Forum Discussion

BurbMan's avatar
BurbMan
Explorer II
Feb 27, 2019

How bad is this?

Have been RVing for years and have undertaken extensive repairs on my TT to remediate water leaks.

I know in general how RVs are constructed and am not afraid of tearing into them for repairs, but don't know much about truck campers per se. DW and I have been contemplating selling the TT and getting a TC or Class C, and this one popped up.

This is a 2001 Lance camper with a slide, dry inside, but the RF corner where the jack goes is shot. It's sitting on cinder blocks and not sure how to get it on a truck to move it.

We were looking for a project, but am concerned about the fiberglas buckled on the opposite corner....it this a major structural damage?

The price is right, what are your thoughts?

This is the RF corner where the jack attaches




Here is the other side


Truck Campers
  • burningman's avatar
    burningman
    Explorer II
    Mar 03, 2019
    Kayteg1 wrote:
    burningman wrote:

    You’ll wonder how you would ever have accomplished the cuts it can do, in the places it can do them.


    I have good memory. Couple of those



    I’ve done that... it can’t begin to do the cuts one of those oscillating saws will.
    I also bought it to do those undercuts on trim and door jambs for new flooring.
    Turned out to be a wonder tool, lack of which explains why no life other planets has been found.
  • BurbMan's avatar
    BurbMan
    Explorer II
    Mar 03, 2019
    No kidding, this has been my "go-to tool" for about 5 years now. I originally bought it to undercut door casings for installing tile and hardwood floors, but it did prove to be real handy on the last TT repair project.

    My only complaint is that blades are expensive!
  • Kayteg1's avatar
    Kayteg1
    Explorer II
    Mar 03, 2019
    burningman wrote:

    You’ll wonder how you would ever have accomplished the cuts it can do, in the places it can do them.


    I have good memory. Couple of those

  • burningman's avatar
    burningman
    Explorer II
    Mar 03, 2019
    Yes!! And both DeWalt and Milwaukee make cordless versions.
    You’ll wonder how you would ever have accomplished the cuts it can do, in the places it can do them.
  • burningman's avatar
    burningman
    Explorer II
    Mar 02, 2019
    I figured it to be an 8-footer because you could see under the sides of it all the way out the back, no rear overhang that covers the truck taillights.
    If you had any 3/4 ton pickup you could carry that without issue.
    You might want to just get an “overkill” one ton dually anyway and here’s why.
    It would be absolutely effortless to haul that, it would drive like there’s nuthin’ to see here folks.
    And also... the 8 gallon holding tanks!! What?? You’ll get tired of that soon enough and will likely end up wanting a bigger camper. If you buy a stout truck the first time, you can do whatever you want.
    The extra width makes no difference because the camper is as wide as a dually pickup anyway.
  • d3500ram's avatar
    d3500ram
    Explorer III
    Mar 02, 2019
    BurbMan wrote:
    ... but I didn't see anything that would indicate it's too far gone to save. ...

    Perhaps keep in mind that if along the way that something comes up you could always permanently mount it on a trailer to use it if the stuff inside works but you determine something else gives you pause.
  • Kayteg1's avatar
    Kayteg1
    Explorer II
    Mar 02, 2019
    I had partial delamination on my Fleetwood and it is repairable if you can fold the outer sheet out and plywood behind is not badly rotten.
    Using liquid nails, you zigzag the glue on the panels and press it back.
    Pressing is tricky as you need to push big surface.
    I had my camper park between house and masonry fence on other side, what gave me good support for pushing sticks. Used 2x12 planks to push as blocks for flat surfaces.
    So if you avoid new siding purchase, the repair can be done in less than $100 material cost.
  • jimh406's avatar
    jimh406
    Explorer III
    Mar 02, 2019
    BurbMan wrote:
    Good news is it's 100% camper, I don't have to worry about axles, suspension, brakes and tires like I do on the TT.


    But, it has jacks, you’ll need tiedowns, tiedown mounts, etc. The appliances may or may not work which includes furnace, water heater, stove, power converter, refrigerator.

    Did you discuss the delamination with him? I think the normal fix is to replace the entire wall. That’s going to take some time.

    Your estimate is $2000, but it might be off. If it ends up being twice that, are you still good with it.
  • opnspaces's avatar
    opnspaces
    Navigator II
    Mar 02, 2019
    In my area Home Depot rents a flatbed pickup for I think $75 a day. If you have something like that in your area it might work. Well providing the bed isn't too high.

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