I'm completely discouraged after reading these posts...

[Jayla]

I'm retiring in three years and was looking forward to purchasing a 5th wheeler to take on the road. Came here looking for advice, tips, etc. and all I see are problems, problems, problems. Systems that don't work, expensive repairs, units that do nothing but leak, poor customer service everywhere, and problems at RV parks. Wow, I'm just so discouraged now, I'm thinking I should totally abandon this idea and start looking for something else. I don't mind educating myself on minor maintenance and repair but I'm looking for a positive fulfilling traveling experience, not a job in Resolving Nothing But Problems.

[mikensallyt]

Dang, if I had ever listened and believed all I read I'd still be in a bunker! Memories become experience, hopefully good ones.

[GMandJM]

It sounds like RVing would not be a good fit for you. Sorry, Ms OP, but better you find out now rather than $50K or so later.

[Veebyes]

Ha! If you think owning & using an RV has its problems & is expensive, get a BOAT. A cruising boat is far more complex than even the fanciest class A.

As suggested get familiar with what you are getting into. Learn 12V & 120V basics. Understand something about plumbing. Learn what to look for to catch running gear problems early. Your tires really do talk to you & let you know when all is not right.

Most problems are simple fixes. Running to a dealer only to find out that a fuse blew or something such as simple gets expensive fast. The dealers & RV repair places love credit card RVers.

Get the wife involved. Mine knows mostly which tools are what & has no problem getting hands dirty when that bit of extra help is needed to get something done whether it be rotating wheels or changing a black tank valve.

[NMcamper55]

I love camping/RVing, cruising and Disney. If I hadn't had experience with all three before I found their respective forums I might not have bothered doing any of these activities! Forums are great for information but sometimes there's too much information and griping. 😉

[3oaks]

Tom/Barb wrote:

Just remember 2% of the people make 100% of the news,, here too.

You nailed it! 😉
And only 1% make any sense. :R

[Roy_Lynne]

You know when someone comes on line it usually isn't to just say "we had no issues with our rig" today. they come on for help, guidance, or to vent because they did have an issue.

[jplante4]

Yeah, it's not as bad as depicted. It helps if you are handy. If you're not handy, it helps if you're rich. There are going to be problems. You need to not only accept that but embrace that *Oh boy. I need to replace the burner in the fridge before the next trip!!!". If you can't then RVing, boating, bike touring, hiking etc is probably not for you.

There might be a good movie on pay-per-view. But then again the cable might go out in the middle of it.

[lenr]

OP: Sounds like you have had no experience. Suggest you start cheaper and trade up later if you like the lifestyle. Too many folks splurge a retirement nest egg only to find that RVs depreciate fast and require some maintenance. Unfortunately, the RV industry has not found the quality model, and some repair expense will result. Assembly is usually a bigger problem than appliance failure. One of my complaints about the industry is that higher prices seem to go into more expensive furniture and fancies rather than better assembly. Doing repair your self helps keep the cost down. Repair is almost always cheaper than buying a new RV.

Since you’re thinking of a fifth wheel, get the pickup truck and buy a bumper pull trailer to see if you like the lifestyle. Read, Read, Read, and search for information like crazy. I regard RV.NET to be the best that I have found. Some people actually post solutions to problems as opposed to complaining or asking for help. This is a great site for asking for help, and the answers will come. Yes, there will always more posts about problems than there will be about “no problems”, but the auto & pickup web sites are much worse in that respect.

When you are shopping, remember the old adage: is it a salesman, are his/her lips moving, their lying. Can’t tell you the number of times that we’ve walked through an RV show and heard sales folks stretching the truth. DO NOT be pressured into an immediate decision by a salesperson. You can get prices just as inexpensive outside of a show. You should shoot for 30 % discount from MSRP in the spring and 35% in the fall (not always achievable, but a good goal). If you provide more details including location you’ll get even more advice from this group.

[Terryallan]

Jayla wrote:
I'm retiring in three years and was looking forward to purchasing a 5th wheeler to take on the road. Came here looking for advice, tips, etc. and all I see are problems, problems, problems. Systems that don't work, expensive repairs, units that do nothing but leak, poor customer service everywhere, and problems at RV parks. Wow, I'm just so discouraged now, I'm thinking I should totally abandon this idea and start looking for something else. I don't mind educating myself on minor maintenance and repair but I'm looking for a positive fulfilling traveling experience, not a job in Resolving Nothing But Problems.

Been doing this for 30+ years. Had ONE (1) flat tire. Had 2 sink pipe leaks, and replaced one kitchen faucet that froze because of my error.

Bottom line. Take care of your camper, do the maintenance required. And it will last, and last. Will it ever leak? Not likely, but then. Has your house ever leaked? I bet it has. Is this for every opne? no, Just those that enjoy the freedom of going where ever you want, and staying in your own place, around great people.

[ncrowley]

Don't pay attention to the people that state that because you are concerned, RVing is not for you. It is not true. I am an avid RVer and have the same concerns. I purchased an older diesel coach 3 years ago and it seems like there is always something that needs to be done. These "somethings" are little things - I have not had any big issues. For example, I have a number of florescent fixtures that are acting oddly that I need to work open or replace. I have a latch that needs to be tightened.

However, when I think about all the great experiences I have had while RVing I would not have had any other way, I know that owning the RV is worth the upkeep. I know that without the RV, I would not have traveled like I have. I see too many people my age that just sit at home and get into a routine. While that may work for some, I want to keep active and learning and experiencing new things. I do not know a better way to do that than to go out in an RV. I do not want to look back with regrets and I know I would do that if I did not use the RV like I have.

There are pros and cons to everything. You need to decide whether you think the pros of RVing outweighs the cons. As has been stated, most people never have big problems with their RV. I can just say that it is wonderful to pull into some of the most beautiful places and sit outside and watch the sun go down.

[cbshoestring]

The roof needed replaced when we bought the thing. A receptacle in the kitchen had a short which required some help from an electrician. I have had to replace the water heater, update the furnance and the A/C. The carpet was worn out (not to mention burnt orange), so we stripped the floors and now have hardwood. The bathroom has been completely updated, but the kitchen is still 70's style, and the replacement windows are starting to fog between the panes. Did I mention I still haven't built the deck my wife would love to have outside the dining room? In 15 years we have made this home more and more our own (still working on it). Sometimes the upkeep and maintenance makes we want to trade it for a tent.

The wife's car has had 4 recalls...It's a GM. My new RAM refused to start one day, it had less than 2000 miles on it. There is a current recall on that ignition.

The travel trailer?????? No problems in 3 years of ownership with this model. Unless you count tightening, aligning, and other MAINTAINING issues.

Everything requires maintenance, upgrades, and yes REPAIRS. I love the fact that sites like this one helps me fix/maintain without spending my days on the dealer's waiting list.

I personally believe that RVing takes a bit of adventuring, self-reliant, "whatever" attitude. Maybe it is not the OP's cup of tea.

[pitch]

Admittedly , I am a newbie at this RV'ing thing. We have only had our trailer 4 years. I am guessing that we have traveled approximately 10k miles and 100 nights.
The only problem we have had is a roofing staple in the trailers tire,and I caught that while we were set up so it was a simple change.

Before each outing even if its only a weekend I test all the systems and do the daily PM. Maybe by being alert and familiar with my rig means that I do not allow things to become problems.
This is not rocket science and while our rigs may not be of Space Shuttle quality, they certainly are not junk either!

I will concede the OP's point that if I was just looking into this lifestyle,I would be awfully discouraged reading these boards. Not only from the litany of equipment problems presented, but also the miserable, mean, dictatorial know it alls, that if this board is representative of, make up the Rv'ng population

[lc0338]

While you are out looking at RV's you might think "out of the box" and go look at some horse trailers with living quarters. Now you think, why in the world would I want to do that when I don't even own a horse. Well, just for comparison. Think of the "horse section" nothing more than a toy hauler. Horse trailers are built, well, to haul horses so the construction is way heavier duty than any regular RV so they can last a lifetime. Horse trailers with living quarters are not held hostage to NADA guidelines so they can hold higher trade in values.... but yes they will cost more up-front. I would recommend looking at the Lakota and Sundowner brands only. I'm not a salesman or have any financial interest in either Lakota or Sundowner. I have owned a fleetwood prowler bumper pull (25 ft) and a Kiefer Built horse trailer with living quarters. I recently sold my prowler bumper pull and Kiefer Built to trade up into a Lakota horse trailer with living quarters. When I'm not Rv'ing with my horses I can take my 4 wheeler or if you have dog's the horse section is a good place for them to land when the weather is foul (rain, sleet, snow). If nothing more just go compare the roof system on a regular RV compared to a horse trailer with living quarters. The Lakota is a 100% aluminum trailer (other manufacturers make aluminum too but I just don't recommend them) with an aluminum roof system. Yes, there is still some yearly maintenance but in a hail storm the metal roof makes me feel more secure. Forgot to mention also.. In Oklahoma my prowler had to be tagged yearly just like a car. My horse trailer with living quarters doesn't require a tag so I bought my Lakota in Texas. They didn't charge me any state taxes and I don't need to pay excise tax in Oklahoma so yearly costs are cheaper.

[sail2liv]

The best way to find the RV that might fit you needs is to go to large campground and collect data from those that are camping along with some camping shows and looking around....should take about a year or two....find out what you need to tow the unit that you are buying or upgrading to down the road..so you can be researching those vehicles....what are you real goals and camping needs....are your stays longer or shorter, are you doing one niters at wally world or flying J s.....you have to figure out your objectives and then after research take the plunge which will probably be oh I should have done that after your first unit.....remember it is a lifestyle and there are many ways to achieve it successful.....good luck...figure out who you are and what you need then go from there..we like Forest RIver as so far for us they go over and above what you would expect on their products....+ find a good high volume dealer we like Tom Johnson in Concord NC area.....

[FULLTIMEWANABE]

BBTX hit the nail on the head - anything mechanical or electrical is always a toss of the dice on whether you'll have issues at some point or another.

Risk versus Reward = Reward is far greater for us that the risk so off we go in the RV 🙂 🙂 🙂

In 16 years: Hydraulic slides failed once on fifth wheel (bed slide wore hole in the hose stupidly placed under the bed moving back and forth friction over time at build).

Bought MH new 13 years ago - A/C wouldn't work and service hadn't a clue (solved it ourselves thanks to a forum like this = teeny hidden deep switch behind a panel behind another panel), Auto Awning switch same thing service useless to get it resolved, did it through help from folks on a forum like this. Biggie for us was had first several trips with engine dying challenges and eating up of precious vacation time back then, and needing to be towed often, allowed engine to cool and travel at night rather than lose all our vacation time - were accused of putting dirty fuel in a brand new RV and clogging the filters first time and wanted us to pay outside of warranty = we didn't!. Finally someone at a basic Ford auto garage in Milk River Alberta before crossing over US border where we limped to in summer 2003 said "I think it might be a failing fuel pump". Limped over border next day, had assistance from fire dept to get into a car park when stalled at traffic lights in Great Falls Mt. Limped later that night in the cooler weather to repair facility outside South Dakota to next morning tell them what had been going on and suggestion on fuel pump. They replaced the fuel pump (had a mountain of replaced ones in their bay area) and zero problems for 10 years after other than minor sticky jacks, replacing odd wearing of tyres and general maintenance. Then Easter 2013 broke down on I15 90 miles north of Pocatello Idaho where we were towed to. Sounded like hubby had driven over a shopping cart caught underneath = small $2 clip failed inside and rod punctured holes requiring a replacement engine for $7600. Again no problems until we installed full boon docking solar system end last year, and the Midnight controller failed under warranty boiling the brand new batteries just recently.

Were we frustrated in Year 3/4, you betcha, especially when we only had 2 or 3 week vacations tightly planned and a brand new MH kept dying on us in hot weather = saw more repair facilities than attractions. However, today, looking back at all the wonderful memories and experiences we've had over the years, it was worth these now thought of today, minor inconveniences back then.

For sure it does seem that some folks experience more than their fair share of problems all at once sometimes. Could it be they bought a rogue rig or badly maintained used rig, or one not suitable for it's intended type of use or known in the industry for certain issues? A well maintained by the previous owners used Rig, seems to give a lot of second and third owners hassle free travel we've tended to read. Plumbing issues happen in SnB, so provided they are caught quick enough and addressed damage is usually more a little inconvenience than major expense. If not addressed then of course water leaks can cause untold damage. It's a question of checking your rig regularly, knowing how she rolls, and doing routine maintenance as with all things we own.

Ironically we've been put off buying a new DP due to reading of so many folks spending their first 2 years parked at the dealers or manufacturers getting lots of warranty work done, and some often still not resolved after two or three attempts. That plus the front end depreciation hit, and all the new "more to go wrong" items makes us keep putting off replacing our 13 YO gas RV right now, albeit hubby would absolutely love a new Entegra or Tiffin Bus.

If OP is serious about RVing, he won't sweat the small stuff, and give it a shot with careful front end selection of the right rig - misfortune can happen to anyone with anything but it's more an anomaly than a commonality from speaking with many over the years. We say that with not an ounce of mechanical, electrical or technical knowledge - it's been forums like this that have helped us resolve many issues.

That's been our experience but of course YMMV.