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10-23-2016, 07:58 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 186
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Anything bad about "lite" models?
I'm looking at 32'-34' and some of them call the model "lite". Is there anything about these models that cause concern when it comes to build quality. Thinner metal, lacking insulation things like that?
Or is it just a marketing thing to cal shorter 5ers lite models
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10-23-2016, 09:15 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 2,500
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So far we love our Cougar "X-Lite" . I'm sure people will chime in soon picking brands apart, but this one is working fine for us. It has nice porcilen potty and bathroom sink, solid surface Corian countertops, decent faucets, etc. I guess the only thing I'd change so far is dual pane windows would be a plus. It is 31'4" nose to tail, with a GVW of 10,000 lbs. Ours loaded up is under that. It is also braced and wired for a second AC, which we will probably add in the future.
Monkey
__________________
Monkey, pilot of a Great Dane hauler,
2015 Silverado 2500 Duramax/Alison 4x4 CrewCab 2016 Cougar 28SGS
1ST CAV
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10-23-2016, 06:44 PM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 22
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I feel the same as monkey.
We are currently camping at Talladega Alabama in our new XLITE 29RES from Keystone we purchased in June, and Love it! Have not had any problems.
Sent from my iPhone using iRV2 - RV Forum
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10-23-2016, 09:07 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Michigans U.P.
Posts: 213
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I'm gonna X3 what Monkey said. We have a Montana High Country with 'Helium Technology'.
IMHO, 'Lite' is hype.
Look, doesn't matter what brand you get. Look at the fit and finish, and the layout. If YOU and your family like it, then it's for you. The RV industry doesn't play by the same rules as the auto industry where quality is a factor.
My DW and I really like our 5er. Have we had problems? Oh, hell yes. But we like it. We like the layout and the looks. Inside an out. I've heard of full blown Montana owners having some of the same problems. And those things cost way more than ours.
'Lite' is different to different manufacturers. We have a nice thick curved roof, unlike the Forest River we had that you couldn't carry on a conversation if it was raining. (Also a 'Lite').
As I said we have a thick roof, and thick sidewalls. Except in the slide outs. Only 2" there. Plywood in the roof is thinner, as the floor. Cabinetry is a thinner and less. On and on. It weighs 10K plus a little bit unloaded.
Would I full time in this RV? No. Would I part time in this RV? Yes. Would I weekend in this RV? That's what we're doing right now.
Buying an RV is like buying a car (or in the case of this forum, a truck ). Chances are you're not gonna keep it forever. Chances are you're not gonna like everything about it. Chances are you're gonna use it. A lot.
__________________
One dog. No cats. No kids. Just the 3 of us.
'21 CTD Ram 3500 SRW * Bypass oil filter * Amso
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10-24-2016, 09:20 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 761
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The idea is that Lite is suppose to be better engineered. Thing is there are no RV test tracks so the customer does the testing.
If you are told something is O.K. find out how they use it and compare that to how you intend to use it.
You could also the question on a Fulltimers Forum.
__________________
Outdoor RV 270DBHS
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10-24-2016, 10:56 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Excel Owners Club Winnebago Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Santa Fe, NM
Posts: 6,777
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RV owners' life styles are highly varied, what and how we use them is all over the map, what we expect out them is equally varied. What fits one person might be really a bad fir for someone else. Are lite models better/worse than heavy models I don't know- depends.
We researched and shopped in two states for a year before we bought our first RV, a 5th wheeler. We must must have looked at, in and under hundreds of different units and models. In the end we bought a used 32ft Excel 5th. This unit weighs in about 14,000 lbs. Not a lite model. I tow it with a RAM 3500 and the pair drives and handles really well and is very stable in highway conditions. The only thing we wish different is for a little more space around the bathroom sink. Otherwise we think it fits our expectations very well. We don't plan on really full timing it, but plenty of multi months trips to parts far far away, at least by road.
Some folks seem to buy a different RV every couple of years. I'd expect the whys are highly varied as well. Changing needs, expectations, bad prior decisions- who really knows. I've done a done of mods to our 5th and we plan on keeping it for a long long time. It's interesting to observe and wonder why people do the things we do.
__________________
Fred & Denise (RVM157) New Mexico
2007 Excel Classic 30RSO & Coach House 272XL E450
2007 RAM 3500, Diesel, 6Spd Auto, SWD, 4x4, CC & LB
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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10-26-2016, 07:51 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 186
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Yeah I'm just a weekender, but spend much of my time in ridiculously hot climates. So 2 ACs is a #1 feature. Some lighter models like grand design reflection boast an all weather insulation package, but others don't mention much about insulation.
Mainly why I was asking. Need something that repeals the heat for sure.
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10-26-2016, 09:07 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Excel Owners Club Winnebago Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Santa Fe, NM
Posts: 6,777
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Insulation is insulation for hot or cold. It sounds like a well insulated lite model in a good length and floor plan might serve you well, with 2 ACs. We have more interested in staying warm and run the one AC only once in a while. We're out in Santa Fe and travel largely in the west, but planning soon to making much longer trips.
Happy and safe travels.
__________________
Fred & Denise (RVM157) New Mexico
2007 Excel Classic 30RSO & Coach House 272XL E450
2007 RAM 3500, Diesel, 6Spd Auto, SWD, 4x4, CC & LB
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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10-26-2016, 09:35 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Oregon
Posts: 6,596
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The other factor in keeping the unit cool is how many big windows you have. Next time you're out in the summer sun and the suns shinning on that big back window go over and you can feel the heat near it. I don't think "Lite" versions are any worse than non lite versions when insulating factors are close. Many non lites don't have any better insulation than lites.
My biggest concern is where did they cut weight from? I always look for a trailer with a high payload capacity. That shows me that it's built sturdier than it's competitors.
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