Living in a 5th Wheel
RV Life and Travel reader Bob asks...
(Good? Bad? Problems?)
Is it bad to live in a 5th wheel trailer for a long period of time? Like two or more years? What problems will it cause to the 5th wheeler? Anything I should look out for? It a Colorado 5th wheel.
Coleen, the RVing editor replies: I think living in a recreational vehicle for long periods of time -- decades -- is an excellent way to live. I don't think it is really a matter of whether it is a good way to live or a bad way to live, though. What matters is what you think about it and how you feel about it. And, sometimes that changes after you've spent a few months or few years full-time RVing.
As for it causing problems to the fifth-wheel, I think the biggest thing is probably going to be accelerated wear and tear. Many RVs are made for occasional use. The quality of the construction components and furnishings, carpets, appliances, and such may not stand up to daily use for years on end. Then, again, they may. The quality of RVs varies greatly and price does not seem to be the deciding factor as to which are superior quality and which are poorly made and finished.
Living full-time in your recreational vehicle may void the manufacturer's warranty. That said, some full-timers don't seem to have any problem getting warranty work done on those RVs.
When you live in a fifth wheel like a home, you need to do home like maintenance.
If you plan to leave it sit in one place for the entire two years or so, you may have some other issues caused by aging. I don't know that they'd be problems. But, be aware of things that could go wrong and watch for them. Another of our readers asked about buying an RV that had been sitting for several years. You may find that discussion helpful. Here's the link to it:
Buying an RV that's Been Sitting UnusedGo to the RV Life and Travel blog.