Hi all! My first post here. Wife and I are new empty-nesters. We've tent camped all our married life and now we're looking for a travel trailer. We're not going to be full-time RVrs.We like primitive camping, which means I'll likely drag our trailer down a lot of dirt roads. I grew up in a family that pulled a 16ft TT (slept 6) with a 60's Toyota Landcruiser 4wd that had a boat on top - typical Montana rig (or Aussie outback).The trailer I'm looking at is the Keystone Passport 234QBWE - a 25 foot, kind of entry-level "Ultra-Lite". It's not perfect by any stretch, but it seems pretty good for the $18-19K. I'm pretty handy, so I don't see any issue maintaining a trailer to a point, but I'm not going to lift the body off the carriage to replace a floor, nor am I too keen on dismantling and re-welding aluminum walls.I'm wondering how long these entry-level Keystone trailers last. Are they "Breaking Bad"-category after 5 years of dirt roads? Are they worth the gasoline to burn them after 10 years?

Broadly speaking, I think it partly depends on how well you maintain the TT while you own it. If someone inspects the roof every 2-3 years and adds sealant to the seams as necessary, it could last many years. Keep it under cover while not in use to avoid UV and weather exposure, and it might last 2-3 decades. You are correct that rough roads will loosen things more quickly, but I wouldn't expect welds to break for the first 10-15 years on most any TT. Sorry I can't speak directly to the brand and model durability.

I have seen well maintained 20 year old rigs and others that can trash a rig in 2 years and everything in between. If you don't do maintenance don't expect it to last very long.I would agree with Rexlion statement.The more severe use it gets the more problems your going to have. A ultra-light would be one of the worst choices for rough use, they are built for light weight not durability. My opinion. I would look for who had the best frame and most weight capacity.Kind of like asking if a economy car would hold up as well as a Land cruiser on the trails.

If you want to drag something off road get something better built. RPod NW edition, tear drop, or maybe a Northwood product.

Where do they cut corners to make an ultra lite? Look at an Arctic Fox or Airstream and then compare.

I'm on my second Keystone product. Both have been good campers. It' not uncommon for someone to own a travel trailer for 20 (plus) years. As stated above, it all depends upon your attention to detail to maintain them. Even a multi-million dollar motor home will become trash in 1 year if they are not maintained. Passports are a pretty decent camper for their price. If you purchase new, you'll discover most warranty issues within the first or second camp-out. If new, warranty will cover everything for at least the first year. If issues develop after the first year, it will probably me minor. After about 5 years you can expect some small issues, like screws, sealing the roof, maybe even some trim inside coming loose. By 10 years, depending upon usage, you can expect the appliances to begin to show signs of fatigue. BUT not always though! And if something like the refrigerator goes out, there's nothing that could have been done to prevent that anyway. RV appliances are pretty stout, and no reason why they cannot last for 20 plus years also.Electronics (like microwaves), fail usually after about 5 years. But even in your home, they usually don't last more than 5 years either. And no doubt you'll go through couple televisions in 20 plus years, especially if technology continues to change and evolve. If you are attentive to getting the wheel bearing packed every year to 2 years, watch for frame fatigue, and spot paint the frame and any painted parts, structurally, they should last forever. But there again, they are a trailer. They do get dragged over the road. They are exposed to all kinds of weather. And just like your car or truck, if left outside in the weather 24x7x365, you can expect paint to fade, decals to fade and maybe curl up a bit, and rust to form in places you never expected. This is all normal wear and tear, even if the camper never moves. Even if you park the camper under a roof, humidity will form on the outside of the camper, and anything is now subject to rust... just like a car or truck. Some things are just inevitable. But here again, with attention to detail, there is no reason why a "Passport" should not still be in good service 20 (plus) years from now. (But you know.... more than likely ... after 2-3 years ... you'll be trading for a different floor plan!) Don't be surprised! Not because of deficiencies in the camper, but because your needs will change and you'll learn what you do not like about the floor plan of the Passport you are considering.... just don't be surprised. I don't know of anyone that purchased their first (and only) camper and held on to it for 20 plus years!Good luck and I'll give the Passport 2 thumbs up! (And 2 thumbs up on the potential new owner who will take great care of it!)

How long do they last? | Good Sam Community

dave54
Nomad
Apr 29, 2016
We had a 2005 Komfort before we traded it in on a new Arctic Fox last year. We boondock a lot and pulled it down a lot of rutted two track goat trails.

I meticuously maintained it, and the dealer commented they had never seen a 10 year old TT in that good of shape. We got the full high blue book trade in plus a bit more. They did not 'add it' to the new trailer cost, because they deeply discounted it also, as it was a discontinued model. We returned to the dealer a week later and were told with minimal work by their shop they had already resold it.

So yes, with maintenance and care one will last ten years or more. They are high maintenance, requiring the care of both a vehicle and a home.
RobertRyan
Explorer
Apr 29, 2016
totaldla wrote:
Hi all! My first post here. Wife and I are new empty-nesters. We've tent camped all our married life and now we're looking for a travel trailer. We're not going to be full-time RVrs.

We like primitive camping, which means I'll likely drag our trailer down a lot of dirt roads. I grew up in a family that pulled a 16ft TT (slept 6) with a 60's Toyota Landcruiser 4wd that had a boat on top - typical Montana rig (or Aussie outback).

The trailer I'm looking at is the Keystone Passport 234QBWE - a 25 foot, kind of entry-level "Ultra-Lite". It's not perfect by any stretch, but it seems pretty good for the $18-19K. I'm pretty handy, so I don't see any issue maintaining a trailer to a point, but I'm not going to lift the body off the carriage to replace a floor, nor am I too keen on dismantling and re-welding aluminum walls.

I'm wondering how long these entry-level Keystone trailers last. Are they "Breaking Bad"-category after 5 years of dirt roads? Are they worth the gasoline to burn them after 10 years?

Not uncommon here to see 50yr old models running around, yes they have been down dirt roads
A 1970 Millard single axle Pop Top Caravan in original condition. These were cheap to purchase, no doubt in the process of being restored for Vintage use.
Dirtpig
Explorer
Apr 29, 2016
totaldla wrote:
fla-gypsy wrote:
Your idea of taking an ultralight off road should be reconsidered.

I agree with you and I have no intention of taking a 25 footer "off-road". But much of the beautiful west is accessible via "dirt road". I don't know enough about the term "ultra-lite" to understand why they would be strained by a dirt road.

Think about the strength you would lose when a trailer is constructed with 1" or 1.5" walls versus 2" walls. Ultralight trailers usually have very thin walls which makes them lighter. Also the frames are lighter weight as well.

Personally i think you can take the lightweight trailers on dirt/gravel roads but you would really need to keep on top of caulking and things like that as the trailer is definitely going to have a lot of flexing going on in it with the lighter construction. It will not last as long, but hell you can buy 2 trailers for the price i paid for mine. Destroy one and simply buy another and your still at about the same price lol. Love my trailer for its robust offroad capability though and im glad i bought it.
trail-explorer
Explorer
Apr 29, 2016
I'd look closer at a Nash, the 22H like this one is a popular model
totaldla
Explorer
Apr 28, 2016
krobbe wrote:
Toy Haulers are pretty heavy. Tongue weights tend to be heavier to accommodate the weight in the back behind the axles. Hope you have a substantial tow vehicle.
True, but they leave an open area in which you can arrange chairs and do whatever with company/grandkids. And they make it easier to bring bicycles, kayaks, solar panels, etc.
krobbe
Explorer
Apr 28, 2016
Toy Haulers are pretty heavy. Tongue weights tend to be heavier to accommodate the weight in the back behind the axles. Hope you have a substantial tow vehicle.
totaldla
Explorer
Apr 26, 2016
I want to thank everyone for their insight - very helpful. Funny, but I've actually been looking at toy haulers too because they give a big living room area when you don't have a toy in their (and I wouldn't mind having a toy or two with me while camping).
krobbe
Explorer
Apr 26, 2016
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krobbe
Explorer
Apr 26, 2016
totaldla wrote:
Regarding trailer size: when I first started looking at trailers, I was loving the 17' Casita. Small, simple, easy to tow. But my wife would have none of it because it is just too small. So I quickly realized that she needed to be happy while I was fishing some lake - so now I'm at 25'.
I'm on my second RV(first TT) in 20+ years. So I tend to keep them for awhile. Learned alot on the first one.
Most importantly, a leaky roof will destroy a rig in a very short time.(Any rig, not just a lower end one) And it's not just the roof that gets damaged but the walls and floor is affected also. So keep up on inspections of the roof. Seal it up before water gets in.
Next is the living area. It sounds like your wife needs enough space.(I don't blame her) For me, a comfortable place to sit to read, a walk around full size queen bed, and a bathroom that isn't too tight. I still don't have a comfortable recliner or a large enough bathroom, But I bought mine so the kids have a room of their own. Everything is a compromise with these things. When the kids have flown the coop, I'll get the last one(Fiver) to spend 6 months at a time in it. Right now, I am enjoying camping with the family and seeing so many amazing National and State parks.
Jebby14
Explorer
Apr 26, 2016
my prowler is a 91. lots of use. some major modifications (some good some not) but shes dry and off the ground and the price was right. Im happy with her