Community Forums

**Spdracr39** · 04-10-2018, 05:20 AM

It takes a few times to dial in what you really want and need. I enjoy things I never thought I would and hated things I thought I would like. We are only on our second and today it is perfect. Tomorrow who knows.

jsmmonaco · 04-10-2018, 06:01 AM

i consider us lucky......bought our first class a, 2007 monaco knight, in 2015 (first rv/camper of any type)........got what i would consider good deal, and have spent quite a few bucks fixing misc things, and making improvements (i don't do anything to it, have a good rv guy)........anyway, sure, a newer one would be nice, but we like our knight........has everything we need, and most stuff we have repaired now are little things...........ours has the center living area, which we love........most manufacturers don't offer this type of living arrangement in the newer models............we will probably hold on to this one for the foreseeable future..........although, when you see the newer ones, you do have to sit back and dream.......then the thought of a payment books enters your mind and poof, back to reality..................

JDT · 04-10-2018, 06:06 AM

Since the early 90's we have had 5 fifth wheels and 2 motorhomes. The early ones were for learning purposes only since we didn't have a clue what we were doing or what was good or what was bad. A couple didn't work out so well so were dumped pretty quickly. The motorhomes were an experiment, first gas and then diesel, but ate up too much of our travel money. They provided some good trips and fun for the 2 and 7 years, respectively, we had them.

In 2012 we sold the dp motorhome and ordered the Winslow. It has a house made fully boxed frame, 17.5 inch wheels with disc brakes, residential fridge, Splendide combo and other upgrades. Since buying we have added a Winegard Trav'ler for Dish, remote operated door lock, replaced the microwave/convection with a Whirlpool that actually works, and a few other mods here and there. Most recently we swapped out the Dexter Never Lube axles and hubs for MorRyde IS and Kodiak disc brakes and hubs. The only thing we have ever had to repair was an out of alignment slide and we have around 45K miles on it (I'm knocking on wood).

There are better looking ones out but not too many are better built. I can see us having this one until it is time to hang up the cleats.

glennwest · 04-10-2018, 08:27 AM

We researched and bought a DRV. Was better than most but had problems not worth correcting. So after much more research, we got what we have now, 2003 Teton Grand Freedom. It is a keeper.

dix39 · 04-10-2018, 11:26 AM

Not counting tents, tent trailers, and the like we bought our first 11.5' TC in '78. After a year or two I determined that the gas powered truck we had then was not suitable for what we were using it for. From my prospective, there were no good diesel trucks on the market in the early '80's, so I built one. We used that TC for about 13 years and 100k miles.

In the mid '90's we were planning what we would do after retirement and decided to keep the house and get another diesel powered TC. We gave the old truck to our oldest son, and used the "new" TC for the next 23 years and about 200k miles.

I would have kept the TC we had then for as long as we were able to use it, but my wife wanted something that rode better, had a bed that didn't require climbing to get into, and had the inside camper facilities more readily available as she was having some difficulty climbing through the TC "boot". Much of her reasoning was because of a wrist injury, her recent hip replacement, and her osteoporosis.

So a few years ago we got a 26' gas powered Flair class A. I may get rid of it if we find the "perfect" 30-32' DP, but until then we will keep the Flair.

I usually buy used, or somewhat used, and like some others here, keep it "forever". So far I've been able to do all the maint. except alignments.

We're now 79 and 72.

Steve

08Carriage · 04-10-2018, 01:00 PM

Worked out to be about every 5 years for the last 20 years
Like to buy couple years old if can
The Carriage fits us fine wife loves that I only look now

bddadles · 04-10-2018, 01:42 PM

We bought our first 5er new in 2001. When we went full time in 2009 we bought our present 53r used and see no reason to trade. In fact we are having it painted this year so we are planning to have it for awhile.

Brad

dcarver · 04-10-2018, 09:09 PM

2011: 2004 pop up- made $500. 2012: 2005 24ft explorer- made $600.
2013: 2006 24ft keystone- made $1000.
2014: 2010 31ft surveyor- broke even
2015: new 37ft coachmen- lost 10k but went coast to coast
2016: current 2017 42ft Palomino 5th wheel. If I sold for market value I'd be at a 14k loss. Have been coast to coast in this rig and almost everywhere in between.
Lessons learned: don't buy new then trade in after 1yr, you will lose money. The memories you make when traveling in an RV outweigh the costs.

ff286 · 04-11-2018, 02:07 PM

Started with an 87 Starcraft about 12 years ago, still have it set up on our hunting lease. Then bought a 97 sandpiper, 04 Laredo. Then wife talked me into a pop up for about 2 years with a 08 rockwood, now we have a 05 outback. We’ve traded about every 3 years. After buying and selling we have about 7k in our current camper. I consider us blessed that we have found the deals we did and have had many great vacations them.

Waiter21 · 04-11-2018, 02:15 PM

I'm near the bottom of the food chain..

we've upgraded about every three years, mainly because we've fine tuned how we use the MH and what we would like to see in our next MH..

I've always been able to sell at or above what I paid for it, mainly because it is in better condition than when I bought it..

Our current MH, a 1999 Soutwind, meets our use and needs perfectly. Its in very, very good condition, I anticipate we'll be holding onto this one for many years.

MTK46 · 04-11-2018, 02:35 PM

Lets see started with a used Starcraft tent trailer in 1985. Then a new Laton16' TT sold to private party. 20' used Wilderness TT sold to private party. Then new Nomad 22'TT kept for 5 years. Traded for new 26' 5th wheel. Traded for used Aluma Lite 30' 5th wheel with a slide. Traded for new Montana 36" double slide 5th wheel. Sold it to private party and bought new 2003 33' triple slide Teton.
Bought new 39' Voltage toyhauler in 2014 sold it to private party in 2017. Traded in the 2003 Teton in 2017 for the 2002 Monaco. So kept the Teton the longest.