Sooo...how long do you expect your TT to last?

[DutchmenSport]

I have a fifth wheel. This actually our 5th (RV). 1 pop-up, 3 travel trailers, 1 fifth wheel. (5 different tow vehicles).

Time spent with each one, in order:

In 37 years since we got married:

Truck Shell - Tent Camping - 14 years
Pop-up - 6 years
Dutchmen Sport: 3 years
Keystone Springdale: 8 years
Keystone Outback: 5 years
Keystone Montana High Country: So far 4 years with no intention of selling or trading.

At this point, we have no intention of ever parting with our current Montana Fifth Wheel. We had the tow vehicle and the trailer completely paid for in years 2 of ownership. We have travel thousands and thousands of miles with this rig. We use it full time at home and traveling. (although it is closed up at this moment and we are "temporarily" back in the house).

Because it's paid for, parked on our property, and the only "true cost" is now, nominal upkeep, license plates, and insurance, it's basically a no-cost item now. So, unless I am laying in a coffin, there is absolutely no reason to ever part with it. Again, this is our last camper. If it get's blown away by a tornado... yes, we'll get another one. But that would be about the only reason to part with it.

With care and diligent maintenance, I expect it last another 30 years. That would put me at 97 years of age.

[chiefneon]

Howdy!

I had a 1988 Airstream and when I sold it in 2018 everything was original and still working. I should have never gotten rid of it and still sorry I did to this date.

“Happy Trails”
Chiefneon

[DR60]

Originally Posted by Dave Pelletier

It varies but 99% of the time it's water damage that kills an RV....again, an RV's life span can be indefinite if properly stored and maintained.

Dave

Where I live its sun and heat damage. Once the sun gets to the calking then you get water damage. If you store out of direct sun they last many years longer.
I have moved, setup, and serviced trailers for construction workers, that were junk in only a year of full time living. Others that kept up the basic Maintenace were still good for years in the same conditions. DR

[Dave Pelletier]

Originally Posted by DR60

Where I live its sun and heat damage. Once the sun gets to the calking then you get water damage. If you store out of direct sun they last many years longer.
I have moved, setup, and serviced trailers for construction workers, that were junk in only a year of full time living. Others that kept up the basic Maintenace were still good for years in the same conditions. DR

Still water damage that kills it though, right?

Dave

[jaydee325]

People have to be honest with themselves over their expectations in a travel trailer and purchase accordingly.

For example, if you expect to be full timers or use the trailer for extended stays such as snow birders from the north, don't buy an entry level trailer that is built to a price point. Stay away from trailers that the manufacture describes as "great weekender/vacation trailer". In long term usage, it will wear before your eyes.

My folks bought a mid-line travel trailer. Used it a couple years for summer getaways (a few weekends and a couple weeks during the summer) and then decided to go south for the winter. In 2 years after 6 months of continuous use each, my mom said the trailer was wearing out! Floors and upholstery wear were her main gripes. They sold it and went the park model route.

I've also read (but can't find it again) where an entry level trailer was purchased and used extensively. The floor got spongy (vacubond floor) and the manufacturer refused warranty because of "excessive use"!

[JMitchell]

It's important to remember with TTs that almost NO manufacturer represents their product as full-time.

I'm not a great example of the more hard-core RVers, logging less than 2000 miles a year and 25-40 days on the road makes me a weekend warrior at best, but I can say from reading these forums that all the info you need is here.

For me a bumper towed 1/2 ton with Full hookups and 1 slide is perfect, others will talk about washers/dryers but it's more about what you use and value in your style of RVing.

[hemifoot]

"22 Cougar 22 mlswe.i expect to get about 10 years out of mine.we boondock waaay out in the back country and that entails lots of bad gravel roads.also planning on some long distance/cross country trips.it also does double duty as an overflow guest cottage at the lake house.when it's too decrepit to tow it'll be a permanent structure with a permanent roof/deck attached out on the property somewhere.

[tuffr2]

I agree water intrusion is the number 1 reason travel trailers die.

Does anyone know for sure is a PVC roof is good, bad or indifferent. I am thinking it is a good but really do not know. I am thinking it will resist UV from the sun better and last longer. After all PVC is pretty tough stuff....right?

[Dave Pelletier]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

I agree water intrusion is the number 1 reason travel trailers die.

Does anyone know for sure is a PVC roof is good, bad or indifferent. I am thinking it is a good but really do not know. I am thinking it will resist UV from the sun better and last longer. After all PVC is pretty tough stuff....right?

I think PVC is good, though I also think that a decent EDPM roof is just fine; my Bigfoot roof lasted 20 years and when I had it inspected before I sold it they said it was still in excellent shape. Pros and cons, just like everything.

https://www.pvcroofing.org/comparati...fing-membrane/

[Dave Pelletier]

https://flairdistribution.com/blogs/...rubber-roofing

https://www.c-port.net/the-pros-and-...ing-membranes/