1999 9.7 1500 series Bigfoot TC

Question

I looked at a 1999 9.7 1500 series Bigfoot TC today and would appreciate any input regarding Bigfoot truck campers. The camper was in average shape for year. Interior looked real good shape and so did the roof. Electric Happi jacs worked properly with remote. Owner who is second owner for 9 years changed all the running lights to led. Everything worked except for gas mode on Dometic fridge. owner says he never used fridge on propane.I had the thermocoupler replaced on my 2004 Lance 815 that I just sold figured this camper may need one too. The cab over seemed real solid with no stains. AC and furnace worked too. Only concern I had was the basement storage slide area when I removed the storage tray the wood on bottom towards the entry access panel was a little dry rot, little weak, no stains about 2 or 3 inches back from panel door. Same for dump valve compartment underneath foil insulation. Is this something I can patch up? DW and I's plan is to keep the TC that we buy till end of 2014 and go to the dark side....a C Class RV.

joe417 · Answer

That's a loaded question. From your description, I wouldn't have an issue with buying it to repair. I haven't found one I couldn't fix, but I've seen several I wouldn't want to fix.

Look at it again and take some pictures. Put them on here and you will probably get plenty of opinions on what you should do about it. You will still have to decide which opinions you want to follow and whether you want to tackle the job.

My last two units had water damage issues when I bought them. I ended up replacing the roof on one and only had to seal the joints on the other. I kept those issues in mind when I made my offer to buy and ended up quite happy with both.

If the damage is as minor as you described and you only want to use it a year, why not seal the leaks, clean up the wood a little, and use it.

By the way, if the damage is only a couple inches inside the two compartments, chances are, the door frames need re-sealing which is an easy job.

Good Luck with it.

tamnative · Answer

I have a 2008 Bigfoot camper and have found it to be of the best quality. However the issue of dry rot in the area that you describe is concerning. There is a panel on the bottom of mine but I don't know if it allows access to the area that you state. That being said, I find it hard to figure on how enough moisture could get there to rot the wood. They are sealed pretty darn good.

billyray50 · Answer

The wood flooring in question is just inside the basement storage access door and dump valve access panel door on bottom directly under entry door. I am supposed to look at it with the Mrs. Friday morning. Also looking at another truck camper Saturday. Will bring camera and post some pics. For a soon to be 15 year old Bigfoot, made in Jan. 1999, it is in pretty good shape and I think owner will take 4500.00 which is low retail and come with scissors steps. Thanks for replies.

gaetan · Answer

Moisture close to the door is about normal rain can penetrate on the doors sides the insulation around them should be changed, if their are no leak signes around the seeling and the walls I
would not let it go. Bigfoots and northernlite second hands are very hard to find and a TC well taken care of is good for a very long time
Gaetan

johnny_g1 · Answer

I would buy it if is reasonable, like they said hard to find in good condition, the happyjacs are not my favorite jack, mine were all junk on my Big foot SB and had to rebearing 3 of them but one is complete scrap, other than that the camper is in perfect condition, 2000 model. Everything works other than a hot water tank I had to replaced because somebody forgot to drain it before I bought it.

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1999 9.7 1500 series Bigfoot TC

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