looking at buying a 5th wheel but i can't find any info about the brand

[illumastorm]

hi, i am looking at buying a 35' 5th wheel. all i know is it has the name 'escort' on the side. anyone know who makes this model? it has the 4 season's insulation package, no slide outs, and the front has huge glass type walls that i have never seen in any type camper before. i have been searching all over the web and haven't found anything.
any info will be greatly appreciated.

[RustyJC]

HERE is the only Escort I found. It's a park model, which explains the glass front.

Rusty

[TXiceman]

If it has a glass front and it is not double pane glass, I doubt if it is truly a 4-season trailer by today's standards.

Ken

[illumastorm]

how do you attach pics? maybe i can put a couple up to help people see what i am talking about, like the saying goes a picture is worth a thousand words.

[wingnut60]

I've never seen a park model fiver, but there are a LOT of things I haven't seen...
The Escort NADA book referenced by Rusty shows they made fivers and TTs back in the early '80s.
And, no way at that time did it have 4-season glass.
Do you know if it is sefl-contained? Where did you find it?
Joe

[illumastorm]

i think it was made in '82? i found this on craigslist indianapolis. just going by the pics the guy sent me as i haven't yet seen it in person. just trying to find out what i can before i drive 90 miles one way to see it in case it's not worth the time. the guy said it was fully insulated with the holding tanks insulated and heated and has ducted heat and air. but it does need a lot of work, there are outside doors missing and wall panels missing and looks like the underside of the 5thwheel floor panels are missing and looks like someone welded supports at an angle to help support the 5thwheel overhang area so the frame might be busted or getting weak and if thats the case then it needs to go to the scrap yard.
i'll see if i can post some pics.

[illumastorm]

[RustyJC]

Wow, that's a new one on me!!

Frankly, the outriggers supporting the frame for the 5th wheel overhang really would concern me. Obviously, there's been a problem or they wouldn't be there!! I guess your choices boil down to:

1. Leave 'em on there.
2. Take 'em off and take your chances.
3. Strip the front end of the 5th wheel, find the problem and attempt to make professional-type repairs (i.e., gusseting, welding on reinforcing plates, etc.).

If it were me, I'd go with #3, but it's going to take some time/money/skill (depending on your skill level and the amount of welding equipment you have, the mix between these factors will vary.)

The missing parts (outside doors, wall panels, etc.) - how do you plan on replacing them understanding that this is apparently such a "rare bird" that your chances of finding used replacements are probably zero? Someone's going to have to fabricate these, and if you farm it out, that won't be cheap!

You might want to query the folks here on iRV2's Vintage RV forum - some of them have rebuilt some real basket cases and can respond more knowledgeably than I can. I wouldn't want to tackle the project, but that's because I'm still working and just don't have the time and equipment to do it.

JM2CW....YMMV

Rusty

[illumastorm]

ok thanks, i'll post in the vintage section and see what i can find.

[TXiceman]

I think I would pass on that one.....

Ken

[illumastorm]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman I think I would pass on that one..... Ken

would you pass on it because of the supports for the 5thwheel area or just because it looks to be major work all over? i am not planning on doing any traveling with it, i was going to park it over at my dads property and maybe fix the minor things just have something to live in for the winter until my new house gets done enough to move into, then i was probably going to either sell it or scrap it out. but the major problem is getting it over there if the frame is not strong enough to handle being towed 90 miles.

[mhs4771]

Looks to me as if it's been set-up on a site since new and possibly those braces were added to take some of the wiggle out of the bedroom area. Am I missing something, but from the pics it appears the King Pin assembly isn't there, if so you won't move it until the braces have been removed and a pin box reinstalled. Unless you're getting for the cost of moving it, I think I would pass also, just way too many unknowns.

[illumastorm]

well the guy wants $1,000 and that includes delivery but like you said if there is no hitch then i am guessing he will put one on then take it back off after he delivers it. but yea the more i think about it the more i am deciding on passing on the deal. it'll probably be way worst then what he is saying. i guess thats why it's been listed for a long time and still hasn't sold even though he said he has gotten lots of good offers and i need to act fast lol, yea ok i have heard that stuff before, he's just trying to get my money.

[Sandie115]

I would not take it if FREE, he has gonads for asking any money for the darn thing!! dangerous to say the least. Animals and insects are probably permanent inhabitants, MOLD also and it goes on.