Fleetwood Elkhorn Construction

Ended up getting it for $3000. Brought it home last night. Needs some work, but is still in better shape than our Jayco. Thanks for all the advice and information on it.

Steve

Flat roof, no back bumper, short rear skirts, NOT an Elkhorn 9T. Different bathroom configuration- the table angles cut more...just like an LT
Not saying LT a puzzle, the filon also....maybe

pause-yup just looked at the brochure, filon skin on the wood framed Elkhorn LT WAS an option. So that is what it is, an Elkhorn LT 9D, which in '03 was wood framed. For all intent and purposes, features it is an LT. Maybe some one in the past 'upgraded' by trimming the decals.

If al frame corners is what you want, this one is wood.
But otherwise nice for age. That said does need some attention on the nose, some work involved.

My buddy just sold one and a potential buyer found water damage up in the nose and low bid him, he just sold it to the next guy...

https://images.craigslist.org/00G0G_q0xyyoMGNl_1200x900.jpg

Not sure if this will work, but these are from the Craigslist ad for the camper. Just for reference for everyone.

velcro7279 wrote:

That one looks exactly like the one I am looking at, but it doesn't have the LT on the side.

If it doesnt have the LT wonder if mislisted and an Elkhorn 9T? Course last gasps of production could be anything.
The LT I believe did not have rear bumper as standard feature.
Hard to identify- one difference is on the 9T and 9D the refer and pantry positions are swapped. 9D East/west bed standard, N/S optional, E/W not available on the Elkhorn.

Hard to say from here- other than filon that makes it 'possible' it has al frame but cant assume that. 2003 was the last year Fleetwood produced truck campers, shortly after pretty much no support, like it never happened. Last 03 model T/C brochure I could find
https://web.archive.org/web/20030608064036/http://www.fleetwoodrv.com:80/info/qpi.asp?id=46

Aluminum frame, if it has, consists of entire sidewalls and rear wall (4 corners). Sidewalls have perimeter frame (top bottom & plate) and studs (including to end of nose, the one poster was misinformed). Basically 3 walls. The rear wall is framed down to floor level (basement if it has one), sidewalls down to wing (or down to bed rail level. Everything between the sidewalls is wood, across face of nose, under cabover bed, front wall, wings, floor(s), rear skirts and roof. There is a lot of wood. Caribou a bit more structure but mostly amenities, did have al roof rafters.

velcro7279 wrote:
I would assume that the Caribou's and the Elkhorn's are similar.

I strongly believe they are build identical way, with only different options.
TC and trailers, including cargo trailers are like motorcycle choppers.
The so-called "builder" orders suspension parts here, frames there, plumbing in another place and just slap it together.
Looking at other campers it takes me some time to tell the brand without seeing outside logo.
The cabinets are the same, same ovens, sofas, light fixtures.
All outside doors and aluminium bumpers come from probably single in the country manufacturer.
What I found unique on Fletwood is medicine cabinet latch.
Can't find darn replacement and had to modify different design.

SidecarFlip,
Thank you for your insight. I'll see what they will do on price after I shoe them what I would be up against with it. I had to rebuild the right front corner of our Jayco last year. The trim was falling off the front corners because the wood was gone where it screwed on. I kinda saw how that front is a bad area for leaks and rot if not kept up on.

Kayteg1,
Thanks for your info and the pic. I would assume that the Caribou's and the Elkhorn's are similar.

velcro7279 wrote:
It doesn't look like Fleetwood supports these at all anymore, at least on their website. Does anyone know if there is anywhere you can get info on these? How about a way to run the VIN to see what exactly it is?

Sounds like there might be aluminum in the corners where the jacks mount? I had to rebuild two of the corners of my Jayco where the wood rotted and the jacks didn't have anything to fasten to anymore. Figure if that part is aluminum at least those would be secure.

The camper is in OK shape for a Michigan camper. Has a couple places that the fiberglass is de-laminating. Didn't find any damp places inside. The roof does need to be resealed. A lot of the lap seal on the seams has cracks in it. The left front corner has had a leak at some point because the paneling inside is a little soft. That's the only place inside I found that there is damage visible damage. All the appliances and fixtures work well. The owners will take $3500 for it. Has been hard to find one that is what we want that has been stored inside and has no damage at all.

Steve

Click For Full-Size Image.
This is front wall of my Fleetwood and sounds like you are up for the same job.
The metal triangles and 1x6 at very bottom is my reinforcement as the stapled toothpicks with glued hardboard did not give much support. I did that 4 years ago and it is holding.
On this job I replaced horizontal 1x4 that was "supporting" sides and sag 3/4" with 1x6 and added good plywood for shear support.
In 2nd level corners, behind front wood I have 1.5x1.5 aluminium tubing. So the jacks brackets up front go via 1x4 into aluminium, while on the sides straight via siding into aluminium.
But they used wood screws for aluminium attachment, so not much torque can be applied.
Good part is that 2 big machine bolt on each side go via the walls and into angle-liner on the inner side. That clamps whole corner with brackets.
In my case front wood under brackets rotten and even jacks hold with screws in aluminium, they start having a play, with siding buckling around.
Fletwood is orphan now, so nobody to contact.
Frankly, shopping around I did not find better floorplan and only wish for side door.

Typically, the nose area leaks first, even more so if there is a window in the front and that window is set in the camper conventionally (rubber bulb gasket in an aluminum frame). The nose of any camper is a positive pressure area and when it rains, going down the road at say 60, the force is equal to a hurricane like torrential downpour. When they leak (and thsy do if the seals and caulk is neglected), the nose leaks first, either the window area or the roof at the first seam. If it's de-laminating, there is an intrusion issue under the spots it's de-laminating at. Be assured of that. Filon-Fiberglass don't lift without good reason and it's hard to repair. Roll formed aluminum sheathing is much easier.

If the inside paneling is soft, there is something rotten inside and most likely mold and soaked insulation (that is the real culprit in the rot / mold scenario, the batt insulation retains the water and keeps the process on going, one reason I like expanded foam, it don't get soggy.

You don't live far from me and in the same climate I live in. I'd try to obtain a new price on the unit and negotiate from there, pointing out the issues to the seller and explaining the cost of remediation (time and materials) and see where you can go price wise. 3500 bucks isn't a bunch but typically, older, unsupported units aren't worth much because of the potential issues they have and the cost to restore.

I basically sold my 2002 Lance for peanuts. I knew what issues it had and I was very up front with the buyer. I knew what he was up against and what it involved and priced it accordingly. Wasn't out to make a killing. I got my service out of it. and moved on to another unit.

It doesn't look like Fleetwood supports these at all anymore, at least on their website. Does anyone know if there is anywhere you can get info on these? How about a way to run the VIN to see what exactly it is?

Sounds like there might be aluminum in the corners where the jacks mount? I had to rebuild two of the corners of my Jayco where the wood rotted and the jacks didn't have anything to fasten to anymore. Figure if that part is aluminum at least those would be secure.

The camper is in OK shape for a Michigan camper. Has a couple places that the fiberglass is de-laminating. Didn't find any damp places inside. The roof does need to be resealed. A lot of the lap seal on the seams has cracks in it. The left front corner has had a leak at some point because the paneling inside is a little soft. That's the only place inside I found that there is damage visible damage. All the appliances and fixtures work well. The owners will take $3500 for it. Has been hard to find one that is what we want that has been stored inside and has no damage at all.

Steve