When we originally started looking for a quality 4 season 5er for full timing, I thought we needed to stay 2008 or newer for us to be happy, but we've seen some older models that are very nice too - just a little dated looking in certain areas, mostly cabinet styles and colors. But for the difference in price, I can do a lot of customization of my own to make it what we want and still have a great deal, or so I think.My question really is - how old is too old if we want reliability? It's a 5er so there's no engine and drive train to worry about, but they still have a lot of expensive things that can go bad or break down - A/C, Furnace, Water Heater, power slides, power awnings, refrigerator to name a few. I am thinking 5-6 years old is about as old as we should go for another 5 years of likely reliability. Is that reasonable? Can I likely go older? Should I stay even newer than 2008?We're looking at nicer units like DRV, Carriage, Heartland, etc if that makes any difference. Unfortunately, I'm not sure it does make a difference because all the stuff I'm worried about going bad or breaking down is 3rd party components from places like Dometic.Thanks!

You will get answers all over the place. Our experience was the most major breakdowns and items needing replacement: Microwave, refrigerator,bathtub, window treatments, upholstery, along with a lot of small items happened during our 7th year of full timing with the rig. We call it the 7 year "itch." Only two months to go!!

I see a lot more campers older than 2008 out on the roads, don't know about full timing, than I do new models. Economy is partially responsible for that I guess.

I'm torn on this one-I have a trailer that I bought sight unseen used-9 years old-and it's a solid rock-and I believe it was used a ton! I've bought new and used-both have there advantages. Now ideally you'll find something that's older and was stored in a climate controlled barn and hardly used at all-but the seller of that unit will not be the rushed liquidator that my trailer came from! The major components are what you should be most worried about and some A/Cs last 5 years and some 20-so it can be a toss up-I've become more concerned with fit and finish-frame rust-any chance the tires might be brand new-things like that. No warrantee on old-used either, but after the first year many things are not covered anyhow. One more thing-there is a gigantic difference in build quality-even amongst some of the higher end builders-find a good unit and it will last a very long time!I think that you just need to shop hard-super criticize the units you like-and BUY!OH-HEY-WELCOME TO THE FORUM!

SuperDutyFiver wrote:I'm torn on this one-I have a trailer that I bought sight unseen used-9 years old-and it's a solid rock-and I believe it was used a ton! I've bought new and used-both have there advantages. Now ideally you'll find something that's older and was stored in a climate controlled barn and hardly used at all-but the seller of that unit will not be the rushed liquidator that my trailer came from! The major components are what you should be most worried about and some A/Cs last 5 years and some 20-so it can be a toss up-I've become more concerned with fit and finish-frame rust-any chance the tires might be brand new-things like that. No warrantee on old-used either, but after the first year many things are not covered anyhow. One more thing-there is a gigantic difference in build quality-even amongst some of the higher end builders-find a good unit and it will last a very long time!I think that you just need to shop hard-super criticize the units you like-and BUY!OH-HEY-WELCOME TO THE FORUM!That says a lot for Carriage quality for that era and even up until they went out. Lifestyle is carrying on the same build design that Carriage used for years. I love our Cameo....just walk around in it and then walk around in the "others". No comparison. Phillip

I traded 2007 last year because it was too old. Guess that's my threshold.

How old is too old? | Good Sam Community

trbill2003
Explorer
Jan 21, 2014
This is such a subjective thing. We have a 2000 Cardinal and have used it a lot. We have had a couple of serious problems with it caused by squirrels and a water leak. The leak was due to a tear in the rubber roof after hitting a branch. I have fixed both and we have installed new floors and upgraded our furniture. The unit is solid and we plan on keeping it longer. We are about to leave for Arizona with it and this summer we will be going up to Yukon. We live in Southern B.C.

Bottom line is a used older trailer can be just fine. It will be a lot cheaper then new and therefore there is money left to fix things like a furnace or water heater if they break down. If the trailer is solid it can last for years, if it was not well made to begin with it is not worth the repair. Older units will not look as shiny as new so that may be important to you as well.
eaglegph
Explorer
Jan 11, 2014
Had a Pace Arrow MH...parked on grass let a roof leak go an ultimately junked the MH. Tough lessons. Purchased a super clean one owner 2001 Chev 3500 Silverado long bed gasoline 2WD one year ago. Yesterday (after 4 months of searching) I purchased a 93 Jayco 32 ft with one slide, loaded...incl washer/dryer. The seller owned it for. 10 years...former RV mechanic. I am humbly blessed and aopreciative...this is a bucket list goal...I dont discriminate the old stuff...my boat is a 1978 25 ft Tiara 7 years of use in Lake StClair MI....wish me luck
525pilly
Explorer
Nov 30, 2013
I once bought a 13 year old TT. The previous owner and I both did engineering field work and basically full timed in it while on field assignments. Assignments could be from a few weeks to several months, so it didn't get a lot of mileage. The original instant gas water heater had been replaced with an electric domestic unit. It would be considered pretty crude by modern standards, but there were no inverter, converter, circuit boards or electronic gadgets to go bad. It was 22 years old when I had to replace the electric heating element in the refrigerator. It was 26 years old when I sold it, still working.

We currently have a 1988 Terry 5r. Other than the tank gauges being of questionable accuracy everything is original and still working. The previous owner full timed in it for about 6 years and maintained it well, we have taken it to Alaska and back.

Condition and maintenance are more important than age.
mike54
Explorer
Nov 28, 2013
we had a 2011 Travel Trailer we bought new but we wanted a fifth wheel to get ready for fulltiming in a couple years. We found a 2007 Montana 3500rl that had a great layout, looks to be taken care of so we traded ours in for the Montana. I don't age means much if it's taken care of.
partsman01
Explorer
Nov 25, 2013
My first one I bought was a 1989 Lynxx and bought it in 2005, then bought a 1999 coachmen in 2009 then bought a 2004 in 2010
MM49
Explorer
Nov 25, 2013
I have brand new RV and it breaks down monthly. Mine is on the road every week. There are so many systems that were designed incorrectly. Once I re-design the failed system I never have another problem with that issue. I just wait till next week and discover another problem. I you like an RV, buy it. I can't see how age could make a RV less reliable.
MM49
ventrman
Explorer
Nov 24, 2013
RetSgt7114 wrote:
FWIW, I have an 11-12 year old unit that I picked up which had barely 7000 miles on the odometer. The unit obviously sat more than it was used, but this left me with a unit that had an almost brand-new interior. Cushions, rugs, drapes, bedding, etc, looked new. I had the motor checked out and after fluid changes, I am on the road with a REALLY inexpensive RV that does everything that a $100,000.00 unit can do. All the money saved gets us more gas to travel so we're happy with that too.
I have never seen a 5th Wheel that has an odometer.
shadows4
Explorer III
Nov 23, 2013
Our 5er in Sig is 9 almost 10 years old. We have had it almost a year. We had to put some money into major repairs this summer. But it doesn't matter because it is the 5er we wanted. Sure we would rather have not had to put out money for a new roof or to repair delamination issues. But for us it was worth it because we loved the floor plan and could afford to pay cash for it. New or used it is what you feel comfortable with. It's only to old if your not willing to put out the time, effort and money to maintain it. Happy camping, John
RollandB
Explorer
Nov 23, 2013
Heck, our stick house was built in 1911 so I expect the 5er to go that long.....;).

Seriously other than what has been said, to me it can also come down to technology in the newer rigs than the older. Ours is an 05, tank gauges aren't too accurate, no propane tanks that slide out, no 6 point levelors, etc. we've updated some things like a flat panel TV, but for the most part aren't too concerned on the trinkets. We purchased it used, looked first at the floor plan we wanted, then condition till we found the right one.
C_Schomer
Explorer
Nov 23, 2013
We just sold a 98 SB and bought a 2008 SB. Mainenance is as important as the original quality. The 98 needed the usual things... AC cleanings, bearing packing, brakes etc. I stayed on top of everything and it was still as reliable, or moreso, as anything out there. Even had 16" LT's, 2 yr old tires, new solar and upgraded suspension. Sold it for $9200 and the new owners have texted/called me 3 times to tell me how happy they are with it. Craig

Forum Discussion

How old is too old?

About Fifth Wheel Group

Related Content

Old tires?

Old Friends

Old age

Old Campers

Old Gasoline