with another dealler who told me the 10k I spent ball park.I would need to look at another 9 K, to get the quality he thought would suit me after a few minutes of listening to my doubts an thoughts .

You'll be surprised at how long it will last provided the manufacturer used a good frame and quality suspension components.Our first TT was an entry level model. We used it at least once per month plus several cross country trips. We had it for 16 years. During that time the only road wear issue was one of the dinette booth seats frame broke. I was able to add a brace to fix it.Our current 5th wheel was also an entry level model. It's 21 years old and just now has developed a problem with the ceiling. The glue holding the ceiling panels up has given up in some areas. It will be an easy fix using staples into the roof structure.

Cabinets and hinges are usually cheaply put together and require reinforcement.I've glued and screwed and reinforced every cabinet and door to hold up to the pounding. Haven't had an issue since. It just amazes me how poorly constructed these things are. But, it's easy to work on and gives me something I like to do.

My experience has been that longevity has as much to do with how you treat something in use, and how well you maintain it. Some folks think they should be able to slam doors and cabinets and generally be abusive, and then just walk away from the product at the end of using it for the weekend or whatever task. Others see the value in being gentle with parts and pieces, and then fixing the little problems before they become major failures.I like my "entry level" camper. Four years into it now, over 25,000 miles towed, and use it 3 to 6 months of each year. Still works well, and is a joy to use. Under $14K new out the door when I bought it.

I hate the term "entry level" because it does not adequately convey what these units are. What is entry level for one is absolutely not what it is for someone else. "Low Cost" units can be produced with the same frames and many of the same components that many so called "high end" units are. The overiding factors of longevity are construction technique/competency and maintenance. My cheapo trailer is 10 years old and has served me well with little repair. It has a frame and running gear that is as stout as any on the road.

While I have used entry level trailers for years I have found maintenance the most important thing to longevity. Water intrusion seems to be the nemeses of RV's. While roads can damage a trailer you can slow down for rough roads.I agree with the post's above mine.

Entry level units road life thoughts | Good Sam Community

stufarmer
Explorer
Jun 24, 2015
my perception of entry level and inexpensive don't always go hand and hand. It's the lesser or poor quality that seems to make the biggest difference. that will becomes more and more obvious as you compare. While doing your homework and begin reading the brochures of each manufacture you'll eventually find they all seem to use the same like products. It's not until you start setting your specific wants and likes do you begin separating models and brands.
lgarcia
Explorer
Jun 20, 2015
Got our entry level in 2012. Had a bit of roof work done during the yearly preventive maintenance, but it is going strong.
Mr_MrsSchleppro
Explorer
Jun 19, 2015
Without getting into a brand war, I know there are some nicer units out there. But..when my wife and I were looking we looked at several lots, several brands, almost all brands maybe. We discovered that the fit/finish was not any better from the lower end units to the higher end units. Some had more "options" but seemed to be built pretty much the same. I know what I said is open for discussion but we found issues with fit/finish on ALL units we looked at. JMHO
JiminDenver
Explorer II
Jun 19, 2015
We have had our ultra light, entry level trailer for four trouble free, hassle free years. It's no pavement queen seeing washboards, wash outs, rocks and ruts that sometimes takes four wheel drive to get over and through. It sees extreme weather from 20 below to 105 above and all the rain, wind, snow that anyone gets with no leaks. Two inch hail did ding up the front cap and break a few vent lids.

When that happened the insurance offered a check or a check and the trailer. In the end we kept our trouble free, paid off trailer instead of taking a chance on a new one that might have issues.
badercubed
Explorer
Jun 19, 2015
Correct me if I am wrong, but I would assume that from the same manufacturer a 6,000lb "entry level" and a 6,000lb "high end" will have the same lower frame and axle components. The "high end" nature of the build will be from the floor up. And frankly, when I step into a higher end model I see all fluff for way too much money, but that's just me. Sure, better materials, but not equivalent to the cost increase.

In my opinion, exterior preventative maintenance to ensure that any water stays on the outside is probably priority #1 when it comes to longevity. On the inside, fix things when they break before they do more damage and you will be all set.
2milesup
Explorer II
Jun 19, 2015
I traded in my "entry-level" Dutchmen this year after 8 years with no significant problems. We never pulled it very far but took it over some pretty rough back roads. Can't tell you if we were careful or just lucky, but it worked well for us.
rickhise
Explorer
Jun 19, 2015
Lot,of positive responses I'm pleasantly surprised, I too enjoy puttering an reinventing the wheel,
No slamming here of draws doors or serious cooking inside, Maybe you have convince my 9k upgrade is too premature. Living on the boat for 6 months. The camper steers my imagination when trips planned come together. Thanks to all who took the time to share
BroncosFan
Explorer
Jun 18, 2015
A fiberglass one might be durable enough for you.
http://www.rethinkingfire.com/tag/fiberglass-repair/
colliehauler
Explorer III
Jun 18, 2015
While I have used entry level trailers for years I have found maintenance the most important thing to longevity. Water intrusion seems to be the nemeses of RV's. While roads can damage a trailer you can slow down for rough roads.

I agree with the post's above mine.
fla-gypsy
Explorer
Jun 18, 2015
I hate the term "entry level" because it does not adequately convey what these units are. What is entry level for one is absolutely not what it is for someone else. "Low Cost" units can be produced with the same frames and many of the same components that many so called "high end" units are. The overiding factors of longevity are construction technique/competency and maintenance. My cheapo trailer is 10 years old and has served me well with little repair. It has a frame and running gear that is as stout as any on the road.

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Entry level units road life thoughts

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