If you’re considering buying a used RV with a lot of miles
on it, you might have asked this question yourself: just how much more life can
you expect to squeeze out of this RV—and is it worth the price? Let’s look at
how many miles an RV can last, and
how you can get your RV to last longer with the right tips.
Miles An RV Can Last:
When we talk about RV mileage, we’re really talking about
the engine and transmission systems of the RV. Typically, you can expect about 250,000 to 300,000 miles of longevity
in an RV. That means you can easily buy a 10-year-old RV and still expect to
get value out of it, depending on how the previous owner treated it.
This is just a broad rule of thumb, however. It’s possible
that your RV might last less time, or
it may go well over this expectation without the need for any major repairs.
And that will partially depend on how well you treat it.
Factors Influencing
the Longevity of Your RV
Whether you bought a brand-new RV and want to make it last
as long as possible or you purchased a used RV and want to get your full
investment’s worth, longevity should be one of your top priorities. Here are
some ways to help your RV last longer:
- Regularly
inspect for water damage. The key to extending the life of your RV is in
preventing those “unfixable” problems from ever occurring in the first place.
Water damage is one of those problems. That’s why you should schedule regular
inspections for your RV. Look at how your RV sealants are performing and
carefully apply a new sealant if there are any problems with the nooks and
crannies in your RV. Consider investing in a “Moisture Meter” to test the
moisture levels in your RV when you’re not sure. - Take care
of your tires. Rotate your tires and replace them when needed. Don’t let
them go too long, as tire damage can be a bit like water damage, slowly eroding
from the inside until you find out that it’s too late. Rather than discovering
tire damage when a tire goes out suddenly, make sure that you stay on top of
your tire maintenance. - Follow
the manufacturer’s guide for oil replacement and maintenance. When you read
in your RV manufacturer’s guide that you should replace the oil every so many
miles, take it seriously! They’re not making any money from you buying
different brands of oil. They just want you to get the most out of the life of
your RV. Change the engine oil and filter regularly to help maintain the
quality of the engine. - Maintain
your engine’s cooling systems. Follow the manufacturer guidelines when
flushing and replacing the coolant, as this will help ensure that your engine
runs cool for as long as possible. Remember: the life of your engine directly
impacts the life of your RV, which is why it’s so important to pay attention to
cooling systems that will keep your engine running at the ideal temperature.
Extended periods of running too hot can damage the engine, even if that damage
isn’t easy to identify.
When maintaining your RV, it doesn’t hurt to have the right
products in your corner. Browse our RV
products for all your cleaning, sealing, and restoration needs. Your RV
will thank you.
