Rebuilding a 5th wheel from the frame up.

[meinook]

I bought a pretty cheap 32' toy hauler last summer and found a lot of water damage (rot, mold, mildew and smell). After getting into it I've decided to only way to completely rid the smell is to rebuild the entire thing from the metal frame up. Building what we want is more important than cost as this is a keeper trailer. So if it takes 2-3 years so be it.

I'd like a place to document the journey where people will be interested, answer questions, make suggestions, discuss options and most importantly NOT flame me for taking this on. I just want to share my project with others. And, with my "jack of all trades master of none" history, this is going to be pretty easy.

So, is there any interest in this here?

Blog started: Rebuild blog

[Halmfamily]

That's scary there's no wood under the aluminum siding.

[meinook]

Haven't had time to research the blog due to pushing to get the design done. Here's what I have so far.


Still need to model appliances so I can place vents, windows and door. In the mean time, I'm researching prices on the web.

As far a the dismantle:


Hoping to be to frame by the weekend after the 4th.

With a good plan the shell should come together pretty quickly.

[BobsYourUncle]

meinook wrote:

Stefonius wrote:
If you start this project up, please post a link so I can follow the progress!

It's started. I'm just trying to figure out should I blog it or post it here. I'll probably blog it but I need to learn how to do that.

I vote for the blog. It's a lot easier to keep a common location for all the info in one place. Then you can put a link to it in your sig for all to see. That's what I did and it worked well.
When I did my TT Rebuild I started my own website and posted the various pages and pics, the ones I linked to a copy of earlier in this thread that were posted by another site.
You could post it here but it's a lot harder to follow when it's punctuated with posts in between the rebuild info.

[meinook]

Stefonius wrote:
If you start this project up, please post a link so I can follow the progress!

It's started. I'm just trying to figure out should I blog it or post it here. I'll probably blog it but I need to learn how to do that.

[Stefonius]

If you start this project up, please post a link so I can follow the progress!

[meinook]

free radical wrote:

I like watching builds of all kinds,,there are quite a few on YT also if you need any ideas..
I would sugest if replacing any plywood use Exterior rated one!!
Next time should any leaks happen it wont get easily rotted..

Good idea. I'm actually thinking of, once the roof, exterior walls and siding are up, spraying the interior with Thompson's water seal before installing wiring, insulation and panels. The wall and ceiling panels will remain bare so if there is a leak they will show it first.

[free_radical]

meinook wrote:
I bought a pretty cheap 32' toy hauler last summer and found a lot of water damage (rot, mold, mildew and smell). After getting into it I've decided to only way to completely rid the smell is to rebuild the entire thing from the metal frame up. Building what we want is more important than cost as this is a keeper trailer. So if it takes 2-3 years so be it.

I'd like a place to document the journey where people will be interested, answer questions, make suggestions, discuss options and most importantly NOT flame me for taking this on. I just want to share my project with others. And, with my "jack of all trades master of none" history, this is going to be pretty easy.

So, is there any interest in this here?

I like watching builds of all kinds,,there are quite a few on YT also if you need any ideas..
I would sugest if replacing any plywood use Exterior rated one!!
Next time should any leaks happen it wont get easily rotted..

[femailyetti]

Pick a spot and start hacking, OCD it to death. have a large pile of money for when the What the ???? happens, Have fun, post it for all to see, get the fridge running as the rum and cold beer are going to help.

[Bruce_Brown]

I rebuilt a TT a few years back. I have about 400 hours in it - thats not a typo - 400, 395 of them were an absolute blast.

It is pretty easy work, just time consuming, but I sure enjoyed it. Have fun with it and feel free to ask any questions.

[meinook]

This is what I saw/bought:






Not bad really. BUT, this is what I found:

[BobsYourUncle]

I found that link for you:

Bobs TT Rebuild

[BobsYourUncle]

First, welcome to the forum! 🙂
I see you just joined a couple days ago.

Your proposed project is definitely doable. I did exactly the same thing with a TT. Took a while but I got it substantially done before a divorce situation forced me to sell it before I finished it.

However, it was a great experience. I took it right down to the fame, replaced every single piece of wood in all the walls, and almost all the floor joists. I designed and built a complete new roof for it and much more.

The single biggest thing I will encourage you to do is learn and understand how these things are built. In order to build new walls and build a new floor, the entire unit must be completely gutted. I can certainly detail more if you want.

I built a website where I had the entire project posted in pictures and descriptions, but unfortunately that site no longer exists.
I was approached by somebody once and asked permission to copy and use my material for their own RV site, which I did.

I'll dig up the link and post it here for you.

Good luck! It's a huge undertaking!! :B

[nineoaks2004]

I did this with an old motorhome years ago, we drove it home with 2X4's holding the roof up, took almost a year to rebuild from the frame up all new appliances etc.used it awhile and finally gave it to a friends Daughter as it did not suit my needs. It was fun to do and expensive, but rewarding. I had a friend that ran an RV recycle shop so I got all the appliances etc. at his cost so I saved bunches of money. Good luck on your project.

[westend]

There is a 36 page thread linked to in my signature line, "the Cowboy/Hilton". It describes renovation of a travel trailer from the frame up (although I kept walls, floor, and roof). This Forum has an application for picture sharing--Photoposting. It works well.

Good luck on your 5'er build. You'll be able to make it anything you want!

[meinook]

Snowman9000 wrote:
I'm sure we'd like to see it here. Although you will get unsolicited advice. Most will be useful.

You can sign up for a free blog at wordpress.com. You will have total control over comments etc. It'd be a great place to put it up for anyone to see.

I think I'll look into this. The post above you proves the fact you two make about a blog. Thanks.