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Miles per Year?
For those of us looking to purchase an LD someday, what would be an age-appropriate number of miles on the odometer?

I realize this is a bit of a loaded question without knowing the entire history of a rig, and there are many factors involved such as yearly distribution of driving (how many miles per year), type of driving (city, freeway, mountains), towing or not, etc.  But you gotta start somewhere, right?

Looking for your opinions.
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264

Re: Miles per Year?
Reply #1
Without offering an opinion, I will provide our information.  Picked up our LD in July 2012 and now have just over 56,000 miles on the rig.  This includes a couple of transcontinental trips, a trip to Alaska, a dozen trips from West. PA to Florida, and a number of get togethers with our NELD and SELD friends.  By far, most of our miles are highway miles.
2011 MB

Re: Miles per Year?
Reply #2
Like "RM", I can only state the age, mileage, and road types driven on my rig, and add a few maintenance comments . I picked it up in early November, 2003; it currently shows 101,371 miles on the odometer (roughly 7200 miles average per year; some years with fewer miles and some with more), and it has been driven on a broad variety of terrain, weather conditions, and road  types and surfaces. 

It has never towed, and has been consistently maintained; the oil and filter are changed every 3000 miles, services have been done and parts replaced when (usually before) the Ford maintenance schedule (and Larry's guidance!) indicates. I believe that these factors are at least as important, if not more so, as mileage in evaluating condition.

I've seen later model LDs with far fewer miles (than mine) that are need thousands of dollars' worth of repair and "re-hab", and I've seen some LDs with high double digit (and triple digit) mileage that are in very good shape and have a lot of life left.

(I believe that) the intended use of the rig is a critical consideration when checking out a pre-loved rig (an LD in this case, but applicable to any RV); obviously, if the rig is going to be on the road for weeks and/or months at a time or be one's fulltime home, a well-maintained, later model/lower mileage rig would definitely be preferable. I think there's more wiggle room if the rig will be used for weekenders and/or shorter or less frequent trips. Additional considerations might be the numbers of people and pets, the locations of travel and types of camping, tow or no, and the "fix it" skill set of the owner.

As you said, Greg, mileage is just a starting point! Good luck in your quest!  :)
2003 TK has a new home

Re: Miles per Year?
Reply #3
My 2 cents on our LD.

Took delivery October 27, 2015. Total mileage to date in 16 months is about 7,800 so that's about 5,700 miles a year.

Maintenance has been per Ford and LD schedules. Went to Full Synthetic motor oil at last service. That was about 2,000 miles ago.

Drive the rig to local mountains, Utah, and Yosemite Valley. Usually get her out on the road once a month either for fuels or traveling. Never go over 60 mph unless passing and then bring 'er back to speed.

Service the coach tanks regularly. Dust the cabinets and clean the floors before during and after each trip. I know this isn't a mileage thing but interior and exterior maintenance has a lot to do with the love factor and keeps the rig in that like new condition.

The generator and roof AC as well as the engine and cab AC get bi monthly exercise. This is just a part of the regular maintenance routine. Generators  with low hours can be a cause for concern. The coach batteries and truck battery stay at a good charge and that's an important concern as well.

Mileage isn't everything. Maintenance is critical. Well maybe that was 3 cents worth.

Just Sayin'

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"

Re: Miles per Year?
Reply #4
Our 2003 LD is a few hundred miles short of 100,000 miles.
Over 14 years, we have averaged a little over 7000 miles a year.

Larry


Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze

Re: Miles per Year?
Reply #5
I am averaging 8000 miles per year over 9 years on my '08, fulltiming.  My first few years were a bit higher than this, and the more recent years are closer to 5000 per year.

Ken F in OR
'08 MB

Re: Miles per Year?
Reply #6
So I am seeing a trend here so far. Many folks are averaging 6-8K miles a year.
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264

Re: Miles per Year?
Reply #7
My 2002 has 119,000 but will have around 120,000++ when I get home next week.
Lynn and Lori

Re: Miles per Year?
Reply #8
My 2002 has 119,000 but will have around 120,000++ when I get home next week.

Yep, you're in the range as well. Safe travels home!
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264

Re: Miles per Year?
Reply #9
2004 with 23,600 miles. NOT in the range! 😏
Ruby, the red 2004 26' RK hauling Dave and Kristine hither and yon

Re: Miles per Year?
Reply #10
Well let's see. bought my 1998 30 foot island bed from a lazy days member in South Carolina sight unseen. Flew from Northern California to pick it up in South Carolina November 2007. It had 58,000 miles on it then. Now I have 108,000 miles on it. All regular maintenance performed as needed, and other replace or repair is done also as needed. She's running fine
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gini Free and Junah, canine xtrodinaire
"CHERRYOTTE" our little red home on wheels
"Growing old is mandatory. Growing wise is optional."

Re: Miles per Year?
Reply #11
Most RV's are casually used on weekends and vacations and they don't accumulate that many miles. Those folks tend not to post here. So the range you are seeing is not typical. You will have to judge if an RV of a given age that has spent more time parked than on the road is a superior rig.

We took delivery in September 2007. We have spent over 2,000 nights in it. Just about to turn 100m.
Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy

Re: Miles per Year?
Reply #12
In 13 years we put 140,000 miles on our '02MB.  A lot of that mileage was from multi-month trips.  IMHO, a rig being used and well maintained may be in better shape than a rig that sits idle for long periods of time.

Art
Art and Barbara
Settled in Atterdag Village of Solvang
2015-2022 fulltime in a 2016 Tiffin Allegro Bus 37AP
2002-2015 2002 LD MB
Art's blog

Re: Miles per Year?
Reply #13
Picked up Baxter on 6/18/2014 with 41 miles on her.   On 4/9/2017 has 27,111.4 on her.   So that's about 9,000 a year.
Give or take about 200 nights camping in one form or the other. 


personal fine art photo stuff
TF Mack | Flickr
It's all good .......
2014 Twin King


Re: Miles per Year?
Reply #15
We took our first trip in our '92 in Feb 2016. Since then we have driven 21,000 miles give or take a few.  It has a total of 55,000 miles, the previous owners used it regularly, but didn't go far. 
Paul
'92 Mid Bath

Re: Miles per Year?
Reply #16
Picked up my 2011 24FL in March 2011 and now have 48000 miles on her. They are mostly highway miles from coast to coast and all over the "in between."

Lori Y
Lori Y
2011 24FL

Re: Miles per Year?
Reply #17
I bought my 2003 RB 3+ years ago with 70kmi. About 97k now.  Maybe 3kmi 1st year. 17kmi round country trip 2nd year.  Almost 10kmi 3rd year staying in western states.   previous (original) owner put 2/3 of miles on in 1st half of time she owned it.
Jay Carlson
2003  LD RB
2005 Bigfoot 40MH35LX
rvingjaygwynne.wordpress.com

Re: Miles per Year?
Reply #18
For what it's worth, I took the totals of everyone's mileage that reported in.  I obviously have way too much time on my hands!  Here are the results on an Excel spreadsheet.  Thanks to all who participated and keep them coming!

Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264

Re: Miles per Year?
Reply #19
I was hoping you would do this. I am curious, but lazy.

7000 a year is a good bit for an RV.
Paul
'92 Mid Bath