Our new 2009 33RSE RT

[KU9L]

We just traded in our 2001 28rgo we owned for 13 months (plus a SOB 2009 19' TT we owned for 18 months) on a 2009 33RSE RT. We had to make lemonade from lemons when the sale of our 19' SOB TT fell through to a relative. Our 33RSE RT has been on the dealer's lot almost 11 months so he made us a deal we couldn't refuse.

I was less than happy about not having the time to do a proper wax job on our rgo (dealing with grandma's estate auction and farm cleanup). I got my hand slapped for bringing her in dirty on the outside although we tried to make up for it inside by spending time with sponges and a micro-carpet cleaner.

We almost bought an aluminum framed SOB 5W, but after a couple of sleepless nights we both came to our senses. It took us all day to move our clothes and dishes, we are still trying to put everything in like spaces. Too funny.

We had stellar weather today, but are expecting 2.5" of rain tomorrow from remnants of Rick so we might stay put an extra day or so before we head to our workamping session in N Ft Myers this winter.

Here is a photo before our rig was moved off the sales lot:


We are still using our Anderson Ranch Gooseneck adapter as we cannot find a low profile hitch low enough to work with our 40" high flatbed (compressed height). The Reese 30K lb low profile hitch is still too high by a couple of inches. When our farm sells next year we are buying a friends 2004 Volvo 630 if it is still available.

Dave

[BookIIRoadtrash]

Congratulations!!!

[MonacoMama]

Congrats KU9L!! Nice looking rig! I am sure you will have many great times in it wherever you may be!

[Still Working "NOT"]

Congrats on the new Excel and welcome for getting ready for coming over to the dark side with the Volvo. Since you are looking at coming over you might consider getting your air ride hitch now and get ride of the goose neck hitch. Excel will not stand behind the hitch if you pull with a goose neck hitch. To many frames have been torn up with the gooseneck hitch. This is not limited to Excel but to most other brands also.

[ChiefJohn]

Congratulations Dave!! You're one of our forum's 'Senior' members, having joined us (informally) a few months after we formed. Nice looking Excel and I'm sure you will be very pleased with your coach. On the Reese hitch, I had a local fabricator lower my Reese down several inches and they made it stronger than from the factory.

[MakinSmoke]

Dave,
I add my congratulations also. I sure hope you enjoy this beautiful rig.

I would like to add my $.02 worth about the hitch. The head on my TrailerSaver air hitch is 47 inches off the ground on the back of my Volvo You have sereral inches adjustment built into the Excel pin height. Sure hope you rethink using the gooseneck.

We're not going to be too far from you this winter. We're workamping at Fakahatchee Strand State Park, just north of Everglades City.

[ChiefJohn]

Dave, you'll notice that other than MM, who never sleeps, the HDT boys were the first (today) replying to your topic. The LGT bunch is still getting their beauty sleep!!

[Still Working "NOT"]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefJohn Dave, you'll notice that other than MM, who never sleeps, the HDT boys were the first (today) replying to your topic. The LGT bunch is still getting their beauty sleep!!

Couldn't say that any better. Just goes to show you who on top of it all

[MonacoMama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Still Working "NOT" Couldn't say that any better. Just goes to show you who on top of it all

[rockintom]

Dave,

Congrats on the new rig. I'm surprised that no one has commented on the paint scheme on your rig. Looks quite similar to the new Winslow.....is it a PI factory paint job? Have fun! Looks nice. rockin'

[davydee]

Enjoy the rig!!! - other Dave

[KU9L]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockintom Dave, Congrats on the new rig. I'm surprised that no one has commented on the paint scheme on your rig. Looks quite similar to the new Winslow.....is it a PI factory paint job? Have fun! Looks nice. rockin'

Tom, the inside of our RT has a LOT of the Winslow features ... our dealer thinks it is an evolution of an RT with a slightly altered mission.

I would have preferred a HDT 100:1, but Chevy financed ... darn.

The height of our flatbed left 5" for a 5W hitch, but can't find anyone to tell me it would work without me spending $1800 to try it. Our dealer talked to Brian and my previous dealer talked to Jack and Curtis about the gooseneck. They basically say stay at 33' or below and go with a 2008 frame or newer or earlier than 2003. They know where the service claims have been more of an issue.

Next spring we plan on marketing the old family farm which has been our plan all along. We spent most of the summer hauling old scrap metal and pruning trees. A small logging contract will help with some expenses, but I am confident that splitting the sale with my two brothers will net an HDT for us at some point!

Dave

[rockintom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KU9L Tom, the inside of our RT has a LOT of the Winslow features ... our dealer thinks it is an evolution of an RT with a slightly altered mission. I would have preferred a HDT 100:1, but Chevy financed ... darn. The height of our flatbed left 5" for a 5W hitch, but can't find anyone to tell me it would work without me spending $1800 to try it. Our dealer talked to Brian and my previous dealer talked to Jack and Curtis about the gooseneck. They basically say stay at 33' or below and go with a 2008 frame or newer or earlier than 2003. They know where the service claims have been more of an issue. Next spring we plan on marketing the old family farm which has been our plan all along. We spent most of the summer hauling old scrap metal and pruning trees. A small logging contract will help with some expenses, but I am confident that splitting the sale with my two brothers will net an HDT for us at some point! Dave

Dave,
Still didn't answer my question? Is the paint factory? Your Chevy will pull you fine unless you exceed the CCC. If you can keep it close as possible to 15,000 gross. You're pushing the limits, but it'll be fine at that weight. I'm assuming your talking DRW, right? You may want to put your equipment info in your sig! Again nice looking rig. I confirm what you're being told on the frame on your Excel. I'm still not fond of the gooseneck set up for a fifth wheel. Why push the limits that far? rockin'

[KU9L]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockintom Dave, Still didn't answer my question? Is the paint factory? Your Chevy will pull you fine unless you exceed the CCC. If you can keep it close as possible to 15,000 gross. You're pushing the limits, but it'll be fine at that weight. I'm assuming your talking DRW, right? You may want to put your equipment info in your sig! Again nice looking rig. I confirm what you're being told on the frame on your Excel. I'm still not fond of the gooseneck set up for a fifth wheel. Why push the limits that far? rockin'

Tom, sorry I typed my reply in three times and each reply got shorter and shorter as Verizon BB kept cutting me off. Yes, that IS factory paint on there and sure makes it look much more attractive than the plainer 2008 30TKE RT we were looking at in Dubuque last April. The decals are still peeling as usual, but the paint makes up for it! It looks as good as that 2009 36TKE sitting next to us does. A lady from MO came out to look at it, but the Internet price is the rock bottom price as well. I highly recommend the folks in Dekalb, they are a small dealer but we've grown to like them a whole lot.

The GCWR of our 2008 truck is rated 23,500 lbs and where we get into trouble is the weight of our 11' flatbed with headache rack. Yes we have DRW and a large toolbox on the back. The Cat scale said we were 8600 lbs with a full tank of 52 gallons and us in it. That leaves only 14,900 left for the coach although we are either in the coach or the truck not both!

I have no experience with a 5W hitch, but after a few dozen hitchups my wife and I make a great team for the gooseneck. People laugh at how high we have to raise it to insert the gooseneck, the 30K lb 2 5/16" ball is recessed 4.5" down into the bed in its own subframe connected to the main frame. We'd probably shave off 10 minutes of hitchup time with a 5W hitch.

Nonetheless, going down bumpy I-57 and I-24 through southern IL and KY does make me nervous for our dishes with any hitch. Our 28rgo had a cracked grey water drain line from the kitchen when we bought her, but the fine Illinois road polished it off last April.

Dave