Optimal Age for Purchase of a Used High Quality Fiver

[oldbeek]

My old Alpenlite is 19 years old. Recoated edpm roof at 16 years, pulled up carpet in living room and installed laminated flooring. Been towed 73,000 miles (3,000 gravel roads in Alaska & NW territory) and lived in 4 years. Heavy axles, tires and frame. Last week temps 30 degree 40 mph wind. Slides are still air tight. Old Alpenlites can be found for 15 to 20k range.

[Kro1957]

A quality built unit can outlive you. The only thing you might be changing is carpet, fabric or fixtures just to keep it modern.

To throw out some names, I would look at Carriage, DRV, NU WA (we liked the Champagne). Holiday Rambler (Presidental was our pick) Newmar (Torrey Pine also our pick) Excel, Teton, King of the Road, New Horizon, Avion (Avions have not been built in a while but were very good quality)

Then of course some of those above are still manufactured but for older ones this is a start.

Some places have age restriction on unit you bring in. If older than 10 yrs old you may have to supply a picture to get approval.

Most of the quality built rigs I have seen, that have been kept clean would not have any problem IMO to get approved getting in. And I do believe a quality built unit is also easier to maintain looking good and operational. Again just my 2 cents from the 35 years of ownership.

[flcountryboy]

I did all the research I could and came up with 3-4 manufactures I believed was quality, maded a list of the things DW wanted in unit, and looked until I came across a used Excel. As Rusty has stated, "there is a reason the higher quality units weight more"

[Bobby terri]

amen to that,rusty!