Appliance longevity February 24, 2017, 08:11:25 pm Just curious about the longevity of the appliances in our coaches. My LD is a 2002 and all the appliances are original and working good. How long do the refrigerator, stove, water heater, furnace and air conditioners normally last? Just for fun who has the oldest working original appliance in their LD?
Re: Appliance longevity Reply #1 – February 24, 2017, 08:41:28 pm "Normally last" is a very imprecise term. Our '92 has all original appliances. The refrigerator has been rebuilt once about 7 or 8 years ago. A new brain in the water heater was also installed. How much maintenance cost has to be borne before an appliance is no longer viable? for me keeping the original items is worth something in a rig that is now "vintage". But do plan on spending money to keep anything out of warranty working. If nothing needs repair it is a nice rainy day fund. These are all standard RV appliances, so the experience should be the same for other makes too. Sorry to not be much help here. 1 Likes
Re: Appliance longevity Reply #2 – February 24, 2017, 08:47:35 pm Ours is a 1994 with all original appliances in good working order down to the generator. 1 Likes
Re: Appliance longevity Reply #3 – February 24, 2017, 08:52:09 pm Paul that is help because it is always smart to weigh the cost of repair vs replacement. As long as it can be repaired (parts available) I would normally choose that route too.
Re: Appliance longevity Reply #4 – February 24, 2017, 09:18:52 pm Quote from: paul banbury - February 24, 2017, 08:41:28 pm"...But do plan on spending money to keep anything out of warranty working. If nothing needs repair it is a nice rainy day fund..."Amen to that brother. As my RDF grows, I hope to use it for essential repairs or replacements and not for catastrophic errors in judgment.This may be the only time that I will be prepared for the worst and able to hope for the best.Kent
Re: Appliance longevity Reply #5 – February 24, 2017, 09:35:34 pm My 96 has all original stuff, even the water pump, which isn't doing as good as years ago but still functions.I have a replacement Whisper King waiting for this one to die as you can't find them any longer.My fridge has had a new upgraded board, but that was before I bought it almost 10 years ago. 1 Likes
Re: Appliance longevity Reply #6 – February 24, 2017, 09:47:48 pm My '88 MB still has the original appliances 1 Likes
Re: Appliance longevity Reply #7 – February 25, 2017, 03:16:22 am The refrigerator is the first major appliance that usually goes.Water pumps and faucets can have short lifespans.On the other hand, the water heaters seem to last forever, as well as the stoves.While later models LDs are constructed better than the old one, the quality major appliances have gone in the opposite direction, with refrigerators at the top of the list.LD is at the mercy of an industry that is dedicated to making things as cheaply as possible.The up side is everything weights less.Larry 2 Likes
Re: Appliance longevity Reply #8 – February 25, 2017, 09:18:30 am So far, all the original appliances in my 2003 except the water pump are alive and well. The original Whisper King died and was replaced a couple of years ago by the spare WK, carried in a compartment for just that reason. (That WK is still working fine, but since WK was discontinued, a 4008 is now in the "just in case" compartment.)If an appliance fails and can't be repaired, stock replacement choices, i.e., "non-marine grade", are limited - and far more expensive than their quality warrants. Servicing and maintaining the appliances contributes to longevity, of course, but when they go, it's usually a "spend more for less" scenario. 1 Likes
Re: Appliance longevity Reply #9 – February 25, 2017, 10:11:34 am My '95TK refrigerator is still going. I've replaced the igniter and also the circuit board with a Dinosaur board.Water heater still going. Same thing with a Dinosaur board replacement.Heater still going.I've replaced the faucets since purchasing. We are the third owners. 1 Likes
Re: Appliance longevity Reply #10 – February 25, 2017, 10:20:29 am Quote from: Larry Wade - February 25, 2017, 03:16:22 am and faucets can have short lifespans.LarryI sure would like to replace my bathroom faucet. Its getting really stiff. But haven't looked real close at how big of job it would be. And new shower control's would be nice too. Previous owner broke the diverter knob.
Re: Appliance longevity Reply #11 – February 25, 2017, 11:25:06 am Our 2003 with 100,000 miles has all the original appliances and virtually all other equipment in good working order. We had a lot of problems with water pumps when Shurflo and then we changed to their more modern pumps, but that's about it and that problem has settled down with the Revolution pump we're currently using.As to the refrigerator, early on I changed the electric heat element to a lower power version based on some info that the stock element was "too hot." We are also very careful to either level the motorhome when parked, even for short periods, say at a grocery store, using the leveling jacks, or to turn the refrigerator off. We basically never run the refrigerator in even a slightly "unlevel" position. Except when moving, in which case I think the constant movement of the coach precludes excessive heat on the refrigerator components. But who knows? Maybe we've just been lucky.I'm not particularly meticulous about appliance or system maintenance. I keep things clean and the motorhome is stored in a garage but I don't go through all the monthly and annual checks and services others here do. I've even given up on the monthly exercise of the generator, running it just on trips, which are often months apart. I have a couple of motorcycles that spend much of the year in storage and I don't go through the storage rituals that many riders do. I just do required maintenance when mileage says its due, fill the gas tanks, park them and hook up a battery tender. I don't see any ill effects from that.Our Ford chassis has been remarkably reliable too. We've only replaced a few items at reasonable cost. Otherwise it's just been routine service.I'm very grateful for the reliability of this product. I'm anticipating another 14 years and 100,000 miles of use without many problems, perhaps more. I think the quality of modern motor vehicles is quite high across the board, assuming regular service and careful use. We have six motor vehicles with an average age of 17 years and average mileage of 107,000. All are in perfect working order and capable of many more miles as a result of simply following maintenance schedules and fixing things when they break, regardless of cost.A vehicle's demise usually results from starting to defer things, which then accumulate, creating a financial and psychological barrier to fixing them. When you find yourself thinking in terms of repair vs replacement costs, that repairs "aren't worth it," you're finished, with no good choices. Either pay for a lot of accumulated repairs or a new vehicle. I don't want to be in that position because I won't be buying another motorhome.Terry2003 26.5'RBGardnerville, NV 6 Likes
Re: Appliance longevity Reply #12 – February 25, 2017, 03:08:06 pm "A vehicle's demise usually results from starting to defer things, which then accumulate, creating a financial and psychological barrier to fixing them. When you find yourself thinking in terms of repair vs replacement costs, that repairs "aren't worth it," you're finished, with no good choices. Either pay for a lot of accumulated repairs or a new vehicle."---Bingo.
Re: Appliance longevity Reply #13 – February 25, 2017, 03:59:18 pm Quote from: Duro - February 25, 2017, 10:20:29 amI sure would like to replace my bathroom faucet. Its getting really stiff. But haven't looked real close at how big of job it would be. And new shower control's would be nice too. Previous owner broke the diverter knob.Bathroom faucets are usually not to hard to change. The plumbing connection is made under the sink, where, if you arms are long enough to reach, you will find two, large wing-nuts, used to tighten the pipe fittings. While installed finger tight, they can be hard to loosen.bath faucet | lw5315us | FlickrIt can be tough getting the adhesive, that LD applies to base of the faucet, to break loose. To cut it free, I use a 1" putty knife, with a thin blade, rounded corners and ground to a thin, sharp edge. Cover the exposed counter top with a couple layers of masking tape, to protect the surface from the blade.After removing the faucet, head over to the local home center to pick a suitable replacement.You need to find a new faucet with the same plumbing, on the base of the faucet. Two 1/2" male pipe nipples, on 4" centers, is commonly used size.You can buy a stock replacement for $20 or upgrade to something nicer.Amazon.com: Dura Faucet (DF-PL700A-CP) Two Handle RV Lavatory Faucet -...Ours was replaced with a American Standard faucet several years ago.New bathroom faucet | American Standard replacement. Metal i… | FlickrWhen installing the new faucet, bed it in a bathroom fixture caulking to prevent leaks and to make it a little easier to remove, if there is a next time. Polyurethane adhesive is overkill for setting faucets. Loctite sell a 5.5oz tube.Amazon.com: Loctite 1515861 Polyseamseal Tub and Tile Adhesive Caulk,...Larry 1 Likes As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Appliance longevity Reply #14 – February 25, 2017, 04:04:40 pm Thanks for the info Larry.Any tips for the shower faucet?
Re: Appliance longevity Reply #15 – February 25, 2017, 04:28:50 pm Quote from: Duro - February 25, 2017, 04:04:40 pmAny tips for the shower faucet?It is similar to the bathroom faucet and is installed the same way and in another hard to get to spot.Loosening the inner nut, that secures the valve assembly to the wall, can be tough, since it is sunk into the wall.Yahoo - loginLarry
Re: Appliance longevity Reply #16 – February 25, 2017, 04:53:40 pm Well Larry got the sink faucet out already. Yes it was glued down pretty well lol. I probably would have been nervous without your tips. Now to go find a replacement I like and put it back together.
Re: Appliance longevity Reply #17 – February 25, 2017, 10:32:10 pm "I sure would like to replace my bathroom faucet. Its getting really stiff."That's typically caused by mineral buildup, and can easily be remedied by soaking the valve core in vinegar. The only tools needed are a pocket knife, a pair of pliers, and a Phillips screwdriver. There's a step-by-step procedure on my website. If it's not too late, I'd suggest trying this method before you go to the trouble and expense of replacing the whole faucet. 1 Likes
Re: Appliance longevity Reply #18 – February 25, 2017, 10:42:32 pm Thanks Andy.The wife doesn't like the one knob faucet anyway.So I am putting in a two handle model just for her. And I broke the other one getting it out lol.
Re: Appliance longevity Reply #19 – February 26, 2017, 02:20:35 pm And for those that have an old enough rig to still have the swamp cooler, mine still works after a little TLC.I don't use it as I like to be places where no cooling is need, at least not often. And it seemed to use a lot of water.
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