5th Wheel Longevity

[B-n-B]

What would be a realistic expectation as far as 5th Wheel longevity? Assuming mid level quality and of course continuous occupancy, would 10 years in the same 5th Wheel be reasonable? Anyone here have experience being in the same rig 10 years or more? I know there are a lot of variables like weather, wear and maintenance items that can't be neglected; I'm just wondering if we will absolutely have to replace the 5th wheel before we decide to come off the road

[Sandia_Man]

They will last as evidenced by the 10 year rule imposed at many (so called) RV resorts. We have nearly eight on our current unit and plan to keep it for our sons or daughter to use when we upgrade to a true 4 season unit in the next couple of years.

[colliehauler]

With proper maintance 20 years is not a problem. With that said some people can trash a rig in a couple of years.

[Road_Runners]

We don't live in our fiver full time. We live and travel in it four months out of the year in the summer. Our fiver has been down the road for 114,000 miles and is fourteen years old. I do make sure the running gear maintenance is looked after and repair or replace things in the department as needed. The frame seems to be in excellent shape.

The rugs, curtains, sofa, bed, dinette, stove, air conditioner and refrigerator are all original items.

We have had to replace the microwave, two water pumps, three storage batteries, the toilet, kitchen sink faucet, the shower head, the TV antenna system (New antenna and a new coaxial cable run from antenna to TV), and the electric convertor.

We have repaired the window cornices and valences several times. I rebuilt the cabinet that held the old 32 inch TV so a new flat screen could be installed. I have had to repair all the inside doors for one reason or another. I have put new brakes on it. Replaced the spring shackles with wet bolt shackles. I have replaced the shocks twice. We are on our third set of tires. We had the foldup entrance steps rebuilt. We have done repairs to main slide mechanism twice. I rebuilt the ladder to the roof. I have repaired the two roof vent covers due to the mounting bolt holes cracking. I have replaced the front 1/4 of the rubber roof. I have had wheels wells rebuilt four times due to tire failures. Oh yes, and replaced numerous light bulbs and fixtures both interior and exterior.

Guess that's about it.

[2oldman]

Many folks ask about replacing a rubber roof, but mine's still fine after 12 years. Maybe that's because I have solar panels protecting ½ of it.

[robsouth]

10 years life with proper maintenance should not be an issue. There are a lot of cars and trucks on the road that are a lot older than that and with proper maintenance will be on the road a lot longer. Most anything mechanical is subject to failing, but, most anything mechanical can be repaired and maintained. My current TT is 20 years old and still performs as it did day 1. It may not look like day one, but still does what it is supposed to do.

[Golden_HVAC]

10 years of good care with the same fifth wheel is not unreasonable.

Now rent it to some teenagers, and I have seen a fifth wheel go downhill in one summer. To the point, the owner gave it away, she did not want to go inside it anymore, the floor tile was destroyed by their dog, and such.

How long will the fabrics last? Do you still have your 10 year old couch? Most fabrics are designed to last only a short time under full time use. When you use a fifth wheel or any RV for a few weeks per year, you should expect the fabrics to last about 15 years. That is 5 weeks X 15 years, or about 75 weeks.. . You will be using it much more frequently.

Not that I ever needed to replace my couch, my RV is a 97, and still has all the same furniture, except the bed mattress. It can wear. Look at the factory seats on a 15 year old car with 75,000 miles, they still look reasonable and good shape. One with 250,000 miles, and all torn up and shabby. I only full timed in the RV from 2005 to 20013. Still that is 8 years full time (by myself) and all the seats still look great. I had two dogs from 97 to 2005, and they did not tear anything up. One was a 120# Akita, the other a 65# German Shorthair.

Yes I think that the interior of your RV will last 10 years+. The bed or perhaps your favorite place to sit might get a little worn, and require new seat cushions, or replacement bed (heck I plan on upgrading my bed when it is new, and not wait 10 years like I did the last time).

I did replace my sink faucet, it was not broken, I wanted a pull out style. The bathroom faucet finally gave up and I had to replace it.

Roof was recoated at about 13 years old.

Fred.

[n7bsn]

Ah it depends

Probably one of the best made rigs in there is, is New Horizons. I've seen one of these that at just a few years old was trashed, because the owner didn't take care of the rig.

But if you are buying a rig who's warranty does not exclude full-time use (many do) and you are willing to take care of the rig, it's not unreasonable that it could last that long.