SettingOutSoon wrote:
I am looking to buy an inexpensive (<$35k) 5th Wheel, gut it and build exactly what I want for full-time living. I've rehabbed many houses, but never an RV. (I've read the RV Consumer Group reviews, and I'm aware of which brands are top-rated.)
I am mainly concerned with the chassis/suspension, reliability of slide outs (!) and plumbing and electrical (I want to add solar). I plan to have extensive work done to the roof for a rooftop deck, I want to replace all interior wall and floor coverings and I don't plan to winter up north.
If this were a house, I would not worry about the floorplan... I'd reconfigure and move electrical and plumbing, as needed. But are my options going to be very limited in moving a large holding tank if I move a kitchen or bath... or accessing wiring in a factory-laminated wall?
Knowing that I will put significant money into the rehab, what solid, affordable, used models would you recommend? All advice appreciated!
Whoa...
I think you need to take a huge step back and think twice about this venture.
Rehabing RVs is nothing like rehabing a stick and brick home.
Stick and bricks gain value and rehabing tends to increase the value when done correctly and not over done.
RVs, well lets say think of it like a huge toilet, insert money and flush.
So I would caution you about flushing up to $35K away in buying and rehabing a RV, especially if you are thinking of "flipping" it. Even if you are not flipping you will be spending a lot of time and money on the project.
I would recommend looking for something from 1980s-1990s, should be able to find one for $1K or less.
Then gut away.
My current 1984 TT I paid $700 for it, very rotted, dead fridge. Spent 3.5 years gutting and rebuilding it. Countless hrs working on it EVERY evening PLUS weekends. I didn't add up all the receipts but I can tell you I spent at least $5K just for the materials alone.
In the end I still have nearly a 30 yr old TT which is worth perhaps $1K due to the AGE of the trailer.
We didn't buy it to flip but to make it the way we wanted it. But even this can be an issue, someone else may not "like" what you did to it.
Even if you bought a newer trailer the value is BASED off the AGE and the AGE will affect potential resale.
