Post by longroads on May 10, 2015 7:46:32 GMT -8
Hello everyone,
I am a 32' 1979 Dutch Craft Conowingo fifth wheel. I haven't moved much in the last couple of years, but the roads have been bumpy that I travelled down. There is no garage that I live in. Instead, I spend 6 months out of my year in dry weather which bring cold nights, and 6 months of the year in wet with the sun blazing. The land was never graded level and I sat without any blocks or jack stands to rest upon. Thankfully, that has all changed. I am finally resting on cinder blocks and it feels great to be on leveled land!![]()
*I forgot to get a photo of my rear, I will put that up later
When I first switched hands, my new friends didn't know much about trailer repair. They were very happy to see a new, pink paint job (which is not so new anymore) and my interior was redone. There were some spots that would need some attention due to water, nothing terrible though. Even though the PO claimed there was no water coming in, I was negotiated and sold for $2,500 instead of $3,500. Jason thought it was such a great deal for a 32' trailer that didn't need much restoration. Now we all wish this was one of those moments that Jason knew how to make a better decision.
To get to the point, 2 years later here we are. A gutted trailer, exactly what the post To ALL NEWBIES (new to trailer restoration) by mobiltec, says not to do. If Jason had only taken a moment to learn that the interior didn't need to be repaired I would have been dry and tight by now.
When I saw the wall above that I decided to gut the entire trailer. This whole back end was floating on a couple of corners that were held together by the skin and maybe a nice piece on a side wall.
Here is some of the work that has happened to me over my lifetime:
-two vents sealed and emergency hatch repaired.
-new vinyl floor.
-part of that new vinyl floor removed.
-drywall over old panels.
-new counter top.
-pink paint job.
-interior panels, insulation removed.
-cabinets removed.
-reframed back wall.
-added and removed awnings built from wood/corrugated metal over the windows that made awful holes in the skin.
-custom made beveled gear to repair landing gear. Leveled on cinder blocks.
-sealed the roof two years ago with elastomeric.
-Sealed the roof last month with All White R200sealer and R400 rubber.
-gooped (caulked) all the windows and the door.
-Started removing all that nasty goop and caulking.
-Removed and reinstalled the rear window with putty tape.
-repaired two broken and leaking vent/ emergency escape
-Rear, street side L rail removed, putty taped, and reinstalled.
There are probably a bunch more of silly things that have happened and can't be explained at the moment. Now, we have spent an extra $2,600 and have mostly an education through mistakes to show for it. We all decided it was time, Jason is going to get his act together and learn the art of restoring trailers. Thank you to everyone on these forums that share their experiences openly with each other. I am grateful for everything I have read, and for all of the advice I know I will receive from everyone here.
In the end, it is going to be a fun, long road we are traveling down.
I am a 32' 1979 Dutch Craft Conowingo fifth wheel. I haven't moved much in the last couple of years, but the roads have been bumpy that I travelled down. There is no garage that I live in. Instead, I spend 6 months out of my year in dry weather which bring cold nights, and 6 months of the year in wet with the sun blazing. The land was never graded level and I sat without any blocks or jack stands to rest upon. Thankfully, that has all changed. I am finally resting on cinder blocks and it feels great to be on leveled land!
*I forgot to get a photo of my rear, I will put that up later
When I first switched hands, my new friends didn't know much about trailer repair. They were very happy to see a new, pink paint job (which is not so new anymore) and my interior was redone. There were some spots that would need some attention due to water, nothing terrible though. Even though the PO claimed there was no water coming in, I was negotiated and sold for $2,500 instead of $3,500. Jason thought it was such a great deal for a 32' trailer that didn't need much restoration. Now we all wish this was one of those moments that Jason knew how to make a better decision.
To get to the point, 2 years later here we are. A gutted trailer, exactly what the post To ALL NEWBIES (new to trailer restoration) by mobiltec, says not to do. If Jason had only taken a moment to learn that the interior didn't need to be repaired I would have been dry and tight by now.
When I saw the wall above that I decided to gut the entire trailer. This whole back end was floating on a couple of corners that were held together by the skin and maybe a nice piece on a side wall.
Here is some of the work that has happened to me over my lifetime:
-two vents sealed and emergency hatch repaired.
-new vinyl floor.
-part of that new vinyl floor removed.
-drywall over old panels.
-new counter top.
-pink paint job.
-interior panels, insulation removed.
-cabinets removed.
-reframed back wall.
-added and removed awnings built from wood/corrugated metal over the windows that made awful holes in the skin.
-custom made beveled gear to repair landing gear. Leveled on cinder blocks.
-sealed the roof two years ago with elastomeric.
-Sealed the roof last month with All White R200sealer and R400 rubber.
-gooped (caulked) all the windows and the door.
-Started removing all that nasty goop and caulking.
-Removed and reinstalled the rear window with putty tape.
-repaired two broken and leaking vent/ emergency escape
-Rear, street side L rail removed, putty taped, and reinstalled.
There are probably a bunch more of silly things that have happened and can't be explained at the moment. Now, we have spent an extra $2,600 and have mostly an education through mistakes to show for it. We all decided it was time, Jason is going to get his act together and learn the art of restoring trailers. Thank you to everyone on these forums that share their experiences openly with each other. I am grateful for everything I have read, and for all of the advice I know I will receive from everyone here.
In the end, it is going to be a fun, long road we are traveling down.
