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

gmw_photos
Explorer
Jun 18, 2015
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.
krobbe
Explorer
Jun 18, 2015
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.
the_bear_II
Explorer
Jun 18, 2015
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.

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