Picked Up My Fifth Wheel Today

[Jim Bennett]

Ain't she a beauty.













Seeing it will be some time yet until Escape gets the 5.0TA mould complete, and runs the first unit through production to get the kinks out, I had to buy myself an interim trailer, as I have a few trips that I will want a trailer for.

I have been looking for an older used fifth wheel, still in decent condition, that I could resell for near what I paid next spring. I was looking in the $2,000 to $5,500 range.

I came across this 1995 22' Rustler listed for $5,000. The history of it is that it was bought in 1995, taking 150 km to a lot and parked, and a roof built over it. It has not moved since. New people bought the land and got it, but they have a bigger trailer they want to use, and wanted this one gone.

The exterior is in excellent shape, not a hint of rust on the painted frame anywhere. The interior is dated of course and has some minor wear, but is not too bad at all, and very usable.

I offered $4,500 and they accepted, and think I got a fantastic deal. I brought it back to Calgary, will do minor cleanup, resealing everything on the exterior, will change the pristine Goodyear Marathons (that lived under tire covers), and I will get this summers use, and then be able to sell it for easily the same amount I paid for it next spring.

Here are a couple of the listing shots of how it was parked.





Don't worry, I don't need an intervention, this is only a temporary condition.

[captmath]

Looks nice for a temporary trailer fix.

[Rossue]

Cool- you SOB

Nice truck!

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Rossue

Cool- you SOB

Nice truck!

I am, aren't I?

And thanks.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by captmath

Looks nice for a temporary trailer fix.

Thanks, my exact thoughts too.

[Marry]

Not an Escape. At least you can escape... With good re-sale value! Only smart people come up with this :-)
By the way: Congratulations!!!!!

[Jim Bennett]

Thinking a bearing repack may be in order too. Even though it now has only just over 300kms on it, with 21 years there may be a bit of breakdown of the grease. Not certain though. New seals might be a good idea too.

It was funny, I drove right past Bucars RV where it was bought on the way home, and realized I had doubled the mileage on it.

[Scuba55]

Jim, it looks heavy. How much does it weigh?

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

Thinking a bearing repack may be in order too. Even though it now has only just over 300kms on it, with 21 years there may be a bit of breakdown of the grease. Not certain though. New seals might be a good idea too.

It was funny, I drove right past Bucars RV where it was bought on the way home, and realized I had doubled the mileage on it.

Hi: Jim Bennett... Always thought you were a "Rustler" kind of guy. That trailer could end up an "Inlaw" suite... on your acreage!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Scuba55

Jim, it looks heavy. How much does it weigh?

2080 kg, or 4,576 lb dry weight.

Originally Posted by escape artist

Hi: Jim Bennett... Always thought you were a "Rustler" kind of guy. That trailer could end up an "Inlaw" suite... on your acreage!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

Yeah, I always wished I was a cowboy.

We have thought of that, just don't want to turn the place into an RV parking lot. Besides, I will want my money back.

[katzam29]

Looks great to get some camping done this summer! campfire:

[Donna D.]

Statement not normally heard on the EscapeForum:

I'm not jealous

But, it does seem like a great solution for the interim!

[gabeck]

Well ...that's a relief ! Was worried you guys might end up sleeping under a picnic table ......

[Greg A]

I think we'll have to change your name to "Sticky Jim Bennett."
For the interim.....

[Scuba55]

That should be a good test for you new F-150

[C&G in FL]

Originally Posted by Scuba55

That should be a good test for you new F-150

Jim's 3.5l EcoBoost will pull that 5th wheel without batting an eyelash!

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by Greg A

I think we'll have to change your name to "Sticky Jim Bennett."

For the interim.....

Off with his head.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

Off with his head.

Ok, well, maybe not his head. He'd miss that.....

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Statement not normally heard on the EscapeForum:

I'm not jealous

But, it does seem like a great solution for the interim!

Interim being the key, otherwise I would have ran to hide.

Originally Posted by gabeck

Well ...that's a relief ! Was worried you guys might end up sleeping under a picnic table ......

With a good tarp and mattress that might not be too bad.

Originally Posted by Greg A

I think we'll have to change your name to "Sticky Jim Bennett."
For the interim.....

Sounds like I am being labelled a thief, though I did get a steal of a deal. :O

Originally Posted by Scuba55

That should be a good test for you new F-150

Like Carl alluded too, you could hardly tell it was there power wise. It towed great too, with just a wee bit of bounce, hardly anything though

Originally Posted by rbryan4

Off with his head.

I won't bee able to see where I am going then.

[MyronL]

Jim, you could have done a lot worse.