• Please be sure to read the rules and adhere to them. Some banned members have complained that they are not spammers. But they spammed us. Some even tried to redirect our members to other forums. Duh. Be smart. Read the rules and adhere to them and we will all get along just fine. Cheers. :beer: Link to the rules: https://www.forumsforums.com/threads/forum-rules-info.2974/

Fifth wheel camper demo/conversion

Thanks. Still a bit of work to do but considering that I only started tearing it apart a few weeks ago, it's coming along nicely. I'm lucky the entire floor didn't have to be replaced. As I'm on a fixed income, I'm going as cheap as possible. So far I'm into it about 15 days labor and about $160 in wood. It's going to need tires for sure as I'm surprised I didn't have a blow out just towing it down the road. They're very weather cracked. But I recycled as much as possible from past projects.
 
I finally found a day to spend on the trailer. I started off by pulling both grey and black tanks. There's basically a support bracket underneath that sandwiches the tank to the frame by a lip around the top of the tank. I only had to remove a self tapping screw on each side and slide the bracket forward then use a pry bar to wiggle the tank free. Simple stupid really.

20250624_094906.jpg

I then turned my attention to the tie downs and installed all of the ones I have along both sides of the trailer. 20250624_102910.jpg
 

Attachments

  • 20250624_102920.jpg
    20250624_102920.jpg
    1.2 MB · Views: 4
  • Like
Reactions: Doc
I then turned my attention to the front storage compartments closing both sides in and removing the propane tank storage bracket. That'll make excellent storage for straps and helmets. Tools as well.
 

Attachments

  • 20250624_122733.jpg
    20250624_122733.jpg
    1.9 MB · Views: 4
  • 20250624_121742.jpg
    20250624_121742.jpg
    2.6 MB · Views: 5
  • 20250624_122845.jpg
    20250624_122845.jpg
    2 MB · Views: 5
  • 20250624_133412.jpg
    20250624_133412.jpg
    2.4 MB · Views: 6
  • Like
Reactions: Doc
Today is paint day. I ended up going with an oil based armor coat for floors and porches. 2 reasons. 1. It has a built in sealer. 2. It was on sale. I wanted black but they only had white and grey. Grey it is.

20250625_094703.jpg20250625_102408.jpg20250625_102514.jpg
 
Paint is done. Next up are the lights once it dries.20250625_141706.jpg20250625_132807.jpg

Before I install the side panels permanently, I will run marker lights. I figured since the wood framework is exposed currently, I'd give it a coat of paint to protect from water damage in the future.

20250625_132115.jpg20250625_124938.jpg20250625_124922.jpg
 
Last edited:
So I should have paid better attention when I tore apart the camper. I first had intentions of only having one marker light at the front on each side. I started looking in the scrap pile behind the garage and found 6 clearance lights still attached to the metal siding. I was certain that I kept the lenses but can't find them so I picked up a few more to install. I still have to run the wiring but this will give you an idea of what I'm going for.


20250626_101207.jpg

I also installed some plastic screw on reflectors along both sides

20250626_151255.jpg
 
The trailer is still in the same state as I'm on vacation but I'm still shopping for deals for it. I had been keeping an eye out for a set of folding sled ramps for sale back home but hadn't seen anything. They come on sale for $349. I found a set barely used for $200. They fit nicely in the pass-through of our fifth wheel. 20250715_095345.jpg20250715_095720.jpg
 
Tip for anyone traveling by rv. Bring tools. Plan for anything. I carry my full electrical box and a full socket set along with a jack. So far this trip I've used everything but the jack (knock on wood). A couple days ago we stopped at an rv place and I discovered that my wiring harness for the trailer had become disconnected and was dragging on the ground. I rewired the trailer harness correctly but the running lights were not working although everything else was. After redoing it 4 times I decided to hook up another truck to the lights and everything worked. So the problem was with the truck. I changed out a 25amp square fuse for the running lights and everything is fine now.
 
I also have been considering upgrading the tires on the camper as they are 4ish years old. I keep them covered and properly inflated and they appear fine. But I also need tires for my flat deck. While on the trip, I have been tire shopping and found a good sale on a set at princess auto with stock at the store I will be going by in Winnipeg on Monday. So I ordered 4. They'll be there waiting. In the meantime should I encounter tire issues, I'm carrying two spares. 🤔 I've been stranded on a 2 lane road with no shoulder and transports flying by blowing their horns changing a flat tire on the camper in the past and don't care to do it again. The new tires will go on the camper and these will go on the flat deck.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Doc
While on the trip, I have been tire shopping and found a good sale on a set at princess auto with stock at the store I will be going by in Winnipeg on Monday. So I ordered 4.
I'll bet your fellow travelers love you. Hmmm - cross country trip - HEY - let's spend a day and go tire shopping and get them installed. ;)
 
🤣 I bought them online. We're just going to pick them up and I'll swap out at home. And it'll give me an escape from any activity the girls want to do when we're in Winnipeg two nights. I might just swap them out in the campground while they're out.
 
I'm impressed that you have room for 4 tires plus the new ramps and still have room for two teenage girls and your wife's luggage. Impressive.
 
I figure I have room in my box for a couple tires and the other two are going in the doorway entrance to the fifth wheel as we travel. I'll make it work for $100 per tire mounted on rims when they're around $240 per at home. It's not our first rodeo. 😆 On our last big rv trip 5 yrs ago, we bought a kayak and had it inside the camper as we traveled.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Doc
I figure I have room in my box for a couple tires and the other two are going in the doorway entrance to the fifth wheel as we travel. I'll make it work for $100 per tire mounted on rims when they're around $240 per at home. It's not our first rodeo. 😆 On our last big rv trip 5 yrs ago, we bought a kayak and had it inside the camper as we traveled.
I've been putting LT tires on for the last decade because of the ST tire headaches, I'll pay the extra for them plus they seem to last longer.
 
Top