Buying a known (?) problem
Would you willingly buy an RV with water damage if the price was right? Hubby and I own a 2004 Gulf Stream Class C which has served us faithfully; but now we're pondering going south with our 3 dog...
Forum Discussion
Deb & Ed M,
I googled (2004 Gulf Stream 5th wheel framing) and it clearly shows all wood framing and roof rafters and says so in writing.
Here's a link:
http://www.gulfstreamcoach.com/litarchive/2004/2004ConInnsFloorplans.pdf
Be aware that the water that leaked in didn't just disappear. Water runs downhill all the way to the floor etc and you can be sure it also does in an RV structure. What's worse is that the spun fiberglass insulation in the Gulf Stream you are looking at retains some of that tainted water on it's way down. You'll likely find more rot further down the wall but how bad? Can it be fixed? Sure, depending on what all has been affected and how severe the real damage is. Hopefully, the floor hasn't been compromised or soaked up with rot water as that won't be good at all and will lead to other problems. The water inside the wall certainly will contain the rot/mold spores in it and they will continue to grow in the flooring etc. Also, Gulf Stream used all wood stringers under the flooring that sits on the metal trailer frame. There may be water collected in the floor insulation and it's guaranteed that it WILL mold and rot wood! I'd check it out very carefully and thoroughly.
Tough decision unless the purchase price is "extremely low" and you are willing to take a chance that the trailer is going to be easily repairable. Might make an excellent usable RV for you or could become a real nightmare. Fixed up easily without spending a fortune would likely mean you could always get your total money back out of it and even more after you used it a couple years.
Since you can easily get into a truck to pull with and it will serve several purposes all year around, a pullable with a slide out makes all the commonsense in the world and so much cheaper in the long run.
You live in Michigan just like we do and you only pay a ONE TIME ($200 of less) fee for the lifetime plate registration for as long as you own the non-motorized RV. Add in that your insurance is ultra cheap unlike your motorized Class C. For instance: Our insurance on our 29' Carrilite 5th wheel is a on our vehicles policy: Total RV premimum is $32 per 6 months and has $100 deductible on full coverage and includs trip interuption coverage of $2000 and $1000 on contents over and above our home owners coverage for personal property. Citizens Ins, a Michigan company, bsaed in Howell, MI.
A world of difference having a slideout in and RV when it's your home for a month plus and how well we know. Over our 50 years this year of RV'ing, we've had so many non-slide and slide units in TT's, 5th wheels, class C's, and class A's and the comfort and room difference is huge!
Good luck with your decision!
I googled (2004 Gulf Stream 5th wheel framing) and it clearly shows all wood framing and roof rafters and says so in writing.
Here's a link:
http://www.gulfstreamcoach.com/litarchive/2004/2004ConInnsFloorplans.pdf
Be aware that the water that leaked in didn't just disappear. Water runs downhill all the way to the floor etc and you can be sure it also does in an RV structure. What's worse is that the spun fiberglass insulation in the Gulf Stream you are looking at retains some of that tainted water on it's way down. You'll likely find more rot further down the wall but how bad? Can it be fixed? Sure, depending on what all has been affected and how severe the real damage is. Hopefully, the floor hasn't been compromised or soaked up with rot water as that won't be good at all and will lead to other problems. The water inside the wall certainly will contain the rot/mold spores in it and they will continue to grow in the flooring etc. Also, Gulf Stream used all wood stringers under the flooring that sits on the metal trailer frame. There may be water collected in the floor insulation and it's guaranteed that it WILL mold and rot wood! I'd check it out very carefully and thoroughly.
Tough decision unless the purchase price is "extremely low" and you are willing to take a chance that the trailer is going to be easily repairable. Might make an excellent usable RV for you or could become a real nightmare. Fixed up easily without spending a fortune would likely mean you could always get your total money back out of it and even more after you used it a couple years.
Since you can easily get into a truck to pull with and it will serve several purposes all year around, a pullable with a slide out makes all the commonsense in the world and so much cheaper in the long run.
You live in Michigan just like we do and you only pay a ONE TIME ($200 of less) fee for the lifetime plate registration for as long as you own the non-motorized RV. Add in that your insurance is ultra cheap unlike your motorized Class C. For instance: Our insurance on our 29' Carrilite 5th wheel is a on our vehicles policy: Total RV premimum is $32 per 6 months and has $100 deductible on full coverage and includs trip interuption coverage of $2000 and $1000 on contents over and above our home owners coverage for personal property. Citizens Ins, a Michigan company, bsaed in Howell, MI.
A world of difference having a slideout in and RV when it's your home for a month plus and how well we know. Over our 50 years this year of RV'ing, we've had so many non-slide and slide units in TT's, 5th wheels, class C's, and class A's and the comfort and room difference is huge!
Good luck with your decision!
