New (to us) fifth wheel

[GregK]

We sold our 2003 Coachmen and upgraded to a 2010 Jayco Eagle 351RLSA.

The unit is literally like new inside and out, it even smells new inside.

Just like most people I want this trailer to last as long as possible.

I'll be pulling it with my 2011 Nissan Titan. Haha, just kidding, no I won't. It will be delivered to our seasonal site in May where it will stay for the foreseeable future.

First question - Is there anything we should be aware of that may be a problem down the road with this model?

Second - What do the experts recommend for cleaning and protecting the roof? We are in a treed site and would like to keep the sap etc. from causing any problems. Whatever is best I will do religiously.

Third - Being on a permanent seasonal site up here in Canada, should I be removing the wheels? What's the best way to block it up? Is there anything else you would recommend for a permanent site?

The site is fully serviced and I will be hard plumbing the drain pipe. We will never be using the freshwater tank.

Thanks in advance.

[campincandice]

The weight is on the tires, which are on 2x6's. We use standard white wheel covers also.

[GregK]

campincandice wrote:
You know, we've been seasonals for many years and have never heard of anyone removing their wheels. We keep the tires covered, but would never remove them!

Do you have them blocked off of the ground or are you just chocking them and leaving the weight of the trailer on them?

[campincandice]

You know, we've been seasonals for many years and have never heard of anyone removing their wheels. We keep the tires covered, but would never remove them!

[GregK]

darsben wrote:

To level the trailer we use cinder blocks on railroad ties to try and distribute the weight enough to keep the unit from sinking too much

This is where I get concerned. I've seen some threads that warn of block placement issues. If I'm taking the wheels off I obviously block under the axles as well as where the stabilizer jacks are, but is that it? Nowhere else?

[GregK]

musicman54 wrote:
we dont have seasonal parks here in oregon . so you pay rent year around on them

Where we are it depends on if the park is private or a provincial park. Private parks usually let you leave your trailer on your site year round while provincial parks do not.

The provincial parks actually hold a lottery of sorts and you never know if you're going to get into the same park again next season.

[GregK]

fordsooperdooty wrote:
Congratulations on your "new to you" Jayco! Great choice!
Your Jayco!
Here it is!

Thanks! Ours has the deluxe entertainment and free standing chairs options.

We aren't new to the seasonal site, we've been there for two seasons with the old 2003 Coachmen.

The trailer stays there year round which I think is a big bonus. Taking the wheels off would be best I think.

Thanks to everyone for the advice. We can't wait to get into the new unit this coming spring. 🙂

[SooperDaddy]

Congratulations on your "new to you" Jayco! Great choice! Mine is now 10 years old and the membrane roof material is as new. I went up 2 days ago and resealed everything for the upcoming winter rains, lubed the antenna lift system, and gave it a passing grade!

Dicor makes membrane roofing systems, from their website "Beware of areas where fruit, tree sap, or harsh environmental fallout may stay on the roof for an extended period of time. These conditions may result in permanent stains." And don't use anything that contains any ammount of Petroleum Distillates in it on the roof! Period!

Remove the tires and store them if possible covered away from electrical devices such as pump motors which produce rubber destroying ozone...and moisture which also kills rubber. Use something like 303 Aerospace Protectant...nothing made with a petroleum base.

These jack stands will level your Jayco, support it and keep it stable...use square ABS pads under the jacks to keep them from sinking.Jack Stands

You will love your new Jayco...we've had 7 of them...no problems at all with any of them. Quality thru and thru! Have fun and enjoy it!

Your Jayco!
Here it is!

[musicman54]

we dont have seasonal parks here in oregon . so you pay rent year around on them

[B_O__Plenty]

ScottG wrote:
The best thing you can do for the roof is leave it alone. Cleaning makes them look nice but every time it's cleaned you remove a little of the white protective layer. After that is gone the rubber underneath quickly deteriorates.
It's a commercial roofing product that's meant to be installed and forgot about.

I totally agree! We had a park trailer for 10 years on a seasonal site in MN. It sat outside all year around. Maybe washed it twice in 10 years, never treated it with anything. Checked the caulk annually and touched it up a few times. No problems of any kind. The roof still looked good when we sold it. I think it's best if you just leave them alone.

B.O.

[darsben]

You say you will never use the fresh water tank but are you new to the seasonal place?
I have a seasonal site in the 1000 islands and always have some water in the tank just in case the water goes out. We are on a well and if the power (hydro) goes out we have no well water. This happens once or twice a summer for no more than an hour or two but it sure is nice having water to flush with. We just chlorinate the water heavily.

If you elect to leave the wheels on make sure they are covered but if you intend to leave it on the site permanently take the wheel off and put them in your basement or garage.

You know of course to keep the drains shut specially the black water tank and open it to dump when it starts to get full or before you leave for an extended period (over half full even if you have to add water).

Also make sure water is off each time you leave for more than a day.

Buy vent cover for the vents specially for the winter. Hate to have one break in the winter and find the damage in the spring.
Do not skimp on antifreeze when you winterize the peace of mind on really cold nights is worth the 5-6 dollars extra it costs

To level the trailer we use cinder blocks on railroad ties to try and distribute the weight enough to keep the unit from sinking too much

[ScottG]

The best thing you can do for the roof is leave it alone. Cleaning makes them look nice but every time it's cleaned you remove a little of the white protective layer. After that is gone the rubber underneath quickly deteriorates.
It's a commercial roofing product that's meant to be installed and forgot about.