1988 Bigfoot TF-20 named Gladys - Page 3 - Fiberglass RV
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Old 11-29-2017, 09:53 PM   #41
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Bill, your jacks are the same that were on the four corners of my 9' slide in cabover camper. They were pretty popular on slide in's. I've never seen them on a 5th wheel before though. When I would jack the camper off the truck I would lift front first for clearance to the trucks roof, then the rear. My camper was pretty stiff and I could jack one end up using just one jack and having just three legs on the ground without any flexing and then dropping the forth one down to take its load then move to the other end. Most times three lifts were plenty for removal. Being these FG TTs seem to have more flex and weight, I would think the landing setups that drive both legs at the same time would be a better set up. BTW, that's a sweet looking BF you found, I enjoyed your story.
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Old 11-30-2017, 07:37 AM   #42
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landing gear mod

Mike,

Thanx for sharing your information. We are thinking along the same lines. I'll be shopping around for a replacement set of landing gear and will take a look at what you have selected. Space is going to be a concern because I want to be able to use the manual crank, if possible, just in case of a motor/electrical failure.

Dave,

These things are strong and I can see them easily lifting a truck camper. I believe we may be doing some cold weather camping, since we can, and I worry about the reliability of the hydraulics in the cold.

This place is great for getting good ideas and I really appreciate the input. Thanx for your comments.

bill(not laura)
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Old 11-30-2017, 08:08 AM   #43
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I ordered the landing gear from eTrailer last night. Had to order the mounting brackets also.
Ordered a motor, already have the switch.
Free shipping!
Will install in the spring, when I get back from Texas.
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Old 12-03-2017, 05:39 PM   #44
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Hi Bill and Laura!! We hope to see you guys out camping sometime!!

Cumberland Point Recreation Area (not to be confused with privately owned Cumberland Point Campground) is the place we were thinking of. Natural Bridge Middle Fork Campground (by the creek) is also relaxing!!

Joe (and Cherie) ha!
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Old 12-03-2017, 07:32 PM   #45
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JWScarab View Post
Hi Bill and Laura!! We hope to see you guys out camping sometime!!

Cumberland Point Recreation Area (not to be confused with privately owned Cumberland Point Campground) is the place we were thinking of. Natural Bridge Middle Fork Campground (by the creek) is also relaxing!!

Joe (and Cherie) ha! hahahaha
J/C:

We are always looking forward to seeing friends when we're out camping, old and new, as well as having new and exciting destinations to visit. Thanks for the great visit. Looking forward to seeing you on the road!

b&l
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Old 12-30-2017, 05:01 PM   #46
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To bed, to bed

After camping for both Thanksgiving and Christmas, we finally put Gladys to bed with her own blankee!

We have begun compiling a list of spring projects for warmer weather including a new awning and a new taillight.
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Old 12-30-2017, 05:18 PM   #47
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Bill where did you get your cover?

Here are lights I installed
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Old 12-31-2017, 09:59 AM   #48
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Bill where did you get your cover?

Here are lights I installed
We bought this cover from Amazon here. I would have preferred it to be a little smaller from end-to-end because Gladys is relatively short when compared to other 5vrs, but this is the smallest they make from the Classic manufacturer. This cover comes with a ladder cap to protect the cover from the top of the ladder. We have padded the antenna and kitchen vents using multiple layers of old bath towels and we'll have to watch these for movement. The escape hatch and the bathroom vent seem to be pretty flatish so we didn't pad them.

This is our first cover and it'll be interesting to see how long it'll last. I'm hoping for three years. Only time will tell...
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Old 12-31-2017, 10:10 AM   #49
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You should be good! It would last less time up here in the north, I'm sure.

I'm still jealous of that camper! It's weird, though...I go back & forth between loving the idea of a 19' Bigfoot or 5th wheel Bigfoot for the extra space, and thinking that I'd actually be just fine with a little 13' Scamp (I've seen one person pick one up by the tongue and pull it over and set it on the truck hitch! And my truck would be a lot happier).

So maybe that means my compromise is still my current trailer.

Happy New Year.
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Old 12-31-2017, 01:11 PM   #50
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Originally Posted by ZachO View Post
You should be good! It would last less time up here in the north, I'm sure.

I'm still jealous of that camper! It's weird, though...I go back & forth between loving the idea of a 19' Bigfoot or 5th wheel Bigfoot for the extra space, and thinking that I'd actually be just fine with a little 13' Scamp (I've seen one person pick one up by the tongue and pull it over and set it on the truck hitch! And my truck would be a lot happier).

So maybe that means my compromise is still my current trailer.

Happy New Year.
ZachO,

We had the 16' Scamp so we know from experience that any Scamp would simply be too small for us as a couple. I could live alone in a 16' Scamp for an extended period but even that would become trying if pressed for more than a month or two. I just want a little more elbow room that includes a dedicated bed room. That's what our Bigfoot provides and it's very spacious because of the extra height as well as the width. Gladys may well be our forever camper.

Haaaappy New Year!!! to you too.

bill (not laura)
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Old 01-07-2018, 11:58 AM   #51
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Stuck working inside because of the cold, but...

I managed to repair the old clock that came in a box of parts with our camper.
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Old 01-07-2018, 03:59 PM   #52
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How cool is that!

Bigfoot looks like he's in a hurry to get somewhere...
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Old 02-20-2018, 11:01 AM   #53
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The new parts start arriving on Thursday and the weather appears to be providing an opportunity to complete some upgrades:


landing gear
charge controller
truck box
lp/co gas alarm
tri-pod
surge suppressor


Getting ready for the first trip this spring! LET'S GO CAMPING!!!
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Old 02-20-2018, 12:06 PM   #54
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good for you

I have been watching Gladys I was hoping it was going to be for sale but I guess not now!

best regards and happy camping

bob
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Old 02-20-2018, 12:30 PM   #55
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What landing gear setup are you going with?
Will you take pictures? I’m going to update mine, when we get home in April.
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Old 02-20-2018, 02:33 PM   #56
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New landing gear on our Bigfoot

Mike,

I've chosen this Ultra-Fab set bought from Amazon. The original hydraulics still work but they're leaking and I don't want to "mess" with them if/when we decide to do some cold weather camping. That oil gets pretty thick in the cold and I was forced to carry a pry bar to leverage them into road position. That's prolly not good for the seals but it wasn't gonna warm up enough to get packed up so I didn't have much choice. The Ultra-Fab will carry the weight easily and I like the idea of running them off separate switches to help with leveling. It's gonna require a custom mounting plate that should be easy to obtain while keeping any welding away from the body of the camper. I'll be documenting everything as part of this "modifications" thread. Stay tuned...

bill (not laura)
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Old 02-21-2018, 09:12 AM   #57
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheWanderers View Post
The new parts start arriving on Thursday and the weather appears to be providing an opportunity to complete some upgrades:


landing gear
charge controller
truck box
lp/co gas alarm
tri-pod
surge suppressor


Getting ready for the first trip this spring! LET'S GO CAMPING!!!
ALL of the new gear just arrived, a day early, via UPS. My "to-do" list just got real. Add to that, a major wash/wax job. Whew!

bill (not laura)
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Old 02-21-2018, 02:58 PM   #58
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Bill, do you have a new Escape 5.0 on order?
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Old 02-22-2018, 09:14 AM   #59
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Bill, do you have a new Escape 5.0 on order?
MSZabo, Nope. We had completed the build sheet and were ready to pull the trigger to order a brand new 5.0 TA. However, we made a point to hold off until we laid hands on one, personally, so we would know exactly what we'd be getting for our money.

We set an appointment and visited someone nearby that had a reasonably new Escape 5.0TA and after a thorough examination we decided that we just couldn't justify the money for the product; specifically, the size was just too small for us in so many ways. The windows were too small, the isle way was too narrow and the size of the sleeping area was undersized as well. Just couldn't do it.

So, we found Gladys online here in the Marketplace and bought it sight unseen, except for pictures provided by the seller. I drove to Canada to pick 'er up and it's become our forever camper. This Bigfoot 5.0 Deluxe dual axle is everything we wanted in every way. Only thing that'd make it any better is if it was brand new..., but since they don't make 'em anymore, this is the next best thing.

I'll be working over the next few weeks to complete some basic upgrades and I plan to reseal a few windows and some other stuff that should have been done as regular maintenance but wasn't.

The big project will be updating charge controller from Progressive Dynamics, but that isn't required for us to camp and enjoy the coming season. I'll prolly get 'er done before our first outing anyway.

Can't wait!

bill (not laura)
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Old 02-22-2018, 09:20 AM   #60
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The big project will be updating charge controller from Progressive Dynamics,
From Progressive Dynamics? What are you going to?
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