how old is to old for 5th wheel for fulltiming? - RV-Dreams Community Forum

UN-TIED · RV-Dreams Community Member

how old is to old for 5th wheel for fulltiming?

GENECOP · RV-Dreams Family Member

RE: how old is to old for fulltiming?

UN-TIED · RV-Dreams Community Member

RE: how old is to old for 5th wheel for fulltiming?

GENECOP · RV-Dreams Family Member

Yes Mike the ages you are looking are certainly Fine, More than age it really comes down to Brand and how well the Rig has been maintained. To begin with READ READ READ and read some more, often manufacturers have forums that owners discuss their experience with Quality Service Etc...limit your research to brands that have a good reputation with there customers. Then as you begin to clarify a Brand start to look at floor plans that might work for you. Lastly you must go over the Unit with a fine tooth comb or pay an expert to do it for you, review all maintenance records...keep us posted....

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

It really depends on how well the RV has been maintained over the years.

There are still RVs travelling that were made in the fifties.

There are a couple of concerns though-
1. Some RV Resorts have an age limit for the RV. It's usually 10 year or newer are allowed. However, it's really just a way for most parks to make sure there aren't any junkers coming in. You can usually get past this restriction by showing the park management your RV. Most of the time a couple of photos will work. As long as your RV looks like it is well maintained and clean you shouldn't have a problem at most resorts with an age restriction.

2. Older RVs will begin to breakdown. With older RVs, no matter how well maintained, stuff wears out. The Air Conditioner fails, refrigerator goes bad, generator quits, roof begins to leak...these aren't cheap repairs. You're looking at $1200 to $10,000 repair bills for some of these fixes.

Our 5th wheel is 18 years old. We've never been turned away from an RV resort because it still is in good shape. We are beginning to experience replacement woes....in the past several years we've replaced the A/C, Refrigerator, Generator, re-sealed the roof and with our last trip we had a slideout problem that turned out to be a loose wire.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'll have to agree with the others here. It will depend more on the manufacturer's build standard and maintenance after the purchase by previous owners than the actual age itself.

In fact, I would guess that if one were to purchase an older RV that looked good but had some discrepancies with the systems within it, as long as you are willing to buy and fix discrepancies as you go along, it should be good.

Even the "looking good" is subjective if one is willing to avoid RV parks with restrictions and also "camp" in forest campgrounds and other non-commercial places.

Good luck with the research and searching. Welcome to the RV Dreams forums and feel free to continue with questions.

Terry

flyone · RV-Dreams Family Member

Talked to a gentlman the other day that was full timing in a 1985 Aluma scape (Sp.??). He, at one time or another has replaced the fridge, water heater, water pump, toliet, the roof, and said the furnace was needing to be replaced next. Exterior was begining to show its age, interior was pretty nice. Of course he had done work in there as well. Do your maintance and they should last quite a while.

Flyone

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

I agree fully with The Bear and Terry. Having been in the “RV world” for something like 38+ years I can tell you it really depends on the particular unit. I’ve seen rigs with fully functional and good working original equipment that are over 20 years old and I’ve seen what might be considered “new” rigs that are already “used up.”

One of the criteria I suggest has to do not so much with full timing but your travel plans folded into the condition of the trailer; are you going to really travel, or remain fairly fix in location? Does the trailer seem to be in good mechanical shape? Will you have to replace the tires or running gear? Are the slides and the slide gaskets in good shape? What about the visible condition of the hot water heater? When you drain it does it have bunch of derbies in it or does it to appear to be well maintained and functioning? Does the previous owner have any records to show that the rig has been maintained or speak with a knowledge base that he personally maintained the rig? Try to get a feel for the practical as well as the visible condition of the rig. Not just the age.

You can do an awful lot of repairs for the difference between a new and an older trailer. But are you comfortable with those repairs and are willing to deal with them if they are necessary without becoming frustrated? Having said that, every new trailer or motorhome has issues and they will need to be fixed. They all do, regardless of price. So it is important to be prepared for that eventuality even if they are repaired under warranty.

IMO, there is no magic age number for a 5er that says it will be a good or bad rig. It all has to do with the rig and the knowledge base you take to the inspection before you purchase. If you can find one, a certified RV Technician maybe well worth the cost to have him look at the rig in question and give it a complete checkout. A second set of knowledgeable eyes on your side is a good thing. If the seller won’t permit that, maybe that answers the question on that particular rig right there.

My 2 cents

Bill

Born2bfree · RV-Dreams Community Member

We are living in a 2000 jayco 5th wheel. We bought it about 1.5yrs ago. it is very good condition. As Bill said I have seen newer ones in used up condition. Just go over the unit top to bottom and make sure everything is working. Don,t be afraid to get someone with experiance to look at it with you. good luck

Walt

UN-TIED · RV-Dreams Community Member

BIG thanks to all for your advice. Looking forward to getting on the road.

Happy Holidays to everyone ! smile