Anyone know about RV repair ?
 

I'm looking to buy a used fifth wheel trailer...not super cheap but maybe a higher quality aluminum frame construction one about 6-8 years old.

I looked at one (Montana) yesterday that I really liked and the price was OK but when I climbed up onto the roof (rubber roof construction) I could see that the thing had begun to delaminate in several places. It would need to be stripped and re-laid I'm sure.

I dunno how big or expensive a job this is but likely not cheap or necessarily a diy job. I just walked away w/o any discussion or offer. It was a dealer and I hate haggling with them.

Can anyone tell me about replacing...not recoating...a rubber roof. Frankly I hate them but most RV's seem to have them.

Be prepared to be bent over on any repairs. Those guys are worse than home contrators. Generic parts always need modifications and those provided by the original manufacturers have markups that make Porsches look cheap.

Mobile home ownership is a slippery slope. Like the axiom says......if it's got boobs or wheels, rent it.....

As to rubber roofs, patching most always results in a leak in other places. Complete replacment is always a better deal. They should also be stored in doors but some are too big.

Good job on walking away....but I would a tossed a low ball offer to see if he would a bit......

I know it's possible, and it can be a DIY job. The RV forums deal with it ad nauseum. There is some particular product they all gush over. I can't recall the name.

I bought a RV at auction as a repo a year and a half ago. Didn't need a roof, but needed some other repairs, so I researched the RV forums for a few months. They're really a DIY Pelican-like bunch of people.

There are SOOOOO many RV repos at dealer auctions, and the mark up is outrageous. I wish I knew more about it, or cared. I think I could make more selling a few trailers and motorhomes a year than I could selling the same number of cars each month.

I bought my 39ft tag-axle slide-out Class A motorhome at an auction in SoCal with all the goodies incl computerized load levelling and auto satellite TV for $10K because it was missing the seats and fridge (repo). I had custom ultra-leather furniture made by a RV seat manufacturer in SoCal and put in a new fridge and fixed a couple little things (incl new tires, dry rotted) and sold it for a huge profit.

Trailers are no different. Esp the big ones.

Why buy an RV with a bad roof?/ They are giving away RV's in SoCal because of the mortgage meltdown. Never buy an RV with a bad roof, fridge, or AC. They cost a ton to fix.

Thanks guys. Glad I walked, actually there was never a doubt after I saw the roof. I just went to an RV forum and did a search. Replacing it would cost about $5K. I will look for the auctions. So far I've only searched Craig's List rather casually.

If you don't mind traveling, hit the States with the highest unemployment.

What do you mean by delaminating? Is the rubber coming loose from the structure underneath? You will find that it is quite common on rigs even after the first year. As long as it isn't a huge area, and the rubber is still in good shape, it's not a problem. I would make sure that the rubber is well secured toward the front area over the cap. For any seams around vents, etc, use Eternabond tape and Dicor self-leveling sealant. If the rubber is loose in alot of areas, just walk away. There's more than enough used RVs on the market.

Look for one that has been stored inside, or at least under a cover.... UV is hard on those rubber roofs.....

Sorry Mark, the auctions I was talking about are dealer-only. But some credit unions may list their repos to the public. Usually it must be at a dealer auction so it is fair to the debtor and explicitly as-is.

Let me know the criteria for your trailer (length, style, brand, options) and I can post candidates here. I don't know enough about trailers to buy one for speculation or inventory, but I have access and can buy one in California on your behalf if it makes any sense. But again, they're as-is, where-is. But the prices more than make up for it. Some are flawless.

Eric,
Thanks for the offer but I would not do that. Too much risk for me in the as is/where is and not seeing it, etc.

I am looking at ones that have been inside but I can't do it myself...no room. I'm really wanting an alumascape with the all aluminum skin, incl the roof.

I've read about the rubber roofs that get these 'bubbles' under them. It seems there is a cloth of sorts that is laid on the sub structure then that's coated with the rubber. If the glue between the cloth and the deck dries up then these bubbles appear. The one I saw was about 35% that way.

Mark,

Funny to see this, have been looking at Airstreams or RV's lately myself. Just passed on a 34' Airstream and looking at a 33' Pace Arrow right now.

Prices are all over the place but with todays economy having cash helps a lot so there are a lot out there.

Joe A

I too am in the market for a "new" to me used camper. I am looking in the 25-28 foot range for a bumper pull, as I pull a 12 foot atv trailer behind me. There are just too many of them out there right now to get one that has issues.

I have owned my 1978 Mallard for about 6 years now, and one thing I have learned is that there are always problems with them, new or old.

Yeah, true enough. I'm now concentrating on the ones w/o the rubber roof even though if they are maintained well I expect they are OK.

Guy around the corner from me has a huge Airstream motor home for sale, must be 32-36 foot. Looks cool, and it was for sale. I thought about how cool it would be to own. saw it the other day coming home on one of those big rig wreckers, another bad idea by myself avoided.

just bought a 33' Fleetwood Southwind class A (older one, on a '84 Chevy P30 chassis) a tad over a week ago to be used for our move out of California. Though it needs a bit of love (and that 454 needs to be able to breathe better) I am looking forward to using it regularly...well, maybe except when towing up the Grapevine on I-5...

lots of rv forums out there, though it seems like it's easier to find information about the older ones if you buy something popular with a following, like an Airstream or a Winnebago.

For a tow behind, I have a trail manor. Check this out, it's a trip to set up.

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Hugh, I have looked at those and Hi-Lo's, but they just don't have the size I need, or the strength to pull my seperate trailer behind them.

Bill