Are They Really Made THAT much Better?

[Scott Fleming]

Hi folks,

I just want to duck in here and ask a couple questions. Hope y'all don't mind and might even be able to help me out.

Don't know if I'll actually be able to bring myself to spend the dough to get one of these Excel units but I am soooooo impressed with Peterson so far. I spose I need to visit the factory but its just not realistic for me. I want a Wild Cargo unit to use as a mobile office/studio and for the occasional perhaps usage of it as designed as I do have motorcycles.

I've been studying and studying and the more I learn the more freaked out I get. It's so much money for something that has zero investment potential. The same money spent on a house addition would accrue value whereas a 5th wheel is all downhill. I've only gone and looked at one actual 5th wheel and though it was in many ways impressive I was turned off by the workmanship. This is one of the top brands ... well about fourth down from the top or so ... and though I could live with it I just was not impressed. I just can't get the image out of my head what this thing would look like in ten years. A pile of junk. My minds eye keeps going back to all that chintzy photo veneer pressed wood. Yuck.

I watch Peterson's videos and they are obviously going way beyond their fellow builders who sell for like $20k less. In almost every aspect of their construction. I suppose New Horizons might be as good but I can't find as good of info from them as Peterson provides on their site. Those vids from Peterson are really really good. I've been a builder all my life and can appreciate the techniques and materials Peterson uses.

I wish I had the time and inclination to buy an older unit and completely renovate it but I don't. I'm just going to have to spend the money. I have to have the space and the mobility.

So ... are Peterson Excell units really that much better than their competitors or would I find things that turn me off with them as well? I mean there's a cutoff point for everything. Each and every product is 'value engineered'. It has to be. I suppose if one is really particular its best to go custom. I already do not care for the 'froo froo' Peterson puts into their coaches. I'd rather spend money on top of the line mechanicals than what is to me overdone cabinetry. Design wise I'm very minimalist.

The other aspect of my present position is I know I'm NOT going to put the study and time into RVing like a full timer might. I have other interests that take precedent. When one reads the inside dope on manufacturing these wheeled boxes it becomes horrifically clear that you are entering a veritable mine field with RVs in general. And not just as to build, mechanicals and contents. Manufacturers are putting units out there that are literally unsafe on the road. So that's my other reason I'm impressed with Peterson. I need someone I can trust to guide me.

[Scott Fleming]

Hi folks,

I just want to duck in here and ask a couple questions. Hope y'all don't mind and might even be able to help me out.

Don't know if I'll actually be able to bring myself to spend the dough to get one of these Excel units but I am soooooo impressed with Peterson so far. I spose I need to visit the factory but its just not realistic for me. I want a Wild Cargo unit to use as a mobile office/studio and for the occasional perhaps usage of it as designed as I do have motorcycles.

I've been studying and studying and the more I learn the more freaked out I get. It's so much money for something that has zero investment potential. The same money spent on a house addition would accrue value whereas a 5th wheel is all downhill. I've only gone and looked at one actual 5th wheel and though it was in many ways impressive I was turned off by the workmanship. This is one of the top brands ... well about fourth down from the top or so ... and though I could live with it I just was not impressed. I just can't get the image out of my head what this thing would look like in ten years. A pile of junk. My minds eye keeps going back to all that chintzy photo veneer pressed wood. Yuck.

I watch Peterson's videos and they are obviously going way beyond their fellow builders who sell for like $20k less. In almost every aspect of their construction. I suppose New Horizons might be as good but I can't find as good of info from them as Peterson provides on their site. Those vids from Peterson are really really good. I've been a builder all my life and can appreciate the techniques and materials Peterson uses.

I wish I had the time and inclination to buy an older unit and completely renovate it but I don't. I'm just going to have to spend the money. I have to have the space and the mobility.

So ... are Peterson Excell units really that much better than their competitors or would I find things that turn me off with them as well? I mean there's a cutoff point for everything. Each and every product is 'value engineered'. It has to be. I suppose if one is really particular its best to go custom. I already do not care for the 'froo froo' Peterson puts into their coaches. I'd rather spend money on top of the line mechanicals than what is to me overdone cabinetry. Design wise I'm very minimalist.

The other aspect of my present position is I know I'm NOT going to put the study and time into RVing like a full timer might. I have other interests that take precedent. When one reads the inside dope on manufacturing these wheeled boxes it becomes horrifically clear that you are entering a veritable mine field with RVs in general. And not just as to build, mechanicals and contents. Manufacturers are putting units out there that are literally unsafe on the road. So that's my other reason I'm impressed with Peterson. I need someone I can trust to guide me.

[evan0810]

Scott,
I am a new Excel owner so I only have one long trip under my belt. The only big problem we had was with drawers coming open on the road. Even after catching the slide, the drawer was not even scratched. Can't say that for the computer drawer, but I had that repaired in 20min. and you can't tell there was a problem. My motto is: Buy what you are going to end up with anyway. I should have done this instead of buying my previous 5th wheel because I didn't think I could afford the Excel. All systems, appliances worked flawlessy, which is a first for us. Also of great importance is how the manufacturer stands behind it's products. Peterson Ind. has an excellent reputation. When taking off, you know there is weight there, but my 33TKE tows beautifully. This is as unbiased as I can be.

[Highgturn]

Scott,

Here is the deal. Are they worth what they cost, probably not. On the other hand, you can pay a lot more and not get anything better. If you are as particular as I think you are, don't settle for anything less because you will never be happy with it. Even thou Excel's are expensive, you get a lot of bang for your buck where it counts the most. After having lived in one for three years I can tell you they hold up well and they don't show wear. Ours looks as good today as it did the day we took delivery of it. Now keep in mind, I am relating to PI's top of the line coach the "Limited"�. I do believe that it is well worth the extra money over the Classic. You have to go there to bring an Excel into it's full potential. Having not seen a "Wild Cargo"�, I am not sure, but I think it falls somewhere in between "Classic"� and "Limited"�, i.e. does not have the honeycomb fiberglass roof. For my thinking it's the fiberglass roof that knocks the "Limited"� out of the ball park. Lastly, if you think because it is an Excel and costs a lot of money it won't ever have any problems, get that out of your head, all RVs will have problems. This is key, ask me if I would buy another Excel.....................yes. I Hope this helps.

[LindaH]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Scott Fleming:
Don't know if I'll actually be able to bring myself to spend the dough to get one of these Excel units ... I've been studying and studying and the more I learn the more freaked out I get. It's so much money ... I suppose New Horizons might be as good </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
While New Horizons makes an excellent unit (we used to own one), if you're freaked out by the price of the Excel Wild Cargo, you don't want to know what an equivalent New Horizons MotoMover costs!!!

I hope you realize that with a dry weight of 14,840# (that's before any options are added) and a GVWR of 22,500#, you're going to need at least a medium duty truck to pull it...a 1-ton pickup just isn't going to cut it.

[Still Working "NOT"]

Scott,

For investment potential. You'll loose less with the Excel. Mine still looks great after five years. If that is what we all worry about, we would have to get rid of all the toys. No car, pickup, motorcycle, airplanes, HDTV, etc. Now life would be no fun.

I agree with all of the above poster's

[MakinSmoke]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I suppose if one is really particular its best to go custom. I already do not care for the 'froo froo' Peterson puts into their coaches. I'd rather spend money on top of the line mechanicals than what is to me overdone cabinetry. Design wise I'm very minimalist. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I too agree with all the posters but I think you have answered your own question. According to your own statement, you will not be happy with an Excel. You'll be better off with a New Horizons built exactly to your "minimalist" specifications.

However, if you do end up with an Excel, please come and join in with us. We're a fun loving bunch of fits and misfits who swap great information.

[Scott Fleming]

Thanks all for your help. Good stuff.

I am so enthralled with the quality I've been reading about and seeing in the videos of the Excell units. It is so gratifying to me that such a product is still available anywhere. Being a builder I get really fixated on quality of materials and construction.

I may just have to adapt to Excel's decorating philosophy. I realize I'm the odd one.



Though I can appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship I just feel its out of place in a trailer. And its dated. Quite dated.

[Endeavor2BnC]

Scott,
If you truely are a minimalist, then IMHO I would suggest a small trailer, customized as your office, with room to put your cycle (depreciating toy) and store a tent (inexpensive) that you could pitch at your location.

However, if you are looking for a comfortable livable quality business environment that you can customize to your liking then the Excel will fill the bill. You an change the decorating to avoid the "froo froo".

I've seen houses that look like "junk" after ten years. The quality will sustain itself, if the owner takes care of it. I would guess that you spend time taking care of your cycle to keep it as "new" as possible. Why wouldn't you do the same with your 2nd home/office. (Tax deductable?)

Are there issues with the Excel? Show me the product that doesn't have issues? Even new homes come with warranties. As was told to me when I bought my 1st Excel 3 years ago, this is a "rolling condo in a constant earthquake." Any one of them will have issues at some point.

Who do you owe having the best, if not yourself? Enjoy life, it's too short.

[HB Phil]

IMO the best thing about Excel is the customer service responsiveness. When I ordered mine I had the dealer install extensive electrical rennovations to accomodate a solar power system, inverter, large battery bank, etc.

No problem and the y did a beautiful solid job all the way around.

I wouldn't be surprised if you could order yours to accomodate a more mimimalist look.

I've been in some, like Weekend Warrior, that have the "carbon fiber" grey (formica) and stainless steel look. WW has a good rep but it looked cheap, JMHO.

Peole whoi have never been in a trailer before are usually impressed when stepping into my Excel Classic.

They expect minimalist plastic trim but see a small, well-appointed apartment - all understated solid quality.

Talk to a dealer they have the best reputation in the business.

[Scott Fleming]

Thanks guys. I hear ya. You make perfect sense.

I was just trying to keep from special ordering anything. Hate spending more money than I have to. My minimalist side mostly pertains to design and its not 'modern'. I don't like the way they trim out the 'Rag'n' type toyhaulers either. Newmar does a good job of straddling the line I think but they use a lot of photo veneer for their trim and that bothers me.

I'm just too picky obviously and so I'm just gonna have to pay the piper it seems. The whole solar thing really appeals to me as well and I'd rather not do that myself. Getting it done by those who know solar makes the most sense to me. Seems almost every unit I've found on the lots has a genny in it and I'll never need a genny. I have a big one here on the ranch for emergency use and have used it twice in ten years.

I really appreciate all your advice and input. It truly helps.

[WldKargo]

Hi Scott,

My wife and I just purchased a Wild Cargo this year. We are out on our first long trip at the Mid-Atlantic Excel GTG in Hatteras. I have been working on adding stuff (do most of my own work) like a whole house surge protector, motion lights, etc. We plan to use it for full timing either later this year or beginning in 2009.

While on the road, we will be hauling our 2007 Honda Goldwing. Once offloaded, the garage becomes a screen porch/computer room/card room/workshop. We really like ours.

If you want to talk more in depth, I can give you an email address for an off line discussion. And, yes, there have been a couple of minor problems, but the support we have gotten has been top notch. Like any house, there is a debugging and run-in process.

Best of luck in whatever you decide and most importantly, follow your dream!

Cheers,

[LindaH]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Scott Fleming:
Though I can appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship I just feel its out of place in a trailer. And its dated. Quite dated. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
The picture you show isn't the way ALL Excels are built...at least ours doesn't have the headboard, and we have oak, not the walnut (of course, we also have the King Bed suite, so maybe that's the difference).

Our rig doesn't have any of what I'd call "froo froo," but I don't know what your definition of that term is.

[Scott Fleming]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by LindaH:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Scott Fleming:
Though I can appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship I just feel its out of place in a trailer. And its dated. Quite dated. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
The picture you show isn't the way ALL Excels are built...at least ours doesn't have the headboard, and we have oak, not the walnut (of course, we also have the King Bed suite, so maybe that's the difference).

Our rig doesn't have any of what I'd call "froo froo," but I don't know what your definition of that term is. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


Here's the sort of froo froo I would rather do without.









Don't get me wrong. It's tasteful stuff in a certain context. It's just not my style. Seems superfluous. I reckon these sorts of design aspects are meant to appeal to the ladies. I've just spent a lot of years with a woman who likes the same sort of spartan decor that I do so I've lost my ability to compromise. Although even with her there's a few too many nicknacks and lamps and such in the house.

Most guys sleep in a bedroom their wife is comfortable with and actually don't like it. Maybe their whole house. Probably they don't really care as all that stuff is just left up to the woman in their lives and they've long since just let it go.

This fiver is going to be strictly my space. Wife doesn't like this sort of traveling and has a poor opinion of trailers in general. This is a plus for me. I want it all to myself.