fixer....walk away or give it a try..1992 kountry aire

[jo1991]

hi to everyone, new to the forum today. topic of discussion...1992 newmar kountry aire. my husband says no project trailer for him...i am still open to bringing her home if she isnt too far gone. we have had one bumper pull that we just sold, 1988 amish built that we ended up having to rebuild the front end due to water damage. sold it and now looking for a 5th wheel for weekend camping, not much pulling it at all. i am not a fan of cheaper built units, so this lady caught my eye and went to view it. since most of the fixing will have to be me, and yes, i am a lady...lol i need some opinions. most of you are dealing with much higher budgets then we are, but we are looking to spend 6000 max, so have been looking at models built in the 90's. so here is what i saw looking her over.
exterior- no waves in sides, one utility cover gone or in the storage underneath, a few rusted exterior utility covers, roof seemed to be ok, ladder was sturdy climbing up, one window was removed and taped up (window was found inside), she had been using an additional window unit, neither slide runs( she says it needs a switch??)bedroom slide not completely tucked in at top, sticks out 1-2 inches. she has siliconed every inch of molding and windows..this is one of my biggest issues..how hard is it to remove lots and lots of silicone and seal everything properly..this is windows and trim pieces.
interior- ugh...first off, cabinetry is nice quality bleached oak, counter tops are good, stool is porcelain, shower is nice, w/d which we would remove. the bones are all good inside. no water damage noticed from top to bottom on any walls, ceilings, cabinets and all window jams. flooring i would remove it all and put in something different, it is nasty. the sliding closet door in bedroom, had one frame that needed mirror replaced, sliding doors in bathroom needed adjusted. mostly cosmetic inside. my biggest reservations are...tubes and tubes of silicone that need to be removed from exterior, i would remove each window and tape them properly. non working slides. switch, maybe..but possibly motors???? ok, here is the finale...i may be able to purchase her for between 3500-4000. whats your thoughts folks??? thanks!!!!!

[Bird_Freak]

waltbennett wrote:
I'm going to take a little different take on this than others have. You say you just left a 1988 TT, so I'm assuming (dangerous) that you've a lot of DYI experience with older units. If so AND you can coerce your hubby into it, IMHO do the following:

Be certain there's no water damage. Inspect the roof thoroughly for cracks, pinholes, etc. Look for stains on the ceiling, walls and hidden places.

Understand that cleaning off all that caulking will take time and patience. It will mostly pull off, but a lot may have to be carefully scraped.

Along with that, all the seals will need replacing. They're available from at least two online RV parts places, but the work involved may be more than you'd want to take on.

Know that most of the appliances may need replacing. Just because they work right now doesn't mean they may quit tomorrow.

Know that you'll most likely have to replace the tires before going even a few miles down the road.

MOST IMPORTANT: Get a good engine mechanic to check out the drive train. You didn't say how long this has been sitting still or when it's last been serviced.

I'd think that given all the risks, you'd be far, far better off getting something that won't become a money pit and never be useful.

Curious as to what running gear the engine mechanic will find in a fifth wheel.

[jerem0621]

OP.... I am like you and don't have a lot of money to spend on a fifth wheel. My last TT cost 4300 and was pretty sound... Tires cost me 700, water heater I installed was 350$, propane regulator and hoses were $100, destroyed awning was $250 (deductible that is), and the little costs where everywhere.

My father has a Triple slide fiver, his slides quit working and it turned out to be a hydraulic pump and it cost him a grand to fix it.

So, let's assume that your new fiver is structurally sound. You will need the following

1) tires and brakes...1000-1500 depending on the need
2) slide work (probably NOT a switch) 500-1000
3) 4-5 rolls of butyl putty- $60 ish
4) new carpet/ flooring. 3-500
5) pack of 50 razor blade for sylicone removal $10
6) new AC- $600-1200 (the window unit is there for a reason)
7) Fifth wheel hitch and rails for the truck 500-1000
😎 custom made replacement access door not ghettofied - $2-500
9) misc things that WILL come up- $1000-1500 on the conservative side

This are guesstiments based on YOU doing everything.

IMHO. Walk away and save your money some more. Or you can score a nicer newer TT with slide for not much more $$ than your budget.

Plus if DH is not on board you will not have very much support...

In the meantime you could take 3-500 from your budget and have a very nice and very comfortable tent camping set up while you save!

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[waltbennett]

I'm going to take a little different take on this than others have. You say you just left a 1988 TT, so I'm assuming (dangerous) that you've a lot of DYI experience with older units. If so AND you can coerce your hubby into it, IMHO do the following:

Be certain there's no water damage. Inspect the roof thoroughly for cracks, pinholes, etc. Look for stains on the ceiling, walls and hidden places.

Understand that cleaning off all that caulking will take time and patience. It will mostly pull off, but a lot may have to be carefully scraped.

Along with that, all the seals will need replacing. They're available from at least two online RV parts places, but the work involved may be more than you'd want to take on.

Know that most of the appliances may need replacing. Just because they work right now doesn't mean they may quit tomorrow.

Know that you'll most likely have to replace the tires before going even a few miles down the road.

MOST IMPORTANT: Get a good engine mechanic to check out the drive train. You didn't say how long this has been sitting still or when it's last been serviced.

I'd think that given all the risks, you'd be far, far better off getting something that won't become a money pit and never be useful.

[MFL]

Like mentioned above, if the owner was just going to give it to you, they would be doing you no favor.

You don't want this one, but don't give up! If you keep looking, you will find one you can actually use, for the money you mentioned.

Most dealers won't allow much for an older trade. If you are patient, you'll find someone with a clean,older trade-in, that would be better off, giving you a bargain, and buying their new one out right.

Good luck,
Jerry

[ScottG]

Welcome!
If your husband doesn't want a "project" then it seems kinda insensitive to bring it home anyway.
Now if it's just you that would have to work on it then it's worth considering. But I think any purchase like this should be agreed upon by both parties.

[MPI_Mallard]

Greene728 wrote:

MPI_Mallard wrote:
"RUN FORREST,,RUN"

^^^ This!!!

Money Pit comes to mind.

The thought of a RV repair guy dashing away in his new Vette with "I gotta' be me" blaring in the dust after sayin' two weeks comes to mind, lol!

[diazr2]

By the time you are finished fixing it up you will have spent more like 17K if you do it right. Shoot the running gear alone could cost you 1k and that's if everything is in working order. If one of the axles are bent forget the one 1k. Tell you what I would do. If the person that owned it wanted to give it to me for free ...... I would think about it ...But not very long.

[Greene728]

MPI_Mallard wrote:
"RUN FORREST,,RUN"

^^^ This!!!

Money Pit comes to mind.

[MPI_Mallard]

"RUN FORREST,,RUN"

[downtheroad]

The $3500 asking price will turn and burn into A LOT more.
Add to that, "My husband says NO project trailer for him."

If you both aren't on board with this project...I'd walk away.

[samsontdog]

I would walk away or rather run !!

[crickeydog]

First: Welcome to the forum.

Second: And remember you, asked!!!

IMHO: If one of you or both are trained master wood craftsmen, also trained in steel & aluminum welding, master plumbers, master electricians, master mechanics to handle the axles and running gear, have a fully enclosed garage to work on this 5'er indoors out of the weather, have a very well stocked tool crib, and have a checkbook with an unlimited bottom, then I'd say go for it and have fun with your new hobby. Otherwise, leave that sucker where she sits and find a new hobby other than RV'ing...or raise your budget significantly. With a budget of $6K for a 5'er, you're not going camping any time soon. You're going to spend your weekends from now till who knows when restoring your new 5'er hobby in hopes to get it on the road some day. Unless you're just dying to buy a hobby, consider taking up hiking or golf. Good luck.

Happy camping!!! See y'all down the road!!!:)