Owning an RV is an adventure—especially when that RV is over two decades old. From mysterious leaks to unexpected breakdowns, every mile brings a new surprise. If you’ve ever considered buying an older RV, this article will give you a look at what you might be signing up for.

In the video below, the hosts walk through every single thing that broke in their 23-year-old rig over a year and a half of ownership. Below, we’ve compiled the highlights—but make sure to watch the full video at the end of the article for all the chaotic details!

1. The Generator Ghosted Us

When they bought the RV, it came with an Onan 4000 generator—aka a “big green giant.” The problem? It barely worked. “It cranked I think one time and turned on, but we didn’t really like it,” they admitted. Instead of fixing it, they ripped it out (with the help of a tractor because that thing weighed 185 pounds). Their solution? A fancy battery and solar setup. Lesson learned: Sometimes, it’s better to just let old tech rest in peace.

2. The Water Heater Had a Secret Code

The original 2002 water heater was a mystery wrapped in an enigma. “It honestly took us a little bit to even figure out how to operate this thing,” they said. Between switches inside, outside, and in the bathroom, it was like playing a game of RV Clue. Eventually, they realized it was wired wrong the whole time. Once fixed, it worked—mostly. Hot take: If your water heater requires a PhD to operate, maybe it’s time for an upgrade.

3. The Engine Needed a $4,000 Hug

Before even hitting the road, they dropped $4,000 on engine and suspension repairs. Why? Because a 23-year-old RV that’s been sitting around is basically a mechanical cry for help. “We wanted to make sure that we were going to be safe and sound going down the road,” they explained. Fun fact: “Safe and sound” is RV code for “please don’t explode.”

4. The Roof Leak Wanted to Be a Showerhead

Nothing says “welcome to RV life” like waking up to water dripping on your face. “I got woken up by water dribbling on me—not what you want,” they recalled. A tiny crack in the roof seal turned their bed into a splash zone. A quick reseal fixed it, but pro tip: If your RV doubles as a water park, you’re doing it wrong.

5. The Starter Went on Strike

In Chattanooga, the RV decided it didn’t feel like starting. “It would crank but it sounded terrible—like a screeching scratching sound,” they said. Diagnosis? A dead starter. Luckily, it was an easy fix, but moral of the story: Always befriend a mechanic or Google—whichever answers faster.

6. The Gas Leak Added Drama to Fuel Stops

Filling up with gas shouldn’t feel like a horror movie, but theirs did. “I noticed that it starts smelling a lot like gas… there was some gas pooling under the RV,” they shared. A dry-rotted fuel line was the culprit. Bonus lesson: If your RV smells like a gas station without the snacks, something’s wrong.

7. The Fridge Vents Gave Up

The fridge vent clips snapped—first one, then the other. “We got away with just using one of them… until the good one snapped off too,” they laughed. A $10 fix, but life advice: If your RV’s parts are held together by hope, order backups.

8. The Motorcycle Rack Had a Bolt Crisis

The rack itself was fine, but the bolts? Not so much. After scraping in a Walmart parking lot (classy), the bolt heads bent and snapped off. Shorter bolts solved the issue, but truth bomb: Walmart parking lots are the final boss for RVs.

9. The Slide Seal Couldn’t Handle the Rain

Their slide seal failed during record rainfall, leading to a week of stuffing towels into gaps. They finally fixed it in the Badlands while getting sunburned to a crisp. Final thought: RV repairs are just extreme camping with tools.

10. The Toilet Was a Zip-Tie Masterpiece

The old toilet was yellowed, broken, and held together by zip ties. “We were like, how are we going to flush the toilet?” Eventually, they upgraded to a porcelain throne. Upgrade verdict: Your bathroom shouldn’t look like a MacGyver episode.

Final Thoughts: Was It Worth It?

Despite the chaos, they don’t regret buying their older RV. “We expected that it was going to have its share of problems… but having the right tools saved us thousands.” If you’re up for the challenge, an older RV can be a rewarding (and hilarious) adventure—just pack a lot of duct tape.