Keep or Replace a Roadtrek Versatile With 268K Miles?

[GlennMcG]

I have a 2015 Roadtrek Versatile with 268k miles and 150k miles on new engine. Transmission rebuilt at 70K miles. It is running fine. I have to make a decision to keep it or probably replace the engine, rear end and or transmission in the near future. rather than spend 150k-180k on a replacement that probably tows less than 3500 lbs. All engine transmission and rear end is fine so far. Any thoughts on what I should do- sell it or just replace those components as they fail rather than buy a new RV. The interior leather was replaced with real leather and the paint is very good. I use it to tow 2500-2900 lbs. soaring gliders and camp out at glider races. It works really well for that.

 

[youngnretired]

This is always a tough question that everyone has to answer from time to time, and isn't really specifically related to an RV either.

The question I always ask someone when they ask me this question for a car or truck is if you just went and fixed what you thought may be wrong, how much of a new vehicle would you get for that same money? The answer to that is likely something that is junk and clearly a camper v's a car has a lot more systems in it that could also face the same question sooner or later. The big unknown is if you spend money to fix one item, you will never know what or when the next item that needs to be dealt with will show up.

If reliability hasn't been an issue in the past, then it's probable that it will still be reliable even after various systems would be replaced. If it's been problematic, then maybe that's the deciding factor leaning more towards replacement. If all the systems inside are operating well, that also says something for fixing what needs to be fixed. For fixing things, you can either do it sooner or later, depending on what may happen and where you're at, which nobody ever knows. One breakdown on the road could be fairly expensive and ruin previous plans.

This probably didn't help you, but there is literally nobody on this forum who can give you a specific answer because it's so subjective to your specific conditions and situation.

Personally, I've always defaulted to fixing what I have if it's reliable, I don't dislike the car, or want something different and something that seems like it's got a lot more life in it. But, that's me.

 

[booster]

Interesting history it has. Did you have it the whole time?

Transmission and engine failure were both pretty early at 150 for the engine and 70 for the the trans.

Was the engine truly new as in complete crate motor from GM, or was it a rebuilt that might also have been called a crate motor, or a local rebuilder? At 118 miles the engine if it was new or rebuilt very well with good or better than factory parts should be good for another 100K. Rebuilt engines can be better than the original if done very well, or much worse than original if done by a low end mass rebuilder.

The trans probably had a better torque converter put in it, like a dual disc, to go 200k on a rebuild, and I would say it is probably now nearing another rebuild needed.

The rear axle could be OK if it is a full floating unit, but if it is a semi floater it could be nearly ready to die if it hasn't had work on it in the past.

268K is a lot miles on all the parts of the van, especially since they are near full load capacity all the time, so I would expect increasing repair cost pretty quickly at this mileage.

You don't have to be limited to 3500# towing anymore as the Transits can pull plenty of weight.

 

[Calais]

buy a used one 2-3 years old