Time to fess up

[davydee]

Well, I'd planned to just go away quietly until Bryan called. We've purchased a Mobile Suites to replace our 2009 36 LGKE. We found the peninsula floor plan just wasn't working out as planned plus after visiting Hood RV in Decatur, AL and have them suggest that we take our Excel to Smith Center to get it fix, I found myself tired of going to Smith Center. A previous planned appointment in May 2011 would be our 5th visit in 25 months of ownership. I think the world of everyone at Smith Center, but I was tired of going there. We'll see how long it takes to get tired of Howe, IN.

Unlike some others who have posted on this forum, we're not upset or angry at Excel. It remains to be seen if the MS is better than the Excel. We do like the new floor plan better. But after 5 days of use, we've taken this one's hydraulic system down, too. (10 days of use to achieve the same thing in the Excel.) Apparently, it's easy for me to break anything Lippert makes!

I already miss the utility center. I don't miss the hose reel or the Pivot Ez. One point I will make: Someone posted on here complaining about how small the red devil vacuum bag was on the Excels. Well, it's the same dang size on the MS! It's OK to complain, but if you're going to criticize a brand, at least get your facts straight!

Anyway, we'll be reading along and may jump in if I see something I can contribute to. Everyone take care and have a great New Years! David

[Workshop]

Best of luck David in the future!

I have always found your post, even when you had issues to be level in your comments and reactions. So hope that you do comment and contribute when you can.

I have a 2001 Excel Limited that doesn't have all the "bells and flashing lights" that the new units have and other than moisture.....haven't had a problem during our 'non-fulltimer use'. But if I had the hydraulic system on mine.....would for sure keep you away.

Mobile Suites makes a nice unit and I hope that it serves your needs and gives you many years of enjoyable and safe travels.

workhorse

[rockintom]

Ditto what work says........I also sent you an email. Best of luck buddy and stay in touch. I'll be very interested in your thoughts on the performance of your new rig in the future. rockin'

[bayou316]

Quote:

Originally Posted by davydee Well, I'd planned to just go away quietly until Bryan called. We've purchased a Mobile Suites to replace our 2009 36 LGKE. We found the peninsula floor plan just wasn't working out as planned plus after visiting Hood RV in Decatur, AL and have them suggest that we take our Excel to Smith Center to get it fix, I found myself tired of going to Smith Center. A previous planned appointment in May 2011 would be our 5th visit in 25 months of ownership. I think the world of everyone at Smith Center, but I was tired of going there. We'll see how long it takes to get tired of Howe, IN. Unlike some others who have posted on this forum, we're not upset or angry at Excel. It remains to be seen if the MS is better than the Excel. We do like the new floor plan better. But after 5 days of use, we've taken this one's hydraulic system down, too. (10 days of use to achieve the same thing in the Excel.) Apparently, it's easy for me to break anything Lippert makes! I already miss the utility center. I don't miss the hose reel or the Pivot Ez. One point I will make: Someone posted on here complaining about how small the red devil vacuum bag was on the Excels. Well, it's the same dang size on the MS! It's OK to complain, but if you're going to criticize a brand, at least get your facts straight! Anyway, we'll be reading along and may jump in if I see something I can contribute to. Everyone take care and have a great New Years! David

Great comments. We just picked up our new 2011 36TKE last Tuesday and we are having problems. I am currently working directly with Lippert on the automatic leveling system and the door keypad (keyless entry).

We haven't even moved into the RV yet. It's parked at our church on a covered RV pad.

Bryan was able to get our RV painted with the exact color codes of our new 2011 Ford F350 two color paint. We had to have a third color for the Excel Limited paint scheme. We chose Ford's Tuxedo metallic black. Well the black is full of swirls.

Bryan expressed to me that we had ordered one of the most expensive 5th wheels in the company's history. I just hope and pray that when we get the chance to move in we don't discover too many other problems.

I will not even go into the detail repairs that had to be done at the RV dealership when the unit came in. My wife was in total shock to pay that much money and see what she did.

They, the dealership repaired (touched up) what they could and sent us on our way.

I don't know what to say. I love Excel's floor plans but in order for a company to grow or progress; constructive criticism is mandatory.

In all honesty, we scrimped and saved to retire early. Then when the wife became seriously ill (Stage IV cancer), I didn't expect this.

I am going to stick with Peterson and Bryan and see if things work out as promised.

[RustyJC]

We have the last model year of the Mobile Suites before the hydraulics were introduced. Other than one broken gear in a slideout gear reduction gearbox we experienced about 3 months after delivery in August 2004 (the complete slideout drive was replaced by DRV), we've had no problems whatsoever with our electric slides and jacks. Frankly, with everything I read, I'm not sure that they hydraulics are a real product improvement, although I'll admit that the self-leveling, etc. is probably nice when it works.

If it helps, our unit has never been to Howe, IN and has only been back to the dealer for the slideout drive replacement and a Dometic recall since we've owned it. Good luck with your new RV.

Rusty

[davydee]

bayou316, I'm sorry to hear all the issues you're having. One thing I can say: after having a u-haul hit ours while it was sitting in storage, we took it back to Smith Center to have a new cap painted and installed. We had to leave it for a few weeks to come back and sell a house. But I thought they did a great job fixing that front cap. Good luck, sir! David

[davydee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyJC Frankly, with everything I read, I'm not sure that they hydraulics are a real product improvement, although I'll admit that the self-leveling, etc. is probably nice when it works. Rusty

We took down our our hydraulic system on the Excel when we had a leak where the hose reel connected to the water system. We didn't get a slow drip - we got the nice 40+psi spray on the controller which took out the controller and in turn, burnt some of the electrical connections to the hydraulic system when we tried to use the controller after it dried out. Neither Lippert nor DRV really know why this one failed to shut off on the MS. It's been rewired and a 100 amp breaker installed. The replacement pump being assembled incorrectly falls squarely on Lippert. As I read various RV forums, Lippert isn't as highly respected as one would think. In my case, they're earning it.

[bayou316]

I am proud to report that Bryan and his team have contacted me and some of the problems I had were fixed simply.

Automatic leveling problem is now fixed.

Paint job problem is being fixed. A detail team is being hired to detail the RV.

So far, everything has been jumped on quickly and taken care of.

Thanks Bryan and Peterson Industries.

[BSmith01]

Quote:

Originally Posted by davydee Well, I'd planned to just go away quietly until Bryan called. We've purchased a Mobile Suites to replace our 2009 36 LGKE. We found the peninsula floor plan just wasn't working out as planned plus after visiting Hood RV in Decatur, AL and have them suggest that we take our Excel to Smith Center to get it fix, I found myself tired of going to Smith Center. A previous planned appointment in May 2011 would be our 5th visit in 25 months of ownership. David

I understand where your coming from, just think if we had to take our autos and trucks back to Detroit for every little thing. If a man is working yet it would be frustrating to use one week of your vacation time to go to the factory. Good Luck on your new home!

[rockintom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSmith01 I understand where your coming from, just think if we had to take our autos and trucks back to Detroit for every little thing. If a man is working yet it would be frustrating to use one week of your vacation time to go to the factory. Good Luck on your new home!

For sure. I think they are gonna find out that the average Baby Boomer coming in the retirement arena is not going to play that game. There is no reason a larger professional dealership can not make 95% of the repairs that folks are needing to take back to SC. Speciality area training for Metro (large stores) techs should be done at SC so they could go back to the stores and make repairs... just like a car dealership. In my opinion, there should be about 7 to 9 of these dealers spead out across the US so that a customer shouldn't have to drive over 200 miles to get professional work done. Most of the folks with the little $25,000 rig don't have to do it.....why should folks that pay more for a rig have to? Time will tell. Most Boomers I know don't and won't put up with the current set up long. rockin'

[motojavaphil]

Congrats on the new rig. I think you made a great choice and if it fits, so be it! I do miss my Excel, 04 MKO. Enjoyed the people and this forum. I imagine if I were to sell "Trouble" I might come back to Excel. I do have a theory, if it rolls down the road something will go wrong. no matter how well made.

[jaird]

Dave,

Hope the new rig works for you. Since we saw you at SC, the boss has had both knees replaced and is doing well. Hope to see you all again. Take care.

God bless.

Jesse

[davydee]

Thanks, Jesse and have a great New Year! David & Donna