Community Forums

Homeby5 · 01-31-2023, 01:09 PM

Forget about selling. Lets say you want to keep your TT until it falls apart. How long do you expect to travel with it? What is a reasonable lifespan?
Thanks

Nwcid · 01-31-2023, 01:19 PM

Somewhere between a few years and decades.

It depends on use and maintenance. If you live in a moist climate, travel a lot, use it in rough places and do minimal maintenance the life will be quite short.

If you maintain it well and use it nicely, it will last a lot longer. The key is they need almost constant maintenance of some kind.

Dave Pelletier · 01-31-2023, 01:29 PM

Yep; depends. Could be junk in 5 years if not maintained and kept outside in a rainy climate or it could last indefinitely if stored properly inside an enclosed building. My son has a 1973 16' Travelaire that he uses....he's done quite a bit of maintence and repair work on it but it was usable when he bought it 3 years ago... I sold my 1999 Bigfoot truck camper for $30k three years ago. I'm building a carport for my ORV; it will last for far linger than I'm likely to own it - 20+ years shouldn't be an issue. Look around at used RVs and see what year they are...there should be lots of 20-30 year old units, some have held up better than others but they are still out there

laj · 01-31-2023, 07:31 PM

My AS i bought brand new will turn 31 this yr. A little basic care, and maint. is all i’ve done. It is stored inside when not being used.

I had a chance to sell it for twice the cost new, no sale. This thing is as good as the day i pulled ot home. Does everything i want, has real wood in it, and is a dream to pull.

If i were to look at a new one it would be either another AS, or BF. No slides for me, no leaks either.

tuffr2 · 01-31-2023, 08:36 PM

I bought a new 2013 so it was 9.5 years old when I sold it. From the looks of it, it should last 9.5 more years. So my guess it it should last around 20 years. I sold it to a person I know so I will be able to semi keep track how long they keep it.

I did not take care of it and it was stored outside in the snow and rain in Pennsylvania at a elevation of 2,500. It will stay in Pennsylvania at a fish camp.

RHD51 · 02-01-2023, 11:58 AM

My TT is an 2006 Gulf Stream, so currently 17 yrs. old, and in great condition so I expect it to last indefinitely. Stored out side in So. IN. Covered in winter.
Light use, not full time use. regular maintenance as needed.

Original roof in great shape with one small patch from falling limb.
Had to repair minor leak damage in back corner, shower walls, from damage incurred to top outside corner trim, from previous owner.
All original appliances still working and in good condition.
Replace battery and tires as needed.

Old-Biscuit · 02-01-2023, 12:22 PM

Current RV........is 5th wheel
Ordered it/bought it in Sept 2006
3 slide outs ---

so far.........16+ yrs

dustyone · 02-01-2023, 12:32 PM

I have a 2011 Fun Finder 210. It still serves us quite well. Wouldn't think of getting rid of it. Many great times already and many more to go. I have never had any issues with it. It has not needed much maintenance. I have changed the floor in the slide out. Tires and a water pipe are the only things that ever needed attention. I would like to coat the roof this year.

Marine359 · 02-01-2023, 01:12 PM

Til all that’s left of me is ashes.

JIMNLIN · 02-02-2023, 04:08 AM

My 26 year old 31' 5th wheel trailer still works fine. No leaks and barn kept the last 20 years and looks good for its age.

I see '70s Nomad and Layton tandem axle TTs around the many COE campgrounds .

Like others say with the right maintenance (water intrusion) program they last for many years.

JMitchell · 02-02-2023, 10:29 PM

Like others have said you can easily get into over-improving a trailer.

My first purchase was a clapped out 2014 Sonic 19VRB. It had way too much water damage, and made me dig deep to rebuild it. I added max-Aire fans new shades, new floor, new subfloor, ceiling, trim, waterproofing..

In the end I LOVED the trailer and let it go for break-even two years later.

If it's a labor of love, you can extend a trailer a long time. If you are figuring in your time in hours, I'd realistically say 5-8 years before you have to dig deep and spend quality time and money rebuilding something.

That being said. This spring has in store for me new day-night rollers and Max-Aire fans for my 2021 Heartland Mallard 260. Maybe an on-demand hot-water system. Because I love camping and the technical aspects of doing it.

HDRider1960 · 02-03-2023, 06:17 AM

What are the primary failure points?

Is it the roof?

The wooden frame?

I would be interested to hear from those that know.

Dave Pelletier · 02-03-2023, 07:57 AM

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

**hamm2018** · 02-03-2023, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HDRider1960

What are the primary failure points?

Is it the roof?

The wooden frame?

I would be interested to hear from those that know.

Primary failure points, it could numerous places, leaks in the sealant. Sealant not checked to make sure it is still good, tears in the roof material, leaky windows, again sealant. But as stated water is a huge factor.

Generally, the sealant on the roof not being checked repaired/replaced as needed.

Wooden frame, now most if not all use aluminum framing for the outside walls. Wooden frames are inside walls. Wood is used on the front ends where it is curved, then covered with the end pieces.

If possible, go to the factories in Goshen/Elkhart area and take a factory tour to see the process of building.

Other failure points can be the suspension parts, broken spring hangars, broken springs, cracked frames, etc....
Some of these can result from the roads being rough and downright horrible in places.