Got it back in... had to wait til the wife came home. I got her to shift the tire block as I rocked the RV to shift it forward a slight amount... played with the axle again and I could feel it, catch and almost go in, but just not quite... tapped it lightly with a block of wood and it popped in perfectly.
:)
And now I can say that I know for sure I made a great deal... a running and driveable 30' RV with all working appliances (maybe not the fridge though, still working on that) with some minor water leaks and damage, delivered 300 km... for $1500.00