Considering Excel Limited

[PaulH]

Hi

I've got a couple of questions regarding the 36GKE Limited. We're Hitchhiker owners at present but are considering upgrading to a bigger rig. I like the layout of the 36GKE. My questions for anyone who had one ... is the fiberglass roof much easier to maintain, any drawbacks; what has been your experience with the limited and, in these economic times, has there been any discussion of Excel - I understand several manufacturers have gone out of business and are not honoring warrantees. Any advice would be appreciated.
Paul

[PaulH]

Hi

I've got a couple of questions regarding the 36GKE Limited. We're Hitchhiker owners at present but are considering upgrading to a bigger rig. I like the layout of the 36GKE. My questions for anyone who had one ... is the fiberglass roof much easier to maintain, any drawbacks; what has been your experience with the limited and, in these economic times, has there been any discussion of Excel - I understand several manufacturers have gone out of business and are not honoring warrantees. Any advice would be appreciated.
Paul

[BookIIRoadtrash]

Paul, I just got a 2009 this year and I never even thought about Peterson Ind. not being around in two years. I like having a hard hat on when it hails or if I am under tree, one less thing to worry about. I have never heard of any problems with the fiberglass roof. PI will do some neat things for you too, I ordered my coach with all laminated flooring, the only carpet I have is in the main floor slides. It had to be there to hide the slide out hardware. Good luck on you're research and hope you become a family member. Book2

[LindaH]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by PaulH:
is the fiberglass roof much easier to maintain, any drawbacks; </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
We've had a fifth wheel with a fiberglass roof, and we prefer that. Our Classic, however, has the rubber roof. While we would have liked to have the fiberglass roof, the same rig in the Limited was about $10,000 more than our Classic.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">in these economic times, has there been any discussion of Excel - I understand several manufacturers have gone out of business and are not honoring warrantees. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Bryan Tillett, President of Peterson Industries, posts here and has made a couple of posts about the status of the company. Do a search for posts by "ExcelRVGuy."

ON EDIT: Here's Bryan's post.

[motojavaphil]

We had the Excel 35 MKO with a fiberglass roof. It was perhaps the best made 5r we have ever owned. The fiberglass has few drawbacks that I can think of. Easy to clean and maintain. It does weigh more but quality is not light nor is it inexpensive. There was a lot of discussion about Excel's solvency and the information provided was reassuring. Even if Excel was "soft" it is still one of the best values you can get. Good luck on your search, geat group of folks attached to them.
Ohil

[motojavaphil]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by motojavaphil:
We had the Excel 35 MKO with a fiberglass roof. It was perhaps the best made 5r we have ever owned. The fiberglass has few drawbacks that I can think of. Easy to clean and maintain. It does weigh more but quality is not light nor is it inexpensive. There was a lot of discussion about Excel's solvency and the information provided was reassuring. Even if Excel was "soft" it is still one of the best values you can get. Good luck on your search, geat group of folks attached to them.
Phil </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

[PaulH]

Thanks Phil. I am strongly considering a 5'er with a fiberglass roof (after we see the economy turn around of course). Since our present rig, a Hitchhiker, was our first, we've learned a lot of lessons and know some of the options we'd like to have and some we can do without. I hate getting up there on the roof though - I imagine the fiberglass roof should not have the same shrinkage problem a rubber roof would have? Did you need to seal any seams for any reason through? Other than washing and waxing, any other maintenance tips? My wife is wondering about noise - rain, hail etc. - although I guess the roof insulation would cut down on that. Thanks for any advice you can give me. Paul

[Rsteabag]

PaulH

We have had 2 Excels and both have had fiberglas roofs and wouldn't have it any other way. They are no noiser than a rubber roof and a lot easier to maintain. You do have to keep a check on the caulking but that being said I haven't had to seal mine yet. First one was 4 years old and this one a year old. The roof is very slippery when wet but other than that much more solid to walk on. I came from the trucking industry and have seen some of the trailers come back with roof damage and that made up my mind to have fiberglass as when you go down the road low branches can brush the roof and on a rubber one it's easy to puncture. If you look on this site at the very first post it will tell you how Peterson Industry stands in these time.It was written by Mr Bryan Tillet President of Peterson. His sign on is The Excel RV GUY. Bryan is a very stright foward and up front with you any time you talk with him. You don't find many presidents of companies who are on the web and will help with problems or direct you to the person that will help you in the company. They do stand behind their product and you can talk with anybody in Smith Center for help or info. Along with a lot of people here on the Excel site,

[Rsteabag]

PaulH if you look just below this post Bryan has just updated the out look for Peterson Industries.

[brassringer]

The roof is extremely slippery with rain and dont even think of going on the roof to remove snow or ice. Also the roof only butts up to the side wall and does not overlap the side wall, so keep a eye on the caulking behind the gutters. It does have a seam where the two pieces are joined right in the middle of the camper roof, so viglance on the caulk is required to insure no leaks. We have had one two years with no problems, other than a crack comming out of the Fantastic fan location that required repairing thr fiberglass for about 4 inches.