Gutting an older fifth wheel that may be really well built- juice worth the squeeze?

GON

Active member
Continuing to learn about fifth wheel Rvs. Concluding on a MACRO basis is vast majority of the fifth wheel RVs, even brand new, are built as cheaply made as possible. I am talking about frames, axles, walls, etc. When looking at the few well manufactured RVs, those well made RVs are priced tens of thousands above my budget, maybe even over $100k over my budget.

Came across a 2005 New Horizon fifth wheel at a very nice price of $16k USD. Although the interior is built with really nice materials like solid wood cabinets, the interior is not a match for my Wife. She only wants white cabinets, etc.

My question is- taking a 20 year old New Horizon, gutting it to the walls, all new AC, etc---- is this a course of action to consider? Or are floorplans, etc so much better in new RVs?

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My question is- taking a 20 year old New Horizon, gutting it to the walls, all new AC, etc---- is this a course of action to consider? Or are floorplans, etc so much better in new RVs?
If the walls in 2005 were made the same way mine are made, they are one solid piece of sandwiched layers, so you can't remove anything from the inside, but you certainly could paint. Most floorplans are pretty much the same as they were 20 years ago. The trailer looks like it's been kept out of the sun, which is a really good thing.

I see that Summit has the Bigfoot jacks and the old style step system. I'd rather have the old style steps, as they are much easier to deal with. I don't think my wife could raise or lower the new style steps that tip out of and into the door.
 
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If the walls in 2005 were made the same way mine are made, they are one solid piece of sandwiched layers, so you can't remove anything from the inside, but you certainly could paint. Most floorplans are pretty much the same as they were 20 years ago. The trailer looks like it's been kept out of the sun, which is a really good thing.

I see that Summit has the Bigfoot jacks and the old style step system. I'd rather have the old style steps, as they are much easier to deal with. I don't think my wife could raise or lower the new style steps that tip out of and into the door.
What are the significance of Bigfoot jacks? Are you able to "easily" replace the cabinets, vanity, shower in your New Horizon if your wife wanted to change the look of your RV?
 
What are the significance of Bigfoot jacks?
Bigfoot jacks are a good thing. Very heavy duty and stiff, so the trailer doesn't move around when you walk across the floor.

Are you able to "easily" replace the cabinets, vanity, shower in your New Horizon if your wife wanted to change the look of your RV?
Every piece of wood in a New Horizons is custom made in their wood shop, so no I wouldn't say they would be easy to replace. All the woodwork and cabinets are solid wood and would be a shame to replace with particle board stuff from Home Depot. I have seen several people paint their New Horizons woodwork, which gives a whole new look.
 
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If a New Horizons is built like lesser trailers the box is built and the cabinets, vanity etc are attached inside so you should be able to unscrew them, take them out and paint them. I think the worst thing you could do would be to gut everything out and redo it. I've seen it done a couple of times and it kills the value of the trailer. Updating the look to current trend of white/ shades of gray on the existing fixtures and trim if done well would probably increase the value of a 20 YO RV as well as placate the boss. Changing the dated cloth valances is a start. I wouldn't attempt to go so deep as change out the shower. I think you'll be shocked at the price of RV furniture, cabinets etc.

You seem intent on jumping off the high dive into the deep end of travel trailers. A triple axle, 3 slide, 20 YO trailer is going to be some work. Probably heavier than something built today. Before buying anything used and especially something 20 years old you need to closely inspect it for any signs of roof leaks. Lots of things can be fixed or replaced but leaks can be a real disaster.
 
What are the significance of Bigfoot jacks? Are you able to "easily" replace the cabinets, vanity, shower in your New Horizon if your wife wanted to change the look of your RV?
paint the interior.. and the cabinets... RV's are not worth dumping a bunch of money or effort in. If its in good shape and you don't plan on moving it alot, it will work..
 
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If a New Horizons is built like lesser trailers the box is built and the cabinets, vanity etc are attached inside so you should be able to unscrew them, take them out and paint them. I think the worst thing you could do would be to gut everything out and redo it. I've seen it done a couple of times and it kills the value of the trailer. Updating the look to current trend of white/ shades of gray on the existing fixtures and trim if done well would probably increase the value of a 20 YO RV as well as placate the boss. Changing the dated cloth valances is a start. I wouldn't attempt to go so deep as change out the shower. I think you'll be shocked at the price of RV furniture, cabinets etc.

You seem intent on jumping off the high dive into the deep end of travel trailers. A triple axle, 3 slide, 20 YO trailer is going to be some work. Probably heavier than something built today. Before buying anything used and especially something 20 years old you need to closely inspect it for any signs of roof leaks. Lots of things can be fixed or replaced but leaks can be a real disaster.
On the triple axel, I was hoping that configuration might provide more confidence, reliability, and less impact if a tire blows out while driving. Instead of jumping off the high dive, I was hoping to actually reduce risk....
 
A TPMS system would pretty much mitigate the risks involved with getting a flat on the trailer. The risk with a trailer isn't losing control if a tire goes down, it's driving for miles with a flat tire until the tire overheats from running flat until it comes apart and destroys the side of the trailer, any plumbing or wiring nearby and possibly the neighboring tire. With a triple axle you'll never know if a tire went down while driving. Even a cheap TPMS like I got will alarm if the pressure goes down, if it goes up over a set pressure, temperature. I check tire pressures frequently. Absolutely the first thing I'd get for any trailer after having it.

What's your intended use for the RV? Impression is you haven't had one before. My comment about jumping into the deep end is buying the biggest heaviest trailer first instead of working up to one like most people do.

My favorite saying is when you have an RV you have 2 hobbies, using the RV and working on the RV. A big old unit like this will certainly let you enjoy both. 😋 This NH trailer is certainly a better starting point than a wrecked one with unknown problems.
 
On the triple axel, I was hoping that configuration might provide more confidence, reliability, and less impact if a tire blows out while driving. Instead of jumping off the high dive, I was hoping to actually reduce risk....
funny thing about tires is the main reason people have blowouts on trailer is for the same reason they always had blowouts.. ie they don't check the tires...and they have ten year old maypops on the trailer that has been sitting for an extended period of time and are dry rotted and weather checked and nobody ever checks the tires.. they just go and then blame the tire, when most of the time there was plenty of warning if they just would look at the things..it is the same with every other mechanical device, a little time spent observing things goes a long way towards not having issues.. anyway it takes little effort to walk past them and eyeball them while on the road... its so rare to have a blowout on a properly inflated and inspected tire as to be more of a hypothetical than something that will happen and it is just as rare to have a puncture that just causes a flat in no time as to be more of a what if than having a hi chance of happening..

trailer manufacturers have gotten away from the tri axle rigs because those have their own sets of problems, but nothing is inherently wrong with them provided someone does a modicum of inspection.
 
And you can have brand new top tier tires and inspect them at every stop and still run over something on the road and lose pressure. WIth TPMS you know immediately, without you don't know until the tire comes apart or at the next stop if it doesn't. I want to know ASAP.
 
funny thing about tires is the main reason people have blowouts on trailer is for the same reason they always had blowouts.. ie they don't check the tires...and they have ten year old maypops on the trailer that has been sitting for an extended period of time and are dry rotted and weather checked and nobody ever checks the tires.. they just go and then blame the tire, when most of the time there was plenty of warning if they just would look at the things..it is the same with every other mechanical device, a little time spent observing things goes a long way towards not having issues.. anyway it takes little effort to walk past them and eyeball them while on the road... its so rare to have a blowout on a properly inflated and inspected tire as to be more of a hypothetical than something that will happen and it is just as rare to have a puncture that just causes a flat in no time as to be more of a what if than having a hi chance of happening..

trailer manufacturers have gotten away from the tri axle rigs because those have their own sets of problems, but nothing is inherently wrong with them provided someone does a modicum of inspection.
Most of new Horizon's trailers are tri-axle because they are so heavy. I believe their 47' trailer weighs around 28k empty. Two more feet and ours would be a tri-axle, it weighs 18k empty.
 
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Most of new Horizon's trailers are tri-axle because they are so heavy. I believe their 47' trailer weighs around 28k empty. Two more feet and ours would be a tri-axle, it weighs 18k empty.


Wayne,, you have the entry level model.. its like you own a Baby Benz.. :)
you didn't buy the mansion on wheels, you have the guest house.
 
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