Fleetwood Wilderness Owners Manual
Just came across this link. Fleetwood Owners Manuals American Coach Owners Manuals.
Okay, I need you Fleetwooders 5th wheel's all to come out come out wherever you are!!!!!!!!! Just purchased a 2000 32 foot M-30-5G. It is in fair to decent condition and I paid $6500. NADA guide suggest low resale price of $11,000 and high-end resale to be $14,000. These prices seem a bit inflated if this is such middle to low end of the road scale.
If this is the case, I paid a substantially low price. I posted this question in the 5th Wheel forum and got a few responses, but what I am really seeking is a bonadified Fleetwood veteran owner of a 5th wheel to step forward and give me the pro's and con's of the trailer and what your experience has been as a Fleetwood owner of such. Are they poor quality?
The 5th wheel forum says they are a good starter, but not good for long term. Explain this to me? Do they turn into a pumpkin after midnight? Do they self-destruct in a few short years? I would like some hard facts about the construction and reliability and what the life span is providing it gets good care.
What I will tell you is the one I just purchased is in pretty good condition for being 11 years old. I do not think it was pulled much. It has been in Southern CA the entire time and the undercarriage looks great, still new looking as a matter of fact. The inside does show some wear but not that bad. Cabinets are solid oak, but the frames are a combination of laminate and wood. All the draws were very cheap in quality and they do not pull properly.
I am thinking of revamping them and putting new slides on them instead of the rail system that was factory. (Any suggestions on the cabinets and how to rehab the construction of them or reinforce? The flooring I am replacing with a vinyl plank. The toilet was replaced 3 years ago, owner provided me paperwork. I already replaced the LP sensor in the cabin.
All systems seem to be operating perfectly. Furnace, Air, and refrig. The sensors in the tanks are stuck at 3/4 full even though they are empty so I have to try to clean the tanks to get them to register properly. The valve on the black water needs to be replaced.
Already have the new valve just need to install it. No leaks anywhere, and I have it hooked up to water and nothing new is showing in the department of water anywhere. For the most part all seems good. But this unit is 11 years old. Therefore, any advice, comments, and input you can supply me on the longevity and durability of this brand of 5th wheel would be most helpful. For any of you Fleetwood owners here is some important information that I found on the internet regarding Fleetwood's demise in 2009 in that they ceased making 5th Wheels. Another company makes even the RV coaches now.
Read these two links for more details: In addition, read this: Very interesting history and input regarding the company. It appears by these articles that originally, the Fleetwood lines were fair quality, but others are saying otherwise. I figured if any veteran owner who has experienced the line would give me more details, the information would be helpful and welcome.
Owners Manual Magnavox
Thanks so very much!!!!!! New Fleetwood Wilderness owner. IRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy?
Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE! You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more! Ms5thwheel, Welcome to Fleetwood iRV2. It's sad that you and I who live in CA, don't have a Riverside or Woodland plant to visit or seek help from.
I bought a new 2008 Fleetwood Bounder from Riverside, CA and know it is of great quality, durability and dependability and your 1/5th should be also. You should have an owner's manual and brochures to help with any unique info.
1978 Fleetwood Wilderness Owners Manual
I have ball bearing slides in my drawers except the large drawers under the dinette. I took out the big drawers and greased with food grade grease and they work well now.
Just grease the wood to wood rails. Many manufacturers have 'stick furniture' to save on weight in cabin and we also do.
They do well once installed but you would not believe how flimsy they look before installation. The cabinets are, as stated, solid wood doors and vinyl veneer over soft knotted pine cabinets which you would have to get rid of and install custom cabinetry which would not be cost effective. Staining cabinets might help, but I believe, there is no way to strip the vinyl off the pine and have it look good. Some have tried veneer over veneer so I hope they chime in.
You have a very good fifth and hope you enjoy RVing with us, Steve. Thanks Steve, I hope to hear from more previous or current owners. I am glad you think the Fleetwood's are of good quality. Mine does not appear Cadillac, but it does not appear to be of the lowest of class either.
I want to say it is middle of the road based on my examination of how it is constructed and the amenities it has. I am not sure what the construction components are. I know it has I beams, but I am not sure what is under the fiberglass skin, wood? I think so far the rig has held up well for the 11 years it has been around. Time will tell as to how much life I have left in it. I will probably upgrade in a few years from now to something a little bigger and maybe better quality, but for now I am going to be satisfied and enjoy the blessing of this rig.:O). The drawer slide problem sounds familiar.
If you are talking about metal slides with a wheel on each side of drawer and a wheel on the slide, the problem is actually how the rail is fastened to the wall. Most of mine were broken or warped (made of plastic), replaced all of the mounts. Some mounts were held in by only one screw, now they are held in at each corner, with 4 screws. Mounts were on uneven surfaces, now the surfaces are even.
Now the drawers work like they should. There are 2 or 3 different plastic mounts available, I ordered mine from AdventureRV.Net.
I forget who makes them. Thanks David. I will see if I can reattach them using more secured methods. Yes they were very flimsy and some only had one screw holding them in place. These draws were definately not made to hold up for years of service.
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I bet they fell apart soon after the trailer left the sales lot. I was thinking of doing away with the center rail system alltogether and going with side of the draw slides. IKEA makes them and they make a draw glide like a dream.
I will have to add sides to each side under the sink to attach ehte male and female slide units. One bolts to a stationary side wall and the other bolts to the actual draw, then you just slide the draw in and presto new slides. They are very affordable as well. Like $6.99 per pair of slides.
I will let you know how it turns out. Ms5thwheel, Sounds like you have found a nice buy. I have owned a Bounder and now own a Revolution LE motorhome and what I have found is that as you move up the Fleetwood food chain you get better materials. My Bounder had wooden doors and veneer coated cabinets which over time the veneer bubbled due to the glue breaking down. All the furniture in my Bounder was fabric instead of Flexsteel brand Ultra Leather. My Revolution has wooded doors and wood cabinets, no veneer. Also as you move up in models the furnishings, tile/carpet grade and appliances get more fancy.
But, as far as quality both motorhomes I found was well but, as you have seen with cheaper materials being used creates quaility issues. I do not know how you plan on using your fifth wheel, it will be fine for vacations and weekend trips. If you were looking at full timing then this fifth wheel may not be as confortable or long lasting as another model designed for full time living. Sound like you good a nice fifth wheel, enjoy it. I see, so the 'cage' if you will is constructed the same on all of them. It is the amenities that change with the name change of the trailer line. That is good to know, because I can always upgrade the interior and put more durable items of good quality so they can take a beating.
I know these types of recreation vehicles are built to be light (the newer ones), so I guess I can't expect it to be built like a Rolls Royce, but I still would be comforted to know that the walls and skeleton are strong enough for longevity. Thanks for the input. I am looking forward for more Fleetwood owners to continue to give me their opinions on the subject. Did you know of the details of Fleetwood and how the company had finally dissolved?
I had no idea. When I was a small boy I can remember the Fleetwood mobile home line, it's a shame to see industry standards go away after they have been around so long.