Forum Discussion

chris_gaitan's avatar
chris_gaitan
Explorer
Aug 27, 2014

New to us Fleetwood Wilderness

We just picked up a new to us travel trailer. It's a 2004 Fleetwood wilderness with single pop out. Front Queen walk around with bunks in the rear. We have always had motorhomes A's & C's but came across a deal that was impossible to pass up. I mean impossible!! Its has been stored at my in-laws for the past 6 years without being used and the owner was looking to unload it. I need to replace the awning fabric because the sun just baked it and of course the tires. We have been cleaning it all up this past weekend since it needed a good cleaning from sitting but it's basically like new. Everything works great and fired up immediately.Forgot The Graphics on the outside are also lifting around the edges but not damage to the structure in any way. Exuse the pics as we are still cleaning things up but here she is.

  • chris gaitan wrote:

    The fabric where it attaches to the trailer is the part that's damaged.
    I'm not even sure I could roll it out without it coming apart. I'm assuming the rest is fine since its been rolled up.

    That's what I thought. . . I'm sure the rest is OK too since its been rolled up!

    I seen one like that before. The rest of the awning looked new.

    You can put ''white Gorilla duct tape'' on it and get several more years out of the awning! . . The awnings are ''double layered'' and most of the time its just the ''top layer'' that is sun baked.

    It shouldn't come apart if you rolled it out. . . If it does, You was planning to replace it anyway.

    I'd try the white Gorilla duct tape. .Its weather-resistant, withstands moisture, UV rays and sticks very well! . . Also, you can't even notice it on the ''top'' of the awning when it rolled up or rolled out!
  • CaveRun wrote:
    chris gaitan wrote:

    The fabric where it attaches to the trailer is the part that's damaged.
    I'm not even sure I could roll it out without it coming apart. I'm assuming the rest is fine since its been rolled up.

    That's what I thought. . . I'm sure the rest is OK too since its been rolled up!

    I seen one like that before. The rest of the awning looked new.

    You can put ''white Gorilla duct tape'' on it and get several more years out of the awning! . . The awnings are ''double layered'' and most of the time its just the ''top layer'' that is sun baked.

    It shouldn't come apart if you rolled it out. . . If it does, You was planning to replace it anyway.

    I'd try the white Gorilla duct tape. .Its weather-resistant, withstands moisture, UV rays and sticks very well! . . Also, you can't even notice it on the ''top'' of the awning when it rolled up or rolled out!



    Wow that sounds like a great idea. I'm going to roll it all out and see if I can do it. It would be great to get a little use out of it before I have to replace it and it it doesn't work I was going to replace anyway. Thanks so much for the heads up
  • If your "new" trailer has been sitting for 6 years, I would suggest that you pull the wheels and repack the wheel bearings. Plus, inspect the brake shoes, springs, and brake magnets. Nothing will ruin your day as when a wheel bearing goes hot and then locks up.

    bob
  • chris gaitan wrote:

    Wow that sounds like a great idea. I'm going to roll it all out and see if I can do it. It would be great to get a little use out of it before I have to replace it and it it doesn't work I was going to replace anyway. Thanks so much for the heads up

    You're welcome!

    Just remember to only roll the awning out about 1' to 1-1/2' to put the duct tape on... If you roll it out too far, You won't be able to reach the damaged area to put the tape on.

    I just rolled it out 1' and moved my step ladder down the length of the awning when I put the duct tape on.

    The Gorilla duct tape sticks very well!
  • 4x4Bob wrote:
    If your "new" trailer has been sitting for 6 years, I would suggest that you pull the wheels and repack the wheel bearings. Plus, inspect the brake shoes, springs, and brake magnets. Nothing will ruin your day as when a wheel bearing goes hot and then locks up.

    bob[/quotre]

    This is also on my to do list. Thanks for the reminder that though. It would be a real bummer to ruin a vacation this way.
  • chris gaitan wrote:
    I need to replace the awning fabric because the sun just baked it and of course the tires.

    I just replaced my 4 tires. . I bought them from etrailer.com

    Here's the link to the tires I bought.

    http://www.etrailer.com/Tires-and-Wheels/Kenda/AM10256.html

    They're Load Range D and great tires! . . I have the same brand on my 2013 pontoon.
  • 4x4Bob wrote:
    If your "new" trailer has been sitting for 6 years, I would suggest that you pull the wheels and repack the wheel bearings. Plus, inspect the brake shoes, springs, and brake magnets. Nothing will ruin your day as when a wheel bearing goes hot and then locks up.

    bob

    X2 on this!

    I wouldn't take it out on the road without repacking the wheel bearings at least!