How Long Does an RV Last? A Complete Guide by RV Class

An RV can be a great long-term investment… if you take care of it.

Not just because of the financial aspect, but all the other amazing benefits. 

Not only do you get a home on wheels for a fraction of the price of the average house, but the freedom to take that home anywhere roads will take you (and some places they won’t). 

With that said, RVs don’t last forever. At least they won’t be able to take to the road forever. 

Understanding how long an RV lasts and how to care for your new RV so that you maximize its life span is an important part of getting the most out of it. 

Below, we’ll talk about how long an RV lasts, including a breakdown based on the type of RV you have or are considering, and the factors that affect its longevity. 

How Long Does an RV Last?

An RV typically has a life expectancy of 10 to 30 years when properly maintained. 

This equates to around 200,000 – 300,000 miles in actual use. 

If not properly maintained, however, an RV can last significantly less time than that. So it’s important to consider regular maintenance when thinking about how long your RV will realistically last. 

RV Lifespan: Breakdown by Motorhome Class

The above answer is a general age range, but each type and class of RV is a bit different from one another.

It’s hard to give an accurate estimated age for all types of RVs, from class B motorhomes to old trailers, but you can get a better idea by taking a look at a few different factors.

Whether you have a fifth wheel or class C RV, these factors

Motorhome vs. Trailer

Trailers are typically designed to be lighter so that they can accommodate as many tow vehicles as possible.

Unfortunately, the trade-off for this is quality in the construction of the trailer.

The result is that trailers tend to last 15-20 years at most before frequent maintenance and repairs (especially tires/brakes) become a headache. 

With that said, you can still use the trailer in a stationary location, but traveling with it may become a thing of the past. 

There are exceptions to this, however. Some brands out there, especially Airstream with their retro aluminum frames, are known for making very high-quality trailers that last a long time.

Current models vs. Older RVs

If you hang around the RV community long enough, it will become clear that the consensus is older RVs are just made better.

They may not be as shiny or pretty, or have the same high-tech features (or as many features in general), but their basic construction is more likely to be made with higher-quality materials that last longer. 

This is a generality, some brands pride themselves on their quality construction, but across the board, this is the trend. 

Electrical system

This is specifically a modern RV issue, but it’s not something every brand or model of current RV falls victim to, so we’ve separated it from the last point.

Many modern RVs have complex electrical systems that– sometimes– even the dealership you got the RV from doesn’t know how to fix. 

This doesn’t necessarily impact your RV’s life, but it can. The added complexity is liable to mean that maintenance and repairs will overtake the value of the RV (or simply what you are willing to pay if you rather keep it) sooner.

This is much more likely to be the case with larger and higher-end RVs like Class A’s. They have more (and often more advanced) features, so it definitely affects them more than the other RV classes. 

Keep Your RV In Perfect Working Order: 7 Factors that Affect Longevity

Earlier, we talked about how proper maintenance impacts the longevity of your RV.

Now, let’s talk about what those factors actually are and what to look out for with regards to each:

Miles (total travel time)

Arguably the most important factor of all, more miles = more gradual wearing down of the RV’s individual parts. 

The more you travel, the faster you’ll wear your RV down.

If you only travel during the summer, with routine maintenance and all other factors being equal you might be able to stretch your RV to 30 years.

The same example but RVing full-time might be more like 20 years. 

This is a very rough example and shouldn’t be taken lightly without considering many other factors, but how much travel time your RV racks up is an important part of the picture.

Where you travel

If you’re a full time RVer into frequent boondocking, depending on the paths you take you’re likely putting more wear on your tires, suspension, and other systems vs. driving on paved roads.

This isn’t likely to make a huge difference, as you’re still going to be traveling on paved roads during the majority of your travels. However, it plays a role. 

Another factor to think about is the air quality. Parking too frequently near the beach can increase the speed at which metal rusts due to the air’s high salt content.

Engine care

In the case of motorhomes, getting your engine maintenance regularly with oil changes as well as periodic inspections is key.

If you go too long without adding oil, you could cause significant damage to your RV’s engine or transmission (or both).

​Another thing to think about is what type of engine you have. Some older RVs run on diesel engines which are harder to service and care for, so you’ll need to be careful that you’re maintaining it properly. 

Water leaks

Water damage is the bane of any and all RV owners as they can swiftly turn a little water into a very expensive repair job.

The main thing you need to keep an eye on here is your RV’s roof, which should regularly be inspected for leaks.

To combat this, you can use a sealant as a proactive measure and reactionary one to cover any new leaks as time goes on. 

Learn how to take proper care of your RV’s roof: How Often Should You Seal Your RV Roof? + How to Seal It.

However, this also involves keeping an eye on your plumbing and tanks. A pipe bursting can be catastrophic to your RV, and just about any major plumbing issue is costly. 

Electrical issues

We touched on this earlier, but electrical systems are incredibly complicated on newer RVs nowadays. 

If you don’t get them checked regularly, you could end up with a repair job that isn’t just incredibly costly but a hassle to repair.

Even if you do, with all those electrical systems running through your RV something is bound to happen eventually.

RV storage

Another vital point is particularly relevant if you’re a seasonal RVer.

How you store your RV can play a big part in how long your RV stays on the road.

In improper storage conditions, your RV parts and systems can become damaged over time, which will affect its longevity by way of more frequent maintenance and repairs.

One example of that is extreme temperatures and sunlight. Too much sun (i.e. UV rays) can affect the exterior, while an extremely cold climate can affect plumbing and engine components.

The ideal solution is to find an RV storage facility with climate control, security, and shade. With the proper conditions, your RV will stay in good condition longer. 

RV tires

One last point to note is your RV’s tires. You may be able to easily replace your tires, but not properly taking care of your tires can lead to other types of damage.

A tire blowout can cause damage to the RV rim or even axle– or worse. 

Make sure to regularly replace your motorhome tires. Keeping an eye on the tread depth and tire pressure will tell you far in advance when you should get them replaced, making this easy to keep up with. 

Is It Cheaper to Live In an RV Than a Home?

Living in an RV can be cheaper than in a traditional home, whether that be a house or apartment, but it isn’t always. 

Whether living in an RV will be cheaper for you depends on a few factors:

• How much you’re paying for your RV per month
• Your average gas expenditure (how much do you currently drive?)
• If your spending will change on the road (fewer groceries, more swinging by to pick up food somewhere? Or more cooking)

Things you would spend on regardless aren’t considered here, such as health-related expenses, entertainment, and certain bills. These are things you’ll spend on whether you live in an RV or home. 

However, if you’re willing to buy used and have the patience to shop around (even better, buy in cash) and be smart with your money otherwise, living in an RV can be significantly cheaper in the long run. 

Learn more about the cost of living in an RV: dustytrailrv.com/cheaper-to-live-in-an-rv.

Give Your RV a Long Life

How long your RV lasts is ultimately up to you and how well you take care of it. From the engine to the tires, water leaks and oil changes. 

A lot goes into properly taking care of an RV, and for many things, there is no best way (or best product), it’s all up to your preference and something you’ll learn with time. However, the rewards are tenfold in the form of freedom, comfort, and safety.

Learn more about how to take care of your RV with these guides:

• Top 4 Best TPMS for RVing: 2024 Guide
• How to Clean an RV Water Heater Tank
• How Often Should You Seal Your RV Roof? + How to Seal It