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New to us Fleetwood Wilderness

chris_gaitan
Explorer
Explorer
We just picked up a new to us travel trailer. It's a 2004 Fleetwood wilderness with single pop out. Front Queen walk around with bunks in the rear. We have always had motorhomes A's & C's but came across a deal that was impossible to pass up. I mean impossible!! Its has been stored at my in-laws for the past 6 years without being used and the owner was looking to unload it. I need to replace the awning fabric because the sun just baked it and of course the tires. We have been cleaning it all up this past weekend since it needed a good cleaning from sitting but it's basically like new. Everything works great and fired up immediately.Forgot The Graphics on the outside are also lifting around the edges but not damage to the structure in any way. Exuse the pics as we are still cleaning things up but here she is.

17 REPLIES 17

FrankShore
Explorer
Explorer
4x4Bob wrote:
If your "new" trailer has been sitting for 6 years, I would suggest that you pull the wheels and repack the wheel bearings. Plus, inspect the brake shoes, springs, and brake magnets. Nothing will ruin your day as when a wheel bearing goes hot and then locks up.

bob

X2 on this!

I wouldn't take it out on the road without repacking the wheel bearings at least!
2014 F-250
2014 Minnie Winnie 2351DKS (Traded In-Burnout-Use A Surge Protector!)
2015 Arctic Fox 22G (Great Trailer But Heavy - Traded In)
2018 Lance 1685 w/ Solar & 4 Seasons Package
1999 Beneteau 461 Oceanis Yacht
En Norski i en Fransk båt - Dette må jeg se!

CaveRun
Explorer
Explorer
chris gaitan wrote:
I need to replace the awning fabric because the sun just baked it and of course the tires.

I just replaced my 4 tires. . I bought them from etrailer.com

Here's the link to the tires I bought.

http://www.etrailer.com/Tires-and-Wheels/Kenda/AM10256.html

They're Load Range D and great tires! . . I have the same brand on my 2013 pontoon.
John 3:16

1996 Hide Away Sun Lite Truck Camper
2003 31' Salem LE Forest River Travel Trailer
2013 Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 18 DLX Pontoon
2002 F-150 SuperCab V-8 4X4
Firestone Air Bags
Homemade Tie Down Mounts
Equal-i-zer WD Hitch

chris_gaitan
Explorer
Explorer
4x4Bob wrote:
If your "new" trailer has been sitting for 6 years, I would suggest that you pull the wheels and repack the wheel bearings. Plus, inspect the brake shoes, springs, and brake magnets. Nothing will ruin your day as when a wheel bearing goes hot and then locks up.

bob[/quotre]

This is also on my to do list. Thanks for the reminder that though. It would be a real bummer to ruin a vacation this way.

CaveRun
Explorer
Explorer
chris gaitan wrote:

Wow that sounds like a great idea. I'm going to roll it all out and see if I can do it. It would be great to get a little use out of it before I have to replace it and it it doesn't work I was going to replace anyway. Thanks so much for the heads up

You're welcome!

Just remember to only roll the awning out about 1' to 1-1/2' to put the duct tape on... If you roll it out too far, You won't be able to reach the damaged area to put the tape on.

I just rolled it out 1' and moved my step ladder down the length of the awning when I put the duct tape on.

The Gorilla duct tape sticks very well!
John 3:16

1996 Hide Away Sun Lite Truck Camper
2003 31' Salem LE Forest River Travel Trailer
2013 Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 18 DLX Pontoon
2002 F-150 SuperCab V-8 4X4
Firestone Air Bags
Homemade Tie Down Mounts
Equal-i-zer WD Hitch

4x4Bob
Explorer
Explorer
If your "new" trailer has been sitting for 6 years, I would suggest that you pull the wheels and repack the wheel bearings. Plus, inspect the brake shoes, springs, and brake magnets. Nothing will ruin your day as when a wheel bearing goes hot and then locks up.

bob
2001 2500 Silverado LS 4x4 6.0, 4.10
2007 Jayco Eagle 288RLS
Cocktails for 6, Dinner for 4, Sleeps 2
--------------------
End of dirt road, no signs in sight, sun going down: I am not lost, just getting ready to go camping.

chris_gaitan
Explorer
Explorer
CaveRun wrote:
chris gaitan wrote:

The fabric where it attaches to the trailer is the part that's damaged.
I'm not even sure I could roll it out without it coming apart. I'm assuming the rest is fine since its been rolled up.

That's what I thought. . . I'm sure the rest is OK too since its been rolled up!

I seen one like that before. The rest of the awning looked new.

You can put ''white Gorilla duct tape'' on it and get several more years out of the awning! . . The awnings are ''double layered'' and most of the time its just the ''top layer'' that is sun baked.

It shouldn't come apart if you rolled it out. . . If it does, You was planning to replace it anyway.

I'd try the white Gorilla duct tape. .Its weather-resistant, withstands moisture, UV rays and sticks very well! . . Also, you can't even notice it on the ''top'' of the awning when it rolled up or rolled out!



Wow that sounds like a great idea. I'm going to roll it all out and see if I can do it. It would be great to get a little use out of it before I have to replace it and it it doesn't work I was going to replace anyway. Thanks so much for the heads up

CaveRun
Explorer
Explorer
chris gaitan wrote:

The fabric where it attaches to the trailer is the part that's damaged.
I'm not even sure I could roll it out without it coming apart. I'm assuming the rest is fine since its been rolled up.

That's what I thought. . . I'm sure the rest is OK too since its been rolled up!

I seen one like that before. The rest of the awning looked new.

You can put ''white Gorilla duct tape'' on it and get several more years out of the awning! . . The awnings are ''double layered'' and most of the time its just the ''top layer'' that is sun baked.

It shouldn't come apart if you rolled it out. . . If it does, You was planning to replace it anyway.

I'd try the white Gorilla duct tape. .Its weather-resistant, withstands moisture, UV rays and sticks very well! . . Also, you can't even notice it on the ''top'' of the awning when it rolled up or rolled out!
John 3:16

1996 Hide Away Sun Lite Truck Camper
2003 31' Salem LE Forest River Travel Trailer
2013 Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 18 DLX Pontoon
2002 F-150 SuperCab V-8 4X4
Firestone Air Bags
Homemade Tie Down Mounts
Equal-i-zer WD Hitch

chris_gaitan
Explorer
Explorer
dadmomh wrote:
Very nice! And ya gotta love a good deal.

I've always wondered when you pass somewhere that there is a great trailer or boat sitting there obviously unused for years.....why? Did they think "someday"? If we found that we hadn't taken Rocky out in a year, pretty sure he'd be getting a new home with someone to care for and enjoy. So you're in for not a lot of $, new tires and awning.....sounds like you reaped the benefits. Enjoy!



Yeah why have it and never use it. Not to say that we constantly use ours but we do every few months. I have a feeling we are going to be finding excuses to take it out here real soon

dadmomh
Explorer
Explorer
Very nice! And ya gotta love a good deal.

I've always wondered when you pass somewhere that there is a great trailer or boat sitting there obviously unused for years.....why? Did they think "someday"? If we found that we hadn't taken Rocky out in a year, pretty sure he'd be getting a new home with someone to care for and enjoy. So you're in for not a lot of $, new tires and awning.....sounds like you reaped the benefits. Enjoy!
Trailerless but still have the spirit

2013 Rockwood Ultra Lite 2604 - new family
2007 Rockwood ROO HTT - new family
2003 Ford F-150
4 doggies - We support Adopt/Rescue.
Sam, you were the best!
Cubbie, Foxy, Biscuit and Lily - all rescues!

chris_gaitan
Explorer
Explorer
Ron3rd wrote:
Very nice find, looks like new! There's posts also on how to replace the awing fabric, not too tough of a job.


Its 32' trailer. The fabric where it attaches to the trailer is the part that's damaged. I'm not even sure I could roll it out without it coming apart. I'm assuming the rest is fine since its been rolled up. Thanks for the kind words

kennyd63
Explorer
Explorer
Boy-

That is one sweet T.T. congrats and happy camping:)
2019 Braxton Creek 24RLS
2010 Forest River Salem 403FB-Destination Trailer
2014 F150 4X4 Crew Cab

Ron3rd
Explorer III
Explorer III
Very nice find, looks like new! There's posts also on how to replace the awing fabric, not too tough of a job.
2016 6.7 CTD 2500 BIG HORN MEGA CAB
2013 Forest River 3001W Windjammer
Equilizer Hitch
Honda EU2000

"I have this plan to live forever; so far my plan is working"

CaveRun
Explorer
Explorer
Nice camper! ... Congrats!

How long is that camper ?

chris gaitan wrote:
I need to replace the awning fabric because the sun just baked it.

Is all of the awning messed up, Or just the end next to the camper when its rolled up ?.... Sound like it is since the camper wasn't used for 6 years.

If its just the end that attaches to the camper, You could put some ''white Gorilla duct tape'' on it.

Just roll the awning out about 1 FT. and use a ladder so you can put the tape on the length of the awning!
John 3:16

1996 Hide Away Sun Lite Truck Camper
2003 31' Salem LE Forest River Travel Trailer
2013 Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 18 DLX Pontoon
2002 F-150 SuperCab V-8 4X4
Firestone Air Bags
Homemade Tie Down Mounts
Equal-i-zer WD Hitch

chris_gaitan
Explorer
Explorer
Ok think I got it figured out.