Modern Motorhomes - Life Expectancy - what are your thoughts.

[Viv Danks]

So having entered into our third year of Escape(isum) ownership - I was just wondering what are peoples thoughts on the average life expectancy of a ' modern' motorhome?

Above and beyond regular servicing and cleaning - we see vans that are 10+ years old and I was wondering what if there were any hints ant tips as to how to keep your van pristine for this long.

 

[g3cwi]

I suspect there are two alternatives.

1. use your van a lot and look after it properly by doing repairs in a timely manner and;
2. Hardly use your van and keep it inside.

1. is the best way really.

 

[Jim]

As long as you re-caulk regularly and keep a van dry. When you sell it in 25 years time, the buyer will be as excited as you were when you bought it.

 

[Gixer]

How often is regularly ? or does it depend on usage / appearance ?

 

[Jim]

How often is regularly ? or does it depend on usage / appearance ?

I had an Auto-trail that would leak through the Heki Light sealant. Nothing to do with Auto-Trail, it was a great van. Rather it was more to do with two 35kg canoes and me always on the roof, I would have to reseal it twice a year because of all the flexing.

You just need to have a really good look at all the seals in roof-lights and windows etc at the end of the summer, and re-seal them if they look at all leaky. A good seal with last years, but it only needs a small unobserved leak over time can cause you big problems down the line. This is especially so on large panels that flex, such as wall panels and roof. My auto trail was a tag axle, the roof was long, and 70kg bouncing every time we went over a bump and the seals were under a lot of stress,

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[Hellski]

I had an Auto-trail that would leak through the Heki Light sealant. Nothing to do with Auto-Trail, it was a great van. Rather it was more to do with two 35kg canoes and me always on the roof, I would have to reseal it twice a year because of all the flexing.

You just need to have a really good look at all the seals in roof-lights and windows etc at the end of the summer, and re-seal them if they look at all leaky. A good seal with last years, but it only needs a small unobserved leak over time can cause you big problems down the line. This is especially so on large panels that flex, such as wall panels and roof. My auto trail was a tag axle, the roof was long, and 70kg bouncing every time we went over a bump and the seals were under a lot of stress,

Specifically roof lights, would you remove the roof light, clean all residue prior to applying new sealant, or just remove the visible external sealant and then reapply?

 

[Jim]

Mostly I would just rake out most of what I could and replace, but if the roof does flex a lot and it looks like the sealant really suffers it might be worth a complete reseal. Though I never did that.

 

[John Barrett]

Buy a 1998 Hymer like ours which stilll looks new inside! All down to original build quality.

 

[Vikdikdok]

Buy a 1998 Hymer like ours which stilll looks new inside! All down to original build quality.

I agree, our previous van was 1997 E510 - nothing fell off or unscrewed - almost bomb proof

 

[Odd-no-more]

I had my last van over 9 years and it was 3 years old when I bought it. The main thing in my opinion is never live with a failure. If anything breaks or stops working, no matter how small, fix it before the next trip. If you start down the road of "that doesn't matter" before long you have a wreck.

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[TerryL]

Agreed. When you come to sell it anything not working will have a significant effect on the selling price, whoever buys it, dealer or private.

 

[Gixer]

Strange, just watched Youtube about replacing rotten floor in 1998 Hymer caused by water ingress !!

 

[John Barrett]

Strange, just watched Youtube about replacing rotten floor in 1998 Hymer caused by water ingress !!

Tap left running? Frost damage? Road accident? Poor maintenance? Can't have been the Hymer's fault...

 

[Hellski]

Tap left running? Frost damage? Road accident? Poor maintenance? Can't have been the Hymer's fault...

Not conclusive but a leak from the roof and rear window were both contenders to be the cause of the issue. It was actually interesting to see how the issue was dealt with and the repair looked very thorough

 

[grey bear]

it looks like some people on hear are about as unbiased as the bbc [blinkered] it could be said. the emperors new coat senario

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[John Barrett]

it looks like some people on hear are about as unbiased as the bbc [blinkered] it could be said. the emperors new coat senario

I surely represent that remark!

 

[Viv Danks]

it looks like some people on hear are about as unbiased as the bbc [blinkered] it could be said. the emperors new coat senario

In what way - i think they are just expressing their thoughts - which if i may summarise is preventative maintenance and proactive rectification......

 

[dunnah01]

So having entered into our third year of Escape(isum) ownership - I was just wondering what are peoples thoughts on the average life expectancy of a ' modern' motorhome?

Above and beyond regular servicing and cleaning - we see vans that are 10+ years old and I was wondering what if there were any hints ant tips as to how to keep your van pristine for this long.

Store it all year under cover in the UK where it rains and the roads are salted or only ever use it where the sun shines

 

[thebriars]

Store it all year under cover in the UK where it rains and the roads are salted or only ever use it where the sun shines

Even that doesn't always work.

My last new caravan was stored under cover, well away from salted roads. Used it for 4 days (120 miles round trip, mostly on motorway) then took the cover off several weeks later to find a 5ft chunk of plywood had fallen off the ceiling, and a wall cupboard was parting company with the wall and ceiling.

 

[Hellski]

I believe the one shown in the videos I attached is over 20 years old and with the care and attention it's obviously receiving from it's current owners, there's no reason it won't do another 20+ years.

No matter who the manufacture is, when wood is used in the structural construction of a motorhome, then it will obviously require careful inspection and maintenance throughout it's life time.

Unfortunately, sometimes leaks do go undetected dependant on location, or indeed the extent of the damage that has been caused by said leak until something major fails.

As we all grow older, we all need a little more TLC, motorhomes are no exception

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[nicholsong]

Well the answer to the question depends on the build quality.

Some top-end MHs are very solidly built. This includes construction of bodywork such as structural panels instead of timber and covering. There are regular comments that MHs built before about 2006 were better built.

The engines in MH usage are unlikely to determine the life of the vehicle.

We have a N&B Arto which is 17 years old and I would expect it to go for another 17 or 34, even if I don't, and if diesels are still allowed on the road.

Geoff

 

[KUSKUS]

Just bought a 2006 Hymer B680 starline to replace our three year old Adria Matrix,
the built quality of the Hymer is incredible, built like the proverbial brick s/house .
Its certainly not perfect but for a 14 year old its impressive and with a payload of over a tonne.

 

[The Lord Squid]

I expect practical life expectancy to be affected by the extent to which you're allowed in low emission zones, and of course, how common these zones become.

 

[Coolcats]

Everyone talks about how the ‘older’ MoHo’s were built solidly. Maybe they where maybe they were not. Many older MoHo’s smell like a hamster Cage. New MoHo’s may last just as long, built from modern Lightweight hard wearing materials whilst only time will tell I suspect they will be just as durable, but still Some may smell like an old hamster cage In the future.