Question for all 35' Excel Owners...

[ExcelRVGuy]

We are in the process of finalizing our 2011 line-up and are considering discontinuing the 35' models. All of the 35' models are either being produced in 36' length or could be.

The actual difference between the two lengths is only about 10" in length and 500# - 700#. in all cases, the extra 10" is in the bedroom to give you more room to walk around the bed or to have a king bed.

It is quite expensive to maintain both lengths for such little difference, not to mention confusing for our dealers in knowing which length to stock.

The biggest reason we have continued building both lengths is mostly psycological. Many people THINK they can pull a 35' but not the 36'. In actuality if they can't pull the 36' they are marginal at best, in pulling a 35.

My question to you is.... When you bought your 35', did you consider the same floorplan in a 36'? (providing that floorplan was built in a 36)

If you were going to buy a new rig, would you consider stepping up 10" to a 36?

Any feedback would be appreciated on this topic. My intent is to get your input on whether to consolidate some models and get rid of some redundancy, or continue with both lengths..... and not to begin a debate about tow vehicles.

Thank you in advance for your input.

Bryan

[Jim & Bona]

Bryan,

Great question in the "new" RV marketplace. Here's my two cents worth:

We were looking for a suitable floorplan in the 33' - 34' (overall length) range when we fell in love with the FLR floorplan. The rear kitchen and the back door sold us. I would note that we had decided that our coach would be an Excel before we finalized the floorplan.

I suspect that our next coach will be a bit smaller, likely in the 33 -34' range as originally planned. Of course, if you'd build another FLR for us.......

Best wishes,

[rockintom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExcelRVGuy We are in the process of finalizing our 2011 line-up and are considering discontinuing the 35' models. All of the 35' models are either being produced in 36' length or could be. The actual difference between the two lengths is only about 10" in length and 500# - 700#. in all cases, the extra 10" is in the bedroom to give you more room to walk around the bed or to have a king bed. It is quite expensive to maintain both lengths for such little difference, not to mention confusing for our dealers in knowing which length to stock. The biggest reason we have continued building both lengths is mostly psycological. Many people THINK they can pull a 35' but not the 36'. In actuality if they can't pull the 36' they are marginal at best, in pulling a 35. My question to you is.... When you bought your 35', did you consider the same floorplan in a 36'? (providing that floorplan was built in a 36) If you were going to buy a new rig, would you consider stepping up 10" to a 36? Any feedback would be appreciated on this topic. My intent is to get your input on whether to consolidate some models and get rid of some redundancy, or continue with both lengths..... and not to begin a debate about tow vehicles. Thank you in advance for your input. Bryan

Bryan,

I can understand where you are coming from on considering consolidating the 35 and 36 ft models. As you know, we fulltimed in the 35 for 5 years. We purchased it as our first time RVing experience and thought since coming from a 2700 sq ft home to less than 400 sq ft we'd need the 35 ft. Since then we now know we can live comfortably in the 33 sq ft. We really never gave too much serious thought to the 36 as we were sure our TV wouldn't handle it properly (even though we we're still overweight in the 35).

Now we've had a couple of months in the new 33 ft. I doubt we'd consider going back to a larger rig. I didn't think 2 ft. made that much difference when it comes to backing it into tight spots. Just my 2 cents worth!

[jaird]

Bryan,

We have an '09 35 ft. TKE. A 36 ft. unit would put us over on the GCWR of our truck so we would have to down size. Do not feel that that would be a problem as we are not fulltimers only halftimers (5-6 months/yr.). I can understand why the near duplication of these units is not the most efficient for production but can also see that GCWR is a factor.

Sure do like our Excel.

Marie and Jesse Aird

[Endeavor2BnC]

Bryan,

We have to keep in mind the 65' total length limit on the roads. We could go no longer than 37' total length from pin to tail unless we redid our truck bed.

[Still Working "NOT"]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Endeavor2BnC Bryan, We have to keep in mind the 65' total length limit on the roads. We could go no longer than 37' total length from pin to tail unless we redid our truck bed.

Too add to Tim's comment, with the Wild Cargo I am 64' 6" for total lenght. So the lenght of the Wild Cargo should be about the max lenght for any fifth wheel. My thoughts are stay with the 36' model and adjust options as needed.

Anyone towing in the 35' or longer model, really needs to look at pulling with F-450, 4500 class truck or larger for safety reasons when full loaded.

I do have a feel that many of the states are seeing many of us pushing overall lenght and are starting to look at that. I know of one person who got a ticket for over lenght near Hays, Kansas last summer and have heard of a couple of others in other states.

[Bruce and Jenna]

What Larry said.
Anyone towing in the 35' or longer model, really needs to look at pulling with F-450, 4500 class truck or larger for safety reasons when full loaded.

A 35' model would have forced us into an F450, which would cost more $. We're satisfied with 33'.

If we go bigger, we likely won't tow it, so we'd go BIGGER. 36'+.

[Endeavor2BnC]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExcelRVGuy All of the 35' models are either being produced in 36' length or could be. The actual difference between the two lengths is only about 10" in length and 500# - 700#. in all cases, the extra 10" is in the bedroom to give you more room to walk around the bed or to have a king bed. Bryan

Bryan,
After talking w the "Boss", she says she's not willing to give up 700# of shoe storage. In fact, if we go larger she wants more storage capabilities than we currently have. (More Shoes). She figures at least 1,000# more storage. I think that would mean a triple axle, 8000#, option at the very least. BigBit or anyone else getting a large trailer could handle that w/o any problems.

[Steve R.]

Bryan,

First of all, thank you for using this forum to reach out to your new and existing customers.

This is off topic so I expect a scolding but...I see a common theme here and in other threads about weight concerns for larger or well equipped mid size Excel models. Is PI actively looking to reduce the weight of their new models? My guess is that most of your customers are towing beyond their TV's ratings and I expect we'll be seeing $4+ diesel prices as demand is again increasing elsewhere in the world. Lots of reasons to reconsider what we tow behind us during our travels.

Thanks again,

Steve

[rucksack]

Hi Bryan
With our 35RSO loaded, we are at or just above our combined weight for our "07 Chev 3500 dually. There is not a great selection of tow vehicles with a higher rating other than the Ford 450 or a MDT and that may limit your potential customer base.
Regards, Wilf Kern

[unfinished91]

We have a 35RSE that is pulled with a F350 with the Tow Boss package. It has the rating to easily add 700# to our trailer. We would definitely welcome the extra room. We would not only welcome it, we would more than likely buy it when ours needs replacing. We replaced a 33RSE with our 35RSE and notice no difference at all in towing, backing or finding a place to camp. We would expect much the same going from a 35RSE to a 36RSE.

[Endeavor2BnC]

Bryan,

Will the living area sq ft be increased well over the 35' numbers?

[ExcelRVGuy]

Steve..

We are not actively trying to reduce our weights. I'm more concerned about using quality materials with strong frames. I realize we won't be able to accomodate everyone's need for lighter weights.

Tim,

The living area in a 36' is less than 8 square feet more than the 35'. That's another factor I am considering in trying to make a good decision.

Thanks to both of you for your questions.

Bryan

[dTardis]

I think it is great that you came here to ask what we think. We are actualy looking to buy you first trailer, and have all but decided on the 31SKM for a couple of reasons. 35 foot was the absolute max that we wanted it to be. This was because we believed that longer would be harder to maneuver around and harder to find places we would be allowed to pull in to. The other reason? We really want the Motorcycle lift, and we can not apparently get than in a trailer longer than 33'.
Oh and she really wants the hickory cabnets.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExcelRVGuy We are in the process of finalizing our 2011 line-up and are considering discontinuing the 35' models. All of the 35' models are either being produced in 36' length or could be. The actual difference between the two lengths is only about 10" in length and 500# - 700#. in all cases, the extra 10" is in the bedroom to give you more room to walk around the bed or to have a king bed. It is quite expensive to maintain both lengths for such little difference, not to mention confusing for our dealers in knowing which length to stock. The biggest reason we have continued building both lengths is mostly psycological. Many people THINK they can pull a 35' but not the 36'. In actuality if they can't pull the 36' they are marginal at best, in pulling a 35. My question to you is.... When you bought your 35', did you consider the same floorplan in a 36'? (providing that floorplan was built in a 36) If you were going to buy a new rig, would you consider stepping up 10" to a 36? Any feedback would be appreciated on this topic. My intent is to get your input on whether to consolidate some models and get rid of some redundancy, or continue with both lengths..... and not to begin a debate about tow vehicles. Thank you in advance for your input. Bryan