Practical Limits… How long should a motorhome last?

[Scotty Hutto]

My DW Debbie and I were discussing “how long does a motorhome last” last night.  The discussion included practical items (drivetrain, rust, suspension) as well as outdated tech and interiors.

We were discussing this with regards to our coach, which just turned 19 years old with about 124,000 miles (mostly from us).  It’s in great mechanical condition and drives and runs like a top.  Still looks pretty darn good from a distance 🤣 We were debating whether to spend some $$$ to update the interior and appliances.  We’ve spend thousands over the years (residential fridge, hardwood floors, new shades, new radiator/CAC, new water pump, all new electronics, new 15k heat pumps, and on and on.) We’re quite attached to “Bully”. It’s got a few blemishes (mostly caused by moi) and could use a some paint touch-up (mostly the front cap and a couple of very minor “oops” where I may/may not have made contact with immovable objects.

We plan to travel extensively over the next decade, as we’re both in our early 60’s.  Not many corners of the continental US that *aren’t* on our list.  We hope to have another 10-15 years of motorhome travel ahead.

After sleeping on it, I thought I would reach out and ask this group.  What’s your opinion? How long should a motorhome last? I know there are a lot of opinions on this, especially on this forum, but I’d really love to hear what y’all think!

[jacwjames]

I've owned our 2002 Windsor since 2008, so 16 years.   It has ~135K miles on it, just got back from a ~8200 mile trip earlier this month.   Nothing else I need to do as far as upgrades.  Will do a coolant flush and hose change early next year, may go ahead and change all the airbags also. 

As long as I'm able to keep up with the maintenance and repairs I'll try and keep it.  Wife already said if something happens to me she'll have to get rid of it.

As far as age, I think it will depend on large $$$ expenditure.  I know the odds of something happening increases substantially as the coach ages.  The recent post on an engine rebuild would have been a hard pill to swallow and may be a deal breaker for me. 

 

 

 

[Jim McFarland]

Check out some of the ages of MH that are still for sale. I know Monaco’s aren’t Prevost but look at the ages. As far as engines are concerned, even 200,000 miles are typically considered as barely broke in. If you are happy with what you have, keep it cause it is better built that the newer buses that are being sold now.  Just my opinion. Question, how long does the air bags really last before they should be replaced?  I have a 2009 Monaco Knight and while there appears to be no leaks, the ride seems to be much rougher. 
Jim M

[96 EVO]

Well, we seem to have a lot of members with late 90's and early 2000's coaches that don't seem to be in any hurry to send them to pasture!

[Ivan K]

I plan to keep ours, now 24 years old, for as long as I can drive it and maintain it. Not concerned about resale or what's gonna happen with it then. I upgraded what was needed for us to feel good on the road and fix things as they come. Realistically, all replacement parts were just wear parts at 200k. Even if it came to a catastrophic engine failure where the ISM block stays intact, similar to the recent post where no maintenance could have prevented it, I expect around 10k for parts with that damage extent in todays prices. I have never paid for labor and don’t plan to do so but if a problem happened far from my shop, it would be a balancing act between towing and local repair. I am not concerned with house issues, these are easy compared to big drivetrain. No rust issues, surface rust is normal on unpainted beefy parts. Still have 8 out of 10 original airbags with no leaks but carry a spare and might eventually replace them before a long trip, like Alaska, maybe.

[timaz996]

I will keep my coach till I'm on the other side of the grass. 😁 Still upgrading it as I'm about to replace two 175W older solar panels with two new 300W panels tomorrow. 

[bklaes]

Our '05 Diplomat DST has 80K miles and all your same upgrades.  Last year our J-lounge was swapped out for recliners, and the Flexsteel hide-a-bed was recovered, new cushions too.  On Monday it will be dropped off at a body shop to heal the dings, a fiberglass crack, and front cap paint.

Like others, it needs a new set of shocks and airbags, probably next year.

I'm keeping it.  To your original question, how long should it last?   Don't know, but it will last longer than its owner.

Plus, for the 8 years I've owned mine, it has been regularly leased to film crews shooting commercials and music videos on 1-day rentals.  I chauffer it.  One or two rentals a month pays for the repairs and upgrades.  A dainty new coach couldn't handle the crowds, or be self-sustaining like this Monaco.

 

 

 

[Old Soldier]

Mine is a 2003 LaPalma - an 8.1 gasser. She's in reasonably good shape, with a few exterior ouches, and 65,000 miles.  My thoughts are I'll keep it until I can't drive it anymore. I'm, 84.  Not concerned about resale. 

If it has a catastrophic failure on the road, we'll rent a u-haul truck, empty out our stuff, send the old girl to her grave with a suitable ceremony, and come home with our pleasant memories.

[frankogrly]

As long as you can handle unexpected problems both mentally and financially keep on motorhoming. My 01 Endeavor has 169,000 miles. Latest happenings, microwave/convection quit and left door fell off Norcold refer. Replaced microwave/convection ,even though I could have repaired it, and made repair to door. 

Frank O

01 Endeavor

[Rikadoo]

So that question is asked ALOT of my customers about the daily drivers, i tell them look at the prices an problems of the new vehicles out there. Then i ask them do you like your old ride… from there i tell them preventive maint is the key to keeping them on the road. 
we talk about price for a new vehicle vs the cost of repairs, prevenitive vs break down maintaince, the power of a good vehicle inspection cannot be underestamated, one more thing to concider is having a good source of parts, New or used!  Like others i will continue to do my own maintance untill i can no longer do it. Having the opertunity to work on rv’s i get a mix of older an a couple new ones… problems or “opertunitys” as some see it are equil as mfg’s still dont supply information to owners or non -dealerships. So having an using owns own problem solving abilitys is a key factor for both owners an mechanics alike. So the question “Practial limits” should insted be “How long can i keep my rig on the road” which i believe can only be answered by yourself. Many have said they will drive it till they can no longer, that after that dispose of it or dont care what happens to it, FOR ME, i have this fantasy that i will find a individule that they too have that wanderlust for adventure. As with the rest of my fleet i become attached to them (i believe thats what keeps me doting over them)an seeing my big boy on the back of a wrecker going to a junk yard would make me feel that no one longs for the open road, to be able to feel the pride in ownership an all the ups an downs that come with it. There is little that compares to the excitment days before heading out on a adventure or the coming home from one, cept maybe the memories in between! 

[jacwjames]

Rik W

You have a good point in regards to parts. 

My 2002 Windsor does not have complicated electronics and a hand full of PCB's.  Some of these are no longer available.  Some are repairable though since the boards usually have relay's, resistors, or diodes.  

I know that newer coaches have much more complicated systems.  The units with the Kongsburg systems only recently were thrown a life line by Frank M figuring out how to repair. 

So there may be hope in keeping these beasts running

[miacasa_2000]

Scotty    For me it's hard to put a time on it. As long as you love it you keep it if every time you're in it all you do is complain than maybe it's time. As you know barring a catastrophe we can keep these running and looking good. For me like others have said my 2003 dynasty is simple but classy it will be my last motorhome I would rather spend money on what I have then new. I have two friends 5 or 6 yrs ago bought new coaches now granted they only spent a couple hundred thousand they run good but their interiors are falling apart.  

Roy 2003 Dynasty

[MIRIAM]

On 11/29/2024 at 11:40 AM, Scotty Hutto said:

My DW Debbie and I were discussing “how long does a motorhome last” last night.  The discussion included practical items (drivetrain, rust, suspension) as well as outdated tech and interiors.

We were discussing this with regards to our coach, which just turned 19 years old with about 124,000 miles (mostly from us).  It’s in great mechanical condition and drives and runs like a top.  Still looks pretty darn good from a distance 🤣 We were debating whether to spend some $$$ to update the interior and appliances.  We’ve spend thousands over the years (residential fridge, hardwood floors, new shades, new radiator/CAC, new water pump, all new electronics, new 15k heat pumps, and on and on.) We’re quite attached to “Bully”. It’s got a few blemishes (mostly caused by moi) and could use a some paint touch-up (mostly the front cap and a couple of very minor “oops” where I may/may not have made contact with immovable objects.

We plan to travel extensively over the next decade, as we’re both in our early 60’s.  Not many corners of the continental US that *aren’t* on our list.  We hope to have another 10-15 years of motorhome travel ahead.

After sleeping on it, I thought I would reach out and ask this group.  What’s your opinion? How long should a motorhome last? I know there are a lot of opinions on this, especially on this forum, but I’d really love to hear what y’all think!

We've got a 2006 Beaver w/ 70k miles and we plan on keeping her another 10.  We already plan on going to Mexico for a new paint job and having her interior updated to better suit us now.  The newer ones are just junk and we will take care of her as long as she takes care of us.  I'll keep this beast on the road until she tells us she is done. ❤️✌️  (I'm hoping they make advances to convert diesel engines to hydrogen sooner rather than later)

[Les Hurdle]

It would appear my 2004 Cheetah had a hard life prior to me.  It was the best around when I bought it.  I've replaced all a/c, floor, slide rollers, engine serpentine belt [watch out for the opacity test it will the guts out of your motor] etc., and while it creaks far worse than my '98 Southwind once on the freeway........ joy.  The front is badly in need of something .... considering a wrap, what say you all?

[dennis.mcdonaugh]

They seem to last as long as you throw money at them. Do the routine maintenance and fix things that break. As we’ve seen, even a high dollar engine repair may be worth the cost to someone. 

[Daisy2000]

Our 2000 Dynasty is new to us. Our first pusher. Only had 34K mi when we bought her in March. Did a bit of inside cosmetics on upholstery and drapes. Otherwise everything works. It’s our starter and one day we will probably trade up but not till we actually get on the road in a few years when my husband does retire. The old ones are so solid I can’t imagine getting one that is cheaply constructed but costs sooo muuuch more. 

[jacwjames]

The topic is ironic in that people discuss/post on how long they intend to keep a +20 year old coach.

Reading posts on IRV2 that describe the problems people on one new or relatively new coaches.

My wife's friend bought a new 2019 Thor Outlaw Toyhauler.  Looked nice with neat features, even had a loft type sleeping area in the back. Lots of space with the garage and drop down patio entry ramp.  But they soon had lots of problems with the rig in the shop with problem after problem over a 2 year period it was in the shop more then they were able to use it.  The last time it went in the shop and came out they sold it as fast as possible.  Husband now refuses to even discuss another motorhome.  

 

[CAT Stephen]

Helllo @Scotty Hutto,

 

The good news for you is that the life of your engine is based upon statistical facts from the manufacturers so that you do not need to settle for opinions.

The statistical criteria used in the diesel engine industry is "B50".  Thus, when B50 has been reached, 50% of the engines require a major rebuild.  In the case of your coaches Cummins ISL, this means an in-frame rebuild (no engine pull required since the ISL is a wet sleeve engine) including replacement of the cylinder sleeves, replacement of the valve train components, ect.  You can learn more here: https://www.dieselhub.com/tech/b10-b50-life.html 

Your Cummins ISL has a B50 of 600,000 miles, so you have a 50/50 chance at that mileage for an in-frame rebuild at that mileage.

For your Allison Transmission, they average 600,000 to 800,000 miles before needing a rebuild in commercial applications where they are well maintained.

The above reliability information is contingent on performing maintenance at the intervals recommended by the manufacturer.

Your Roadmaster chassis is the wildcard because it is very reliable, but future parts availability will always be at some risk due to Roadmaster being out of business.  Fortunately, most of your chassis components are made by others  (such as your air brake system, air bags, axles, steering systems) so focus on the Roadmaster specific components and plan as needed.  

[Donflem]

On 11/29/2024 at 7:26 PM, bklaes said:

Our '05 Diplomat DST has 80K miles and all your same upgrades.  Last year our J-lounge was swapped out for recliners, and the Flexsteel hide-a-bed was recovered, new cushions too.  On Monday it will be dropped off at a body shop to heal the dings, a fiberglass crack, and front cap paint.

Like others, it needs a new set of shocks and airbags, probably next year.

I'm keeping it.  To your original question, how long should it last?   Don't know, but it will last longer than its owner.

Plus, for the 8 years I've owned mine, it has been regularly leased to film crews shooting commercials and music videos on 1-day rentals.  I chauffer it.  One or two rentals a month pays for the repairs and upgrades.  A dainty new coach couldn't handle the crowds, or be self-sustaining like this Monaco.

 

 

 

I like the thought of renting it out if I was the chauffeur l could do that.