Attention: TDR Forum Junkies Well, we've done a hard push to get the 5rv ready for use... not quite done, but its usable. Its in really good shape for an 1988.
I got the tires swapped out... while the tires were weather cracked, the spare was in really bad condition (it was a true ST tire). I got everything changed out, and the new tires seem to hold the weight fine... and considering I have 6k worth of tires under a max 4800 rv, I think I'll be ok.
Finally got all the bearings I needed... the original bearings were so out of spec, they were causing slop. I thought they had ordered 1-1/16" bearing for a 1" spindle, but it just turned out the bearings were that loose in specs!!! Everything is much better now.
I took the pin box off to paint... the frame is just starting to get surface rust. We primed and painted the pin box/extension. I reinstalled the box with new grade 5 hardware (that's what I took off). Installed my plastic lube plate, and greased the pin.
Went around every seam with silicone sealant... and before everyone jumps in there and tells me it not right, I know that... but it works very well on an older camper that has issues with the butyl stuff drying out. Almost all of the original sealant was in good shape. I was worried about the sealing job done by the POs... turns out they were PM sealings and not leak chasing. Took several days, but everything is sealed and water tight.
While sealing things, I found the marker/clearance lights were in sad shape (base plates were warped/cracked). I replaced with Grote LED lights to eliminate worrying about them.
I found a seam along the front edge that was loose, so I secured it and sealed it down.
We strung out the canopy... turns out its NEW, never been used! We had some of the hardware for the old canopy stuffed in the camper which is no longer needed.
I cut the spare tire carrier off the rear bumper... the rear bumper is thin-walled for the sewer hose and the extended height of the spare tire mount rocking about had started cracking its welds at the bumper.
Got the water system flushed out... that took a long time and a lot of water to get rid of the pink color.
Things to do yet include cleaning the heater so the swail switch will work, figuring out the hot water heater, painting the rest of the frame, soldering all the brake connections, and replacing some older, cracked vents.
Going camping this weekend for the first run... wish us luck!!!
I got the tires swapped out... while the tires were weather cracked, the spare was in really bad condition (it was a true ST tire). I got everything changed out, and the new tires seem to hold the weight fine... and considering I have 6k worth of tires under a max 4800 rv, I think I'll be ok.
Finally got all the bearings I needed... the original bearings were so out of spec, they were causing slop. I thought they had ordered 1-1/16" bearing for a 1" spindle, but it just turned out the bearings were that loose in specs!!! Everything is much better now.
I took the pin box off to paint... the frame is just starting to get surface rust. We primed and painted the pin box/extension. I reinstalled the box with new grade 5 hardware (that's what I took off). Installed my plastic lube plate, and greased the pin.
Went around every seam with silicone sealant... and before everyone jumps in there and tells me it not right, I know that... but it works very well on an older camper that has issues with the butyl stuff drying out. Almost all of the original sealant was in good shape. I was worried about the sealing job done by the POs... turns out they were PM sealings and not leak chasing. Took several days, but everything is sealed and water tight.
While sealing things, I found the marker/clearance lights were in sad shape (base plates were warped/cracked). I replaced with Grote LED lights to eliminate worrying about them.
I found a seam along the front edge that was loose, so I secured it and sealed it down.
We strung out the canopy... turns out its NEW, never been used! We had some of the hardware for the old canopy stuffed in the camper which is no longer needed.
I cut the spare tire carrier off the rear bumper... the rear bumper is thin-walled for the sewer hose and the extended height of the spare tire mount rocking about had started cracking its welds at the bumper.
Got the water system flushed out... that took a long time and a lot of water to get rid of the pink color.
Things to do yet include cleaning the heater so the swail switch will work, figuring out the hot water heater, painting the rest of the frame, soldering all the brake connections, and replacing some older, cracked vents.
Going camping this weekend for the first run... wish us luck!!!
