New 2 me 2006 27BH

carl.net · 10-28-2010, 07:03 PM

Hello friends.
I just purchased a 2006 Salem LE 27BH and was wondering if there is a list of items I should check and/or just replace/repair? This is my first TT so I do not have my own list already.

ThanX
Carl.

**Herk7769** · 10-28-2010, 07:12 PM

I would suggest that you start reading. Look in the tech areas for folks that had issues with their camper and the solutions that worked.

If you have questions about any area in particular, post in that forum and someone will be along shortly with an answer to your prayers. (hopefully!)

Welcome to the forum and have fun with your new camper.

MtnGuy · 10-28-2010, 07:43 PM

Carl, if the tires are original, I would start with those. Check the DOT date......it will be in a stamped area after a bunch of other numbers. Something like 3404 (34th week of 2004). If they are 5 or 6 years old, they should probably be replaced, no matter what the tread looks like.

carl.net · 10-28-2010, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtnguy

Carl, if the tires are original, I would start with those.

Great advice! Many thanX.

**Herk7769** · 10-28-2010, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtnguy

Carl, if the tires are original, I would start with those. Check the DOT date......it will be in a stamped area after a bunch of other numbers. Something like 3404 (34th week of 2004). If they are 5 or 6 years old, they should probably be replaced, no matter what the tread looks like.

In PA, campers with brakes require a yearly inspection. After replacing the tires with new ones, I would have the brakes and wheel bearings inspected/repacked.

carl.net · 10-28-2010, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herk7769

After replacing the tires with new ones, I would have the brakes and wheel bearings inspected/repacked.

Another great idea! It is my understanding this trailer sat in a lot for the last 4 years. But either way a good check over of the breaks and repacking the bearings is good mojo.

**Herk7769** · 10-29-2010, 06:40 AM

Do you know the condition of the holding tanks?

Was it winterized for long term storage before it was put up?

Be Very careful putting water in for the first time. There could be leaks.

I would put 2 or 3 gallons into the fresh water tank (not the city water connection yet) and see if the DC water pump will (a) prime and (b) pressurize the system before I tried connecting up pressurized outside water. If you do have a cracked pipe or fitting, high pressure water will really make a mess fast.

Visually inspect all propane fittings before checking out whether the appliances work.

Rodent damage to wires? Use care.

Lots to do before your first camping trip.

carl.net · 10-29-2010, 07:02 AM

The trailer is one of the famous FEMA trailers that were never used...

Quote:

Originally Posted by herk7769

Do you know the condition of the holding tanks?

I paid a little extra to get it from a middle man who has checked and repaired all non working systems so everything is reported to be working. I think it is reasonable to say in reality I have no clue. Grin.

Quote:

Was it winterized for long term storage before it was put up?

Be Very careful putting water in for the first time. There could be leaks.

Good idea. I did trace all the visible water fittings right after they pressure tested it. But from another thread it sounds like their might be some under the trailer behind the insulation?

Quote:

I would put 2 or 3 gallons into the fresh water tank (not the city water connection yet) and see if the DC water pump will (a) prime and (b) pressurize the system before I tried connecting up pressurized outside water. If you do have a cracked pipe or fitting, high pressure water will really make a mess fast.

Good advice. I usually do this on my boat every year so it sounds like very good advice for the trailer.

Quote:

Visually inspect all propane fittings before checking out whether the appliances work.

I have already identified one of the quick disconnects at the front as needing replacement. But I have not yet had a chance to run my leak detector over the whole system.

Quote:

Rodent damage to wires? Use care.

I did not see any evidence of rodents chewing on the unit. But I also have only had access to it at the lot for about 2 hours... Grin.

Quote:

Lots to do before your first camping trip.

I am not sure if I am more excited about working on it or camping. Big grin. I needed a new project that would get my son and I out of the house.

Really good advice! Please keep it coming!

**Herk7769** · 10-29-2010, 07:30 AM

"The trailer is one of the famous FEMA trailers that were never used..."

Careful here. I understand that some of those trailers did not have holding tanks and were designed to hook up to the sewer directly.

"I am not sure if I am more excited about working on it or camping. Big grin. I needed a new project that would get my son and I out of the house."

Me too.

carl.net · 10-29-2010, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herk7769

"The trailer is one of the famous FEMA trailers that were never used..."

Careful here. I understand that some of those trailers did not have holding tanks and were designed to hook up to the sewer directly.

Yep. They had some of those as well but I was not interested as the amount of retrofitting required was more than I was willing to take on.

It i also easy to identify them as they have standard house refrigerators.

08flagvlite · 10-29-2010, 08:44 AM

If you can, I would suggest camping in it in your backyard or driveway first, and trying all of the systems and appliances, to become familiar with their operation, as well as to identify any abnormalities. That way, there are no surprizes when you do take it 50 miles from home to a campsite in the middle of the woods. Randy

carl.net · 10-29-2010, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 08flagvlite

If you can, I would suggest camping in it in your backyard or driveway first, and trying all of the systems and appliances, to become familiar with their operation, as well as to identify any abnormalities. That way, there are no surprizes when you do take it 50 miles from home to a campsite in the middle of the woods. Randy

That sounds like very good advice. My neighborhood does not allow trailers but there is a camp ground two miles from where I am storing the TT and 1 mile from my house.

carl.net · 12-05-2010, 10:02 AM

One month from purchase punch list of things I have done.

- Tires and Breaks
1. Replaced original China bomb Bias play tires with new China bomb radials. I figured that since most if not all tires are now made in china I should at least have new ones that have been balanced.
2. Adjusted breaks to spec.
3. Install Bearing buddies on all four wheels

- LP Systems
1. Replaced leaking 30# LP tanks.
2. Replaced leaking LP pigtails.

- Water and sewer
1. Installed ball valves on the low point water drains.
2. Replace Valtura T1015 sewer drain pipe

- Electrical
1. Replace 7 pin trailer light pigtail.
2. Rewire 7 pin pigtail junction box so that break lights and turn lights actually work.
3. Install new 135 AH deep cycle battery.
4. Install battery shutoff switch.
5. New battery box.
6. Solar trickle charger for battery.
7. Replace breakaway switch
8. Replace battery in smoke and CO2 detectors

- Kitchen and bath
1. Have recall serviced on Dometic refrigerator.
2. Install new anode in water heater.
3. Install paper towel holder in kitchen
4. Install hand rag towel at bathroom sink.
5. Replace bathroom fan
6. Install new showerhead and hose.

- Other
1. Install and set up weight distributing anti sway hitch.
2. Modify queen bed platform to take a full size queen mattress
3. Fix three leaks in roof using eturnabond tape.
4. Replace door locks with new ones that are keyed alike.
5. Clean and paint towing chain
6. Clean and paint battery box
7. Bend steps back to spec

MtnGuy · 12-05-2010, 10:22 AM

Wow. Did you have enough time to eat and sleep in between all of that ??

carl.net · 12-05-2010, 10:57 AM

Not really. I had about 3 weeks to get it all done in and still do my day job... Grin.

**Herk7769** · 12-05-2010, 11:42 AM

Wow Carl. Good job. Now get out there and enjoy the great outdoors!

xf021209 · 12-27-2010, 11:18 PM

Doing the same thing, completely customizing my FEMA TT. Just ripped out the very small bathroom in the back and bunk beds have also been removed. New bathroom will be full width of the back of the trailer. Already have clean, gray, and black water tanks and more. While demoing the bathroom I found the workmanship to be pretty poor. That makes sense for as fast as these TT's were being assembled, but the construction is VERY solid. It took me over two hours to get the bathroom disassembled and all parts removed. Looking forward to getting the remodel done and using the trailer next year. Have fun Carl.

carl.net · 12-27-2010, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xf021209

Doing the same thing, completely customizing my FEMA TT. Just ripped out the very small bathroom in the back and bunk beds have also been removed. New bathroom will be full width of the back of the trailer.

I would be very interested to see what you have designed and are building!!

xf021209 · 12-27-2010, 11:59 PM

Your welcome to check out what I'm doing and my progress at the following link. Let me know if you are unable to see the pictures.

Todd

My FEMA Travel Trailer Project | Facebook

I'm enjoying the work. Hope to have the inner walls, linoleum, and carpet pulled next weekend. Plus I will have to remodel the closet that is outside the bathroom. I'm going to move the bathroom wall forward just past the rear window. This'll mean I have to move the power inverter too, but that isn't that difficult. FR left enough wire length so that I should be able to move it about a foot forward to be in front of the new bathroom wall. More to come.

carl.net · 12-28-2010, 08:36 AM

Very interesting and thank you for posting a link to the pictures. Yours is a park model so it is set up differently on the inside. Your foldout is where my kitchen is and where your kitchen is located is where my foldout is located. Also my bath tub runs along the back of the trailer. I also noticed you have your hot and cold pipes in red and blue flex whereas mine are all white flex.

When you are done please post again as I am excited to see the finished bathroom. Will your new design include a back bunk?

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