Forum Discussion

trailernovice's avatar
trailernovice
Explorer
Mar 16, 2022

Life span of TT with heavy use

We do at least one 'big' trip a year (2000 mile round trip or more) with the trailer, and the rest of our every-other-month trips are generally round-trip length of at least 500 miles

Many people I've talked to basically pull their unit to a nearby campground every so often to enjoy a beach weekend or something (my house is ~90 miles from South Padre Island)

I keep in mind what one RV salesperson said in a video...when moving down the highway at speed, the trailer experiences a combination of earthquake and hurricane.

The trailer, although pretty new, is your basic 'stick and tin' construction, with wood framework

Sooooo, to the point:
1.) Is there any particular structural point to keep an eye on? (example maybe the framework around the air conditioner tends to crack over time with heavy use, given that it's supporting a load....anything along those lines)

2.) Is there a particular structural thing that, if it fails, the unit should or will be totaled?

3.) Even with proper maintenance and inspection, everything breaks beyond economical repair at some point....any idea time frame before the trailer is likely to just shake itself apart?
Thx
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Mar 16, 2022
    Some people could break an anvil, some people can't control their kids from using everything they see as a trampoline and some people don't grasp the concept of care, maintenance and repairs. Those people probably don't get a long life out of a lightweight camper.
    Everyone else who isn't in the above categories, generally should get a very long life out of their camper.
    Stopping water intrusion.
    Fixing stuff when it breaks.
    Not letting it bake in the Tejas sun 24/7/365
    Keeping up with tire age and wheel bearings
    Not overloading the axles and springs...and
    a general attitude of giving a sh it about your investment will keep it nice and serviceable for a long time.

    Basically the same as a combo of keeping up your house and your car.
  • BarneyS's avatar
    BarneyS
    Explorer III
    Mar 16, 2022
    My trailer is 18 years old, with 17 2400 mile round trips to Florida from Michigan, several trips to Texas, and a couple to California plus many trips to nearby (less than 250 miles away) campgrounds and it is still going strong and used almost every weekend during the summer.

    Although it no longer rolls down the road, maintenance is still job #1 on it. The roof was just recently redone and I have been almost anal about keeping it leak free during all those years. Even with the heavy use it has had, it still looks almost new - although the gel coat is starting to dull and needs a good cleaning or even possibly painting.

    I believe any RV can last a long time if it is properly maintained and used. As mentioned earlier by others, it is not the travel that gets them it is usually water intrusion.
    Good luck.:)
    Barney

    Our trailer in its' permanent home.
  • shelbyfv's avatar
    shelbyfv
    Explorer
    Mar 16, 2022
    I agree that water intrusion is what will kill it. You'd be surprised how sneaky it can be. An unsealed (from the factory) front marker light is what ruined my first trailer.
  • JIMNLIN's avatar
    JIMNLIN
    Explorer III
    Mar 16, 2022
    Way too many variables to answer questions #1 2 3 as all rv trailers aren't designed/fabricated the same or use the same materials from the axles up too the roof.
    AS mentioned stopping water intrusion is the key for a long life rv trailer. And of course parking the trailer in a trailer shed keeps the sun from ruining outside appearance....drying out sealants.....aging exteriors.

    My old '97 31' 10" 5th wheel rv trailer is 25 years old and has around 180k-190k miles on the chassis. Its been trailer shed kept when not used since I bought it when it was 3 months old (1st owner lost his business).
    I do a roof check in the spring each year with close watch on any sealant cracking.... missing or cracked roof jacks and all other roof fixtures. I do a annual main frame/axles/suspension/brakes/bearing inspections and R/R.

    The unit is good for a coast to coast voyage any time.
  • dodge_guy's avatar
    dodge_guy
    Explorer II
    Mar 16, 2022
    Bought our 07 in 2006 and used it often. 1, 2 week trip a year (1500-3500 miles) and many weekend trips for 13 years. Never experienced an issue. Always inspected and sealed the roof a couple times a year!
    With proper maint I don’t see why your 19 couldn’t do the same.
  • Huntindog's avatar
    Huntindog
    Explorer
    Mar 16, 2022
    trailernovice wrote:
    We do at least one 'big' trip a year (2000 mile round trip or more) with the trailer, and the rest of our every-other-month trips are generally round-trip length of at least 500 miles

    Many people I've talked to basically pull their unit to a nearby campground every so often to enjoy a beach weekend or something (my house is ~90 miles from South Padre Island)

    I keep in mind what one RV salesperson said in a video...when moving down the highway at speed, the trailer experiences a combination of earthquake and hurricane.

    The trailer, although pretty new, is your basic 'stick and tin' construction, with wood framework

    Sooooo, to the point:
    1.) Is there any particular structural point to keep an eye on? (example maybe the framework around the air conditioner tends to crack over time with heavy use, given that it's supporting a load....anything along those lines)

    2.) Is there a particular structural thing that, if it fails, the unit should or will be totaled?

    3.) Even with proper maintenance and inspection, everything breaks beyond economical repair at some point....any idea time frame before the trailer is likely to just shake itself apart?
    Thx
    Harbor Freight has a good price on thread locker.Get the large bottle. Every time you find a screw loose, loctite it. That one will never loosen again. Yes, screws will loosen with travel. look it over, find them and take care of it, and after awhile, the frequency of loctiting them will slow down. I have done this on all of my RVs, and it works.
  • NamMedevac_70's avatar
    NamMedevac_70
    Explorer II
    Mar 16, 2022
    My quality built 2003 R-Vision lite Trail Cruiser TT owned by Monaco Coach lasted me well over 15 years with frequent hard travel in the Rockies, western mountains and along the Pacific Coast. Also setting outside in very hot Texas and Nevada sun for long periods of time. No serious issues or leaks in heavy rain at all except some faded decals. Minor damage from road debris that I fixed with eternal bond white tape. When I sold it received a very good price. A Okay and good to go and see you at the rodeo.
  • valhalla360's avatar
    valhalla360
    Navigator
    Mar 16, 2022
    jdc1 wrote:
    Water intrusion is more likely to be the death of any RV vs falling apart because of travel.


    Bingo!!!!

    If you keep up on the maintenance 20-30yrs is nothing unusual and you can keep them going beyond that.

    Your usage doesn't sound particularly heavy.
  • Nv_Guy's avatar
    Nv_Guy
    Explorer III
    Mar 16, 2022
    What jdc said: Keep it sealed up and it will last long enough for the wife to get tired of the floorplan. RV's rot away before they fall apart.
  • jdc1's avatar
    jdc1
    Explorer II
    Mar 16, 2022
    Water intrusion is more likely to be the death of any RV vs falling apart because of travel.

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