RV decision

“Structural issues” are not a concern in general on any RV unless it’s sustained some damage Water or otherwise.
Wiring plumbing and components are mostly similar across most rv brands and models.
Buy one that isn’t on the verge of being overloaded due to being under designed and one that feels like the interior hard pieces are pretty solid.
And the box end of a class A or C is the same basically as the box and what’s in it on any trailer frame.
You sound like you’re getting paralysis by analysis here.
Also buying used is a good indication of overall fit/quality. If it’s been towed around 1, 2, 5 or 10 years and has held together chances are it will keep holding together.

Unless you move up into high end diesel pusher motorhomes (think tour busses), no they are all pretty much built the same way and use the same appliances.

That said, if you are reasonably handy, it's not nearly as big of a deal as they make it out to be. Biggest thing is to keep it sealed up so water doesn't get in.

Seems newer RVs are having more issues than older ones. I bought a 2007 Montana 5th Wheel new and kept it 14 years and it could not have been more trouble free. Not sure that can be said about any newer RV of any type. I like to buy new. But finding a several year old unit in great shape would certainly be worth considering.

With motor homes, you have the additional issues of a another drive train to service and maintain. And you would probably want a vehicle that can be towed behind it if yours is not towable.

With a travel trailer, you need a vehicle capable of towing whatever size travel trailer you decide to buy. That may mean buying a new tow vehicle.

You just need to decide what is right for you.

Mayborn1 wrote:
... after reading numerous comments and articles on the quality and reliability issues with newer travel trailers we have begun to rethink doing this. I’m a fairly good carpenter, woodworker and shade tree mechanic. So, repairing minor issues wouldn’t be a problem. Structural issues on the other hand scare me. Would a motor home be more reliable than a travel trailer or similar?

No ! Class C motor homes are built using the same structural design. (Plywood floors. Wood wall studs. Wood ceiling trusses. Plywood roof and side sheathing.)

Mayborn1 wrote:

Would an older travel trailer be more reliable (pre-COVID years)? Thanks for any input.

A couple of years is good. Big price drop. Not necessarily a big quality improvement.


You are hitting on the reason why I am currently out of RVing (plus age) ! IMHO, for a $20,000 travel trailer, I would gladly pay an additional 10%-15% for better materials and workmanship. Rot proof floors. Commercial grade TPO roofing (zero maintenance). Better/more insulation. All electric, no propane. Residential mini-split heat pump.

If buying used, avoid 2021 and 2022 "covid " units. Most lines, regardless of prior build quality, suffered greatly during those years to put out good products. Some may have managed to put out some good units but the overall performance during those years is very spotty.

A lot of trailers today are aluminum framed so the only big structural things to worry about is the roof and the floor. RV's are not complicated to work on when needed. Find a floor plan you can live in and not be cramped up and uncomfortable.
Motorhomes will be more expensive to maintain in my opinion. I have a 37 foot Keystone Laredo travel trailer and we love the floor plan and the quality has been decent. I know you said in the 25 foot range but comfort comes with length. Look at shorter 5th wheels. A 30 ft. bumper pull is not that bad to pull and maneuver so don't just stick with the 25 ft. idea. Class C's with the super slide is another option for you to look at. Don't be in a rush to buy something and look at used ones.

In 2003 I bought a like brand new 2003 R Vision Trail Cruiser 28 Foot TT from Camping World dealer in San Marcus, Texas for around $15000.00. The trailer was in excellent condition and former owners were a retired couple who towed the trailer from Florida to TX and decided RVing was not for them.

R Vision was owned by Monocaco Coach RV and of great quality build. Check out RV dealers within a 100 to 150 mile radius or even more on the internet for both older and late model used RV TTs. Also RV Trader and other RV sales web sites. Also check out Facebook Market place and Craigslist but be careful of all of these as there are dishonest scammers on internet sites. I have saved much money buying truck and RV accessories plus camping stuff by using Facebook and Craigslist.

Others can tell you which brand TTs are of good quality as I am out of date on this info. Enjoy the good 4 Rs of living life. Cheers