The short answer to how long do campers last? The average lifespan of an RV is around 20 years or 200,000 miles, whichever comes first. But the reality isn’t quite that simple for every single rig out there. Those numbers can vary a great deal depending on the class of your motorhome, how well you take care of it, and a few other factors. Let’s look a bit closer at these factors and how they affect the life of your vehicle so you can be sure you understand what you can expect from your RV and what you have to do to get the most out of it.
Class A Motorhome Lifespan
The average life of a class A motorhome should be around 200,000 miles with good upkeep. If you take good care of the rig and perform regular maintenance, you may even see as many as 300,000 miles, but this would be pushing the limits. It is important to note that class A motorhome maintenance can get really pricey thanks to their larger-size diesel engines.
Of the three main classes of RV, the Class A motorhome is typically the largest. Class As are the tour-bus style motorhomes you see on the road—big RVs that are great for fulltime living or long-term camping, as they offer plenty of room. They’re also the most expensive class of motorhome, meaning you’ll likely only buy a class A if you know RVing is something you’ll want to do regularly and for many years to come.
Class B Motorhome Lifespan
Like Class As, a Class B rig should be good for twenty years or 200,000 miles, but many of them can go longer if you take good care of them. Fortunately, this upkeep is easy enough to do if you have basic car maintenance skills, since these are essentially the same as any other van, mechanically speaking.
Class B motorhomes are the campervan types. Because they’re just a bit bigger than a regular van (and sometimes they’re the same size), they are cheaper and easier to operate. The drawback of Class B vehicles is that you can’t fit as many people in them. They’re great for traveling solo or with a very small family, but if you have more than three people, you’re going to want a bigger motorhome.
Class C Motorhome Lifespan
Class C RVs can also last about 200,000 miles if you perform regular maintenance and get problems fixed quickly. We appreciate that fixing problems is pretty straightforward on gas class C motorhomes in particular, because they are built on a van chassis that is quite common.
All that said, it is important to be aware that thanks to their weight and less powerful engines, gas-powered class C motorhomes also have a relatively low cargo carrying capacity (CCC). This limit is very easy to exceed, especially if you’ll be carrying passengers. If the CCC is exceeded, it puts extra strain on the engine and can cause it to die prematurely.
The Class C RV is often regarded as the “Goldilocks” of motorhomes—not too big and not too small. These are the motorhomes you see that look like they’re built on a truck, with the “attic” area that sits on top of the truck cab and the living space in the back. They are typically cheaper than Class As but offer more space than a Class B.
Should I Consider Mileage When Purchasing a Used RV?
Honestly, it’s impossible to advise someone on whether or not to buy a used RV based purely on how many miles it has. You see, although you’ll definitely want to consider the mileage before buying a used RV, it shouldn’t be the only thing you consider. An RV with low mileage that hasn’t been cared for well could be a worse purchase than a well-maintained RV with more miles on it.
An engine that is left sitting for long periods of time will see damage from weather, rodents, UV rays, and other unavoidable factors. Additionally, the “house” portion of the rig also needs to be well-maintained, and all it takes is a failed seal or two for some serious and costly water damage to occur. Be wary of older rigs with very few miles, as they have likely spent a lot of time sitting unmaintained.
Of course, this isn’t always the case, so go investigate in person if you find an RV that might suit your needs. Do a thorough inspection of any RV you’re interested in buying, and don’t be afraid to ask questions or request to see maintenance records.
You may even consider hiring someone to inspect the RV. It will be an added expense, but if they can help you purchase an older RV for a great price—or keep you from buying an RV that will end up being a money pit—that expense could be well worth it. For the best deals, keep in mind when the best time to buy an RV is.
RV Maintenance to Increase Longevity
The answer to how long do campers last depends a lot on how well the camper in question is cared for. Want to know the best way to ensure your RV lasts the full 200,000+ miles that it has to offer and retains as much value as possible? It’s simple: Keep up with maintenance on all parts of the vehicle!
Because an RV is part vehicle, part house, you’ll have to maintain both of those systems to ensure a long life. This can be time consuming and does require some effort on your part, but it must be done in order to protect your investment and optimize your RV’s trade-in value when the time comes.
Vehicle Maintenance
Just like with your car or other vehicle, you need to do routine maintenance on your motorhome. This will keep the engine, transmission, brakes, and other systems in tip-top shape so the RV can keep running and will continue taking you wherever you wish to roam, whenever you wish to go there.
You’ll want to check your owner’s manual so you know when to schedule regular check-ups for the following:
- Oil changes
- Tire air pressure checks, rotation, and replacement when needed
- Brake pads checked, changed, or replaced when needed
- Engine cleaning
- Fluid replacement
- Re-alignment
- Fuel injections
It might help to set reminders for yourself in your phone calendar or using an app such as RV Life Maintenance. This will ensure you don’t forget any crucial aspect of vehicle maintenance, something that could leave you stranded come travel day.
Living Area Maintenance
Unlike your car, you’ll also need to check the areas of your motorhome dedicated to your living space. This is much like house maintenance, except for one major factor: Because RVs are built to be lightweight and because they often go bouncing down the highway at high speeds, you might find you have to make more repairs on your RV than you do on your house.
Here are a few things you’ll want to make sure are in good working condition:
- Regularly lubricate slide-outs to keep them working smoothly.
- Apply UV protectant spray on rubber weather sealing around slide-outs.
- Inspect the roof and side seams every few months and reseal as needed or at least once a year.
- Keep an RV roof patch kit on hand for leaks.
- Use a surge guard between your rig and the shore power connection to prevent appliance damage.
- Use motorhome toilet chemicals every week or two to break down toilet paper and waste while minimizing odors.
- Empty the black tank when it’s at least 3/4 full.
- Wipe and dry shower area after use to prevent mildew.
- Clean the shower and sink after each trip and look for leaks or cracks. Repair those immediately to prevent bigger leaks!
- Wash your RV regularly after a trip (or during, if it’s a long one) and wax your RV regularly to protect the exterior.
- Repair broken parts and pieces right away. Some broken parts can lead to bigger problems down the line.
Preparing for RV storage
Unless you live in your RV full time, the rig will likely be in storage for a good chunk of its life. You will need to take some steps before leaving the RV in storage in order to prevent damage that could shorten the life of your motorhome. Some of these tasks will only need to be done during the cold months. Others should be carried out no matter the weather.
All Year Long
No matter when you’re putting your rig in storage, you will want to take care of these things:
- Disconnect the battery and store it somewhere above freezing to prevent discharging and preserve its longevity. Placing it on a trickle charger is an even better move.
- Inspect your RV for holes and broken seals. Seal up all of them in order to prevent rodents and/or water damage.
- Remove all food and consider using pest repellent to ensure mice and bugs don’t take over while you’re gone.
- If you’re storing your RV outside, consider covering it to protect it from the elements.
During the Winter
If you’re storing your RV during the winter months, be sure to do the following:
- Drain all tanks and use the low-point drains to empty water lines and prevent them from bursting during freezing weather.
- Once all tanks and water lines are drained, add RV antifreeze to all tanks, lines, and drains (don’t forget the toilet).
Get More from Your RV: Rent It Out
Since RVs can last a long time and hundreds of thousands of miles, you may have it for periods when you’re not using it. Don’t let it sit in storage that whole time – rent it out!
Renting your RV allows another family to experience exciting adventures and create memories just as you have. You’ll meet new people, and your RV will be working for you. You can earn back the money you’ll need for maintenance and upkeep of your rig, and you may even earn more that can go towards your own next vacation!
Another major benefit of renting your RV? It won’t be sitting for long periods of time. We mentioned above how bad it can be to leave an RV sitting unused for extended periods. Renting ensures the rig is used regularly, giving you reason to keep the engine in tip-top shape and stay on top of sealing the roof, fixing broken parts, and keeping things in good working order. In the long run, this could be what keeps your RV up and running for 200,000 miles or more!
Worried about renting your beloved RV to strangers? Don’t be! When you rent through RVshare, our verification check processes ensure you’ll have quality renters, and you’ll have liability and comp insurance coverage for the duration.
