2011 Excel Limited..$105,000

[bayou316]

Hi to everyone. We are looking at ordering the 2011 Limited. We have loaded the 5th wheel with a lot of options as you can tell by the price. MSRP is $138,432.

I guess I would like to know if this Excel product is the best on the market. It's a lot of money to spend on a product after reviewing a few threads on here. This is going to be our full-time rig.

Any thoughts. Are we crazy? Oh, we are buying a new 2011 GMC 3500HD. A lot of money. Need some opions and advice.

Thanks.

[rockintom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bayou316 Hi to everyone. We are looking at ordering the 2011 Limited. We have loaded the 5th wheel with a lot of options as you can tell by the price. MSRP is $138,432. I guess I would like to know if this Excel product is the best on the market. It's a lot of money to spend on a product after reviewing a few threads on here. This is going to be our full-time rig. Any thoughts. Are we crazy? Oh, we are buying a new 2011 GMC 3500HD. A lot of money. Need some opions and advice. Thanks.

You didn't state which model you talking about, but if my math is correct, it represents 24% discount. Sounds like a fair to me. Dealers aren't held holding the floorplan on an ordered unit so they are not burdened with that expense.

Again you don't mention the model and length, so just speculating but I'd guess the '11 GMC DRW and D/A would handle your trailer. New stepped up towing and payload capacities sound nice.

We wish you lots of luck in your new truck and trailer. rockin'

[bayou316]

Thanks RockinTom. We are looking at the 36 GKE or the 36TKE.

[rockintom]

I think you'll be close to the limits on your new truck, but should be fine if you don't load your coach to the limit......rockin'

[bayou316]

The maximum GVWR is 18,750 on the 36 GKE/TKE. The 2011 GMC 3500HD can tow a little over 21,000. What do you think?

[rockintom]

Not gonna get into a deep dive on capacities here....but the 21,000 is max tow capacity base on an unload truck with one average weight driver, etc. etc. Not a "real world" truck ready to tow across the country. The way you put it, it sounds like you got room to spare, but when you get your truck "ready to go" and weighed, you'll see that more than likely you'll "be close" to limit on GCWR....trust me on this one....rockin'

[Bruce and Jenna]

What Tom said.

"lot of options" equals a lot more weight. Trailer manufacturers list the basic unloaded weight. Mine came with some options, but not loaded. Weighed 500# above the listed weight. Then add stuff on your truck too, plus a 200# hitch, and your weights shrink down. Don't forget to subtract a safety factor for weight, typically 500 - 1,000#.

And then you may need some weight for fresh water to carry around. Eight pounds per gallon. We carry at least 20 gallons per day.

Glad you asked.

[davydee]

We've got the 2009 36 GKE and can talk to that floor plan if you have questions. We're in our second month of full timing and are just now fully loaded. We plan on getting on the CAT scales Thursday to see the real weights.

Earlier in August we had the axles weighted and found we were only putting 13,000 lbs on the sxles with what we had (half of our kitchen and maybe a quarter of our full wardrobe) and a full freshwater tank. We've just gotten a new grille, so that's added a little weight, too. We don't have all the options, but we've got the heavy stuff: generator, washer/dryer, etc, but only one A/C. I'm convinced a one-ton dually will do fine.

You asked if the Excel is the best. If you'll scroll back on the threads to June of 2009, you'll see where I've been one the more vocal complainers. We've had the wiring for the hydraulics over heat and burn up due to a short caused by a water leak. We've had a bedroom slide come out of alignment and start striking the side of the trailer when putting it in. We've been hit in the front end by a u-haul and eventually ended up getting a new front cap. I have gotten superior support from Peterson through all of this.

However, some dealers are better at providing after-the-sale support than others. Your key to having a happy life with an Excel is to do a complete & full PDI. Ensure the dealer shows and demonstrates everything. Include the dealer demonstrating how to get the slides in and out with the batteries disconnected. Open everything. Run every accessory. Keep the trailer caulked. Keep the Excel Service Center phone number handy - we had a gas strut jam and Ralph walked us through how to remove it so we could close the storage area.

Should you have to go to Smith Center, the waiting area is built for you as a full timer. You'll have showers, laundry, 2 TVs w/major cable, comfy chairs, and great folks to talk to at Peterson. Take the tour. You'll spend the night in your coach. You'll have 50 amp service and if you bring 50 ft of cable, you'll probably be able to reach the cable connectors. If you find you must stay in a hotel, don't - call the Ingelesboro B&B in Smith Center instead.

Enjoy! David

[gdbontly]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bayou316 I guess I would like to know if this Excel product is the best on the market. It's a lot of money to spend on a product after reviewing a few threads on here. This is going to be our full-time rig.

My wife and I recently purchased a 2011 33 RSE Limited, which we've been living in full-time since we took delivery about 3 months ago. (I should include the fact here that our coach is parked on our property next to our s/b house, which we hope to sell in the next year or so in order to be "true" full-timers.) We researched what seemed like hundreds of manufacturers, models, and floorplans before making our final decision. We started the process by subscribing to the RV Consumer's Group (RVCG). We quickly learned that there are very few coaches rated as "full time" by the RVCG, Excel is one of them. There are also very few rated at 4.5 stars (Excel is one of them as well). BTW, NONE are rated at 5 Stars. Once we narrowed our search down to a few manufacturers, I spent a LOT of time on the various Owner's Forums and learned a LOT. There's no doubt that Excel owners have had their share of issues with their coaches, but if you spend any amount of time on some of the other Owner's Forums, you will realize the true quality of the Excel line. Having said all of this, I am 100% confident that we made the right decision with our Excel.

[MakinSmoke]

Bayou316,
Check your PM's.

[TXiceman]

Best on the market depends on who you are talking to. Personally, I think the Newmars and Mobile Suites are better built than the Excels. But who ever you talk to will own the best.

ken

[rockintom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman Best on the market depends on who you are talking to. Personally, I think the Newmars and Mobile Suites are better built than the Excels. But who ever you talk to will own the best. ken

Ken,

You are so right....I thought the same thing....just didn't express it. That's why they make different brands. Folks have different needs and wants. Some swear for them, others swear at them. rockin'

[Still Working "NOT"]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockintom Ken, You are so right....I thought the same thing....just didn't express it. That's why they make different brands. Folks have different needs and wants. Some swear for them, others swear at them. rockin'

And some just swear all the time because they feel that way.

[rockintom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Still Working "NOT" And some just swear all the time because they feel that way.

Still,

How right you are....I'm so glad you finally put your .02 in!!