Can 'O Worms: how long can I expect my 5er to last?

[joebedford]

My first 5er was a 2003 and I traded it for our current 2011 in 2011. The 2003 I didn't feel it was safe to haul down the road because the walls weren't square to the frame any more. The ramp on the TH was hard to close if the walls were leaning over.

My current TH is a 2011. That's 12 years old except it hasn't been used in over two years because of the pandemic.

I don't see any signs of leaning or twisting on this rig like the last one. The only -ve is that there's a lot of (surface) rust on the chassis and axles. Personally, I think it's safe for the highway.

I parked it in Florida over the summer three years ago but we brought it home a year later in March 2020 (again, because of the pandemic). We're hoping to leave it in FL again but we might have to bring it back. Dunno.

I know there are million answers to this question and some people will answer that their rig will last forever and others will say theirs was falling apart on the way home from the dealer.

What's the rule of thumb for how long a rig will last. I know many parks "don't allow" rigs over 10 years old.

[Lantley]

Samsonsworld wrote
I think of older trailers being harder to sell and not worth much money if they do. I've seen too many old campers wasting away behind somebody's house. Eventually, you end up with something that isn't worth the money to fix and you can't pay someone to haul off. Each to his own, but I'll keep the rotation going.

Don't confused old with abandoned. I agree there are plenty of old RV's wasting away in a fied somewhere, but those RV's are abandoned and not being used.
vs. an older RV that is roadworthy and used on a regular basis.
Age is not the longevity factor maintennace and care are the real factors.

[Samsonsworld]

ktmrfs wrote:

Samsonsworld wrote:
I wouldn't buy a 10 yo camper, so I want rid of mine by then.

Not sure why one would imply the other.

Our trailer is going on 12 years old, very reliable, in good shape and we also haven't seen one that has the features the current on has that are important. So I see no reason to get rid of mine, certainly not because it's 10 years old.

I think of older trailers being harder to sell and not worth much money if they do. I've seen too many old campers wasting away behind somebody's house. Eventually, you end up with something that isn't worth the money to fix and you can't pay someone to haul off. Each to his own, but I'll keep the rotation going.

[Grit_dog]

Samsonsworld wrote:
I wouldn't buy a 10 yo camper, so I want rid of mine by then.

And this is what makes this forum soooo fun!
All the old fogeys who totally fail to think about any other scenario than their own personal one, when responding to most any thread started on this forum….

[1320Fastback]

Our toy hauler is 17 years old but it's built like a tank thankfully. I've dragged it all over southern California desert down roads most of you would never consider. Our good friend has already been though two new ones. They literally fell apart.

[ktmrfs]

Samsonsworld wrote:
I wouldn't buy a 10 yo camper, so I want rid of mine by then.

Not sure why one would imply the other.

Our trailer is going on 12 years old, very reliable, in good shape and we also haven't seen one that has the features the current on has that are important. So I see no reason to get rid of mine, certainly not because it's 10 years old.

[Lantley]

Samsonsworld wrote:
I wouldn't buy a 10 yo camper, so I want rid of mine by then.

While my build quality maybe suspect. At this point I know the strengths and weaknesses of my unit.
More importantly I haven't seen anythng new that truly excites me.
With that in mind I will keep my 10 year old sorted out unit vs. buying a new over priced quesetionable unit to sort out.
Sooner or later I will need to buy a new unit but current lack of quality makes it easy to keep what I have.

[Samsonsworld]

I wouldn't buy a 10 yo camper, so I want rid of mine by then.

[spoon059]

I park mine under a metal carport 310-320 days a year. I wash and wax it once a year. We keep the inside clean as well. Kids know not to jump around on the slide or bunks. It is currently in its 8th year and looks pretty much brand new.

Alternatively I've got friends that have a newer camper that lives outdoors 365 days a year and looks beaten down and I doubt it will last as long as mine and it likely won't hold its value as well as I hope mine will.

We'll own this one for about another 3.5 years, at which point I'll retire and buy a 5th wheel for a long cross country trip. That new 5th wheel will also be kept under a metal carport more often than not, so I hope it'll last just as long and look just as nice.

I think the 10 year rule essentially exists to give campgrounds the leeway to turn away junkers that might fall apart in their campground or simply get abandoned in their campground. We camped in several places that had a 10 year rule in our older camper, but the camper was in good shape and we never once had an issue.

[fj12ryder]

Like those adult diapers: Depends/z. 🙂

FWIW, we sold our last toyhauler after owning it for 11 years. Everything was still working, and last we heard from the buyer, it still is.

[JimK-NY]

I understand the average life expectancy for an RV trailer is about 10 years. That is really pathetic since many RVs don't have that much use. The industry is well known for poor engineering, poor design and poor quality of construction. Many tailers barely have enough capacity to carry more than a few hundred pounds over the base weight. You can blame the customer for not understanding and overloading. I am more inclined to blame the maker for cutting corners. Water intrusion is another major cause of failure. Again, you can blame the customer for lack of maintenance. I blame the manufacturer. Construction is often so poor that seams are sure to open up due to twisting and vibrations while driving. The customer certainly has a part in this by not doing the homework and buying based on dreams and surface appearance.

Some RVs are indeed fairly well designed and built to last. Unfortunately that seems to be the exception.

[bgum]

A lot depends on the build materials and maintenance. For example Airstreams tend to have long lives.

[ktmrfs]

mdcamping wrote:

joebedford wrote:
My first 5er was a 2003 and I traded it for our current 2011 in 2011. The 2003 I didn't feel it was safe to haul down the road because the walls weren't square to the frame any more. The ramp on the TH was hard to close if the walls were leaning over.

My current TH is a 2011. That's 12 years old except it hasn't been used in over two years because of the pandemic.

I don't see any signs of leaning or twisting on this rig like the last one. The only -ve is that there's a lot of (surface) rust on the chassis and axles. Personally, I think it's safe for the highway.

I parked it in Florida over the summer three years ago but we brought it home a year later in March 2020 (again, because of the pandemic). We're hoping to leave it in FL again but we might have to bring it back. Dunno.

I know there are million answers to this question and some people will answer that their rig will last forever and others will say theirs was falling apart on the way home from the dealer.

What's the rule of thumb for how long a rig will last. I know many parks "don't allow" rigs over 10 years old.

I have not come across the 10 year old rule here on the east coast, not saying it doesn't exist or enforced but I would think as long as your FW is clean and not falling apart that you would be okay, just my 2 cents

Mike

Out our way the "10 year rule" seems to be in the "RV RESORTS" . As we plan our long trips I've seen that rule posted on some of the high end RV parks near where we are going. Even as you for the Make, model and year of RV. We've only on rare occasions used these parks because we prefer more "rural" campgrounds, top of the list are campgrounds that originally were tent campgrounds built by CCC etc now FS/BLM, county parks. I'd much rather have campsites large enough to hold 2-3 trailers and tow vehicles and room around the campfire and 50+ feet between sites and enjoy rather than packed in like sardines.

[Walaby]

As you can see, there is no rule of thumb.

Only rule that makes sense is the better you take care of it, the longer it will last.

Mike

[Jim-Linda]

We have a 1998 HH Champagne 38'. We have fulltimed since new and trailer is very well taken care of. I am anal about keeping water out and check roof every year. I repair any issue at once, keep exterior clean and have been using Zep on the fiberglass for years, still looks new. Currently in a park in N. Texas helping family and campers do not believe the age. Keep water out and fix "stuff" promptly and they will last if you start with quality.

Jim

[mdcamping]

joebedford wrote:
My first 5er was a 2003 and I traded it for our current 2011 in 2011. The 2003 I didn't feel it was safe to haul down the road because the walls weren't square to the frame any more. The ramp on the TH was hard to close if the walls were leaning over.

My current TH is a 2011. That's 12 years old except it hasn't been used in over two years because of the pandemic.

I don't see any signs of leaning or twisting on this rig like the last one. The only -ve is that there's a lot of (surface) rust on the chassis and axles. Personally, I think it's safe for the highway.

I parked it in Florida over the summer three years ago but we brought it home a year later in March 2020 (again, because of the pandemic). We're hoping to leave it in FL again but we might have to bring it back. Dunno.

I know there are million answers to this question and some people will answer that their rig will last forever and others will say theirs was falling apart on the way home from the dealer.

What's the rule of thumb for how long a rig will last. I know many parks "don't allow" rigs over 10 years old.

I have not come across the 10 year old rule here on the east coast, not saying it doesn't exist or enforced but I would think as long as your FW is clean and not falling apart that you would be okay, just my 2 cents

Mike