Fifth wheel with water damage

[Xandrew245x]

Hello everyone, I'm looking at trading for a 2001 Yellowstone fifth wheel with three slides. Two of the slides at water leaks. The current owner took the ceiling panels out of the leaking slides and also removed all the flooring.

He said there isn't any structural damage due to the water, just cosmetic. I'm very handy and can work on just about everything. Should I steer clear or does it sound repairable?

[blantonmr]

I have a ways to go still along with chair rail to hide my half wall repair.
I know that I didn't do everything by the book and I'm sure I will hear about it on here from some folks but it works for me.

http://imgur.com/a/CRR2n

[blantonmr]

I bought a Gulfstream Yellowstone Capri XL 35ft 5th wheel with 3 slides about 5 years ago. I lived in it for 4 years while working out of state. It was in fair shape when I bought it but had water damage from leaking windows and around 50 amp power supply plug on exterior wall. I am just now getting around to fixing it. I am on a budget so fixing it best way I know how and that I can afford. Here is a link to some of the damage and repairs. My first time to ever work on an rv. Not very difficult at all. My trailer has aluminum wall studs.

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/28782393.cfm

Good luck!
Mike

[RVguy77]

I can be fixable. Composet Products offers a kit that is really good and easy to use

[Lwiddis]

"...not sure I want a camper that big anyways."

Size should be dictated by where you want to camp (many state and federal campgrounds limit your size) and how comfortable you are towing a big boy.

Don't buy a TT until you know where you want to camp...don't by a TV until you have bought or decided on a TT. If you already have the TV, buy a TT that can be safely be handled by your TV...wet and loaded, not dry.

[Xandrew245x]

I'm going to pass on it, not sure I want a camper that big anyways.

[Tyler0215]

Yes it can be fixed, and yes it will be a BIG job. Twice as long and twice as much money as you first think. But when you are done it will be better than new.

[Jayco-noslide]

Water seems one of the worst enemies of RV's. Knowing what I know now after quite a few trailers, 5th wheel and a MH, I would avoid any with signs of water leakage or outer delamination. However, if you are very handy, expect the worse and get a VERY good price it might work.

[n7bsn]

What Don said
I've rebuilt RVs with rot damage, as IBcarguy notes, these are always bigger projects
I wouldn't pay him $2500 plus a vehicle. I might pay $250

[donn0128]

In that old the frame work including the slides will likely be wood. To properly fix a slode room requires taking the slide room out, placing it on a firm foundation to work on. Without a large enclosed work shop and a fork lift this could turn into a giant waste of money. Even if you can fix it and it looks good, at the end of the day it will never be worth what its going to cost you.

[Lwiddis]

Being handy doesn't qualify you, or me, to determine the structural issues regarding these slides. Let a pro inspect it. Your house doesn't roll down the highway at 55 or take bumpy roads into campsights.

[md_procouple]

Like every one else says... Have it checked out first by the pro's. Then you know what you are facing if you choose to buy and repair. Good Luck and Happy Camping !!

[Xandrew245x]

He's asking 2500 and I'm trading him an older car for it. I'm going to go look at it this weekend and see what it really looks like.

I have remodeled just about my entire house on my own so I'm fairly capable at fixing it.

[IBcarguy]

These kind of things always turn out to be a much bigger project than you think.

[MarkTwain]

BB_TX wrote:
Depends on the price, and how handy you are, and how big a task you want to take on. I would not take his word about damage though. A thorough inspection would be in order.

X1, I would also open the slides and use a water hose all around and over the slide checking for any leaks. I would also consider taking the 5th wheel into an RV shop that you trust and have used in the past to let them check it out. If any damage is discovered by the shop, I would deduct the cost of fixing any damage from the asking price.