insulation rating in 04 38rdq

[glennwest]

anyone know how well they were insulated back then? Considering buying one. It only has one ac.

[rockintom]

Glenn,
You still have the Excel website...not DRV. rockin'

[glennwest]

my bad. That suppose to be a 38 rdo Excel 2006. At least that is how it is listed on PPL website.

[rockintom]

Sorry Glenn, you still shooting bad!!!! There wasn't such an animal. 36ft is as big as they get in '06. They only built the 38ft in '03 and '04. HTHs rockin

[glennwest]

Sorry, I'm looking at too many units today. Planning on buying Tuesday. It's an 2004. I found by doing a googgle search it's a Limited but that's it. How is yours. Easy to heat, cool.

[rockintom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by glennwest Sorry, I'm looking at too many units today. Planning on buying Tuesday. It's an 2004. I found by doing a googgle search it's a Limited but that's it. How is yours. Easy to heat, cool.

That unit is very well insulated. We are very happy with the way ours hold the heat and cool. I don't know of any 5th wheel that beats Excel when it comes to insulation.

Now we know what you're looking at .....we can help!!!

[glennwest]

Thanks. Reason I was asking I know they did not start the -10 guarantee until 2008. That unit I'm looking at I really like but leary of weight. It's advertised as 14,690 on PPL's site. I have a 05 GMC 4X4 4-door, long bed, 3500 dually, naturally diesel. It's a long heavy truck but that's a lot of weight to stop. Never pulled that much weight. I realise air bags would likely be necessary. It also only has 1 ac but I believe it is pre wired for 2nd. There not that pricy. PPL is asking $36,895 and lists it is in Excellent shape. There rating of Excellent means looks new. The other ones I'm looking at are a King of the Road, 06, 34QS(36') for $31,495, has 2nd ac and artic pk. also weghts 11,380 advertised. The other 2 are Mobile Suites, 33 (12,300 lbs)and 36(14,100 lbs) Hard choices. Whatever I get it will be for full time use.

[rockintom]

That 36 RDO is way too much for your 1 ton. Don't even think aboutit. I may pull it empty across the street from one lot to another, but that's it. In round numbers, you can only safely pull about 15,000 max if your truck is average weight. May want to go small rig or bigger truck. rockin'

[glennwest]

That's the only Excel they have currently. I was actually looking for one in the 35' range due to the weight. I'll probably have to settle for the King Of The Road 36'. It's got the arctic pk. , dual pane, 2 ac, weights 11,380. Quality is good but not the same as the Excel. What you sated about the weight is what my thoughts were too. Just needed confirmation. Thanks a ton. God bless.

[rockintom]

Your welcome Glenn....KOR 36 ft.....11,380 sounds light to me, but I don't know that model very well. I would take the time to weigh that sucker if it were me. Cost about $7.50 at the local truck stop....then you know for sure. I've found weight on the SPID label on RVs are often wrong.....say lighter than actually is....better safe than sorry! rockin'

[Curtis Brown]

Quote:

Originally Posted by glennwest Thanks. Reason I was asking I know they did not start the -10 guarantee until 2008.

If I remember correctly the -10 guarantee started in 2005. I don't think they made any major design changes between 2004 and 2005 unless they added a heater vent into the basement and I believe that was already there. I think that Peterson Industries just recognized what the units were capable of and put it into writing. However, certain features like thermal-pane windows and maybe some others are required as options for the guarantee to be in effect.

If the unit you are looking at has the thermal-pane windows, you should find it quite comfortable in cold weather. Remember, you MUST use the installed furnace to prevent freezing in the "liquid" storage tanks in the basement.

[rockintom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curtis Brown If I remember correctly the -10 guarantee started in 2005. I don't think they made any major design changes between 2004 and 2005 unless they added a heater vent into the basement and I believe that was already there. I think that Peterson Industries just recognized what the units were capable of and put it into writing. However, certain features like thermal-pane windows and maybe some others are required as options for the guarantee to be in effect. If the unit you are looking at has the thermal-pane windows, you should find it quite comfortable in cold weather. Remember, you MUST use the installed furnace to prevent freezing in the "liquid" storage tanks in the basement.

Curtis,

Great info, however, the -10* guarantee didn't start didn't start until 2007 or 2008 (I think '08). Our 2005 models are 0* degree. There may or may not be any difference in the rigs, but thats when PI started advertising it. Glad you talked about the TP windows, I just assumed that! I just can't imagine a Excel without them. rockin'

[glennwest]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockintom Your welcome Glenn....KOR 36 ft.....11,380 sounds light to me, but I don't know that model very well. I would take the time to weigh that sucker if it were me. Cost about $7.50 at the local truck stop....then you know for sure. I've found weight on the SPID label on RVs are often wrong.....say lighter than actually is....better safe than sorry! rockin'

I went to KOR web site and that weight is close comparing it to 07's. Looking hard at that '06 Mobile Suite also. Model 32TK3. Advertised as 34' but DRV list similar model as nearly 35'. Got 2 heat pumps, Convention oven, stack able w/d, hydraulic landing gear and insulation r29, r15, r25 with dual pane windows. 12,300lbs. Had read some quality issues with DRV (new name of co. Formerly Double Tree) lately. One I'm looking at is listed as Double Tree. Any info on this?

[rockintom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by glennwest I went to KOR web site and that weight is close comparing it to 07's. Looking hard at that '06 Mobile Suite also. Model 32TK3. Advertised as 34' but DRV list similar model as nearly 35'. Got 2 heat pumps, Convention oven, stack able w/d, hydraulic landing gear and insulation r29, r15, r25 with dual pane windows. 12,300lbs. Had read some quality issues with DRV (new name of co. Formerly Double Tree) lately. One I'm looking at is listed as Double Tree. Any info on this?

I think you could pull the 32 ft. DRV if you didn't load it up to much. It would close on the numbers. As far as quility issues, I don't think DRV is any worse than anyone else. Some seem to have quite a bit of issues, some not. Of the ones I've heard about include water leaks inside the rig after a wash or rain, fresh water leaks from PEX connections. Some hydraulic slide operational issues. I heard that DRV has been good on standing behind their product. This, of course, is just what I've seen or heard. We have a neighbor in the park with a new 09 36 ft. MS and has been in it since Feb. and he loves it. Pulls it with a F450 Ford with 4.30 gear. He claims it jumps over the big passes. rockin'