My FREE 1983 21' Fiver.

[jpares89]

I picked this thing up an hour away from me. I found it on the craigslist free section. Now I know it's way too low for my truck but thats ok I have a 32' Kountry star fiver as my primary camper and I don't plan on keeping it. I'm going to gut and redo the entire thing and sell it for a fair price. Everything is there but has some water damage and the ceiling is falling down. I also have the title and keys. The original owner gave it to me. I took it to redo for a family to enjoy instead of letting some junkie scrap it for his fix. I will be sure to post lots of pics and information for people who plan to re do these.

[Sunline Fan]

Very nice! Judging on the pole and awning arms, you definitely have a lot of water damage to deal with. But, I love how original it is! You've got the original hubcaps (and white wall tires!), original cushions, original headboards, and original appliances including the refrigerator! I know some came with wall clocks like that originally, not sure if that was one or not. But it very well could be factory!

The door is rebuildable because the wood frame probably rotted, they all do. Putting that panel over top certainly wasn't the right way for the previous owner to fix it.

The original taillights are still available today, so those are easy to get.

Given how the ceiling looks, I can only imagine how it smells in there!

This is definitely a coach you won't see every day, and is a little desirable these days since small pickups can pull it.

Best of luck in your project, and remember we're here if you have any questions!

[JohnB]

Wow, that is a rare find. And could be a fun project, though a long one.

Yes, please post pics etc. We are here to help as needed.

I always wondered what the tandem axle older 5'ers looked like in side, now we know.

[jpares89]

Yes it has pretty good water damage but it pretty sound. the floor only has two soft spots. It is 100% original. With the 100% original smell of rotting ass.. The wall clock is built in and has the same screws as everything else. The water heater is the only replaced appliance. It was replaced in 2003. The heater is the only non working thing. The gas does not go though the metering block. I will ask for help when needed.

[jpares89]

Started gutting the bedroom. Damage is pretty bad as I expected.

[Gene]

Amazing coincidence. My wife and I saw you going Northbound on 95 in Warwick on Saturday afternoon. (we were Southbound) I noticed the pin made the front high and I commented to her that it was an older Sunline 5th wheel built in the days you didn't need a ladder to get to the bed of the truck.

Good luck with the restoration.

[Sunline Fan]

Yep, that luan panel just kinda disintegrates as soon as you start to pull it down.

I'm really feeling for your sinuses right now, I've done my fair share of that stuff in the past!

Yet somehow I still find myself looking at old Sunlines...

[Split]

J: WELCOME Good Score.. We just got the 18 ft 5th style , single axle like this about two weeks ago. We are in the Chattanooga area. I have roof vent / cover repairs from the prior owner.. These 5th style are different going forward. Any repairs ,upgrade mods will only be positive from your work.
Keep the pics coming.

[jpares89]

Originally Posted by Gene

Amazing coincidence. My wife and I saw you going Northbound on 95 in Warwick on Saturday afternoon. (we were Southbound) I noticed the pin made the front high and I commented to her that it was an older Sunline 5th wheel built in the days you didn't need a ladder to get to the bed of the truck.

Good luck with the restoration.

What a small world. I'm from Barrington. What part of RI are you from? We also may have crossed paths before. Same black diesel but I also have a 32' Nemar Kountry star 5th wheel that I've taken to sweet water forest a few times this year.

[Gene]

Originally Posted by jpares89

... What part of RI are you from? ...

We are in North Kingstown in the Davisville area (just off School St.)

Our first family camping experiences were at Sweetwater Forest. At the time they had Starcraft popups set up for onsite rental in the A area. That was waaaaaay back when our kids were toddlers.

[jpares89]

I will be updating with pics when I work on it. lol

[jpares89]

Pictures are coming. We had a warm day yesterday and I finished gutting the ceiling. The wood work in the walls are still ok. No rot.

[jpares89]

Here are some pictures. Along with the work i did today of fixing some ones half assed way or replacing the roof vent in the master bedroom. Instead of cutting a new hole they used black ROOFING TAR to "glue" the new over sized vent over the smaller old one. That was the reason for all the leaks.. Fortunately the wall studs are ok.

[jpares89]

The new roof structure.

[Sunline Fan]

Looking really good! These things are hard enough working on due to tight spaces, but it must be really fun having to climb up above there all the time.

[jpares89]

Redid the ceiling structure and reinforced it with a piece of steel C channel. Then started on the back wall in the bathroom closet.

[jpares89]

Originally Posted by Sunline Fan

Looking really good! These things are hard enough working on due to tight spaces, but it must be really fun having to climb up above there all the time.

Yeah.. Lots of fun.. lol. Especially that I'm 6' 4" tall. lol. I just sit when I can being I can't even stand up in that camper. My Newmar fifth wheel has 7 foot ceilings which is why I kept that one.

[Gene]

I love seeing positive progress like that, nice work. Thanks for sharing the pictures with us.

[jpares89]

Originally Posted by Gene

I love seeing positive progress like that, nice work. Thanks for sharing the pictures with us.

I'm happy to do so! I love see in the responses I get.

[jpares89]

I think the fridge is junk. The 110v heating element trips the breaker once it gets hot, I haven't even tried to light the gas element. The 12v element gets real hot but the fridge does not seem to get cool at all. It is the original Dometic RM660.