Fixing up our 1996 Shasta 265 fifth wheel

Hello again. It has been a while since I posted about our fifth wheel project back in March so I thought I would do an update.
The first issue was that the fridge wouldn't stay lit when we picked it up. It turned out to be a faulty igniter. Fixed that. However since then we have learned that there was a recall on the old Dometic and ours is part of it. It is at the dealers now getting that checked out as well as getting the wheel bearings checked out and re packed. The previous owner said he had done it but better safe than sorry.
The trim around all of the storage compartments and doors looks pretty bad..moldy and shrunken and missing in places so we have new to replace that as well as around the door and other places. We also are replacing the outside fixtures for exterior plugs, city water, water fill, etc. they are pretty grungy and the caulking around them is in bad shape.
The hitch is in good condition and the trailer tows easily with our 2500HD diesel. We have a sliding hitch due to our short bed.
Paul (my husband) started tearing things out of the inside including the bedroom and stair carpeting and everything under the jackknife sofa which includes the water tank, pump and ductwork got the heat. It was filthy under there and the wheel well actually had a split that had been repaired with tape but allowed water and dirt to enter the living quarters. There were also large holes where hoses came in that had no flanges around them or other seal. There were some tears in the aluminum foil ductwork as well which required patching with aluminum tape. Everything under there got cleaned up and repaired as needed. We noticed the converter was making a humming noise and was not keeping the battery charged as it should. We decided to replace that which necessitated a couple of days work refitting the housing to fit the newer and more powerful one. But the new converter solved the problem fine.
We also noticed the stairs up to the bedroom seemed unstable. We tore it out a rebuilt it to be wider and sturdier adding new treads and risers. At the same time we cleaned up and re-floored the storage compartment underneath the stairs. The entire perimeter of the bedroom needed caulking and sealing. We noticed the weep hole covers were missing from some of the windows but were never able to locate replacements after calling around. Black duct tape will work for now. We decided to replace the weatherstripping on the door since the old was permanently compressed and useless. He also cleaned and fixed the old noisy bathroom fan and installed a new Fantastic fan in the bedroom. Not fun since we have one of those stoop-shouldered bedrooms in this trailer.
We tore out the old stereo enclosure and tv shelf and bought a new stereo, minus a cassette tape player :) and built a new stereo cabinet to house it. We also bought a new 28" flat screen and swivel bracket to mount lower than the old crink-in-the neck tv shelf.
Meanwhile I have been sewing like crazy. I made new covers for the dinette cushions and am almost finished reupholstering the jackknife sofa. This has been the project from Hell because of the thick fabric I chose and trying to duplicate the bullnose design that Shasta used. The stitch ripper became a close friend. I will post some photos and continue this later. Bye for now from the bottom of the money and work pit.
Happy Trails....

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Comment by Ron on June 3, 2017 at 12:44pm
That's great. No rush.

I can always call and talk too
Comment by M K Wilkie on June 3, 2017 at 12:31pm
Ron, we have been really busy since we got back from camping. I haven't forgotten about the converter issue. I just haven't been able to tie him down to do it. Many things vying for time...grass so tall its seeding, mower needs to be summarized, motorcycle sale (:(. Trash to take to the transfer station, tools to gather, eyebdrops for his cataract surgery on Monday at 7:30am. But after the surgery he will have to slow down and help me reply to you, right?
Comment by M K Wilkie on June 1, 2017 at 6:00pm
Lakota, we were under the gun to get 're done. Almost divorced a few times but made it somehow.
Comment by Lakota Wolf on June 1, 2017 at 4:55pm

Wow,,,,, very productive,,,,, and then hit the old camp sites to grab some R&R. Have safe travels,

Comment by M K Wilkie on June 1, 2017 at 2:18pm
Thank you Rich. So glad it's finished except for details. We really enjoyed camping in it the last thee days. On our way home now.
Comment by Rich Thomas on May 31, 2017 at 11:22pm

M K That is a lot of update glad things are moving along for you/

Comment by M K Wilkie on May 31, 2017 at 1:36pm
Hi Ron sure. I will have my husband tell you on here. We are camping now but will be back home tomorrow. No internet or phone at the campground. At the RV store in town now getting more toilets chemical.
Comment by Ron on May 31, 2017 at 11:53am

I have the same power converter issue on the same trailer. I would love to talk to you about how you changed the converter.

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