Forum Discussion

Anderson440's avatar
Anderson440
Explorer
Jun 28, 2019

Free 1996 35’ Gulfstream Innsbrook.. worth it?

Hello, first things first, I AM a carpenter with 12 years experience. Let’s talk about this. I need advice. First camper. I have the chance to get a free 35’ innsbrook in seriously bad shape. The slideout is stuck, Rotted so bad the actual hydraulic ram pulled the wood right off the slideout. I went inside, there is a 2’ hole in the floor that somebody filled with spray foam, and carpeted over. Miserable. It has water leaks in the master bedroom. But heres the kicker - the AC and heat work, and plumbing. I would gut it completely. I would reframe it with metal studs. I can rebuild the slideout, I can put a new roof on, I figure $2,000 and alot of time. I would tile the shower with flexible grout, do it up with real cabinets, is it worth it. It’s sat out with the slide out all winter, it is just straight rotted. Would any of you spend $2,500-3000 on repairing this 35’ Gulfstream? I don’t usually ask, this ones bothering me.
  • GrandpaKip's avatar
    GrandpaKip
    Explorer II
    Jun 28, 2019
    Spend a little time doing up a real estimate of materials and costs, then add 15 -20% for unknowns. A guesstimate on this type of project could be way off.
    That also is a large trailer. You got a truck that can pull it? And is it even pullable?
    I spent over $2500 on converting a 14’ cargo trailer into a camper. And that was mostly just the interior, with a few upgrades to the outside.
  • drsteve's avatar
    drsteve
    Explorer
    Jun 28, 2019
    The more you dig into it, the more damage you'll find. $3K will turn into $6K before you know it, not to mention the time. By giving it away the owner is avoiding having to pay someone to haul it to the scrapyard.
  • schlep1967's avatar
    schlep1967
    Nomad
    Jun 28, 2019
    Have an exit plan, i.e. a way to get rid of it for free. You have the skills needed to do it. The important thing is to have the knowledge to walk away. Get it home and start with a good inspection of frame and running gear. Then start stripping the interior. Do all the demo first. That way all it is costing you is time. Once you actually see what you are up against it is decision time. Use the exit plan or start buying supplies.
    One good exit plan, if the frame and running gear are good, strip it down and make a flat bed trailer out of it. Sell it to somebody looking for something to haul their ATV's on.
  • JRscooby's avatar
    JRscooby
    Explorer II
    Jun 28, 2019
    schlep1967 wrote:
    Have an exit plan, i.e. a way to get rid of it for free. You have the skills needed to do it. The important thing is to have the knowledge to walk away. Get it home and start with a good inspection of frame and running gear. Then start stripping the interior. Do all the demo first. That way all it is costing you is time. Once you actually see what you are up against it is decision time. Use the exit plan or start buying supplies.
    One good exit plan, if the frame and running gear are good, strip it down and make a flat bed trailer out of it. Sell it to somebody looking for something to haul their ATV's on.


    Might want to study that. I tried. After removed all the appliances, unbolted house from frame, towed to dump, pulled house off. Back to shop to start building flatbed. Decided to build frame from jump because without the house there was no stiffness to the frame.

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