ordering new limited

[cyndyb]

we are thinking of the Exel Limited...it is a toss up between carri lite 36xtrm5. the Mobile Suite 36, and the EXCEL MKO...but The R-factor in the Excel seems pretty low to me...is it really 14 in the roof and floor and 7 in the sides? And is it better to have the vinyl roof or the fiberglass? the CCC on the Carri lite is only 2700 and that seems pretty small to us, but is has 5 slides. any help would be appreciated

[cyndyb]

we are thinking of the Exel Limited...it is a toss up between carri lite 36xtrm5. the Mobile Suite 36, and the EXCEL MKO...but The R-factor in the Excel seems pretty low to me...is it really 14 in the roof and floor and 7 in the sides? And is it better to have the vinyl roof or the fiberglass? the CCC on the Carri lite is only 2700 and that seems pretty small to us, but is has 5 slides. any help would be appreciated

[rfhtlh]

the brochure says the walls are R10 and the floor and roof are R17. we have the fiberglass roof and it does add weight but has less maintenance and will not tear or rip.

[Greenthumb]

Our 2004 30PKW is the first 5th wheel we've had with a fiberglass roof. I'm spoiled now and won't go back to rubber roof. No more worries about tears or bubbles over time. But, the best benefit is NO MORE BLACKSTREAKS!

The only negative I can offer is that the roof can be very slippery when wet. However, I just wait until the dew dries off in the morning or the rain stops and the sun comes out. I am planning on looking into placing some treads down the center of the roof in case I have to go up there in an emergency when it is wet. Has anyone else looked into this?

[Highgturn]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by cyndyb:
we are thinking of the Exel Limited...it is a toss up between carri lite 36xtrm5. the Mobile Suite 36, and the EXCEL MKO...but The R-factor in the Excel seems pretty low to me...is it really 14 in the roof and floor and 7 in the sides? And is it better to have the vinyl roof or the fiberglass? the CCC on the Carri lite is only 2700 and that seems pretty small to us, but is has 5 slides. any help would be appreciated </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

cyndyb,

Our 05 35MKO was advertised as R7 walls and R14 top and bottom. I have been in the coach at temperatures as low as 14 degrees F and as high as 107 degrees F. During the 107 I did need both of the 15KHP ACs, but that is a given. All I can say is, it's easy to keep it comfortable. As for the fiberglass roof, that was the determining factor in our decision to go with the Excel. At the time of our purchase, the SOBs on our short list did not offer the fiberglass roof. We love the Excel and it turned out to be the right choice for us. Just as an example, In the RV park that we are currently in, there is an SOB (popular brand) parked next to us. Last weekend I noticed that their furnace was running at 3 to 1 over ours all day and all night. Ours would run for ten minutes and theirs would run for twenty five or so. I would have to assume that they had their thermostat set similar to ours at 72 degrees. The bottom line is, that the Excel is well insulated whatever the R value is, so don't let that concern you in your final decision. Consider the padded ceiling as that will add some R value and it really helps with the acoustics. It also looks very nice.

[ExcelRVGuy]

Cyndyb

Thank you for considering Excel. Considering that you are comparing Excel with Moblie Suite and Carri-Lite, I would assume that you are planning on using your coach for full time use or at least extended time.

It looks as though you are doing a good job of research in order to make an informed decision. You are right to be concerned about the insulating qualities of your new coach. Please be careful though, to consider all the variables that go into making a well insulated coach. In our business, terms such as "R-factor", "Arctic Pack", "Four Season", and "Heated Tanks" are carelessly used and often times deceiving to the customer.

Simply looking at R-factor alone can be a very slippery slope in which to bank your faith when choosing a coach and a manufacturer. (Because, let's face it, when you spend $50,000 - $100,000+, like it or not, you are not just buying a product. You are entering into a relationship with the manufacturer of that product) The reason I say R-factors can be a slippery slope is that it's not what we put in our brochures that counts NEARLY as much as what we don't say. For example, did you know that Excel is ONE OF THE ONLY 5th wheels with an insulated slide-out floor? Also, being wood frame instead of aluminum, you will be much warmer in the Excel. The cold that an aluminum framework transfers into the interior is something that "R-factor" can not prevent, nor is it measured. Excel's wood frame coach also will not condensate within the walls, ceiling, and floor, thus preventing mold and mildew from growing within the wall structures, as aluminum can.

We don't use heat tape to heat our holding tanks and water tanks. Our tanks are actively heated with your furnace, and our waterlines run IN the heat duct channel to prevent freeze ups. We even heat our basement storage area!

I'm sure I sound bias but I honestly believe that Excel is the best insulated coach you can buy. That is why we are the ONLY manufacturer to offer our customers a ZERO DEGREE GUARANTEE against freeze ups. If anyone else tells you they do, just ask them to show you IN WRITING.

Once again, thank you for considering Excel. You have found a great forum where you will truly become a family member.

Bryan Tillett
President
Peterson Industries, Inc.

[ChiefJohn]

Cindy,
Welcome to the Excel Family Forum! Looking at your public profile, I see that you are a fulltimer. IMO (highly biased ) the Excel is one of the finest fulltime, All Season, coaches built. I've been RV'ing a number of years and owned several RVs. You'll not find a more personable group of folks than the ones employed by Peterson Industries.

I challenge anyone to post on another RV forum and have the "President" of the company respond to their post. Again, welcome and please don't hesitate to ask additional questions about Excels and/or PI.