5th Wheel purchace help
Hi All, We are looking for advice before we purchase a 5th Wheel. We like the Coachman Brookstone, but have read that the large manufacturers tend to cut corners to put out maximum amount of units...
Forum Discussion
Abby Normal wrote:Let's see... We bought a brand new leftover 2010 model in September of 2011. Since then, I have done the following:Stefonius wrote:LOL...thanks, I needed that! BTW, how long have you had the North Ridge? Sounds like it is holding up well, but what repairs and modifications did you make?
We have a North Ridge, which is the "value brand" sister model to Brookstone (same floor plan, lower-end finishes). I have made quite a few repairs and modifications to the unit over the years to correct deficiencies in construction and design.
The thing that sold us on the unit initially is that the slideouts had an interior height of 6'7". I'm 6'5", and DW doesn't like it when I hit my head on things. She says that I'm not rich or good-looking enough to get away with being stupid, so I need to avoid getting too many head injuries.
- Changed the hinges on the refrigerator from right side to left side. It was previously impossible to open the fridge with the slides in.
- Re-taped all of the A/C ductwork. It had been done sloppily by the factory, and there were air leaks everywhere.
- Connected ductwork in the basement that had not been properly attached, resulting in no heat to the livingroom.
- Recaulked the entire shower, which was leaking onto the bathroom floor. I still have to fix the leaky drain.
- Relocated the water pump and added long loops to the input and output lines to quiet it down.
- Added an accumulator tank to cut down on pump run time.
- Replaced all interior lighting with LED bulbs.
- Added a 12v outlet in the bedroom to power my CPAP while boondocking.
- Added a second battery.
- Permanently installed a 45 degree brass adapter onto the main water inlet. The original straight-in coupling was nearly impossible to use.
- Fixed a set of spread-apart contacts on the fuse that powered lighting in the livingroom slide.
- Added magnetic door stops to bathroom and bedroom doors to keep them open without the need for a wedge.
- Covered the bare chipboard bed base with padding and upholstery vinyl to lend it a more finished appearance.
- Replaced the "Destroyer of Spines" mattress with a 12" memory foam mattress so that I don't walk like Gollum after two nights sleeping in the RV.
I still have to re-do the furnace's HVAC lines, as they're rather poorly done.
