TX | SOLD 1987 Bigfoot 20-foot Fifth Wheel (F-20 DLX)

[Rich Ess]

This rare trailer is available for a lucky new owner to fix up. It is twenty feet long and eight feet wide (spacious). Bigfoot stopped building fifth wheels in 1994 after a fire in the factory. They made both single and tandem axle versions. This is the single axle version. As with most Bigfoot 5ers of this vintage, the loaded trailer exceeds the GVW. The GVW is 3,744, but it typically weighs in at 4,500 to 5,000 pounds.



Purchased two years ago for $7,500, this trailer suffered a small fire last year. Fire and smoke damage has been corrected, but reconstruction work remains. I was working on it, when DW said, “Remember, this was supposed to be our starter trailer. If you’re enjoying working on the Bigfoot, that’s fine; but if it’s not fun, sell it and get a new trailer.” What a wonderful woman!



I ordered a 2017 Escape 5.0 TA, which will be ready in September.



Work needed:



1) Find and correct recently discovered leaks. I had finished pulling up the floor and was about to lay new vinyl when we had a big storm. There were several leaks. They seem to be recent leaks because the floor is still sound.



2) Lay new flooring.



3) Build a new stove/sink cabinet.



4) Make it pretty





Upgrades since I purchased this trailer.



1) Installed two Trojan 105 6-volt deep cycle batteries 18 months ago. Connected is series, this gives 220 Amp hours at 12V.



2) Replaced the original converter and power panel with a Progressive Dynamics 4045.



3) Added 120V and 12V outlets.



4) Replaced the oven. The new oven was near the fire and suffered some damage, but still works well. Certainly better than the one in it when I purchased the trailer.



5) Replaced the air conditioner



6) Installed two Maxxis 10 ply-tires 18 months ago. I did this after there was tread separation on the curb side tire. This caused significant damage to the fiberglass in the wheel well and adjacent areas. The damage was professionally fixed by a boat repair shop and paid for by my insurance. However, because of the age of the trailer my insurance company wanted to total the trailer. I convinced them to do the repair. I didn’t submit a claim for the fire because I knew they would total the trailer.



7) Installed an accumulator. This allows the pump to run less often.



8) Various other small items.



A previous owner wired the Bigfoot for an external solar panel (connected with an Attwood trolling motor connector). I got a portable panel and use it to charge the batteries when boondocking. It works great!



I’d price this trailer at $4,000 because of the needed work, but the upgrades bring the price up. I’m asking $5,000.



At this moment, I’m enjoying my Bigfoot at the molded fiberglass gathering at Quartzsite. I’ll leave here on 2/14 for southern California, where I’ll store the trailer and fly up to Portland to visit family. I return on 2/28; will spend a few days in SoCal and head back home to Houston. I can meet you anywhere along I-10 or...



I have the title and can close the right deal immediately.



I’ll post photos tomorrow.



For more information, PM or email me at

Cheman1980-Bigfoot@yahoo.com (temporary email)



Rich

[Ron Holmstrom]

Hi Rich, I am looking for a Bigfoot, but waiting for a settlement to be able to buy. Yours would certainly be a contender.
Ron

[Rich Ess]

Hey Ron,

Wow! Driving from Alaska to Houston might be a record drive to get a Bigfoot.

Rich

[Ron Holmstrom]

Looking at all options-

[Rich Ess]

Outside











Inside

NOTE: the table, table legs and leg mounts are not currently installed. However, I have them with me and they are easy to put in.









New Queen sized mattress (standard 80x60 not an "RV Queen")

[Rich Ess]

Bathroom



Solar panel connection (panel not included in sale)


Solar charge charge controler (included in sale)


Trojan deep cycle batteries (stay with the trailer)


New PD 4045 converter/power panel


New Maxxfan with remote control


Stove and sink

[Rich Ess]

The fridge works great in 120V and propane modes. Previous owner said it worked for them in 12V modes (i.e. while towing), but that hasn't worked out for me. Maybe my F150 doesn't put out enough current. It charges the batteries just fine when driving, but can't seem to power the fridge. So I use propane when on the road.

Outside


Inside


Freezer (note the frost)

[Ron Holmstrom]

Looks great. I am awaiting a settlement before I can make a decision, so I imagine yours may be gone. I hadn't planned on a 5th wheel, but yours looks really good. I am also waiting to buy a vehicle until I decide upon which Bigfoot I will be hauling. I plan to live in it most of every year.

[Rich Ess]

Comments added 3/17/2017 about the roof

I have forgotten to describe the roof issues. As stated above, the air conditioner was replaced in 2015. What I didn’t say is that it was replaced because, as a noobee, I drove under an overhand that was too low for the A/C to clear. As a result, the A/C was destroyed, but the roof was fine. Unfortunately, the techs that replaced the A/C got on the roof. Bigfoot trailers on of this age have known issues with roof strength. They were not deigned to be climbed on.

The fiberglass on the roof is very thin, it did not break, but it sagged along with the supports. As a result, water pooled on the roof near the A/C. I did an exploratory cut in the upper paneling in hopes of putting a support into the insulation. This proved not possible. I removed the upper side cabinets and reinforced the roof with three curved 2”x3”x1/4” rectangular aluminum tubes. The ends of the “beams” are supported by 1x2 screwed to the paneling on the outside walls. The upper cabinets were trimmed around the “beams” and rehung. The longer cabinet, on the passenger side went up better and is flush to the ceiling. But the shorter cabinet, on the driver’s side, needs additional support. This affects the condition of the trailer, so I am lowering the asking price to $4,500. Here are photos of the junction between the roof and cabinets.

In order of appearance:

Driver’s side above the fridge and microwave, looking toward the rear

Driver’s side above the fridge and microwave, looking toward the front. What looks like a gap (the pink is insulation) above the “beam” is the area I cut out to explore. You can see the actual gap above the beam in the previous photo.

Driver’s side above the microwave and back storage area

Passenger side above the back part of the cabinet (above the sink & dinette)

Passenger side above the back part of the cabinet (above the sink & stove). What looks like a gap above the “beam” is the area I cut out to explore.

[Rich Ess]

Thank you for your interest! My trailer has now been sold.

Rich