Community Forums

GBill · 02-12-2021, 09:46 AM

I am in the process of purchasing a2007 Excel 36 tke Limited that has be stored for 6 years outdoors at a dealer in the northern climes.....snow ect. It has just been sitting and not moved because the husband of the owner unfortunately passed and it became a sentimental issue. So I will be needing a little help from this group in order to understand the unit and get her road worthy again going forward. I did own a 2004 DRV #1291 that was owned by a IRV2 member that I sold last year thinking that I wouldn't be needing a 5er again. I was wrong and now need a unit so this one owner was my best option based on price point and current location. In that the tires are buried in snow presently would anyone know what size tires were delivered on this unit. I have the original bill of sale and up graded tires were not optioned so what ever came from the factory is what is on it. I have looked all over the net for the tire size with no luck including Petersen brochures. In advance thanks for you help.

rockintom · 02-13-2021, 07:26 AM

Welcome to the Excel Forum! Not to rain on your parade (not pun intended) but I would be very cautious of buying an older rig that's been sitting outside in the weather you discribe. The Excels are wood framed coaches and require regular maintenance to protect the caulked seams. Otherwise water seeps in and does it's damage. Check for gaps on the caulked areas. On a very close inspection of the coach, I'll list a few of the key areas to check for damage below.

Front cap to roof line junction especially at each corner
All four corners where water gutters/drain spouts are
All slide openings on the body - metal and side walls meet
All slide tops for roof damage/caulk issues
All slide outside floors (when open) especially on ends for soft/rotted wood
Check all side walls on the inside for little specks (mold) and/or water damage. These usually start high on the walls. Look in the front closet up in the corners for water damage.

This is a good place to start. Getting in a hurry and failing to check this stuff could cost you 10's of thousands of dollars in major wall repairs.

Excels are great rigs, but one not properly maintained can be your biggest nightmare.

Please let us know what you find on your inspeciton. Tom

The original tires were Goodyear G614 235 X 16 RST.

GBill · 02-14-2021, 10:57 AM

Rockintom thank you for the info on specific areas to check for leaks/rot and mold. It is a shame that it was abandoned for so long without being maintained although I was told that the battery was replaced 2 years ago for what ever reason. As of today it has a foot of snow on it so pulling it out of it's space to open it up has to wait until after a thaw. The only thing that I can say for sure right now is that the landing gear has not let down and the tires are still holding air. It was optioned with hydraulic landing gear what ever brand remains to be seen. Now has as the Dicor caulk/tape held up remains to be seen. If it has that will be something. As you can imagine I hope that all is well but know that this may be a bit of a stretch. It you think of anything else to check please let me know. I know I would have missed checking the front closet for sure. If it was winterized with non toxic antifreeze does it break down over time? Just something that crossed my mind in addition to everything else. Thanks again.

rockintom · 02-16-2021, 07:40 PM

I'm not sure on the antifreeze......but my best guess is no, it doesn't detereate over time.
I Googled it up and appears it doesn't go bad over time.

GBill · 02-17-2021, 08:28 AM

Well that is one less thing to be concerned about. The area where it lies got hit with snow again over the weekend so patiently waiting on Mother Nature. I will post back how this adventure turns out. Thanks again.