Life expectancy of pickup campers...

ruthiebaby88 wrote:
How long do you expect a unit to last before it's more trouble than it's worth?

My lifetime, unless a major disaster hits it like a tree falling on it.

ruthiebaby88 wrote:
Is it better to get a newer/cheaper model or an older higher quality brand?

Only you can make that decision. For me, it was the older higher quality brand.

ruthiebaby88 wrote:
What do you expect to pay for yearly maintenance on your pickup camper?

I do not expect to pay anything per year for maintenance. Safe to say very little if any maintenance for 6 to 7 years. I refurbished/replaced/upgraded my TC in about a three year time frame, and used it weekly while doing so. I spent about $9000 total, material and parts only. I have done virtually no maintenance other than wash a couple of time a year, and wax maybe every other year.


I am of the belief the molded fiberglass TCs are the way to go for years of service with the least amount of maintenance, durability, and ease of repair.

I am the second owner of my 1988 Bigfoot, having purchased it in Feb 2004. It sat under (leaning against) an Oak Tree for at least seven years with no cover or maintenance before I bought it. It has never been under a cover since new, and is now 28 years old. I re-caulked when I bought it, and two or three times since. I had two windows leak, so I pulled and re-caulked all of them. No other leaks. I wax it once a year at most.

All TCs must have holes in the shell to accommodate windows and the appliances such as the fridge. Look at a non molded fiberglass TC shell. Every seam is prone to leaking. Typically, a 11.5 foot have over 60 feet of seams. The molded fiberglass has one seam, approximately 32 feet on a 11.5 foot TC and it has the top of the seam overlapping the bottom. I doubt it could leak at the seam if it had no caulk. Never heard of the wings rotting on a molded fiberglass.

I can put my Bigfoot under cover, I have a shop that will accommodate it. I prefer to use my shop for other things. I am in the process of building a 10'x20' shop just for my wood working tools. I could just as easily built it for the TC. When I bought ($1000) my 1988 Bigfoot it did not have the luxuries it now has. It now has all new or rebuild appliances, A/C, Solar (tilt-able), AGM battery, LEDs inside and out, Stable Lift, Wave3 heat, Microwave, TV, and Honda 2000 generator.

my pop up is 25 years old,still original fridge,inverter,lights and cushions.i replaced the canvas last year because the screens were all splitting and i added an electric water pump.it sees more logging/backwoods road than pavement.i figure its got at least 3 more seasons on it before i get a new pop up.its really surprising how long its lasted considering it's simple construction.i cover mine with a camper cover, but it only sits for 5 months,then back on the truck.

I have left my camper out in the Minnesota weather, unoccupied, unheated, 24-7-365 for 9y6m and no major problems so far. I hope to get 20years out of it.

ruthiebaby88 wrote:


It's possible I could park the camper in the pickup here without offending the HOA. Would love to tarp it, but that might be pushing my luck.

Do you guys that keep yours outside keep them covered with a carport or tarp or something? Do you have to sweep snow off the top? We rarely get more than 6 inches in town. Usually more like 1-2 so I'm not sure it would be necessary.

When we bought our home 10 years ago I had several things that the property had to have and 1 thing that it could not have...an HOA. As soon as I got the TC this is the next thing that went up. All I needed was a simple building permit and had to keep it inside the property line atleast 3 feet. Went with the optional vertical pitched roof so any heavier snow will unload on its own. If I had to park my TC outside uncovered I could do it, but I'd rather have the option of having it covered. My TC is 5 years old and it could pass for a brand new camper.

Im glad someone finally put some reality to this. Its an RV, not a convertible classic. Roof and other leak prevention is a key for sure. I wax my 01 Lance once a year and it looks great. I recaulk as needed. This is like saying a house needs to be in a covered environment!

Most of the RV's around here, or that I have seen travelling are stored outside with no cover. They are designed to be waterproof and if maintained will be fine. If I needed to keep mine under cover then I would never have bought it as I don't have a place to do so. If you have storage then fine, but I have never seen any advertising saying this unit must be covered.

We bought our 1996 Lance 18 years ago. Only major repair that comes to mind is replacing the converter/charger 10 years ago. I am surprised the frig is still working. We've looked at new TC's, but haven't found anything we like better.

Brad

4asong - I have real garage envy! Unfortunately, I have a townhouse with no property to build on so any covered storage would be a monthly rental.

It's possible I could park the camper in the pickup here without offending the HOA. Would love to tarp it, but that might be pushing my luck.

Do you guys that keep yours outside keep them covered with a carport or tarp or something? Do you have to sweep snow off the top? We rarely get more than 6 inches in town. Usually more like 1-2 so I'm not sure it would be necessary.

Just drove past a parking lot and I was surprised that only a couple of people had tarps on theirs - seems like an easy way to decrease wear - is there a reason Not to use a tarp?

I have also considered finding a friend who might let me park it at theirs in exchange for sharing the camper. Has anyone else tried that?

What do you think of the Eagle Cap brand?

Thanks for helping!

I recently sold my 21 year old Lance for the same price I paid for it 10 years ago, always stored outside, aluminum roofs are best and will outlast the newer Tpo

69 Avion wrote:
My Avion is over 45 years old and has been outside it's entire life. I have rebuilt the interior 2-1/2 years ago, and I think the exterior has another 50+ years left in it.

Diddo...
My Avion is a 1966, so is nearly 50 years old! While I have made some repairs, and rebuilds, it has been outside it's entire life. This does not mean it is maintenance free, But, if you keep it maintained, it will last well even if kept outside.

Good Luck!
Garry