MookieKat wrote:
How long do they generally last with good maintenance?
They will last as long as you are willing to maintain it.
Unfortunately there is no magic bullet.
I understand you are trying to do your research and become familiar with construction methods however trying to determine quality construction strictly by brand is futile.
Quality control in the RV industry is lacking. Despite the marketing hype and experienced RV'er comes to understand there is not a single RV line that is head and shoulders above the crowd.
There are lots of price points,floor plans and construction techniques.
Instead of focusing on a brand focus on floor plan. Determine how you plan to camp. Choose an RV that will fit your needs and style of camping Understand the features of the RV, tank capacities, cargo capacity,insulation rating etc.
Become familiar with the tow and capacity ratings for the RV as well as your tow vehicle.
Understand what your tow vehicle is capable of.
Once you narrow down what you want in an RV you will find a model that fits YOUR NEEDS in a few brands.
Find the RV that fits your needs regardless of brand first! You will have to identify what you want in a RV in order to do this. Find the RV that fits you. Do not fit yourself to the brand.
For example Lance builds a decent RV however none of their models fit my style of camping. That doesn't mean Lance is not a quality product. However they simply don't fit my style, however there are many that prefer and enjoy there Lance (fill in the name) units.
Do not rush but think it through, attend as many RV shows as possible.
Seeing units first hand vs. over the internet makes a big difference.
After walking through a few units hopefully you will begin to see and understand quality. You will also begin to observe the subtle and major differences between brands and product lines.
There is a lot of knowledge on this forum but there is a lot of rhetoric and loyalist noise that you will need to sort through to get to the core knowledge.
As you are finding there are lots of opinions and lots of pros and cons across all brands and models.
There is one truth in my book that has been mentioned above and that is maintenance is key.
Water is the enemy and leaks will destroy any RV. Any RV that is left to the elements will expand and contract and have wear and tear issues. To have a successful experience it is important to practice preventative maintenance regardless of the brand.
A cardboard box can last forever with proper care and a composite, totally plastic cube can self destruct if neglected. Maintenance is the key and there are no self maintaining RV's in existence.
The last piece of the puzzle is to find a reputable dealer. The RV industry is quite shady overall. When it comes time to purchase find a solid dealer that will take care of you after the sale. Sounds simple but good dealers are hard to find. Good Luck. Happy Shopping.
