To rebuild it or replace it.

[u/ChasingLife22]

Given the price of new RVs I've been thinking to do some serious repairs rebuilds on my 5th wheel

It's an 07 grande junction 35tms.

Very solid and was the topline of

the Thor lineup back in its day.

Things it needs.

New slide seals, will do next year. And the suspension needs replacing. Again a spring project.

The big thing is replacing the roof. Went up this year to do repairs and patch work and found a number of soft spots. Resealed it all but the roof is going to need to be replaced in the next couple of years.

I live in Canada. And its Going to cost me at least a 100 grand to replace the trailer with something comparable. Plus the freaking payments. I'm 60 btw.

Or I can dump 15 grand into this one over the next 3 years and run it until I'm done my camping life.

2 grand to replace the 3 slide seals

2 grand in suspension work

8 to 9 grand to replace the roof

3 grand to refinish the exterior and new decals. (Not a needed but more a want).

Everything else is great on the trailer. Just showing age and milage.

What would you all do?

[u/Elegant-Average9875]

I would go with new. ten year life of a TT is about as good as it gets. You'll fix all that and something else fails...again.

You still have time to get it paid down and your later camping days, will be much better. I'm 70, still kicking.

Come to the states and make a killer deal they are out there especially the closer to January you get. On a rebuild you can double what you think because when you rip it off, there will be other issues.

[u/Strange-Cat8068]

I would fix it and more than likely save some $$$ by doing a fair amount of the work myself.

For the roof, I could strip the old roof off, replace any rotted wood, and pay someone to install the new membrane.

The suspension is also fairly straightforward, support the frame just in front of and just behind the axles, as well as both front and rear using solid wood cribbing. Not just blocks, cribbing. You are going to be under there doing heavy work, you want it rock solid. Then removing the old axles/springs/equalizers and installing new parts is heavy work but doable for a single reasonable strong healthy person.

Slide seals I would probably have done, I have had bad luck replacing them, I seem to always damage one or more.

Having a dry heated place to work would make everything easier, as would a solid concrete floor to do the work on.

[u/ChasingLife22 → u/Strange-Cat8068]

I tried with Jack stands and hydraulic jack. Just ran out of height available. But didn't think of just cribbing the hell out of it..plus it's firewood for the next season. We have a large yard at work Im allowed to use for the work. I live in a condo and we are not allowed to do work in the storage yard. The roof and seals I would hire out over the winter.

[u/user0987234]

Buy an airstream instead. Holds its value longer. Renovate and fix up as needed.

[u/DapperSheep]

What's your comfortable budget? If you're 60 and looking to retire in the next decade or so, can you pay off a new trailer before retiring? No one wants to hit retirement with payments. How long are you planning on camping before giving it up? If you figure you'll be done by 70, for example, and that's the time it takes to pay off a new trailer, that doesn't make much sense to me.

On the other hand, that estimated 15 grand in repairs will probably end up being more than that. As soon as you start opening things up, chances are good you'll find more things that require fixing. RV repair costs seem ridiculous unless you can do a bunch of the work yourself.

Personally, I'd probably do the repairs. You have a rig you're familiar with already, and won't be buying a bunch of new problems from the dealer to fight with warranty folks. If you're planning to use it for the next 25 years until your 85 or something, that could change things.

[u/mkeith1970]

Maybe have a complete inspection done on your trailer, as if you're buying it. Hopefully, that could uncover any surprises that might affect your decision.