I need advice on my totalled yet still beautiful baby.

Is there a reason you don't pull it back into the barn so it doesn't get any wetter? The situation is probably beyond your skill set to fix but the damage, as it is now, can be fixed. In fact, since the only thing damaged is the frame of the pin box and the small area in the bedroom, it isn't an incredibly difficult restoration. Unless I'm missing something, $20K estimate is way off the mark.

Yep. Today its off the hitch setting on the landing gear. Which doesn't look bad today either, but still very wobbly.

Not the same area. No window either.

Wait…so this is what it looked like the other day:



…and this is what it looks like now??



What happened to the buckling? Did it just go back into shape on its own? Is frame damage such that it only buckles the siding like that when the weight is on the pin? WHen it sits on the landing gear and there is no weight on the pin it goes back to normal?

JJBIRISH. What a terrifying read. I may start tent camping. If a tent breaks, u sleep under the stars in ur jammies, get up, throw it away and then buy a new one. These 5ers with lami sides are scary little things. But thank you much for the link. Now I better understand that

Now these photos are from today.

Do a search for cracked 5th wheel frames (or something similar). I think you will see what has happened.

Time to let it go and look for something else!

Edit: I see JJBRISH already linked you the problems!

Westend- histrionic? Nah. But if you noticed in the beginning, I reallllly liked my camper. And I actually cleaned up the interior because I have to unpack the entire camper. And maybe to you it doesnt seem bad......tell my boys how bad it is Not. When something changes your enitire life, it becomes quite a large situation. So thats it.

Rickeoni- I liked the popcorn. I'm trying to learn how to post things like that. HAHA
JJBRISH- as soon as I am done I am going to read. You have been so helpful. I really wish others would learn from you.
TOOBOLD- Ahhhh you understand. Much appreciated. I surely did not come here boasting of my all knowing camper owning self. I simply came for advice.

I was not trying to make light of your situation, my post was aimed at the hostile attitudes of some of the people who inhabit this site. I feel for your plight, but your fiver has many issues that to have repaired exceed the value of the trailer. Hopefully the insurance company comes up with something for you.

TOOBOLD wrote:

toedtoes wrote:

elijahsdream wrote:
JJBRISH....THANK YOU! the shop guy did mention this, but I wasn't going to say anything, as I've been weary of saying much more. Yes the wall deteriorated after setting out. However the shop guy says it is only the outer edge immediately next to the paper. The wood that is behind that is still normal colored with little signs of any damage....minus the blow hole from the outside. He said and I quote" all the wood I've looked at minus the piece right here, shows no signs of water damage."
So now maybe someone can understand why I am so confused. Why it went to hell in a handbasket SO QUICKLY. But I guess it's good that there is pleanty of documentation. But I will let u all know.

Actually someone is wondering why you wouldn't think a broken chassis could be a major cause of why it went to hell in a handbasket so quickly... That's a pretty major point to leave out of the conversation - which is why people keep asking you questions - because what you were telling us wasn't making sense.

Because SHE is a health care professional. She is not an RV nor auto mechanic who is aware of the potential issues with her 5th wheel. She came in for advice and knowledge on an RV forum from experienced members and not to be dogged for posting an honest question. She does not know about industry issues with frame failures.

Are you sure the RV tech didn't tell her that info today when picking up the 5th wheel not when she wrote the post?

I was confused too because the OP stated in her first post, "the wall had exploded. Everywhere." and "everything was wet, the whole interior". I see now, from the pictures and the further explanation, this is localized damage and, IMO is totally repairable. Yes, the cost to have it done is probably more than the total value if done by professionals, The description of the damage was somewhat histrionic.