Total Newbs.. 1998 D.Komfort 5th

[Starghoti]

Well, we finally found a rig we both liked! Yay
(and the dogs liked it too, as you will see from the pics )

1998 Dutchmen Komfort 5th 27RL

Has need of a little lovin'. Re-sealing around everything, a good roof scrub/condition, slider lube, the basics. It was a "Grandpa" rig and they used it lightly and gently, just not everything was cared for properly. Eg: gooey ductwork caulk around a few windows and such..

Been trying to find an owner's manual. I found the Dutchman corp site, cust.svc, archived docs.. but ours is nowhere to be found..?

As we are Total Newbies and have vast amounts of ignorance at our disposal..
Any other things I should look for/watch/do? Anyone else have this rig?









Thanks!

[kayakcrazy]

Welcome folks to the forum. Looks like you made a fine purchase there with lots of storage and windows. All you need to do is add your personal touches to really make it feel like home away from home. Happy trails to you.

[DesertRat]

Welcome to the RV life style. First thing I'd do is take it out close to home for a weekend shake down. Check for water leaks with the pump on. Check for any leaks with city water connected. Most important thing is to have fun.

[EricNSTL]

It looks like the dogs may enjoy it more then anyone else. Happy Trails!

[Starghoti]

Got it home yesterday- Um.. Truck was not entirely happy about coming out of retirement.

1999 GMC 2500
Will a tune, air filter cleaning, etc make it any better?

[DesertRat]

Originally Posted by Starghoti

Got it home yesterday- Um.. Truck was not entirely happy about coming out of retirement.
1999 GMC 2500
Will a tune, air filter cleaning, etc make it any better?

15 year old truck, tune-up & filter change sure can't hurt.
How many miles on it?

[Starghoti]

210k
Has the factory tow pkg, cooler, etc..
Also will have the tranny fluid/filter changed.
Switch to synthetic oil.
Just cleaned the K&N filter yesterday.

Trying to find ways to help the truck do what it was made to do.

[FlyingDutchmen]

Congrats on your new purchase.... Sounds like you guys are going to have some fun !!

[Starghoti]

So.. couple things-

When we bought our 5th, we knew it 'had' a water leak. ...
Dealer said they would throw in a case of sealant. (yay)
Picked up our rig, and discovered the "sealant" the dealer threw in was Dicor lap sealer. NOT Useful to re-seal around tail lights and such.. sigh flippin' dealers...
Also they bolted the license plate frame to nothing (broken bracket on one side of holder and totally broken-gone bracket on other side) They said due to age (98) replacement part is unavailable. We found one online for $7... sigh again.

But- AH and HA! Think we found the source of the evil-waters. Slider is out of true.
Is this a basic bolt and bang procedure or is it ServiceTech territory?

Also- what sort of vinyl trim is good? the stuff in the edge-rails..

[HornedToad]

Originally Posted by Starghoti

Also- what sort of vinyl trim is good? the stuff in the edge-rails..

I think this is what your looking for...

Camco RV Vinyl Trim Insert - Black - 25' Long x 1" Wide Camco RV and Camping CAM25113

eTrailer also has the white, measure the width on the old trim, I believe it comes in two sizes with 1 inch being the most common.

Also, on an older trailer I would recommend checking the age of the tires and even if they look OK, if they are over 3 to 5 years old you should replace them especially if the trailer has set up during that time.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=11

[Starghoti]

HT- checked the tires on original lookieSee. Manf. Code 2013 yay!

And I can get that seal when I order replacement tail lights -also yay!
Also- tail light screws don't seem to screw to Anything..?
PS: anybody wanna come over nabs help us true the slider? LOL
Hubby can BBQ!

[Starghoti]

Another thing- how much 'drop' is ok when you hitch the 5th wheel?

At what point is the weight too much on the truck.. Took a tape measure to the bumper free/hitched. And the difference was right about 2.5"

That ok?

[HornedToad]

Originally Posted by Starghoti

Another thing- how much 'drop' is ok when you hitch the 5th wheel?

At what point is the weight too much on the truck.. Took a tape measure to the bumper free/hitched. And the difference was right about 2.5"

That ok?

In my first TT I had a 2 to 3 inch drop and it wasn't a problem for the truck... as long as your not on the helper springs. The issue was out on the highway getting flashed as passing cars think you have on your hi beams.

To level out consider a set of airbags for around $350 or about $500 installed.

[HornedToad]

Originally Posted by Starghoti

Also they bolted the license plate frame to nothing (broken bracket on one side of holder and totally broken-gone bracket on other side) They said due to age (98) replacement part is unavailable. We found one online for $7... sigh again.

After I broke the plastic license plate bracket on my old toy hauler... I got this idea off eTrailer for a cheap and flexible license plate holder using a template from a piece of rubber mat.

[Starghoti]

hmm- Kewl idea HToad.

I am going to try to get aftermarket duplicate replacement part for license plate.
Light housing needs replacing anyways- plastic is discolored and obviously weak.

Hubby found one.