How many jumps can typically be put onto a rig?

[stiles9 0]

I am looking to buy a rig and am trying to decided if it's worth it to buy new or not. I found one that would fit and all that but has 1,200 jumps on it from 2007. How many jumps can typically be put onto a rig before it starts becoming dangerous?

[davelepka 4]

It all depends on the care and maintenance, but keep in mind that rigs (in the US) are inspected and repacked every 6 months by an FAA rigger. If anything looks less than 100%, they will either repair the rig, or decline to repack the reserve.

With that said, a harness/container can go 2000 jumps no problem, most likely more. Canopies are about the same, but all need regular maintenance to operate properly.

Also, keep in mind that jumps on a rig are like miles on a car. High miles are OK, but they certainly lower the value of the car, and rigs are the same. You can buy gear with a ton of jumps, just make sure the price takes those jump into account.

If this is a first rig, try to spend as little as possible. Your first few hundred jumps will have a steep learning curve, the the gear you want will change more during those jumps than they will in the 1000 jumps to follow. If you buy a new rig and try to sell it with 100 jumps, you're going to lose $1000's on the resale. If you buy a used rig at a fair price, you can typically sell it for most of what you bought it for after 100 jumps.

A brand new rig might run you $6000, and that rig with 100 jumps on it might sell for $4500 or $5000. A used rig with 500 jumps on it might run you $3000, and that same rig with 600 jumps should sell for about $3000 (maybe $2900, maybe $3100, who knows).

Whatever happens, don't buy any used gear without having it inspected by a rigger. Some sellers will ship gear to a rigger for an inspection without being paid for the gear, and some will not. If a seller will not, make sure it's understood that you can return it within a week (without jumping it) so your rigger can inspect it. Shipping charges back and forth are usually split between buyer and seller.

[beowulf 1]

Just to emphasize, make sure you have it checked out by a rigger you trust. That said 1200 jumps on a container made in 2007 should not be any where near it's end of life. If it's well taken care of you could put another 1000 jumps on it.

[Ron 7]

I easily have 2k jumps on one of my rigs. Other than not being shinny looking, it works fine.

But there are things to look for in a used rig, have a rigger that you trust look at ANY used gear before you buy it.

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

[stiles9 0]

So for 1,200 jumps on the container (wings) and 1 ride on a PD reserve, and it's been well taken care of and had the main PC and risers replaced within the last 200 jumps, how much should it roughly cost? (Thats just for the container and reserve)

[linestretch 0]

agreed with what everyone's said. Take into account where it's been jumped most of it's life. My container has 3500 jumps on it and is in great shape. But I jump mostly in the northwest and take very good care of my gear.

my pics & stuff!

[riggerrob 558]

It also depends WHERE you jump.
If you jump in grassland (e.g. Wisconsin), pack inside, on carpet, etc. you might get 3,000 jumps on a canopy and 6,000 jumps on a harness/container.
But jumping in the sandy/salty soil of Southern California might limit the life to 1,000 jumps.

[davelepka 4]

Quote

So for 1,200 jumps on the container (wings) and 1 ride on a PD reserve, and it's been well taken care of and had the main PC and risers replaced within the last 200 jumps, how much should it roughly cost? (Thats just for the container and reserve)

Again, it's all a matter of how it was taken care of, and as others mentioned, where it was jumped. In 'average' condition, I would guess around $1500/$1600. If it's exceptionally clean, maybe a couple hundred more, if it's been 'ridden hard' maybe a couple hundred less, all of the above assuming that a rigger inspects it and deems it airworthy.

One thing to keep in mind is the cost of any repairs needed. If the rigger says it need $200 worth of work to be A-OK, tell the seller and get that knocked off the price. The new PC and risers are a good start, as those are 'wear items' that need to be replaced from time to time.

Overall, the 'market value' is one thing, and the value to you is another. There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a rig, it needs to fit you and an appropriate main and reserve (ideally, you also won't find it replusive to look at). With this in mind, sometime finding a 'suitable' used rig can be a trick. If you find one that is 'just right' for you, don't be afraid to pay a little extra to get it if need be. There's value in getting a rig and being able to jump it now as opposed to renting gear for another month while you keep looking. It's better to spend that rental money on a rig and get to jump your own stuff than to keep renting and searching for a 'deal'.