How long to keep camper - Page 2

Donedroolin · 02-09-2017, 08:41 AM

I just think about the beatings these trailers take traveling down the road. I tow mine long distances sometimes and our highways are horrible. The right lane is usually in crappy condition and that's the lane we primarily stay in. Wonder how the Mor Ride system really works while towing these big heavy trailers. Must absorb allot of the road shock. Still has to put wear and tear on our units. I love my EAGLE, and would buy another in a minute, been a great trailer. And yes I maintain mine extremely well also.

RPreeb · 02-09-2017, 09:47 AM

We don't make payments, but we also have no intention of getting a new camper anytime until this one totally fails. I may well beyond any interest in camping by then, so for me that's mostly irrelevant. Of course this will be our first year on this one, so I can't say that absolutely. We typically keep our vehicles for 10 years or more, and that mindset won't change with the TT.

Bells and whistles don't matter to us. We could easily toss the CD/DVD player, microwave and TV and never miss them. Don't really plan to be using the AC either - only works with hookups or with more generator than we have, so at best it's just a fan to move air around.

Nukeneck · 02-09-2017, 11:30 AM

We kept our original 2005 Rockwood for 10 years before buying our Jayco. The loan was 12 years so it was very close to being paid off when we sold it private party. We took the remaining profit of the sale and used it as a down payment on our 2015 Jayco. The layout of both trailers is similar except the Jayco has much larger bunks, a larger bathroom and private bedroom. It also has a 10 year difference in technology. (Bells and whistles)

bansai · 02-09-2017, 12:49 PM

We had a 1977 Coleman Pop up that I paid 5 bucks for and used for 10 years. I sold it for 500 dollars in 2014.

Campers don't always have to be bad investments

Camper_bob · 02-09-2017, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bansai

We had a 1977 Coleman Pop up that I paid 5 bucks for and used for 10 years. I sold it for 500 dollars in 2014.

Campers don't always have to be bad investments

My brother just got into a truck camper with a deal like that. Bought it for a song, will do some minor repairs and fix some neglected maintenance items, use it for a few years and sell it at a profit.

Richard49 · 02-12-2017, 08:02 AM

Since I believe in debt free living I would not recommend staying in debt for any longer than you have to, especially on something that depreciates as rapidly as an RV.
I have owned both MH and TT mos of my adult life. We bought a used 1973 Prowler in 1978 for $3K and used it all over the US until 1988 when I purchased my new MH. I never had a problem with the TT using it all 4 seasons. Dealer gave $5k trade in - should have sold it myself as the buyer gave the dealer $8k.

Kept 1st MH 10 years and got more for it on trade in than I paid for it.

Now in 2016 Jayco 33RLDS with a 2015 Chevy 2500 Duramax averaging 17.5 mpg at 65mph and loving it. I expect this TT to last me the rest of my RVing days - only 68 though, so who knows.

Keep up your maintenance and take care of the roof by washing it after every trip and resealing as needed - My rubber roof is supposed to last 20 years so I think I'll see if it will.

Listen to your wife - get out of debt and enjoy what you have! You won't regret it.

Kim Gass · 02-12-2017, 08:56 AM

Till your situation changes is probably the key word.. Kids more kids less, new vehicle.
Since we drive our vehicles for 15 years we probably will keep this unit till 2027 when I expect we will be dead.

To haul anything bigger with the truck we have isn't going to happen.. And I refuse to pay more for a tow vehicle than I did for my house.

Now granted there are those of you who are living full time in your RV.

StormPOD · 02-12-2017, 09:39 AM

We do not subscribe the "Camper is an Investment" theory.
All Camping expenses are categorized as entertainment in our budget.

It's a toy for us...We will keep it until we no longer want it.

Nighthawk 96 · 02-12-2017, 06:45 PM

Expect our TT to last at least 10 years. We will be over 80 years old at that point, so don't know if we will be capable of using it at that time. We financed for 5 years at less than 2% from our credit union and paid it off in less than 2 years, same with the Tundra. Will drive the Tundra until either it or I drop dead.

Went out for a ride this afternoon here in sunny 75 degree Columbia SC on my 96 Honda Nighthawk, now over 20 years old. Runs like that day it was bought. So good toys can last a long time if you take care of them.

Donedroolin · 02-12-2017, 08:28 PM

Yes good quality products can last long is taken care of. I just always wonder how well and how tough campers are built. I mean they travel on the same highway our steel vehicles travel on. The campers are made of steel frame but either wood or aluminum framing then fiberglass on it or aluminium. My camper seems to be holding up well I love it. But I have seen some 8 year old campers starting to fall apart.

A2Z_Adventures · 02-12-2017, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bansai

We had a 1977 Coleman Pop up that I paid 5 bucks for and used for 10 years. I sold it for 500 dollars in 2014.

Campers don't always have to be bad investments

Miss our PuP... kinda... Sold it what we bought it for a year and half later.

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