How long should RVs last?

[obxfanatic]

I have been fixing more and more items in my Coachmen TT. What do you think is the "life expectancy" of a travel trailer? Mine is now 7 years old and needs constant fixing.

[BehindBars]

Originally Posted by obxfanatic

I have been fixing more and more items in my Coachmen TT. What do you think is the "life expectancy" of a travel trailer? Mine is now 7 years old and needs constant fixing.

I guess it depends on when you consider that it’s life has ended. My 1995 RV was well cared for by me. I sold it 4 years ago it but it is still in use by it’s current owner, so it’s about 28 years old now.

When my new one was 0 years old it needed constant fixing, but things are better now.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by obxfanatic

I have been fixing more and more items in my Coachmen TT. What do you think is the "life expectancy" of a travel trailer? Mine is now 7 years old and needs constant fixing.

My previous travel trailer, a 1995 27' Terry served me well for 22 years before I sold it and bought my current 2018 MicroLite.

Old trailer needed nothing more than an occasional "screw tightening" and a recoating of roof after 16 years.

There's no real set life expectancy as it will depend on care of use and regular maintenance.

[bikendan]

Older RVs were built stronger with heavier materials. They lasted a long time.
With modern ultralight RVs, the materials are the opposite and aren't as durable.

[Nick Danger]

I asked this same question in another thread. I'm not have an issue with repairs but just wanted to know what I need to do to make it last as long as possible. The answer is "preventive maintenance".

[5picker]

Too many factors involved to give anything more than a wild guess.

Some folks take meticulous care of things, others don't. (or can't)
Some years had better assembly and materials.
Some have to survive extreme temperatures and weather while others are stored covered or sheltered.

With that said, fixing things isn't an indicator of whether a R/V has come to the end of its life. Fixing things is a part of its life and to be expected on anything that is used over time, new or old(er).

[5er_tom]

This 1978 Taurus was next to us in WA earlier this year. Her parents bought it new in ‘78 and it is stored inside when not in use.

If one keeps up with the maintenance and cleaning, RV’s should last a long time.

[jamoody]

Just like a car, it depends on make/model and use. An entry level brand used a few weeks a year stored in the weather you can probably expect 7-10 years before fairly significant repairs/maintenance is needed. A high quality brand stored out of the weather (or covered) you should get 15-20 years or more. Your mileage may vary.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by bikendan

Older RVs were built stronger with heavier materials. They lasted a long time.
With modern ultralight RVs, the materials are the opposite and aren't as durable.

Yes, my new trailer is lighter than my old one, even though it has a slide and old one didn't. Essentially same length but old was 1,000# heavier.

New one is constructed with aluminum framing, insulated with EPS and clad with fiberglass. Old one had wood framing, flimsy roof that couldn't be walked on and new one doesn't mind my weight on it.

They say "they don't build 'em like they used to" and sometimes that can be a good thing.

[ppine]

In the West UV light is hard on rubber roofs, plastic vents, weather stripping and decals and tires. Most RVs don't get used that much. They rot out.

Do your maintenance and use them more than once a year. I have a Rockwood that is 11 years old and it needs little work.

[billcrews81]

About 15 days after coming off the lot.

[tugboat369]

Have you ever heard of a “tail light warranty” ?

When the dealer sees the tail light it’s out of warranty. That is how long a new RV holds up.

[aceinspp]

As most have said preventive maintenance is key to how long it last and yes some folks are better at it than others. So the answer is any ones guess. Later RJD

[RedRoverComeOver]

About 2 days...that's about when I noticed a water leak and was only half way home after purchasing.

[Oaklevel]

They are like a boat or anything else........ they will last until you stop pouring money into them...................

It is true.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by obxfanatic

I have been fixing more and more items in my Coachmen TT. What do you think is the "life expectancy" of a travel trailer? Mine is now 7 years old and needs constant fixing.

We have a 2002 and a 2008. The 2002 did not get regular roof inspections. The EPDM roof membrane disintegrated (not a stable polymer) and now I am replacing roof decking and some roof framing. But DW full-timed in it for six years (before we met) and the only other thing that wore out was the linoleum floor. She had a roller desk chair on it which caused the linoleum to split and the edges curled back.

The other big cause of failure, which we've seen on our 2002 and our 2008 is the awning anchors that span the rain gutter. These are designed to cause the rain gutters to clog and then to let the spillover water enter the trailer along the mounting lag bolts. Lots of trailers use them and there's no way to seal the mountings.

Another designed to fail item is all the white plastic exterior fittings including the clearance lights and "porch" lights and roof vents. They are guaranteed to turn sickly yellow in less than three years. There are polymers that don't yellow in sunlight (like the exterior plastic panel on the Dometic absorption refrigerator), but the manufacturers don't specify sun-safe material and the owner suffers.

Carpet wore out on the 2008--we took it out this year. Can't complain about 15 years. Will need to recoat the roof on the 2008 soon.

[cardwellmarty]

Originally Posted by Nick Danger

I asked this same question in another thread. I'm not have an issue with repairs but just wanted to know what I need to do to make it last as long as possible. The answer is "preventive maintenance".

Agree

[kenandterry]

There’s hardly a week goes by that my wife doesn’t ask

“Whatcha doin’?”

“Working on the RV!”

Shoulda got a T-shirt made. It’s either preventative maintenance or mods. Either way, it’s an obsession…….the mods that is.

[Bob K4TAX]

Just depends on how they are used, maintained, and abused. This video shows how.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVBgD4Y2JQ8

Bob

[don.rich09]

Have a 2014 coachman brookstone. Still is in great shape. 3 slides, 36 feet long. I keep up on maintenance.