Repair, Replace, Or Retire: Which Is Best For An Old RV?

RVs are vehicles not everyone invests in, and for good reasons. They’re great additions to your personal property. But like a traditional home or a family car, RVs require much maintenance if you want them to last long. And maintaining an RV doesn’t come cheap.

Since many things and utilities nowadays are expensive, people who want an RV often purchase a secondhand one. Sometimes, they opt for older ones, which could break down after a few runs. When this happens to your old RV, you have three options: repair, replace, or just let it go.

Before you choose what to do, consider the state of your old RV. You’ll know the appropriate course of action that gives you the best results without breaking the bank. Each option has pros and cons, and this article will help you decide which one you should do.

1. Repairing

RV owners sometimes form an attachment to their vehicles that they don’t have the heart to send these to the scrap heap. While calling for junk RV removal services may be the best option for an old, damaged camper van, there are instances where repairs are enough to lengthen its lifespan.

Depending on the state of your old RV and which parts need fixing, costs for repairs may be cheaper than getting a new one. However, you may also end up paying close to USD$5,000, mainly if repairing your RV becomes a regular thing. Prices can skyrocket because you’re not only paying for the repairs, but the time it takes to fix them.

If you use your RV frequently, you’d very much like to avoid taking it to the mechanic too often. Fortunately, most standard RVs have similar parts that tend to break down after a few years. So, if you know what these are, you may have an easier time looking for experts who can fix these and compare prices. RV parts that are prone to damage include:

• Roof

• Tires

• Air-conditioner

• Toilet

• Battery

Typically, you can fix these parts by yourself or with a professional mechanic. But the older an RV is, the more frequently you’ll have to keep repairing these flaws. You’ll have a more challenging time when the following parts get broken, too:

• Transmission

• Engine

• Slide-out

• Electrical and water assembly

• Auxiliary generator

• Fuel injection pump

These parts of an old RV could cost thousands to repair if damaged or not working correctly. Once more, some RV repair companies may have a policy wherein they refuse to work on decade-old vehicles. While this isn’t always true, some mechanics may find it challenging to fix your old RV if the damage is terrible either way. 

Don’t be discouraged if you find a servicing company that won’t fix your RV. They most likely don’t have the appropriate resources or technical skills to repair older parts. You can still find a team who’ll do their best to rescue your old RV and get things up and running.  

But if worse comes to worst, your next suggestion would be to fully replace the affected parts, especially if you’ve tried every trick in the book to save them.

2. Replacing

If the damaged portions of your old RV are deemed unsalvageable, you could always replace them. Replacing parts is considerably cheaper than fixing them all the time since you’ll pay for new items that are expected to work longer.  

You may have bought some spare parts when you purchased your RV. This is a wise move and should be continued if you decide to buy a brand new or used RV in the future. If not, here’s a list of essential spare parts of an RV that you should have on hand as soon as possible:

• Oil

• Water pump parts

• AC generator filter

• LP-gas regulator

• Water pressure regulator

• Sewer drain cap

• 12-volt-DC fuses and light bulbs

• Electrodes and thermocouples

If you have these items, replacing their old or broken version will be much easier on you and your wallet. You’ll spend less time looking for spares, too. You may also present these to the mechanic if you prefer someone else to replace them. You can save money and use it on the replacement work this way.

Despite that, the one significant drawback with replacing parts is that RVs tend to age fast. And the older your RV is, the more likely its components will become obsolete with manufacturers making newer, better versions. Your spares may have no use once the originals break, and you’ll need to buy new ones. Unfortunately, some vintage RVs may not work correctly with newer parts.

Luckily, you can find affordable vintage RV parts from suppliers if you look in the right places. Most well-known camper models like Avions, Vagabonds, and Spartans should have dedicated suppliers for spare parts. Other businesses may also offer restoration services for old RVs. If you’re lucky to find them, you can restore your RV’s former glory.

In other cases, though, an old camper has to go. If you’ve done all the options to save your RV and things are getting worse, you may have to retire it.

3. Retiring

When you’ve tried fixing and replacing the broken parts of your old RV to no avail, the last option is to retire the poor thing. RVs are sturdy and last a good while, but like all things, they meet their end, too.

Many junk RV buyers will accept your old camper van and give you a decent payment. You can search online for ‘RV salvage near me’ or indicate your specific location. Some junk auto buyers may also offer to tow your RV away for free, so you don’t need to drive the vehicle to the salvage yard.

If you don’t like throwing away the RV you invested time and money in, you could sell it to someone who’ll put it to good use. Ebay and Craigslist are online platforms teeming with DIYers looking for someone’s trash to turn into treasure. These people will gladly recycle your old RV, convert it, and give it another purpose and a new lease on life.

Another thing you can do is dismantle your camper and sell the parts and scraps piece by piece. These vehicles have amenities like cabinets and appliances that can still be restored and used again. It’s an excellent way to dispose of your old RV properly while earning more cash from it than selling the RV whole. You could save up for a new top-brand camper van for your next adventure with the extra money. 

Conclusion

Old RVs have a certain appeal to them, especially if yours has been with you for decades. But they have a lifespan, too. There are instances where you can repair or replace old and broken parts and others where you must let the whole vehicle go. Your course of action depends on the camper’s condition and your budget. So, before you make any drastic decision, observe your RV to figure out the best solution to its problems.