JRscooby
Indepmo
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Joined: 06/10/2019
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Think life of a trailer depends a lot on philosophy of the owner.
All my working life I have lived with the idea "Trucks don't wear out, truck parts wear out" The only time replaced was when improved technology hit the used market. Cars and pickups, by 20 YO must decide about rust repair.
What wears out on the trailer? From what I read the manufactures will not build anything with a roof that you don't need to richard around with, so might as well take care of my '97.
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mdcamping
CT
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Joined: 03/04/2007
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joebedford wrote:My first 5er was a 2003 and I traded it for our current 2011 in 2011. The 2003 I didn't feel it was safe to haul down the road because the walls weren't square to the frame any more. The ramp on the TH was hard to close if the walls were leaning over.
My current TH is a 2011. That's 12 years old except it hasn't been used in over two years because of the pandemic.
I don't see any signs of leaning or twisting on this rig like the last one. The only -ve is that there's a lot of (surface) rust on the chassis and axles. Personally, I think it's safe for the highway.
I parked it in Florida over the summer three years ago but we brought it home a year later in March 2020 (again, because of the pandemic). We're hoping to leave it in FL again but we might have to bring it back. Dunno.
I know there are million answers to this question and some people will answer that their rig will last forever and others will say theirs was falling apart on the way home from the dealer.
What's the rule of thumb for how long a rig will last. I know many parks "don't allow" rigs over 10 years old.
I have not come across the 10 year old rule here on the east coast, not saying it doesn't exist or enforced but I would think as long as your FW is clean and not falling apart that you would be okay, just my 2 cents
Mike
2022 F-150 3.5 EcoBoost 4X4 Supercrew GCWR 19,500 157WB
Payload 2476 Maxtow 13,800 3.73 Equalizer 4 Pt Sway Hitch
2017 Jayco Jay Flight 24RBS
Old TV, 07 Toyota Tacoma, Double Cab, Factory Tow Pkg, retired towing at 229K. (Son now owns truck)
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Jim-Linda
Livingston, TX
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Joined: 09/06/2003
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We have a 1998 HH Champagne 38'. We have fulltimed since new and trailer is very well taken care of. I am anal about keeping water out and check roof every year. I repair any issue at once, keep exterior clean and have been using Zep on the fiberglass for years, still looks new. Currently in a park in N. Texas helping family and campers do not believe the age. Keep water out and fix "stuff" promptly and they will last if you start with quality.
Jim
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Walaby
Georgia
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Joined: 11/10/2014
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As you can see, there is no rule of thumb.
Only rule that makes sense is the better you take care of it, the longer it will last.
Mike
Im Mike Willoughby, and I approve this message.
2017 Ram 3500 CTD (aka FRAM)
2019 GrandDesign Reflection 367BHS
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ktmrfs
Portland, Oregon
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Joined: 06/22/2005
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mdcamping wrote:joebedford wrote:My first 5er was a 2003 and I traded it for our current 2011 in 2011. The 2003 I didn't feel it was safe to haul down the road because the walls weren't square to the frame any more. The ramp on the TH was hard to close if the walls were leaning over.
My current TH is a 2011. That's 12 years old except it hasn't been used in over two years because of the pandemic.
I don't see any signs of leaning or twisting on this rig like the last one. The only -ve is that there's a lot of (surface) rust on the chassis and axles. Personally, I think it's safe for the highway.
I parked it in Florida over the summer three years ago but we brought it home a year later in March 2020 (again, because of the pandemic). We're hoping to leave it in FL again but we might have to bring it back. Dunno.
I know there are million answers to this question and some people will answer that their rig will last forever and others will say theirs was falling apart on the way home from the dealer.
What's the rule of thumb for how long a rig will last. I know many parks "don't allow" rigs over 10 years old.
I have not come across the 10 year old rule here on the east coast, not saying it doesn't exist or enforced but I would think as long as your FW is clean and not falling apart that you would be okay, just my 2 cents
Mike
Out our way the "10 year rule" seems to be in the "RV RESORTS" . As we plan our long trips I've seen that rule posted on some of the high end RV parks near where we are going. Even as you for the Make, model and year of RV. We've only on rare occasions used these parks because we prefer more "rural" campgrounds, top of the list are campgrounds that originally were tent campgrounds built by CCC etc now FS/BLM, county parks. I'd much rather have campsites large enough to hold 2-3 trailers and tow vehicles and room around the campfire and 50+ feet between sites and enjoy rather than packed in like sardines.
2011 Keystone Outback 295RE
2004 14' bikehauler with full living quarters
2015.5 Denali 4x4 CC/SB Duramax/Allison
2004.5 Silverado 4x4 CC/SB Duramax/Allison passed on to our Son!
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bgum
South Louisiana
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Joined: 02/22/2006
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A lot depends on the build materials and maintenance. For example Airstreams tend to have long lives.
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JimK-NY
NY
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Joined: 05/12/2010
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I understand the average life expectancy for an RV trailer is about 10 years. That is really pathetic since many RVs don't have that much use. The industry is well known for poor engineering, poor design and poor quality of construction. Many tailers barely have enough capacity to carry more than a few hundred pounds over the base weight. You can blame the customer for not understanding and overloading. I am more inclined to blame the maker for cutting corners. Water intrusion is another major cause of failure. Again, you can blame the customer for lack of maintenance. I blame the manufacturer. Construction is often so poor that seams are sure to open up due to twisting and vibrations while driving. The customer certainly has a part in this by not doing the homework and buying based on dreams and surface appearance.
Some RVs are indeed fairly well designed and built to last. Unfortunately that seems to be the exception.
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fj12ryder
Platte City, MO
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Joined: 08/19/2003
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Like those adult diapers: Depends/z. ![[emoticon]](https://forums.goodsamclub.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile")
FWIW, we sold our last toyhauler after owning it for 11 years. Everything was still working, and last we heard from the buyer, it still is.
Howard and Peggy
"Don't Panic"
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spoon059
Just north of D.C.
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Joined: 10/03/2010
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I park mine under a metal carport 310-320 days a year. I wash and wax it once a year. We keep the inside clean as well. Kids know not to jump around on the slide or bunks. It is currently in its 8th year and looks pretty much brand new.
Alternatively I've got friends that have a newer camper that lives outdoors 365 days a year and looks beaten down and I doubt it will last as long as mine and it likely won't hold its value as well as I hope mine will.
We'll own this one for about another 3.5 years, at which point I'll retire and buy a 5th wheel for a long cross country trip. That new 5th wheel will also be kept under a metal carport more often than not, so I hope it'll last just as long and look just as nice.
I think the 10 year rule essentially exists to give campgrounds the leeway to turn away junkers that might fall apart in their campground or simply get abandoned in their campground. We camped in several places that had a 10 year rule in our older camper, but the camper was in good shape and we never once had an issue.
2015 Ram CTD
2015 Jayco 29QBS
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Samsonsworld
West Texas
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Joined: 06/18/2015
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I wouldn't buy a 10 yo camper, so I want rid of mine by then.
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