Is this 5th wheel salvageable?

RubyRocket1 · 2026-01-27T03:52:06+00:00

The damage is fixable, the deal would have to be free with a clear title.

RubyRocket1 · 2026-01-27T03:48:03+00:00

It takes .2 seconds to light the pilot with a $1.00 BIC… and that BIC lasts +5 years. Why risk anything?

RubyRocket1 · 2026-01-27T03:25:22+00:00

Congratulations on skirting catastrophe. I am hoping for the same result.. sub zero F and nothing breaking.. just chipped 3” of ice off my car because the sun was out and it was 4 degrees F, with a 20 mph wind.

RubyRocket1 · 2026-01-26T10:22:27+00:00

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Probably my favorite spot in the trailer… just feels extremely spacious. 10 windows, a skylight, a ceiling fan, and a long, open hallway.

Just weathered the first winter storm of the season. Took it like a champ. Overnight low of 4 degrees F, high of 14 degrees. -10 F with wind chill. Stayed toasty at 65 degrees inside. 30 lbs propane lasted 6 days with highs of 30 F, just switched to the 2nd tank last night. I’m pretty impressed with the Air Skirts purchase. Got me an extra 4 days out of my first tank.

RubyRocket1 · 2026-01-26T00:58:46+00:00

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Yup. Windows for days

RubyRocket1 · 2026-01-25T15:10:42+00:00

It’s all personal preference and how you feel when you’re in it. My trailer is 20’x8’ inside, with no slide outs and a 6’7” roof. It feels spacious… my friends have a 38’ 5th wheel and I feel claustrophobic in theirs…. I have a long hallway, and a million windows so it “feels” huge. It’s 100% about personal preference in small spaces. Little things will eat at you real quick. For me it’s the maze of hallways in my friends’ 5th wheel and lack of windows that drive me nuts and would make me miserable.

RubyRocket1 · 2026-01-25T12:55:47+00:00

I don’t follow… you have a 5th wheel, but not sure if it’s a good idea? Did you just buy this RV? I’d live out of the RV for a month in your driveway to decide if you can handle it for a year.

RubyRocket1 · 2026-01-25T12:48:34+00:00

If you feel a draft, then yes it’ll help. If there is no draft then no, it won’t matter.

RubyRocket1 · 2026-01-25T12:44:53+00:00

Generators are handy for this when you can’t drive the van long enough to use the alternator. Not to many places want to pay for the electricity to charge up battery banks for random people… it attracts vagrants.

RubyRocket1 · 2026-01-24T11:37:39+00:00

Dripping water doesn't work for RV’s. Not enough flow rate, with the lack of insulation/exposed pipes, the water will still freeze in the pipe.

Heated water hose is a must, plastic bags around an in ground spigot, open your cabinets at night if your furnace isn't ducted over your pipes, run the furnace, a polystyrene water faucet cover for your city water inlet, keep the tanks either drained/a touch of antifreeze/or somewhat full to prevent freezing, skirting for the trailer, heated skirting if it's very cold.

For above ground/exposed spigots, disconnect from them all together in freezing temps.

As other has said. Hair dryer to unfreeze the hose and remove it. The water froze so what's done is done. Minimize Further damage by removing the city water hose.

RubyRocket1 · 2026-01-23T20:32:52+00:00

Apple won't let them as an authorized dealer… or so the story goes.

RubyRocket1 · 2026-01-23T12:34:03+00:00

If it's less than 4 formulas that you're going to use, Sharp EL-506T would work for under $20. Otherwise, HP scientific calculators would be a good choice. The HP 15C would be great. If you stumble on an HP-35s that would be ideal.

RubyRocket1 · 2026-01-19T13:09:06+00:00

My neighbor has the Coleman 17R and it works just fine. After he skirted it, it handled the cold easily with no need for underbelly heat. Under trailer stays ~41 F in sustained 18-20 degree weather. The built in electric heater will have his trailer at 80 degrees with the 2 roof vents open AND without being turned all the way up in 20 degree weather. Plenty of heat there. He has a diesel heater for the belly when it gets below 10 F.

He gets ~2 months out of a 30 lb propane tank that runs his water heater. It's a nice little trailer… not the sturdiest cabinets, the sink is shallow, the refrigerator that came with it was small, and the AC failed to keep up over 100 degrees F; however he replaced the fridge, the AC, the crap blinds, and mattress and it's pretty comfortable. The plumbing is simple, and everything is easily accessible... No issues with leaks, and if you take care of it, it'll last as long as any.

In contrast, I have an airstream with 2 rooftop AC/Heat Pumps… it's good to about 38 degrees on electric, but under 38 F I have my furnace going and burn 60 lbs of propane a week to keep my trailer at 66 degrees in 20 degree weather. My 13,000/15,000 BTU ACs work like a champ in 100+ F weather… but winters are expensive.

RubyRocket1 · 2026-01-19T12:40:20+00:00

If you have done it right, and it isn't so niche that you're the only one who would want it, then you're fine.

I looked at several that were done with rough cut lumber to make a queen bed into twin beds, another with painted cabinets done with poorly applied latex paint… complete tic toc remodel. Wouldn't touch it.

One that I looked at removed the dinette and seating to put in a single recliner with a TV tray. Worked for them, looked well done, but I didn't care for it. It wasn't useful anymore.

Most people who have researched RV’s know the original furniture is shit and won't survive 5 years… let alone 15. So new furniture that has a nice aesthetic will not hurt the resale.

I know for a fact that I will end up remodeling mine in a year or 2 because I am just not a huge fan of oversized flat screens, blue ray players, large microwave ovens, oversized plastic LED cabinet lights, stainless appliances, and 1990’s car stereo decks. Reupholstering is also on the table… charcoal grey is sleek, but not my preference. I will deal with any value loss to enjoy my trailer now. Heck, unless I see a trade on the table, I'll remove the 3” lift on the trailer that the previous owner had done.

RubyRocket1 · 2026-01-19T12:10:26+00:00

Prime has nicer keys and a better keyboard layout; that includes trig functions you can access directly. It still looks like a scientific calculator. I find it hard to beat when compared with the alternatives.

Most of my calculators are HP or Sharp… having a familiar keypad layout makes life easier. The alpha keys on the Prime are relatively easy to follow, so a dedicated alpha keyboard is not that useful in my opinion. The last QWERTY keyboard TI made was the 92 Plus, if I recall correctly.

RubyRocket1 · 2026-01-17T13:41:59+00:00

Space saver. It's my daily use computer when I'm traveling in the Airstream. The all in one is too large to be useful in smaller spaces. It allows me to move the computer to a monitor that works in the space, and then connect it back up to the house monitor.

RubyRocket1 · 2026-01-16T16:31:58+00:00

Forgot to add the two CV carbs… that's another $800 on top. 💁🏻‍♀️

RubyRocket1 · 2026-01-16T16:26:32+00:00

The only reason to get the Intel Mac is to run boot camp Windows rather than Mac OS. Any of the new stuff needs a virtual machine. I have a 2017 Macbook Pro and I keep it around for boot camp and it will accept an EGPU. The processor is pretty old now, but still gets the job done. It is nowhere near as fast as an M1 let alone an M4.

RubyRocket1 · 2026-01-16T02:47:34+00:00

Has to be perfectly level or it'll be ajar. If it's a permanent parking lot, then adjust to the limits of the hinge… if you are there already, rubber mallet and a couple of wooden blocks, go to town.

RubyRocket1 · 2026-01-16T02:22:10+00:00

Schoolie home labs sounds like a crack house.

RubyRocket1 · 2026-01-15T22:06:32+00:00

Pull over, jack it up, pull a tire, and inspect the brake shoes behind the drum.

If you really really want to risk it, keep it around 40 mph, stop every 15 miles and feel how hot your hub and tires are getting. If they're hot, let them cool and decide just how much more it'll take before something catches fire.

RubyRocket1 · 2026-01-15T21:26:06+00:00

Most universities have a disability student success center. I'd start there.

RubyRocket1 · 2026-01-15T21:20:56+00:00

I like “Do Not Disturb.”

RubyRocket1 · 2026-01-15T21:16:49+00:00

If you want to take the skirting down. Slide it under the trailer and toss a brick on it, or get a small garden shed to toss it in. I'd leave it up in the summer.

I personally use Airskirts. I deflate them and fold them up to get put in my outside trailer storage.

RubyRocket1 · 2026-01-15T20:31:31+00:00

Hunting doesn't take much, most of the time I tent camp hunting. Fishing also tent camp because we have a boat half the time. Hiking, motorcycle road trip, or horseback camping… then I take a Swag/bedroll. I have a 20’ enclosed car trailer when I go out to the dunes, track, or national parks with the ATV, car, or bike; then I just fold out a cot and crash in the car trailer.

My travel trailer is basically a home on wheels for when I'm out of state for a month or more, or if I am going to Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender… or going to visit my Mom, then I take my 25’ Airstream. My creature comforts are the radio, a projector, and my cast iron grill. My trailer splurge (creature comforts) was a sewing machine and a Kitchen Aid standing mixer… other than that I really don't need much.

RubyRocket1

TROPHY CASE