R U guys Happy

[scubatraveler]

I'm a fulltimer with a 5'r made by another company. We have been very happy wih this brand. It's now time to purchase a new 5'r and our brand just went out of business. So we were considering the new purchase of an Excel.We were under the impression that Excel made a superior product. But after reading this forum and threads on the internet I have read some less than complimentory comments about this company. Is this a quality company? Are you happy with the product and it's service dept. I have read about broken frames flexing slides plumbing issues and a non-responsive service dept.As a fulltimer we are looking for a quality rig as well as a caring and quality company and a good dealer network. We put on the miles and work I mean work the slides (not ones for holding up for months at a time)and haul a heavy load ( we call our rig CRAMALOT INN ) Any and all advice welcome. Thanks Rick

[Jim & Bona]

Rick,

First,Welcome to the Excel Owners Forum.

I spent something over four years on the various forums for our short list of 5er manufacturers before we narrowed it down to two companies located in opposite corners of Kansas. After visiting both plants we selected PI as the best choice for our needs and budget. Structural design integrity, quality, and customer service/satisfaction were high in our priorities. I have never regreted that decision and have, in fact, recommended Excel to other prospective buyers without reservation.

As to the occasional glitch and/or dissatisfied owner you'll find these in every other owners forum if you look hard enough. I expect, however, you will find the ratio of happy owners to unhappy owners to be higher with Excel owners than with most, if not all, other brands. Yes, we've had a few problems with our coach and in every case PI came through with flying colors to quickly resolve the problem. Send me a private email if you want details.

Happy shopping.

JR

[Bob Wilson]

Hi Rick,

I have an Excel 36RDO and have been full-timing in it for 4 1/2 years ... and you may have seen my comments on its broken frame.

First, I love my Excel and will be buying another at some point.

Second, although I was very frustrated when the break occurred, Excel ultimately repaired all of the damage to a high level of quality.

Third, my rig was the first year of a new frame design that included a dropped floor in the living room ... a design that was eliminated the next year (the 36RDO remained without the dropped floor).

In closing, my impression of Excel is of a wonderful small company ... sometimes being small means that surges in workload can make a company seem unresponsive since the staff is working hard to clear the backlog. But the flip side is that you get to talk to and get to know by name people from the President (Brian) to the service manager (Jack) to the excellent support staff.

Excel is a great company ... you won't be disappointed if you spend time with them.

Bob

[LindaH]

Quote:

Originally posted by scubatraveler: Is this a quality company?

YES!

Quote:

Are you happy with the product and it's service dept.

YES!

As others have mentioned, you'll find unhappy buyers with any brand...and some people you'll never be able to please.

However, the mettle of any company is how they handle problems. Excel ranks high in that department, as evidenced by Bob's post.

[Steve R.]

While I am not a full-timer, I do fall into the serious part-timer category. My coach is on the road almost every week and I use my coach the same way you do (packed full and rolling).

Opinion of PI:
I feel pampered as an owner. It is rare these days that you can call ANY manufacturer of a complex product like an RV and receive technical advice from an actual on-shore employee. PI does this with courtesy and professionalism.

PI Service:
I live on the West coast so dealer service is my only option. So far this has been a mixed bag due to the economy more than anything. This particular dealer suffers from high turnover which can be frustrating for customers. The problems I've experienced have been very minor and were eventually resolved at no expense to me.

Frame Strength:
My coach among other things serves as a support vehicle for my motorcycle road racing habit. Frame strength and the ability carry a motorcycle on the back is the main reason I considered Excel in the first place. IMHO the frame on my unit is over-engineered if anything.

Good luck with your search. Your timing couldn't be better!!

[MakinSmoke]

I am a fulltimer. This is my second rig. My first was SOB also. Excel like any other brand has some issues but they will stand behind their stuff better than any other RV Mfr that I have read about or know firsthand. My 2 year experience with Excel and their Service Center is very, very positive.

Now, let me add that I believe that you or I can beat anything to death. Each time we go over a rough bridge transition on the interstate at 60mph or faster with a few pounds of overload, we are subjecting our "homes" to a force equal to the magnitude of a level 3 earthquake. If we do that enough, something will break. Additionally, if you don't spend time lubricating slides,caulking and tightening screws, something is bound to go wrong. Most of this stuff is just part of living in an RV on the road.

There is however the occasional owner who thinks there should never be any issues. That person is going to be dissatisfied with whatever he buys.

[vblarry]

In the 3 years since we purchased our Excel, the only dealings I've had whith the service dept was to fix my screw-ups (ie; ran out of propane when the trailer was unattended and not winterized during the winter). To date I've been to Georgia, Arkansas and Canada without any issues. Previous TTs were Fleetwood (talk about service issues)and Forest River. The Excel family is great and we love our 5ver.

[LindaH]

So, Scubatraveler, it's been two days since you made your very first post to this site and we've heard nothing further from you. Are you still out there? Or was this just a "hit and run" post meant to stir up controversy?

[rockintom]

Quote:

Or was this just a "hit and run" post meant to stir up controversy?

Stir up controversy? I see nothing but great posts on PI and Excel.... of which I concur and echo. Am I missing something? rocky

[Still Working "NOT"]

Quote:

Originally posted by rockintom: <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Or was this just a "hit and run" post meant to stir up controversy?

Stir up controversy? I see nothing but great posts on PI and Excel.... of which I concur and echo. Am I missing something? rocky </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Sir KnowItAll, you are controversy but we mostly enjoy your input. There now you know what your missing.

Bought first used Excel 1992 Model year and have stayed with Excel in 2003 and will stay with Excel on next unit!!!!

[rockintom]

Still,

I know for sure I'm a controversy....but that's not what Linda was insinuating....she implied that scubatraveler was creating controversy. Maybe Linda oughta explain and you can get back to your rat killing!!! This may be over your head!

[Still Working "NOT"]

Good reply SKIA. Should have reread the whole post before picking on you. Now back to killing RATS.
Working on retirement planning today. Good thing I need to look on the internet for some info to work on the finanical plan. This way I can keep track on you guys.

I can multitask sometimes.

[LindaH]

Scuba's one and only post to this site started out by sayng that they were considering a new purchase of an Excel but were rethinking it because they'd *heard* that it was nothing but a POS (to paraphrase).

We've all told him how we think that Excel's are a great RV and Peterson Ind., in particular, stands behind their product. So far, Scuba hasn't returned to make any further comment, or thank those of us who took the time to respond.

There are people out there who sign on to a site, make a post "daring" people to defend their choice and then are never heard of again...probably don't even bother to come back to the site.

Hopefully, Scuba isn't that type of poster, but it's curious...to me, at least...that he hasn't returned to make any further comment.

[rockintom]

Thanks for clearing up your thought process. I went to the original post by scuba and read and reread and kinda see what your talking about.

It is amazing how we read the same thing and interpret it a little differently. Of course, if my IQ was above 15 it would help!!