Is this normal or are we just darned Lucky?

[ParkCountry]

We have a 2002 Arctic Fox that we bought used in 2003, so this is our 15th season of use. Each time I get it prepped for the first trip of the season, I'm always holding my breath to see if maybe THIS is the year that something is finally going to give up the ghost and I'll have to put major money into it. Well, I just finished prepping it for the first trip of the season and everything is working A-OK yet again! I read so many horror stories from people who have had nothing but trouble, some even with BRAND NEW trailers that are lemons from day One. Every year I'm more and more amazed at the longevity of this trailer and it's systems. For those of you who've owned a rig for this long, I gotta ask: Is this normal or are we just very, very lucky?

[ctilsie242]

So far, I've had good luck with my Palomino Puma. However, because I pretty much only take it out to a festival and back. If the roof doesn't leak, and, the generator, A/C, refrigerator, and microwave all work, I'm happy.

[JAC1982]

I think some of it is expectations too. Whenever the littlest thing broke on our old toy hauler, we would freak out, because it was brand new and nothing should break, right? But, we've learned that generally, that's just not how it works with RVs. It probably should, but it doesn't. It's a rolling home, things are bound to come loose, shift, etc. You learn how to fix yourself or be patient and have the dealer do it (which is why IMO, it's important to find a good dealer).

[larry_barnhart]

ParkCountry wrote:
We have a 2002 Arctic Fox that we bought used in 2003, so this is our 15th season of use. Each time I get it prepped for the first trip of the season, I'm always holding my breath to see if maybe THIS is the year that something is finally going to give up the ghost and I'll have to put major money into it. Well, I just finished prepping it for the first trip of the season and everything is working A-OK yet again! I read so many horror stories from people who have had nothing but trouble, some even with BRAND NEW trailers that are lemons from day One. Every year I'm more and more amazed at the longevity of this trailer and it's systems. For those of you who've owned a rig for this long, I gotta ask: Is this normal or are we just very, very lucky?

same story for our 2001 35 ft Avalon alpenlite.

chevman

[drsteve]

It's true. Most people do not bother to post when they don't have a problem with something.

[WTP-GC]

ParkCountry wrote:

I read so many horror stories from people who have had nothing but trouble, some even with BRAND NEW trailers that are lemons from day One.

...I gotta ask: Is this normal or are we just very, very lucky?

Well, first, there's absolutely no such thing as "luck"

Secondly, you have these concerns/thoughts because you read a forum like this (or other sources) where people are continuously coming online to rant or complain about some issue or another. So you're always reading about people who have issues under circumstances that are most times not fully understood or explained. You know anyone who has an RV but doesn't read online forums? I do, and some of the folks just move right along...either in blissful ignorance or complete satisfaction.

There have been more studies that we can ever read that account for how the internet has created so much anxiety, worry, concern, fear, etc. toward ideals where such thoughts and emotions didn't ordinarily exist. Not that any of us are completely immune to this effect, but it ought to make you ponder how your thoughts are often directed by what you "choose" to take in.

Maybe this forum should create a section dedicated only to positive stories and reviews. But nah, that's no fun to read.

[wa8yxm]

I now live in a 12 year old Motor home, after several trailers.

I found that after initial break in about the only real issue is loose screws in trailers.. Even in the motor home I have basically one major issue that is not "Routine Maintenance" and that won't take mroe than 2 hours of labor and one piece of hardware I have wanted to replace since day one (Simply the wrong style)

But then I know more about that stuff now than I did then.

Just had to put tires on it.. but for the most part, once you fix what the factory screws up it will last for a long time.

[rockhillmanor]

IMHO, It's all about routine maintenance and inspection, and 'often' is what keeps RV's in tip top shape and to avert extensive repairs.

And that includes faithfully getting up on that roof and checking all the seams and seals around vents, etc. Also you will be surprised all what can happen from branches pulling into camp sites. Doesn't sound like they hit hard as you drive under them but routine inspection will change your mind about the damage that can happen from it.

So many people wait until water starts coming in before they go up on the roof. Check the roof often and you won't have water coming in!!

[dieseltruckdriv]

We have a 2000 Arctic Fox that we bought in 2010. We have nearly 50 nights in it this year so far. Our experience is similar to yours, we do the PM, and it just keeps being awesome.

We are shopping for a new camper, and because of the way our Fox is built, that is the only brand we are looking at seriously. We keep looking at others, but none of the ones we look at are making anything that compares to the quality of ours.

I would say it is pretty normal for these.

[naturist]

Our TT is a 2007 that we bought new in December of that year. The only things I've had to replace were tires, battery, and water pump. I upgraded the steps from a two-step to a three-step to make each rise 8 inches instead of 12. And a power outlet burned the plug, so I had to replace that. Oh, and we upgraded the mattress. It sees about 40-45 days use each year, and has been coast to coast (or almost so) three times now.

[ScottG]

I have the same service from my 04 wildcat, but I consider that mostly luck with a bit of good maint. thrown in.
It's been my experience with other RV's that you just never know when you'll suddenly find a hidden leak someplace that has taken its toll.
We have a Silver FOx 32A on order and I expect to get just as good of life out of it.

[drsteve]

I bought a new 2003 Jayco 27BH and kept it for 13 years. It was towed thousands of miles for camping trips, got used for kids' sleepovers, my daughter even lived in it for a summer while attending college. Always stored outside. Other than normal PM, and a couple of minor wear and tear items, and a set of tires, it had one small window leak that I caught before any damage was done. Oh, and the power tongue jack died after 12 years of faithful service.

[CavemanCharlie]

I have a 1993 TT. So far so good. Everything works.

I have replaced a couple of rubber washers in the plumbing under the faucets.

But,,, I have a rubber roof and I did get a leak in one corner because the roof was getting bad where it goes over the edge. I think I got it fixed with some Eternabond (sp) tape. Still the rest of the roof is getting questionable and I worry about it sometimes.

I live on a gravel road and I go camping in out of the way places. The front of the TT is getting dented up from stones. I don't think I can do anything about that.

[the_bear_II]

Our first TT was a Nomad 23FT. We used it an average of once per month for weekend trips and two 6000 mile round trips.. We had it for 16 years with just normal wear and tear repairs.

Our current Alfa See-Ya 5th wheel is 23 years old... same amount of use as above. Again only normal expected wear and tear repairs with the exception of a broken spring at 20 years and the roof membrane has required some attention during the past year.

Both of these trailers were considered mid-level units when we bought them.

[JAC1982]

My in-laws' Gulf Stream Canyon Trail 5er is close to 20 years old and they haven't had any major problems with it. They've had minor stuff like the water pump breaking, a stabilizer giving out while in use, and did have to replace a window, but nothing really big, the first two FIL could fix himself.

I think as long as you take care of something and don't abuse it, it'll last you a long time 🙂