Observations from Fort Worth

unfinished91 · 08-23-2008, 08:55 PM

We just got back from the RV show in Fort Worth.We didn't have anything to do and it is only 280 miles from Odessa.
We saw several things that were interesting. We looked at a Doubletree Elite Suite. It had 17.5" tires just like our Excel, but they were Goodyear rated at 75MPH. Our Michelins are rated at 62 MPH. It also had a Lippert hydraulic leveling system that looked very interesting. It had 6 hydraulic rams instead of 4. There were 2 for front jacks, 2 in front of the axles and 2 behind the axles. The trailer was more stable than our Excel with 4 rams.
We like our Excel better, but those were 2 items that I really liked.
We saw a North Trail travel trailer with an unusual axle setup. They called it "Wide Trax" suspension. The tires were about 24" to 30" apart. North Trail claimed a much shorter turning radius and a more stable ride.
We noticed a lack of incentives to buy. No "reduced interest rates", No free generators. We saw one motor home that said "ask about our rebate".
We also saw alot more RV's on I20 between Odessa and Fort Worth than we have beeb seeing.

unfinished91 · 08-23-2008, 08:55 PM

We just got back from the RV show in Fort Worth.We didn't have anything to do and it is only 280 miles from Odessa.
We saw several things that were interesting. We looked at a Doubletree Elite Suite. It had 17.5" tires just like our Excel, but they were Goodyear rated at 75MPH. Our Michelins are rated at 62 MPH. It also had a Lippert hydraulic leveling system that looked very interesting. It had 6 hydraulic rams instead of 4. There were 2 for front jacks, 2 in front of the axles and 2 behind the axles. The trailer was more stable than our Excel with 4 rams.
We like our Excel better, but those were 2 items that I really liked.
We saw a North Trail travel trailer with an unusual axle setup. They called it "Wide Trax" suspension. The tires were about 24" to 30" apart. North Trail claimed a much shorter turning radius and a more stable ride.
We noticed a lack of incentives to buy. No "reduced interest rates", No free generators. We saw one motor home that said "ask about our rebate".
We also saw alot more RV's on I20 between Odessa and Fort Worth than we have beeb seeing.

Bruce and Jenna · 08-24-2008, 10:01 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by unfinished91:
It also had a Lippert hydraulic leveling system that looked very interesting. It had 6 hydraulic rams instead of 4. There were 2 for front jacks, 2 in front of the axles and 2 behind the axles. The trailer was more stable than our Excel with 4 rams.
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Was this much more stable than four Excel jacks plus the back stabilizers too?

unfinished91 · 08-24-2008, 11:05 AM

It did appear to my wife and I to be more stable than ours. We have the 4 hydraulic levelers with the electric jacks in the back. Maybe I don't know how to use the electric jacks in conjunction with the hydraulic, but I have not seen that the electric jacks add anything to the stability. I do realize that the Doubletree was set up on level concrete. That will add to it's stability.
Does anyone with the hydraulics and electric stabilzers have any tricks or hints they would like to pass along to me?
The Doubletree was set up with the wheels and tires removed. The factory rep was showing that their 6 jacks would support the entire weight of the trailer. She said that the unit is able to be leveled with the jacks alone. No boards, Lynx levelers, or anything else is required. I did not ask the price, and have no idea what they add to the total. They also claimed that the jacks would lift the tires 6" off the ground.

rockintom · 08-24-2008, 01:57 PM

We saw that 6 legged leveling system when at the plant at DRV. It is nice...very nice...did you ask the price as an option? Seemed like it was something like a $5,700.00 option. Pricey, but nice. Tom

unfinished91 · 08-25-2008, 06:50 AM

Tom, I did not get a price for the leveling system. The "show price" was $105,000. The unit had every imaginable option, washer and dryer, 16C.F. residential refriferator, 4 batteries and inverter to run the fridge when not hooked up to shore power, automatic satellite dish. It was a very pricey fifth wheel.

rockintom · 08-25-2008, 08:38 AM

They are pricey...I ran into a guy in a park a couple of months ago that had a new DRV Elite Suites, he had custom built with the things you described and a dishwasher. Claimed $130,000+ MSRP...

LarryGodby · 08-25-2008, 10:08 AM

Don't that make you cry when you think of the first house you bought and now we are spending a whole bunch for rec vehicle. Most cars are more than we probably spent for a house.

unfinished91 · 08-25-2008, 10:28 AM

Our present Excel L35RSE cost more than our first 3 houses. #1- 12,000 #2- 16,500 #3- 24500. Of course, we started that 43 years ago.

rockintom · 08-25-2008, 10:45 AM

Holy Mackeral Tommy....How old are you?

unfinished91 · 08-25-2008, 11:00 AM

I am "only" 61. We got married at 18 and bought our first house shortly thereafter. It was an FHA repossesed home and had been totally renovated. New roof, new paint, new floor covering, new wall heater. All for only $12,000.