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.

[JRscooby]

Think life of a trailer depends a lot on philosophy of the owner.
All my working life I have lived with the idea "Trucks don't wear out, truck parts wear out" The only time replaced was when improved technology hit the used market. Cars and pickups, by 20 YO must decide about rust repair.
What wears out on the trailer? From what I read the manufactures will not build anything with a roof that you don't need to richard around with, so might as well take care of my '97.

[JaxDad]

joebedford wrote:
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 think it all comes down to initial quality. In my case both rigs are a Itasca m/h’s, a 24’ C and a 34’ A.

The C is a 1995, I wouldn’t hesitate to head across the country tomorrow. It is however on a rock solid foundation compared to a typical ‘keep it light’ trailer frame.

[wa8yxm]

With proper care and feeding.... Many years.
Without proper care and feeding... many days.

[Tvov]

Our 2004 Forest River Surveyor is still going. Haven't done anything to it until this spring. Almost 20 years of weekend camping.

This spring I put down plywood on the floor due to the original flooring getting really soft. Most likely due to a water leak on our first camping trip with it.

Related to that, we put blocks under the fold out step due to how much it moves.

Other than those issues, it really is almost 100%. The thing just keeps going. Looks good, inside and out. We didn't expect it to last this long.

My wife wants a new camper, one of those "retro" campers... but this Surveyor just won't die!

[MarkTwain]

time2roll wrote:
Mine better last another 5 to 10 years as I want to really step up traveling once I retire. So far no structural issues... knocks on wood.

I make a point to avoid the parks with a 10 year rule.

16 years old is stretching to expect to get 10 more years??. Just expect to spend some $$$ to keep up the regular maintenance and unexpected break downs ie broken rear spring, replace tires every 4 to 5 years, repack bearings once a year, replace batteries every 4 to 5 years. Be sure and buy the Good SAM Roadside assistance plan to use when you due have a truck or trailer breakdown.

[time2roll]

Mine better last another 5 to 10 years as I want to really step up traveling once I retire. So far no structural issues... knocks on wood.

I make a point to avoid the parks with a 10 year rule.

[BB_TX]

Depends a lot on how well each brand was manufactured. And how well cared for. I sold my 2007 Montana last year after owning it since buying it new. It was still as solid as the day I bought it. No exaggeration. I’m sure some brands are even better. And some not so much.

I think the 10 year rule is just an arbitrary number in an attempt to keep older run down units out.

[ktmrfs]

good camping friends have a 2009 5th wheel, probably 50K + miles on it, still in excellent shape, our 32ft TT (outback with opposing slides) bought new in 2010 with close to 45K miles on it still in excellent shape no issues.
Since we seldom use RV parks can't answer the "10 year" question, but on a few occasions when asked I just say "take a look" and they give the trailer a pass since it has no faded decals, no cracking decals, etc. since we keep it covered in the winter.

I've never seen a state/county/BLM/FS or other public campground that had an age requirement for trailers. Seems to be a "high end" "luxury" RV park that has the age limits.

[Caveman_Charlie]

It doesn't owe you anything. Use it until the wheels fall off.

( I don't mean that literally.)

[Grit_dog]

They’ll generally last as long as the care put into them.
Seeing as I’ve never seen a relatively new camper like either of yours with leaning walls, I’ll say you must ride em hard and put ‘em up wet.
Pull it until it don’t pull no more if you just let them rot away, anyways.
Be a waste of money to start decreasing the life on a new one until this one is completely used up, based on your track record.