2012 wc 41gke

[TEAMTJ]

I've spent months thinking about options and changes I wanted to make to the floorplan of the new 41GKE. My build date, while I haven't heard an official date, I'm sure is rapidly approaching as is my chance to make any adjustments. Below is a list of everything I have so far...if anyone has any suggestions on things I should/shouldn't change based on your experience please let me know.

Options:
10 cu ft frig
French door w/ night shade in hall
2 pc front load W/D
Ducted 2nd air cond in garage with 2-3 vents
Pivot EZ sewer hose compartment
Independent hydraulic leveling system
Electric lift beds w/ sit-n-sleep sofa

Other options/misc customizing:
Linoleum-X-carpet in livingroom
Linoleum-X-carpet in hallway
Old "E" Bath and new bedroom w/ drawers in angled closet
Cedar in front closet
Delete sofa
Astro foil under garage floor
Build full kitchen cabinet/pantry on bath wall with NO counter
Delete recliners
Delete mattress
Use eyeball reading lights in bed S/O overhead-X-halogens in ceiling
AIA solid surface backsplash
One piece fiberglass shower-X-ABS
Install monitor in bathroom toilet overhead
Install high volume fan in kitchen instead of livingroom
Use PolarMach Limited style A/C in livingroom
Build bedroom Overhead straight (not slanted TV cabinet)
Run water lines and plumbing drain from kitchen into garage area--cap the lines--(I will install my own deep sink)
Wire rear flood lights to come on when vehicle is in reverse
Full room wrap around booth with two smaller tables (booth is approx 12ft long and goes where table, chairs, and recliners normally go)
Build 2 Deep/Tall drawers in angled closet in bedroom (instead of 3 drawers)
Build 4 Tall drawers in chest of drawers in bedroom (instead of 6 drawers)
40# LP bottles-X-30# bottles
Premium carpet in bedroom and on slides
Add extra TV hookup/outlet in garage
Move bedroom TV hookups on outside wall by chest of drawers
Move outlets around booth and place above backseat of booth with three outlets (1 on forward section of booth, 1 mid section between windows, 1 back section)
Add 1 outlet on L shape counter
Add third door on overhead storage above main bed
Combine coat closet with pantry (one giant pantry)
Add Vented generator door (I will use a portable gen instead of the LP gen)

Things I'm thinking about adding:
SeeLevel gauges
Adjustable shelves in pantry
Swing Arm for main TV

Thanks for any suggestions!
Tim

[2Fliers]

Lots of great ideas. It's making think it's time to trade mine in! If you are going to be carrying a bike or ATV, I'd get them to add E Track in the garage. It would be even nicer if they take a router and cut a groove into the floor so the top would be flush.
Other things I would do differently:
Add an awning over the back door
If you are going to add another AC in the garage, go ahead and get the heat strips

Bobby

[chief02]

Awesome! How much does this beast weigh? Goodidea to delete the recliners and mattrss. I replaced mine. No matter how hard the RV indusrty tries the mattress and recliners, well theys_ _ _. My recliners hurt my neck because the pushed it forward and they are so heavy. So Laz-e-boy it is. The matress box spring, well it's gone and I built a real platform. no sagging and meeting in the middle anymore. Good luck and congrats on your new Excel!

[TEAMTJ]

I have no idea how much this thing will weigh, but my guess is around 17,000lbs when I put my couch and mattress in it. Thanks for the suggestions y'all! Anyone else have a/any suggestion/s? Where's Rockin' when you need him?!

[rockintom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by timbuktu78 I have no idea how much this thing will weigh, but my guess is around 17,000lbs when I put my couch and mattress in it. Thanks for the suggestions y'all! Anyone else have a/any suggestion/s? Where's Rockin' when you need him?!

I'm here, but not too much help on your adds. Sounds like you really have thought this one out well. I see some are things that I would have changed if I had to do over again as we discussed when we met up in Monterey.

I do have a couple of questions. What's the deal about the electric bed lifts? Can you describe what you are talking about? Also I see you mentioned "premium carpet".....apparently that is something new cause I was told when we order ours....that the carpet that comes in an Excel is considered premuim. Help me understand that? rockin

BTW....get the SeeLevel gauges. Even though we had issues with our in the begining.......we like them.

[Bruce and Jenna]

Sure do like my reel ez water hose.

Boat hitch can be handy and is cheap now.

Consider solar panel wiring, from possible controller position to location on the roof, and of course, a run to the batteries. Cheap enough now, not so later.

I'd want to know the estimated dry weight, then your guess on additions in that garage. PI lists 16,800# dry in the catalog. Betcha you goin' up from that more than 200 pounds, what with W/D, second A/C, and other fancy stuff. Makes a big diff on your tires and rims, as well as axles. Just read all the discussion on this forum alone by guys [like me] who have upgraded the standard tires and rims.

Good luck. See you on the road.

[TEAMTJ]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockintom I'm here, but not too much help on your adds. Sounds like you really have thought this one out well. I see some are things that I would have changed if I had to do over again as we discussed when we met up in Monterey. I do have a couple of questions. What's the deal about the electric bed lifts? Can you describe what you are talking about? Also I see you mentioned "premium carpet".....apparently that is something new cause I was told when we order ours....that the carpet that comes in an Excel is considered premuim. Help me understand that? rockin BTW....get the SeeLevel gauges. Even though we had issues with our in the begining.......we like them.

Gotta give credit where credit is due...I thought you'd notice some of my customization looked familiar! Thanks Rockin' for the gouge. As far as the electric lift beds, they are in the garage. It's a queen bed on top and on bottom of the bunk setup is a couch and table that fold into another bed. They are on rails and go up to the ceiling when not in use. It's a nice little addition and makes plenty of room for guests. The premium carpet...well...Marlene gave me two choices. One looked less premium than the other and of course I chose the better quality one with hopes it will last longer. I can't remember what your carpet looked like but since you have the Limited, I'm sure you got the better carpet standard.

[TEAMTJ]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce and Jenna Sure do like my reel ez water hose. Boat hitch can be handy and is cheap now. Consider solar panel wiring, from possible controller position to location on the roof, and of course, a run to the batteries. Cheap enough now, not so later. I'd want to know the estimated dry weight, then your guess on additions in that garage. PI lists 16,800# dry in the catalog. Betcha you goin' up from that more than 200 pounds, what with W/D, second A/C, and other fancy stuff. Makes a big diff on your tires and rims, as well as axles. Just read all the discussion on this forum alone by guys [like me] who have upgraded the standard tires and rims. Good luck. See you on the road.

When I looked at the brochure I thought I saw a dry weight of 16,500 w/o options, but you are probably right. My 17,000 estimate is very very conservative. I'm sure I'll be around 17,500+ with everything. I'm curious what this thing will weigh too. I should find out in March!

[rockintom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by timbuktu78 Gotta give credit where credit is due...I thought you'd notice some of my customization looked familiar! Thanks Rockin' for the gouge. As far as the electric lift beds, they are in the garage. It's a queen bed on top and on bottom of the bunk setup is a couch and table that fold into another bed. They are on rails and go up to the ceiling when not in use. It's a nice little addition and makes plenty of room for guests. The premium carpet...well...Marlene gave me two choices. One looked less premium than the other and of course I chose the better quality one with hopes it will last longer. I can't remember what your carpet looked like but since you have the Limited, I'm sure you got the better carpet standard.

Ours is the new "acorn" carpet (no political puns please!!) It has a bit heavier knap than the carpet they have been using for years. It doesn't show the dirts so bad and seems to be wearing good. And not too bad on the rug burns, if you know what I mean?

[RickS]

Hi Tim,
Congrats on the new Wild Cargo....I know we talked awhile ago. You have made some interesting changes. I think the 17k estimate is light. I had PI install 2ga wire for the solar panels that will be going on soon. I also had a larger battery door and compartment installed at the factory. I would recommend the larger tires axles and brakes. Even more so if you are not going to be using a MD/HD truck. I also really like the heat strips on both AC units. I also got really spoiled with the fully auto leveling system. Also, the rear flood lights do come on when truck is put in reverse.

[TEAMTJ]

The order is final and they started construction yesterday! Of the options I mentioned above, I removed the vented gen door and backsplash and added SeeLevel gauges, swing arm for main TV, and electric awning. All in all, I was just a little over budget , which is easy to do. I wish I could have sprung for more options, but it just didn't happen. Thank y'all for your suggestions! And a big thank you to Bryan, Marlene, and Manda at PI!

[Endeavor2BnC]

What are you using to pull this bad boy?

[TEAMTJ]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Endeavor2BnC What are you using to pull this bad boy?

I'm hoping my 1985 F150 will do the job !

[RickS]

Tim,
Well, with 3700 lbs of pin weight the Ford will have its work cut out!!!