5th wheel trailer vs class A motorhome- advice please

[billybek]

Have a good look at the tires. Trailer tires seem to age out quickly and the piece of mind knowing they are new is well worth the cost.
Do the wheel bearings and seals. I see a few trailers every year at the side of the road with smoking bearings. I have done mine every year and wondered if it was really necessary. This year, I didn't do them in the spring but did them half way through the camping season. I was surprised that the out board bearings were getting pretty thin on grease. Good opportunity to check the brakes too.
Sounds like a good purchase! Happy wife.......

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by billybek

Have a good look at the tires. Trailer tires seem to age out quickly and the piece of mind knowing they are new is well worth the cost.
Do the wheel bearings and seals. I see a few trailers every year at the side of the road with smoking bearings. I have done mine every year and wondered if it was really necessary. This year, I didn't do them in the spring but did them half way through the camping season. I was surprised that the out board bearings were getting pretty thin on grease. Good opportunity to check the brakes too.
Sounds like a good purchase! Happy wife.......

All valid points . A quick visual of the four tires says good tread and no sidewall checking . But I didn't look at date codes . I will but I went into the purchase with the mindset I will replace the four . The spare is under a cover but will look at that also .

After towing 2 hours to the storage facility I placed my hand on the lug nut area of all 4 wheels . No excessive heat was felt and no burning smell . Not scientific but a quick data point . When I get it home and under cover a deep dive into standard maintenance will take place . For now we will do some short distance fall camping to get our feet wet . It's been a looong time since Sue and I have been camping but it's like riding a bike.

I don't know if this is a standard feature on all RV's but this has drain valves under the camper to drain hot/cold water lines and the water heater . Nice feature but I will probably still add some RV antifreeze to be extra cautious . And the plumbing is color coded Pex which is nice also . I helped my parents over the years when camping in various travel trailers they owned so the basic knowledge is still there . But with age a little fuzzy

[rfuerst911sc]

Between our internet being basically two dixie cups and string and a laptop in a death spiral I managed to resize two pics . Will try to add more but it is slow going here .

[911boost]

I would use those drains to blow the system out, that’s what I have always done. I am not a fan of the antifreeze.

[911 Rod]

This is what my spare trailer tire looked like when I took the cover off. It now resides in my garage when I'm not towing.

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by 911boost

I would use those drains to blow the system out, that’s what I have always done. I am not a fan of the antifreeze.

So how do you do this ?

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

This is what my spare trailer tire looked like when I took the cover off. It now resides in my garage when I'm not towing.

Wow that is an ugly spare tire !!! Good thing you found that before needing it .

[billybek]

Is this it?

[jhynesrockmtn]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

So how do you do this ?

On my old class c, I bought an adapter that fits the hose water inlet. It's for using a compressor to push air through. The same as you do a sprinkler blow out. You have to be careful not to blow the pipes out with too much pressure. The problem is you still have water in the drain elbows so you still use a bit of anti freeze down the drains.



On my Lance, the system has a factory bypass for the fresh water tank and hot water tank so when you use the antifreeze, it doesn't enter those tanks. The one on the fresh water tank has a hose to stick into the gallon rv antifreeze jug and then the water pump does the work. Open each sink/shower valve and let some run. It then enters the drains as well. Easy.

Great looking set up! I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by billybek

Is this it?

Yep that's it , the video title says Winnebago but it is a Heartland Sundance . I learned a thing or two so thanks for posting .

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by jhynesrockmtn

On my old class c, I bought an adapter that fits the hose water inlet. It's for using a compressor to push air through. The same as you do a sprinkler blow out. You have to be careful not to blow the pipes out with too much pressure. The problem is you still have water in the drain elbows so you still use a bit of anti freeze down the drains.



On my Lance, the system has a factory bypass for the fresh water tank and hot water tank so when you use the antifreeze, it doesn't enter those tanks. The one on the fresh water tank has a hose to stick into the gallon rv antifreeze jug and then the water pump does the work. Open each sink/shower valve and let some run. It then enters the drains as well. Easy.

Great looking set up! I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

I didn't know such a fitting existed , learn something new every day . Is 30 - 40 psi sufficient ? And thanks for the kind words on the camper .

[rfuerst911sc]

Finally have the remaining pics . I can't wait until we get fiber optic internet .

[URY914]

Rick, do you still have the aluminum truck camper?

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by URY914

Rick, do you still have the aluminum truck camper?

I do . My wife thought it would be too small so it's been on the back burner to complete the restoration . I hope to still complete it and probably sell it .

[URY914]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

I do . My wife thought it would be too small so it's been on the back burner to complete the restoration . I hope to still complete it and probably sell it .

I know what you mean. Another project....

[rfuerst911sc]

The camper also has a backup camera wired into the rear top center running light . The seller knew nothing about it so I will have to do some research . I assume it is wireless as it has a small antenna on it . That would be a handy gadget to have .

[cstreit]

One aspect to consider is how long you're planning on staying at one place. If its gonna be a long stretch, how will you get to the store for provisioning in a Class A? With a 5th will you use the tow vehicle.

[911boost]

I have one of the air blowing attachments they sell for cheap at HD or HF that fits up into one of the hoses that hung off my old camper. Air would go in one hose and come out the other. Make sure to take the plug out of the hot water heater, then put it back in once its empty if you do not use the bypass valve. Once I did that I would open up all the faucets while blowing air. It is dry enough here that water in the traps would evaporate, but pouring the antifreeze in is a good idea.

For my new camper I have a fitting that screws in and has a quick disconnect for air. I do not use anything more than 30psi to blow it out.

[Scott Douglas]

Just watched the video, I can see why your wife liked it, that's nice! Having grown up with a 24' Boles Aero tandem axle trailer, I like how yours is still usable with the slide in.
I bet you're going to really enjoy going out with this.

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

Just watched the video, I can see why your wife liked it, that's nice! Having grown up with a 24' Boles Aero tandem axle trailer, I like how yours is still usable with the slide in.
I bet you're going to really enjoy going out with this.

Good observation on your part on the slide . I was amazed how much room is available with the slide in the retracted position . Not all are like that . Boles Aero was a good trailer back in the day .