Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
Gulf Stream Owners RV Forum
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 07-29-2010, 02:11 PM   #1
sierra_91_2000
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 5
Default 2005-Gulfstream Cavalier Fixer Uper

We just bought our first travel trailer at an auction. Downloaded the owners manual from GS sight. It was pretty basic and not that helpful. the manual tells you how to operate the stove, fuse box, etc. But it doesn't tell you where it is located. Is there any pic diagrams somewhere that points and tells you where and what things are? Please help. I am sure I have more questions but wanted to start here first. We need to know where everything is so I can ask more quetions

Is anyone else fixing up a FEMA trailer? If so how is it going? Has it been worth it?
sierra_91_2000 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-29-2010, 08:01 PM   #2
shotwhat
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: LOUISIANA
Posts: 6
Default FEMA TRAILER

i picked one up at an auction in la. i set it up for a hunting camp with no problems everything works so far. only thing i can't figure out is what the 2 hoses under the lavatory going outside are for. when i hook up water to the citywater hookup it pours out of those hoses. i got a couple of plugs to try on them next time i go up. do you have any clues?
shotwhat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2010, 02:48 PM   #3
TUPFAM
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 48
Default Re: FEMA TRAILER

Quote:
Originally Posted by shotwhat
only thing i can't figure out is what the 2 hoses under the lavatory going outside are for. when i hook up water to the citywater hookup it pours out of those hoses. do you have any clues?
Sounds like they are low point drains. Just cap them tightly and you should be fine.
__________________
'02 Ford F150 SuperCrew 5.4L
'07 Gulf Stream Conquest 25RSL
TUPFAM is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2010, 02:49 PM   #4
sierra_91_2000
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 5
Default

Shotwhat: I wonder if those 2 hoses aren't for the gray water and black water tanks that did not come with the trailers. The other thing I am thinkit could be is the fresh water tank (meaning the hoses would hook up to it if there was one).

we just got ours last weekend...this weekend we were going to play around and try to figure out what is working and what isn't, what we have or don't...make a list and start working on a plan to fix it up.

I'm looking forward to our new project.
sierra_91_2000 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2010, 03:52 PM   #5
gsadmin
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 226
Default

Interesting, so did they build these trailers without tanks knowing they were going to be used in a static operation and saved money by doing it. If so, I am SURE they passed that savings onto the government...right...
__________________
Happy GulfStreamer
2004 Ultra Supreme Class A 30'
- Added hard-wired Pro-Sine 1000 Inverter
- Converted batteries to 4x6V from 2x12V
- Added Bully air-horn
- Added Safe-T-Steer

SLC, UT
gsadmin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2010, 06:04 PM   #6
Timothy
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 393
Default Re: FEMA TRAILER

Quote:
Originally Posted by TUPFAM
Quote:
Originally Posted by shotwhat
only thing i can't figure out is what the 2 hoses under the lavatory going outside are for. when i hook up water to the citywater hookup it pours out of those hoses. do you have any clues?
Sounds like they are low point drains. Just cap them tightly and you should be fine.
Thats what it sounds like to me too.
__________________
Tim
Timothy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2010, 09:45 PM   #7
shotwhat
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: LOUISIANA
Posts: 6
Default

thanks guys for the advice. one thing i forgot to mention is when you get your camper check out the hot water heater anode rod. when i got mine the threads in my hot water heater were almost gone due to corrosion. i guess when they hauled them away they pulled the rods to drain and the corrosion set in. i caught it just in time i had to chase the threads and use good ole teflon.
shotwhat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2010, 06:54 PM   #8
sierra_91_2000
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 5
Default

Quote:
Interesting, so did they build these trailers without tanks knowing they were going to be used in a static operation and saved money by doing it. If so, I am SURE they passed that savings onto the government...right...

Correct, they were built to be lived in and hooked right up in a trailer park community (like a mini manufactured home). It has true sewer hook ups. It even has a pocelain toilet vs an acutal travel trailer toilet. Our local RV mechanic said they would have to change the stool and some of the plumbing to have the gray and black water holding tanks hooked up and working properly.
sierra_91_2000 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2010, 06:58 PM   #9
sierra_91_2000
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 5
Default

What should we use to clean up the outside of the trailer? Any good sprays to get off some of these rain stain streaks? We power washed it and it looks better than how we brought it home but it still has some dark stains from run off water when it rained
sierra_91_2000 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2010, 08:01 PM   #10
shotwhat
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: LOUISIANA
Posts: 6
Default

well mine was pretty white when i bought it at the auction. i guess they used bleach and maybe try some simple green concentrate i use it on everything.
shotwhat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2010, 09:33 PM   #11
Timothy
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 393
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by sierra_91_2000
What should we use to clean up the outside of the trailer? Any good sprays to get off some of these rain stain streaks? We power washed it and it looks better than how we brought it home but it still has some dark stains from run off water when it rained
Try some Awesome cleaner from the dollar store, it works great on black streaks. Thetford black streak remover works well too but costs more. You will have to wax after using either one because they will strip the wax off, I keep some spray wax handy for touch ups.
__________________
Tim
Timothy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-08-2010, 04:02 PM   #12
dalek_56
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13
Default

i got one as well. just spent the past week getting it squared away. those 2 hoses coming out of the bottom are drains. either cap them off or put a fitting and valve for ease of draining for off season. <<<that is what i did. for cleaning you might check out aluminum siding cleaner. its a mild acid ..you spray it on and hose it off. i would read the instructions/warnings and test it out on a small patch. after that...use combination carwash/wax.

has anyone found a good place for parts?

has anyone found a parts manual. i already have the generic owners manual.

and where the heck is the VIN number???

overall i think they are well worth it....
dalek_56 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-16-2010, 11:12 AM   #13
Old Yeller
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 15
Default

I got mine about 2 months ago. I had to do water damage repair, but otherwise, everything worked fine. I've set mine up semi-permanent at a lake campsite. I'm tickled to death with it considering the price I paid.
Old Yeller is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-17-2010, 10:08 AM   #14
Thumper2811
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Wauconda il
Posts: 19
Default

The VIN is stamped into the tounge of the trailer. (the tounge is the part of the trailer that hooks up to your truck.
__________________
2008 Gulf Breeze M-29TRB
2006 Nissan Titan
Thumper2811 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2010, 10:43 AM   #15
lascassas_camper
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Middle TN
Posts: 15
Default

My 2006 Cavalier came with 1 huge holding tank, i have the gray lines that hang down below the bottom of the trailer as well, but i suspect they are low point drains.
__________________
*Life Member Good Sam Club

*2006 Gulfstream Cavalier
*2001 Chevy Suburban 1500, 5.3 V8, Tow PKG.
lascassas_camper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2010, 03:57 PM   #16
natemoore
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Pensacola
Posts: 62
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by sierra_91_2000
Shotwhat: I wonder if those 2 hoses aren't for the gray water and black water tanks that did not come with the trailers. The other thing I am thinkit could be is the fresh water tank (meaning the hoses would hook up to it if there was one).

we just got ours last weekend...this weekend we were going to play around and try to figure out what is working and what isn't, what we have or don't...make a list and start working on a plan to fix it up.

I'm looking forward to our new project.
They have nothing to do with the sewage/drainage system, but they certainly could be for fresh water, although I recently installed my black and grey water tanks, which had to go below those hoses. Fresh water tank would have to go forward of the axle, but you could re-route.
__________________
"Those who sacrifice freedom for security deserve neither."
---Ben Franklin
natemoore is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2010, 04:12 PM   #17
natemoore
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Pensacola
Posts: 62
Default Re: 2005-Gulfstream Cavalier Fixer Uper

Quote:
Originally Posted by sierra_91_2000
Is anyone else fixing up a FEMA trailer? If so how is it going? Has it been worth it?
We got our trailer for $3000. It looked and smelled really great on the inside. Didn't notice anything unusual when we were checking it out. So far, I've replaced the battery and converter, added black water and grey water holding tanks, and discovered really bad roof leaks (I started a thread on that). I'm going to have to replace the entire floor of the bedroom because it was wet, swollen, and molded. I discovered this after I happened to find soaking wet insulation under the floor. Cut the black plastic open. Gallons of water streamed out.

Even so, it will still be worth it because of the great price we paid for it. I'm unusually competent in taking apart, rebuilding, and putting back together. Went through this with a pop-up camper that I had to virtually strip down and rebuild from the ground up due to wood rot. Bought it for $1200, sold it for $1800, used it for two years. Not bad.
__________________
"Those who sacrifice freedom for security deserve neither."
---Ben Franklin
natemoore is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-27-2010, 03:57 PM   #18
dalek_56
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by natemoore
Quote:
Originally Posted by sierra_91_2000
Shotwhat: I wonder if those 2 hoses aren't for the gray water and black water tanks that did not come with the trailers. The other thing I am thinkit could be is the fresh water tank (meaning the hoses would hook up to it if there was one).

we just got ours last weekend...this weekend we were going to play around and try to figure out what is working and what isn't, what we have or don't...make a list and start working on a plan to fix it up.

I'm looking forward to our new project.
They have nothing to do with the sewage/drainage system, but they certainly could be for fresh water, although I recently installed my black and grey water tanks, which had to go below those hoses. Fresh water tank would have to go forward of the axle, but you could re-route.
they are definitely fresh water. i did not know they were there and when i attached up a fresh water supply the water poured out of the uncapped one. so i am going to assume they are for draining the fresh water system.


also was just up at a huge RV dealer and saw this stuff....he was selling it at $28 a gallon. heres the website...cant attest to how it works.

http://www.reliableproductsonline.com/
dalek_56 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2010, 10:06 PM   #19
Redrider1500
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: IL
Posts: 5
Default

For the black/gray streaks on exterior I used about 1.5 gallons of Simple Green and a scrub brush on a pole... but even better is a cleaner called "Spray Nine" that's hard to find anywhere outside of Ace Hardware. Phenomenal cleaner. Afterwards, I was advised to go to the local truck stop and I hear they'll hit it with a truck wash for $50 or so that shapes em right up.
The two gray hoses, yes - the plugs go in the end, they're drains. I have new holding tanks I'll be installing VERY soon, got a great deal on eBay and will need a little fabricating for brackets - but otherwise should be ok. I'll post later once I get em installed. Black will go under stool in back, and gray will go over axles or as close as possible. Trying to put clear supply under bunk bed inside. we'll see how that works, looks like a great fit.
If you did your gray/black holding tanks, posting tips or etc would be helpful for the many who have yet to complete this task...
__________________
John
GMC 2500HD Crew Cab 6.0 V8 gas
2006 GS Cavalier
Redrider1500 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-05-2010, 01:40 AM   #20
dalek_56
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13
Default

sierra_91_2000 the best i can tell you is to get the model and serial # off of everything. there is a sticker in the cabinet above your sink that has gulfstreams numbers. BUT get the numbers of of all the appliances...water heater...toilet, stove...etc. its much easier to find parts for them that way. if you havent found the fuse box. its with the converter,,,floor level, in the kitchen towards the bathroom....brown cover. there are 15 amp ATC fuses for the 12v stuff and breakers for the 120v. i am in the midst of making a manual...complete with pictures but it will be awhile...once done you are more than welcome to it.
dalek_56 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Going to Buy a Gulfstream Cavalier for First time Tsiri FEMA Trailers 1 09-21-2011 01:38 PM
Going to Buy a Gulfstream Cavalier for First time Tsiri FEMA Trailers 2 08-08-2011 02:21 PM
Need pics for 2005 Cavalier msmith6826 Travel Trailers 0 01-18-2011 10:17 PM
Gulfstream Cavalier 2005 FEMA trailer hot water heater byronwatson Travel Trailers 2 11-05-2010 05:30 PM
2006 Gulfstream Cavalier A/C Not Working...HELP! petalmom Travel Trailers 1 07-01-2010 06:03 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:06 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
×