Community Forums

DeepDoc1 · 09-09-2007, 04:51 AM

I haven't posted much here because I'm only a wannabe owner, but been lurking awhile. I have a high interest in the L33TKE model, at least on paper. I keep searching the area to find one to look at. No matter what other units I look at, I keep coming back to the Excel.

This boondock question is very interesting to me. I have modded my TT to hold extra batteries and inverter (no solar yet). One thing I notice that is almost universal is the lack of designed-in additional battery space. I realize boondocking is less common here on the East coast, and many folks don't do it at all, but there obviously is a market for this stuff. I think Bob's suggestion has merit, and for me, I would love to see some sort of a boondocking option pkg offered. While not all the listed items may be included, I would like to see:

- an externally accessible battery compartment that could hold 4-6 batteries, an inverter, and possibly a small compartment for battery tools and jug of distilled water. I could see that as a possible mod to the lawn chair compartment, or next to generator, etc. The inverter should be have a prewired harness to supply predesignated circuits.
- Solar wiring options are already available in most rigs. Panels might be offered by mfr, but most likely would be a dealer option or do it yourself.
- 40# propane is good.
- Water tanks are good size already (much better than my current 30 gals, which is enough for a week if I go frugal).
- Tire size goes along with my desire for the MOR/ryde IS with disc brakes. I've seen the discussions of PI not readily endorsing the MOR/ryde type products as an improvement for general ride properties, but they hold a certain appeal for rough roads and sharp backing manuvers that may arise while pushing the envelope.
- Spare tires could be kept on a boat hitch utility platform as needed.
- I can't see a need for skid paltes for myself, but others may need them. The added weight would be considerable.
- AC is a problem. Perhaps a smallish fan blowing across an ice tray? I've been places where the only way to get a hours sleep was to take a cold shower, drop in the sack soaking wet while a fan blows across you to get cooled down enough to get another hour of sleep before the heat wakes you and you start all over. Perhaps I should only boondock in proper weather.

While not the extreme rig Bob envisions, I think this would extend my ability to boondock more frequently, especially out West where it's more common.

Well, enough rambling for now. Ttfn.

MakinSmoke · 09-09-2007, 05:45 AM

DeepDoc,
Welcome to the forum. Stay around and contribute when you will...there is no rule that says you have to be an owner to be a part of the discussion. Jump in when you have something to say.

Bob Wilson · 09-09-2007, 05:59 AM

Great post DeepDoc1. Thanks for joining the conversation.

Bob

Bob Wilson · 09-09-2007, 06:21 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Bob, aren't you pulling with a dodge pickup truck?? aren't you aleady way overloaded with kingpin weight? how can you add more water or a transfer flow tank?? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hi D and J,

Yes, I do pull with a 2004.5 Dodge 3500 dually with 4.10s. My recollection is that the payload capacity is over 5,000lbs in this configuration.

I think that the pin weight for my 36RDO, loaded, is around 3500lbs. And I'm guessing that my B&W Turnover ball hitch with Companion weighs around 200 lbs.

The aluminum wedge tank from Transfer Flow weights 140 lbs, and 73 gals of fuel adds another 560 lbs ... so total is about 800lbs. Sure helps smooth the ride when I'm not towing.

Combined, the above put me somewhere around 4500 lbs, depending on how much fuel is in the tank. So I think I'm OK on the payload, but I am overloaded on the GCVWR of the truck when pulling the 36RDO.

Before adding the water tank I'd move to a smaller trailer.

Bob

LindaH · 09-09-2007, 06:25 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by MakinSmoke:
When we want to get deep into the woods, we backpack. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

We used to backpack in our younger days. Don't think I'd make it up the first hill now! Besides, I like my luxuries...like a toilet...my knees will no longer allow me to squat!

LindaH · 09-09-2007, 06:31 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by camperguy:
Although I hate the thought of having to maintain two units, I too have been looking at truck campers. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
We have our name on the list for a lot at the Escapees park in Sutherlin, OR. Once we get that lot, our plans are to park the Excel on it during the summer and travel in a truck camper...that way we can get up into the places we like (places we can't get to with the fifth wheel).
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I haven't really looked inside of one for nearly 20 years. Even with the little slides now available, they still are pretty tiny inside. The only thing about them that isn't small is the price tag. You can spend $25K to $30K on one today! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Then you really need to go take a look! They now have truck campers with 2 and 3 slides...of course, you'd need something bigger than a 1-ton dually for the 3-slide ones!

And $25K to $30K is cheap! Some of them, all tricked out go for well over an MSRP of $40K!

MakinSmoke · 09-09-2007, 06:42 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">We used to backpack in our younger days. Don't think I'd make it up the first hill now! Besides, I like my luxuries...like a toilet...my knees will no longer allow me to squat! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
We are still pretty young (58 and 60) but we take this and everything else one day at a time. Sure am grateful that we can still hike and carry 35-40 lbs each. Hope we've got a few more years to do so. But when that is over, there is still soooo much left to do. My list is almost endless.

LindaH · 09-09-2007, 06:49 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Bob Wilson:
Yes, I do pull with a 2004.5 Dodge 3500 dually with 4.10s. My recollection is that the payload capacity is over 5,000lbs in this configuration. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

We have the same truck, except ours is a 2007 (with the 5.9 pre-USLD Cummins). Our *published* payload capacity is 4,317#.

We had our rig weighed at the Spring Escapade this year...you can see the results of all our weights in this thread (scroll down to my second post).

As you can see, with a full tank of fresh water (which we don't travel with except for the very shortest distance possible), we're over both the Excel's GVWR and the truck's GCWR by 100#...and we're only about 50# under the truck's GVWR.

Unless you have your Excel very lightly loaded so that it doesn't weigh more than 15,000#, I can pretty much guarantee you're overweight on one or more of your truck's weight ratings...have you actually ever had it weighed?

Bob Wilson · 09-09-2007, 07:47 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">We have the same truck, except ours is a 2007 (with the 5.9 pre-USLD Cummins). Our *published* payload capacity is 4,317#. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks Linda for making me double check ... according to the following link, the 5,000 lb figure is for the 3500 Regular Cab 2WD DRW with the Hemi. The correct payload for my config (4x4 DRW QC Auto) is 4583. So, in theory, I'm right at the max for payload.

No, I've never had the combined rig weighed, but suspect that I'm running between 25k and 26k ... approx 17+k for the trailer and 8+k for the truck. GCVWR is only 23k.

http://dodgeram.info/2004/load-tow/3500DRW.html

Bought the truck at the same time I bought the trailer, and my Excel salesperson said that the factory delivers all trailers with 1-tons, and that the Dodge was plenty. In retrospect, the dealer was just telling me what I wanted to hear ... I really didn't want to move up to a 4500 or 5500 with hauler bed.

Since buying the truck I've added ride-rites to level the truck and improve the ride; plus I'm now upgrading the brakes with slotted rotors and ebc high friction pads designed for stretched Hummers ... supposed to improve stopping by 20% ... will let you know how it works out.

http://www.ebcbrakes.com/yellowstuffinfo.html

Bob

ChiefJohn · 09-09-2007, 10:25 AM

These folks learned their lesson the hard way! Attributed to braking problem?

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">SHORELINE, Wash. -- A six-car crash Thursday evening shut down the northbound lanes of Interstate 5 near Northeast 175th Street, bringing traffic to a standstill.

The crash about 3 p.m. blocked all but an onramp lane for more than an hour, and keeping several lanes closed for hours.

State troopers said the crash was caused by a truck hauling a trailer that apparently had brake problems.

No one was seriously injured, but by 4:15 p.m. traffic was already backed up for more than seven miles.

Troopers and Department of Transportation crews worked to clear the wrecks, but traffic remained snarled for hours.

The scene of the accident has been cleared since. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Bob Wilson · 09-09-2007, 11:19 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">These folks learned their lesson the hard way! Attributed to braking problem? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hi Chief,

Check out the video report at the following link. Reportedly, the driver was driving too fast, and the trailer brakes were not connected.

http://www.kirotv.com/news/14061660/detail.html#

Weight management and safety are really important topics, worthy of their own thread.

Bob

Bob Wilson · 09-09-2007, 03:45 PM

Good post Doug. I just started a new thread on the safety question.

I think this is really important, and deserves its own thread. Don't know if you'd like to post to that thread too.

Bob

ChiefJohn · 09-09-2007, 04:03 PM

Thanks Bob. I moved Doug's post to the other thread.

gossamar · 09-10-2007, 03:53 PM

Bob, I too, like deepdoc1 have been lurking on and off this site for a few months now. I currently have a 26-foot TT, but have started the process of looking to upgrade within the next year or two(depending on the DW) to an entry level Excel such as the RT. The boondocker package is an interesting concept. Perhaps there could be a few "levels" of the boondocking package. The extra water capacity would be a standard across the board, but you could perhaps bundle a few of the options, say a complete solar package(batteries, inverter, panels, etc), off road package(higher ground clearance, upgraded tires, skid-plate option, maybe an adjustable air-suspension?)...just a few ideas. It would be cool if you could somehow get a "prototype" built for feedback.