Suggestion fix or sell

I had much the same experience as aruba5 except there were 3 of us. We did not have to take the front off..we did take most screws out except for some near the bottom and this allowed us to move the front back. Do not put new wood under the cap, it should fit in the exact same place. If you let it go under the cap, you will have a hard time getting the roof material back under. FWIW I have read the rubber roof needs to be glued to new wood.
You can do this, good luck.

thomasmnile wrote:


I was dumbfounded when we traded our fifth wheel and the dealer made the trade in offer, sight unseen. When we went to close the sale and pick up our new TT, the sales guy gave our fifth wheel a cursory walk around inside/out, and that was it. I verbally communicated some problems we were aware of, but he seemed not to care.

Exactly my point, the salesman doesn't care and the dealership doesn't care, they will just pass the problem on to some unsuspecting buyer, maybe a 1st time buyer. But the buyer gets hurt and long term it hurts the RV industry.

I had the same problem and to take the cap off. took about 1/2 hour with two guys and 2 drills with a #2 square drive. We cut the rot out, fashioned new pieces,installed them , insulated the whole front end, ( there was NONE) and had it back together in about 5 hours. Assuming 2 guys got on and stayed on the job instead of other jobs in the meantime ( lots of luck having that if you send it out) I would guess somewhere around $900-1000. I did it for the price of caulk, insulation and lunch. $40?

Dayle1 wrote:
Selling a unit without disclosing known issues is basically doing the same thing.

True enough, but I was dumbfounded when we traded our fifth wheel and the dealer made the trade in offer, sight unseen. When we went to close the sale and pick up our new TT, the sales guy gave our fifth wheel a cursory walk around inside/out, and that was it. I verbally communicated some problems we were aware of, but he seemed not to care.

To the OP: if the rot is right at the cap/roof deck "interface" that will likely necessitate pulling the cap to properly repair and seal it. A lot of work, and those caps are bulky and heavy. A DIY project maybe if you have somewhere to work on it, the time, tools, and patience. But, definitely a pricey repair at a dealer.

Your choice..
Tell prospective buyers here is the price the way it is right know and here is price all fixed up. Many will jump on it being able to save money fixing it themselves.

Dayle1 is exactly right. Practice the "golden rule" and everyone will be happier.

If I had this problem with my 5th wheel, I would call a friend of mine who is a carpenter. This is something he could figure out better than me and any rv tech I know. A carpenter or roofer is likely to be able to rebuild or patch it as good as new.

I'd do a little more research on what is required to make the repairs. If it involves removing the front cap, then it will get expensive. Otherwise it may be something you can repair yourself. If you decide to sell, you should honestly disclose the problem to any potential buyer. And, if you do, then that will cost you also, so either way you go the problem may get expensive. My point is many of us complain about poor quality in the RV industry and manufacturers trying to maximize their profits. Selling a unit without disclosing known issues is basically doing the same thing.