So here goes my second time of owning a Bigfoot 11.5 -
We needed an off road capable RV with modern comforts that can haul a 18' trailer with 2 SxS's and do so on a budget.
We started with a Work & Play 38 5er and Dodge 3500 CC CTD- awesome hauler when in the desert but too big for the NW woods. Sold the W&P and got Bigfoot #1, an older 11.5. After getting it 90% done, someone made me an offer on the Dodge I could not pass up (it was a 5.9, 6spd, 4x4 CC), so it was sold. And with no truck, Bigfoot #1 was also sold after the rebuild and never getting used. Wife got a 13 Tundra, and while we did find TC's that would work, the idea of spending that kind of $ for something that will see woods use, just did not sit well. So we got an older Born Free and got it 90% redone - and actually used it this time. Did a good job of hauling but the E350 chassis was scary on logging roads and in the woods.
After lots of though and past experiance it was back to an older Bigfoot and a Crewcab 4x4.
And here the combo we started with:
Another lonely moss green 11.5 ignored in a backyard in the Portland area. It had some missing roof vents, dead fridge, and the typical old Bigfoot issues. But under all the moss and issues was a decent starting point, A/C, - had a title, and the price was right. After several hours to get it out of its hibernation spot; another done deal.
Truck is a 1990 Chevy V3500, Silverado, 7.4 TBI, th400, np205, 4x4 dually with a flatbed. All the power stuff worked, AC was cold, and over rather decent. Also included was a lift kit and sm465 conversion.
We needed an off road capable RV with modern comforts that can haul a 18' trailer with 2 SxS's and do so on a budget.
We started with a Work & Play 38 5er and Dodge 3500 CC CTD- awesome hauler when in the desert but too big for the NW woods. Sold the W&P and got Bigfoot #1, an older 11.5. After getting it 90% done, someone made me an offer on the Dodge I could not pass up (it was a 5.9, 6spd, 4x4 CC), so it was sold. And with no truck, Bigfoot #1 was also sold after the rebuild and never getting used. Wife got a 13 Tundra, and while we did find TC's that would work, the idea of spending that kind of $ for something that will see woods use, just did not sit well. So we got an older Born Free and got it 90% redone - and actually used it this time. Did a good job of hauling but the E350 chassis was scary on logging roads and in the woods.
After lots of though and past experiance it was back to an older Bigfoot and a Crewcab 4x4.
And here the combo we started with:
Another lonely moss green 11.5 ignored in a backyard in the Portland area. It had some missing roof vents, dead fridge, and the typical old Bigfoot issues. But under all the moss and issues was a decent starting point, A/C, - had a title, and the price was right. After several hours to get it out of its hibernation spot; another done deal.
Truck is a 1990 Chevy V3500, Silverado, 7.4 TBI, th400, np205, 4x4 dually with a flatbed. All the power stuff worked, AC was cold, and over rather decent. Also included was a lift kit and sm465 conversion.
So the bulge in the side, which I have seen before on other 1500 11.6's was just the screws coming detached from the inside wood rail?
Reddog1's had a bit of a bulge which was caused by a delam of the inside insulating foam...
Might be able to pick up a used fridge from a rv junk yard if you have one up there... We have a great one here in Sac...
RV Dr. George:
http://rvdoctorgeorge.com/
Jim
Reddog1's had a bit of a bulge which was caused by a delam of the inside insulating foam...
Might be able to pick up a used fridge from a rv junk yard if you have one up there... We have a great one here in Sac...
RV Dr. George:
http://rvdoctorgeorge.com/
Jim
I can't see anything that suggest the TC is any different than mine, other than the color of the decals and outside lights. It appears to be in the same condition mine was in. My BF sat on barrels, under an Oak tree for over 7 years. It looked so bad and covered with moss I thought I would have to paint it. I paid $1000 for it in April 2004, not a clue if the appliances worked.
I lived in it, in my workplace parking lot 4 nights/5 days per week for a little over 5 years. During that time, I made upgrades. The list is so long it would hijack this Thread, but include 12-volt system with AGM battery, Solar, Polar Cub A/C, Stable-Lift, all L.E.D.s and generator. I invested about $10,000 total. I say invested because the alternative would have been about $1000 per month for an apartment.
I lived in it, in my workplace parking lot 4 nights/5 days per week for a little over 5 years. During that time, I made upgrades. The list is so long it would hijack this Thread, but include 12-volt system with AGM battery, Solar, Polar Cub A/C, Stable-Lift, all L.E.D.s and generator. I invested about $10,000 total. I say invested because the alternative would have been about $1000 per month for an apartment.
First order was getting it cleaned up. After a few hours of scrubbing and a gallon on bleach it cleaned up rather well
Bigfoot was moved the barn, got it dried out, cleaned up. Did the mundane maintenance stuff - new poo vent covers, re sealed roof vents, covered fridge vent opening (not sure what I am gonna use for a fridge yet), Re-did the front jack mounts so they're not falling off. Also re drilled and re screwed the sides - typical older Bigfoot issues.
Prior owner cut the side cheeks for a narrower bed - and did not re glass. He did have the pieces, so with some aluminum, Sikaflex, and fat heat rivits, got them back together and sealed up.
Next part was to build a solid and stable flatbed platform. Pulled the flatbed off, shortened it, removed the headache rack, lowered the mounts 3". Since this is a dedicated hauler, decided to fabricate a frame mounted hitch extension into the flatbed.
After a lot of work the Bigfoot is now on the truck properly.
Next step is to finish fabricating the side frames and cargo doors.
Bigfoot was moved the barn, got it dried out, cleaned up. Did the mundane maintenance stuff - new poo vent covers, re sealed roof vents, covered fridge vent opening (not sure what I am gonna use for a fridge yet), Re-did the front jack mounts so they're not falling off. Also re drilled and re screwed the sides - typical older Bigfoot issues.
Prior owner cut the side cheeks for a narrower bed - and did not re glass. He did have the pieces, so with some aluminum, Sikaflex, and fat heat rivits, got them back together and sealed up.
Next part was to build a solid and stable flatbed platform. Pulled the flatbed off, shortened it, removed the headache rack, lowered the mounts 3". Since this is a dedicated hauler, decided to fabricate a frame mounted hitch extension into the flatbed.
After a lot of work the Bigfoot is now on the truck properly.
Next step is to finish fabricating the side frames and cargo doors.
