BikerFlex&HappyJen
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 25, 2017
- Posts
- 197
Instead of being on another thread in this forum sharing our new adventures with you wonderful folks, instead, we realized days after purchasing our new-to-us fifth wheel, we bought....a lemon. ?
So, with that, we will be starting our journey here at rvforum in the great beyond of Remodeling our RV.
Where to begin...
We decided on our 99 Dutchmen 5th wheel because it was light weight and did not have slides. Our thinking was, the less things to maintain the better. Boy, were we wrong. First, when we hooked it up at the dealer we bought it from the clearance was too low to the bed of the truck, so as we were sent on our way home (3 hour drive) we were advised we may need an axel flip. We had to tow our lemon home unlevel to avoid collision with our truck bed. Flex described it like dragging a wet blanket behind us.
Upon returning home we got another surprise. Because of the low clearance and slight incline of our driveway, we could not get it into our driveway. The next day we took it to a local rv dealer and requested an axel flip. Upon getting that done we were told we also needed new bearings and new brakes.
Finally, with the axel flip, bearings and brakes complete, which made a world of difference, we were finally ready to bring 'er home! Spring break here we come! Not quite...
We had combed through the rv before purchasing and checked corners, walls, and thought we did a pretty good check through. Everything seemed in good order. Unfortunately we checked most everything except under the dinette benches. Mistake. After pulling up the cushions and a brand new looking rug stowed in each compartment, low and behold...the dreaded dark spot. Oh, dark spot we know what you are...
And that folks, is what started our adventure of our lemony-lemon.
Attached are the first pictures of how this started and we will keep you updated on our project. It's been both a burden and a blessing. As difficult as it was to accept this disheartening discovery, we have stayed optimistic that we can handle what has come our way. In the end, we will have a beautiful camper that we can enjoy. We didn't plan on doing renovations right away, but since we are forced into it, we appreciate being able to make it our own. Any advice along the way is much appreciated!
So, with that, we will be starting our journey here at rvforum in the great beyond of Remodeling our RV.
Where to begin...
We decided on our 99 Dutchmen 5th wheel because it was light weight and did not have slides. Our thinking was, the less things to maintain the better. Boy, were we wrong. First, when we hooked it up at the dealer we bought it from the clearance was too low to the bed of the truck, so as we were sent on our way home (3 hour drive) we were advised we may need an axel flip. We had to tow our lemon home unlevel to avoid collision with our truck bed. Flex described it like dragging a wet blanket behind us.
Upon returning home we got another surprise. Because of the low clearance and slight incline of our driveway, we could not get it into our driveway. The next day we took it to a local rv dealer and requested an axel flip. Upon getting that done we were told we also needed new bearings and new brakes.
Finally, with the axel flip, bearings and brakes complete, which made a world of difference, we were finally ready to bring 'er home! Spring break here we come! Not quite...
We had combed through the rv before purchasing and checked corners, walls, and thought we did a pretty good check through. Everything seemed in good order. Unfortunately we checked most everything except under the dinette benches. Mistake. After pulling up the cushions and a brand new looking rug stowed in each compartment, low and behold...the dreaded dark spot. Oh, dark spot we know what you are...
And that folks, is what started our adventure of our lemony-lemon.
Attached are the first pictures of how this started and we will keep you updated on our project. It's been both a burden and a blessing. As difficult as it was to accept this disheartening discovery, we have stayed optimistic that we can handle what has come our way. In the end, we will have a beautiful camper that we can enjoy. We didn't plan on doing renovations right away, but since we are forced into it, we appreciate being able to make it our own. Any advice along the way is much appreciated!