First timer looking for TT...so confused

Terryallan wrote:
How long it will last depends entirely on you. It will last for decades if you take proper care of it.

SoundGuy wrote:
Keeping anything out of the elements, be it a trailer, motorcycle, boat, whatever, does make a big difference, but unfortunately most travel trailers aren't and the result shows.

Terryallan wrote:
The last TT I had was 10 years old when we sold it. It looked like new inside, and out. Because I took care of it. It was regularly waxed, and maintained. It did sit outside. But didn't fade because of the wax. However. You are correct. A TT not taken care of will look like trash in just a few years.

And I'd be one of them, have never fully waxed any trailer we've ever owned - WAY too much work. ;) I did wax the front wall on our Coachmen once when I noticed it fading from direct exposure to the summer sun while parked here at the house and that did help but didn't entirely restore the finish. In another 10 yrs I suspect whomever owns it then will have just another tired looking trailer with a significantly chalked & faded front wall. :(

Back in my motorcycle days I stored every one of the 16 I owned over the course of 30 yrs in my heated workshop and every one was mint, even those 20 yrs old. Our Santa Fe popup I kept inside year round as well, washed it a couple of times each season but never waxed it, and it too was mint when we sold it after 6 yrs of hard use. Unfortunately the reality is the vast majority of travel trailers live outdoors unprotected, perhaps washed occasionally, but rarely if ever waxed so no wonder most of them look pretty bad once they're 15+ yrs old, the exception being those stored indoors when not in use. I'd bet the vast majority of prospective travel trailer owners never give this any thought before the purchase - i.e. just how much work it is to keep one in pristine shape, both mechanically & cosmetically. :E