Forum Discussion

Bionic_Man's avatar
Bionic_Man
Explorer
Oct 31, 2020

Updating 5th Wheel?

I've owned our current 5er since new, bought it way back in 2002. It's been garaged most of it's life, but at nearly 20 years old it is dated. We don't camp nearly as much as we used to, so I have a hard time justifying new RV prices (especially at a quality level similar to what we have now), so we are considering trying to find someone to update/remodel.

The main thing I want done that I really don't want to deal with is removing the carpet and replacing with something like linoleum (at least in the main living area). I found one place in Colorado that remodels RVs, but they quoted $5500 just for the flooring. That price seems high to me, and more than I think I am willing to pay.

I've tried calling a couple of carpet/flooring installers, as well as two RV shops, and neither are interested in the job. Any other suggestions on where to find someone to do at least that amount of work at a more reasonable price? Or am I destined to have to buy something new(er)?
  • That's pretty high. We use United RV Repairhere in Boise Idaho for all our maintenance and updates. Ours is a 2011. We just took ours in to replace all the cheap factory decals with laminated ones. Just to give you some idea of pricing. We paid $1700 for the decals and he's putting them on for $1k - removal of old, buffing surface, and applying new. We may have to do a new roof, he quoted us $4k. Last time we took our rig in for repair and update, he replaced all fenders, new slide out awnings, new slide seals, sealed the skylight, replaced front end of FW lamination with diamond plate, added a WeBoost, inspected all appliances and the system - all for $4500, parts and labor. Last year we replaced our cheap factory awning with an updgraded one and he threw in for free an aluma-guard for it. Great shop, great owner!
  • Do it yourself if you are able. Or hire a handyman. It's not a hard job.
  • If your willing to travel ( or make a trip out of it ) have you considered going out to Indiana area where most are built? There are quite a few shops out there that do this, might be worth a look. Plus there are a lot of touristy things to do.
  • It's not rocket science, watch a couple of YouTube video's and try it yourself. If you screw up, just do it again. I replace my dated flooring with vinyl planking and it looks great. There are a lot of independent floor layers who will do the job. Just ask at any floor dealers like Carpet One.

    Pritch
  • Wow, that RV remodel place must to busy, to quote that high price. I would think that RV dealers could give you a number of someone they use for flooring repairs. I have a friend that is a RV dealer, and he has a flooring guy that comes and does several RVs at a time, right on his lot. He does carpet, linoleum replacement/repair, such as cracked/damaged flooring etc. He said this person charged $400 dollars labor, for small fix/repair jobs, and up for bigger jobs.

    Jerry