We Bought A 20 year Old RV. Here's Why...

What about being able to stay at campgrounds that don't allow RVs that are more than 10 years old? What about the risk of having to pay for repairs with a used RV? We talk about all of these common misconceptions and more in this video.

🏔 Originally from Colorado, we dreamed of living a travel and adventure lifestyle but stuck in a 9-5 grind, we had no clue how we would break out of the mold. In 2017 we bought our first RV and it all changed!

Join the most amazing RV community ever. Get our welcome pack in the mail, invitations to meet-ups, access to giveaways, and let us follow you in our secret Facebook group with over hundreds of other Insiders. We'd love to get to know you too!

💬Join the conversation with other RVers on our FREE Discord channel!

🌎 Visit our blog for more campground info, Reviews, and RV Living Tips:

▶︎ Subscribe for more:

▶︎ Grateful Glamper Playlists:

▶︎Watch more Top Voted Videos from Grateful Glamper:

Kicked Out Of Our Campground!

Top 5 Best Campgrounds In America (MUST SEE Campsites for RV Living)

📱 UPDATES on Social 📱

Grateful Glamper, All Rights Reserved
*This channel is for entertainment purposes only. We are not RV or travel experts. We share our opinions and what works for us, but you should do your own research. #rvlife #rvlivingwithkids #gratefulglamper

[jeng]

We just purchased a 1999 Class A Diesel Pusher two weeks ago. It is in beautiful condition, super clean, well maintained and we couldn’t be happier! Just over 100, 000 miles so it has many, many more miles left to go. The Freightliner chassis is beefy and solid.

We think if you can find an older Motorhome in great shape, go for it! We love ours! Oh, and we are living in it full-time as well.

[paulmarentette]

As with anything else (RV and otherwise) KNOWING yourself and what you want, your intentions and limitations are your first steps. There's at least 5 major systems in every RV: 1) Water/Plumbing, 2) Electrical, 3) HVAC, 4) Electronics 5) Mechanical. If you are unwilling or uncomfortable to build first-hand independent knowledge of ALL these systems (but still want an RV) and think you can buy your way clear of them - BE PREPARED FOR EXASPERATION regardless of how much you paid. Over the past 5 years manufacturers have scaled up production to meet unprecedented demand but all that means is they have to get stuff out faster.

About the only place left for manufacturers to lean out production costs is quality control steps - thereby passing the discovery to the dealer. As most dealers have minimal testing facilities this means it's now up to the buyer of a new RV to discover failed components. This vid makes a great point "Where will you be when something goes wrong and you have only a limited availability and locations to resolve these troubles "under warranty." Now, thanks to high-volume (not high-quality) production objectives, warranty servicing is overloaded and you're more likely to be facing long delays, parts shortages and other frustrating limitations. It's a classic case of passing the buck, except in this case it's thousands of bucks ...and buying new means it's all out of YOUR pocket.

A used but updated and maintained RV means the previous owner has already found and corrected most of these issues. By buying direct (privately) from the previous owner you can also assess the nature of the individual you're buying from, and most importantly why they're selling. New or Old you're buying problems too, the only question now is how many are now solved with the specific rig you've bought, and how many options are available for you to correct them?

[sharoncrossen]

We bought a 2003 Tiffin Phaeton Class A never had a problem with the 10 year rule. It is insured with Good Sams. Solid sturdy construction. We put a fresh coat of paint inside and some other decorative upgrades. Absolutely love it. and no where near the expense of a newer RV

[VolDawg]

This video resonates with me. We purchased a 20 year old Fleetwood Discovery diesel pusher with 79K on the odometer. We are mainly weekend campers and maintain a sticks and brick home too. We paid cash and perform most of the repairs and maintenance ourselves. And as you mentioned, the build quality is outstanding. All of our furniture is covered in real leather, and our cabinets and doors are made of real wood.

[anitastromme]

We bought a 2005 RV Diesel Pusher. My husband is a diesel mechanic. He wanted pre-def. We paid cash, too.

[athomewithjenny]

I never felt very secure in older rvs until you said they're just built better. And that changed how I feel. Thank you❤ 😊

[lorileighmoreland]

I am SDOOO glad to hear this! I just bought a 2005 Jayco Greyhawk! And, per your recommendation, I am taking the NRVTA training. I am a 60-year-old Nana with a handicapped husband, and we decided to go for it!

[hhawknv]

What you said is all true. Wife and I bought a 2002 Newmar Kountry Star diesel pusher, cummins engine, two slides, four years ago. Everything is manual, except the slide and the electric solenoid on the fuel pump. I do 90% of all the work but when I don't, I go to a frieghtliner shop. In and out normally in one or two days, never to an RV shop. I am the fourth owner, 82, 000 miles and $30, 000 later it was mine. I allowed $15, 000 for new tires, a bumper to bumper check at frieghtliner with all new fluid. In four years I have spent another $15, 000, almost new now. We spend three to five months traveling. Is it worth it? Yes. Is it cost effective? I say, what is the value of memories. As seniors with the national park lifetime pass, we stay 50% off. We also dry camp more often now, memories. If you like nature, don't wait. I recommend used class A diesel before 2010, for many reasons. Happy trails.

[donnabaardsen]

I've discovered that gently used anything is the way to go. This from someone who used to have more than enough money...until after divorce. In hindsight I see clearly how much money was wasted. Should the good Lord bless me with wealth again, I'd still absolutely go with gently used, hands down.

[adriannurse]

We bought our first RV five years ago. It is a 2006 42' Monaco Dynasty Class A diesel pusher. We thought about going new, but since it was our first RV we decided to go used for a couple of reasons. 1. If we didn't like it it wouldn't cost us as much to get out of it. 2. Our salesman was very honest. He told us that new RV's spend most of the first year in the shop. He said that with a used one the previous owner has worked all the bugs out of it. We have found this to be true. As for the 10 year rule we haven't had an issue. Most parks tell us our motorhome looks new. They ask if we are pulling their leg when we tell them the year. I definitely recommend going used for your first RV.

[WillCulbertsonIT]

Happy to hear about your experiences with an older RV. We bought a 20+ year old motorhome because it was cheap enough for us to pay cash and we've put a lot into repairs and upgrades, it was a high end model and in good shape. It's still nowhere near what a new one would cost either. This will last us a good while.

[roadtriplover.]

Whether you buy new or used, get the RV inspected BEFORE you buy. I’ve had both new and used, and it just depends on the rig. Two of the same rig (same age, same maker) can be in completely different shape based on how they are used, how careful the previous owner/manufacturer was in maintaining/building the rig. Regardless, they require attention, just like anything else (human body, car, home, relationships). Life and all her bits will always require regular attention.

[brendaconner]

We bought our first rv last year (2022)and it was 20 years old. My husband is a fantastic mechanic. He has put about 10 thousand dollars in parts and repairs. We plan on retiring next year and traveling more.

[alanbottorff]

Great video, and its true. I bought a 2002 Holiday Rambler Imperial back in 2007. Its now 21 years old and was built on the Monaco S chassis (Semi Monocoque). We have driven all over the US several times over. My total repairs add up to about $2000 over the 20 years. It now has very close to 200, 000 miles and continues to run and drive like a dream. I have had 6 motorhomes before this one, non came close. We have also upgraded the technology, even adding a WiFi connected monitor and control so I can see tank levels on my phone, operate lights and slides. Still looks good and have never been turned away from a campground after inspection.

[rosetice]

We too bought a 2002 Safari diesel pusher. Solid wood cabinets, built like a beast. We have the CAT engine that can go forever. Sad part is we have to sell due to health. But loved the trips we went on.

[collinsfriend]

It would be nice to have full hook up campgrounds that have a lot of trees and remote feel like most national forest and parks campgrounds, and less like a glorified walmart parking lot. They are so rare. One of our lottery dreams lol

[miketomas]

GOOD JOB! From a 22 YO Beaver Patriot THUNDER owner! I Can't agree more about that warrantee Thing! Buying an older RV is definitely the way to go!

[pauljones]

We are not full timers. Our first tv was a older trailer. I was not sure I was into camping but my wife grew up camping. We keep it for over 5 years and doubled our profit and upgraded to a larger. We bought it and it was about 7 years old. It got damaged from a hailstorm and insurance totaled it. Our 3rd rv we also bought used and kept it for about 20 years and just upgraded this last spring. It was still in great shape and we sold it ourselves. We people came to look they could not believe it was 25 years old. It was in very good shape. The wife wanted a bigger trailer since I have retired and are camping a lot more now. I think used is the way to go if you can wait and find what you want it took us about 2 years to find this one. We really enjoy this one.

[jimmymcclosky]

We also have a 20+ year old gasser rv. Our rv sat up several years in overhead storage before we bought it. We had lots of work to do before we could start making trips like complete roof coverage, shower drain leak’s repair, replacing hot water tanks, awning replacement, step motor replacement, leveling fluid leaks and all 6 tire replacements. Yes, the work took over 4 months to complete but she is completely dependable. I just believe that the older models are just put together differently but the newer models have a lot more bells and whistles. Thank you for all your great videos of information and how to do it yourself.

[wesalexander]

Great video! Yup, agree with the pros and cons of new vs. used, pretty accurate assessment guys! In December 2020, literally on the last day of the year, we purchased a model year leftover (2020) Newmar Dutch Star, which we absolutely love. However, the dreaded DEF head failure reared its ugly head shortly afterwards, fortunately while still under warranty, otherwise that would have been a hefty bill. But even going forward, given the highly publicized and well-known high failure rate of DEF heads, the issue is always in the back of my mind. What a ridiculous emissions solution - derate the engine of a 50, 000 pound coach down so that it will only go 5 mph in the middle of an interstate highway while surrounded by heavy traffic! The system response to a DEF head failure is worse than the failure itself, people can be killed because of this, absolutely asinine! I have written to local and state representatives about this issue until I'm sure they are tired of hearing from me - GRRRR! But I digress, there are many advantages to buying used, but no matter which way you go, my advice is to ALWAYS hire an RV inspector, even if buying new, heck, especially if buying new!