We started fulltime (and by that I mean traveling without a home base or sitting somewhere for months at a time) 5/01. We stayed then in a 5 y/o 32' 5'er for 10 years.
At that point we wanted to downsize so as to be better able to utilize the small, off the path places that we prefer. That unit, even at 15 y/o was still quite serviceable. We traded it for more than the book value.
We went to a 28' 5'er that we are still living in and enjoying. With care, you can make these things last a lifetime.
Agreed that there is some shoddy craftsmanship in the RV industry, particularly in interior appointments, but people who continually denigrate RV's as "toothpick accidents waiting to happen" have obviously never attempted to drive their sticks and bricks down a road.
We have been from Alaska to Central America and back again a couple of times. In thousand of miles in 2 rigs we have had NO damage as a result of travel conditions. Just yesterday when we were traveling from IL to our current location in KY, we drove over washboard and convoluted pavement(slowly)that would have dislocated fillings (if we had any). I remarked to my wife that I wouldn't be surprised to find a cabinet off the wall.
Bottom line, and with few exceptions, maintain your unit well, and you can travel in it as long as you wish.
One proviso to the above: If'n you are of the "bigger, newer, better, faster" mentality, disregard everything written. Oh, you already did!!
โLove is whatโs in the room with you if you stop opening presents and listen.โ - Elain - age 8
