Questions about Excel

[Ann-NM]

I am considering selling my very nice but expensive 921SF townhome ($3,200/yr. in property taxes alone) and purchasing an Excel travel trailer for full-time living. I will be working in Albuquerque for about two more years and then semi-retiring. I have checked what models are available at local Moriarty dealership and will ultimately purchase from them, but I would love some input. The new 36CFE floorplan looks nice and I like having a desk, but wow it's expensive. (I realize price is always negotiable, to a point.) I notice that "RockinTom"(?is that right) and his wife had a desk installed. In place of couch or entertainment center? Any recommendations or warnings about design and floorplan? Does the main plant in Kansas have all models on display? Also, I am thinking about purchasing a Ford 250 supercab 4WD to pull. Is that enough power? All suggestions are appreciated!

[LindaH]

Originally Posted by Ann-NM

I am considering ... purchasing an Excel travel trailer

You realize that Excel makes fifth wheels, not travel trailers?

The new 36CFE floorplan looks nice ... am thinking about purchasing a Ford 250 supercab 4WD to pull.

A 3/4-ton pickup will be too little truck for a fifth wheel with a GVWR of 18,750#!!! At the very least, you will need a Ford F-350 DRW 4x2 with the Powerstroke diesel engine and Tow Boss option with the 4.10 rear end. You'd be better off with a Ford F-450 or F-550 or the Chevy or Dodge equivalent, if not a true MDT or HDT.

Look at the 2010 Ford Fifth Wheel Tow Ratings and study it closely. Keep in mind that these tow ratings are for a basic truck with no options, no gear, no passengers, a partial tank of fuel, and one 150# driver. Once you add all these things, what the truck can tow without going over any of its ratings will be something less.

[Ann-NM]

Thanks Linda. I mis-spoke and meant fifth wheel. Obviously I need to do more research before purchasing towing vehicle. Thanks for the great suggestions!

[BookIIRoadtrash]

Originally Posted by LindaH

You realize that Excel makes fifth wheels, not travel trailers?

Linda, Excel is making travel trailers my Dealer has two ordered.

[Rsteabag]

Originally Posted by BookIIRoadtrash

Linda, Excel is making travel trailers my Dealer has two ordered.

IF YOU LOOK ON THE FACE BOOK PAGE FOR RV SALES IN NM YOU WILL SEE THE NEW TRAVEL TRAILER TAHAT In THEIR LOT

Dick S

[rockintom]

Originally Posted by Ann-NM

I am considering selling my very nice but expensive 921SF townhome ($3,200/yr. in property taxes alone) and purchasing an Excel travel trailer for full-time living. I will be working in Albuquerque for about two more years and then semi-retiring. I have checked what models are available at local Moriarty dealership and will ultimately purchase from them, but I would love some input. The new 36CFE floorplan looks nice and I like having a desk, but wow it's expensive. (I realize price is always negotiable, to a point.) I notice that "RockinTom"(?is that right) and his wife had a desk installed. In place of couch or entertainment center? Any recommendations or warnings about design and floorplan? Does the main plant in Kansas have all models on display? Also, I am thinking about purchasing a Ford 250 supercab 4WD to pull. Is that enough power? All suggestions are appreciated!

Welcome aboard Ann. The computer/dining desk can be installed in the a new trailer when manufactored or installed afterwards. Obviously, the first choice is the easiest and preferred.

Linda H is on the money on what she said about the truck. However, the new 2011 3500 (1 ton Duallys) for Ford and Chevy/GMC will handle the load you plan on carrying. Also spendy at about $65,000 for a nice one with the bells and whistles.

And the rumor mill is that PI will be building a TT soon. Sounds like they want another piece of the trailer market. Hope this helps. rockin'

[LindaH]

Originally Posted by BookIIRoadtrash

Linda, Excel is making travel trailers my Dealer has two ordered.

Can you point out on the Excel website where their travel trailer models are? I can't find any information on them.

[BookIIRoadtrash]

Originally Posted by LindaH

Can you point out on the Excel website where their travel trailer models are? I can't find any information on them.

They have probably been to busy to update their web site. I think this might be what it looks like.

[rockintom]

Hey B2,

What's with the senior eye test??? Bigger pic please!!

[davydee]

Ann, welcome to the forum!

My 2 cents:

1) You'll do better if you'll decide on the floor plan first, then select the tow vehicle.
2) It's typically cheaper to register/insure a one-ton tow vehicle (F350, Chevy 3500, etc) than the larger tow vehicles Rockin' mentions. We found the default position of most insurance companies to be that the F450 is a commercial vehicle which requires commercial insurance. It doesn't, but you have to be persistent to find the discounts when insuring the vehicle. In our case our tow vehicle and trailer are insured together (as a package) which cut the tow vehicle insurance rate in half.
3) If your considering a Ford, check out https://www.thedieselstop.com/forums for information. Dodge and Chevrolet have similar forums.
4) While each state is different, when we lived in Virginia the property taxes on our Excel were more than our property taxes on our house (which was three times more expensive than our Excel).

Finally, enjoy the research & planning!! David

[rockintom]

Davydee gives some darn good info......but my question would be why would you want to pay state and/or personal property tax. Make your "legal address" in one of the preferred states. Texas (Escapees) or South Dakota (Alternative Resources ) and there are about 2 or 3 other fairly good preferred states. rockin'

[Bruce and Jenna]

Here's the desk we installed in our trailer.
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f116/new-desk-and-cabinets-for-our-home-38729.html

[gdbontly]

Hi Ann,

My wife and I just took delivery last month on our 2011 33RSE Limited with the desk/flip-up dining table/folding chair option. You would be better off ordering this option during the build process so you can get the folding chairs to match the rest of the fabrics in your coach. Otherwise, you'll get the standard "fixed" chairs and you won't be able to fold and store them.

Also, if you plan to do much traveling with your rig, I think you will be happier with a 5th wheel over a travel trailer. I've towed both, and towing a 5th wheel is a dream compared to a travel trailer. Hitching and unhitching is WAY easier with the 5th wheel (no weight distribution/anti-sway stuff to deal with). On our first trip, my wife drove for about an hour and had no problems at all (and she's never towed anything before).

Speaking of Tow Vehicles, I was concerned about towing a coach this heavy with my one-ton dually, but it's no problem. It's slow going up the mountains in Colorado, but on flat highway, we can hardly tell we're towing anything. My engine is completely stock. However, I have done some upgrades to my automatic transmission, and also installed an exhaust brake. These have made a huge difference in confidence and control.

BTW, we live just down the road from you, in Belen. We also dealt with Ralph and Kathy at RV Sales, which was a real pleasure! I'm pretty sure they don't have any coaches on their lot with the desk option. If you would like to see one before ordering, we'd be happy to show you ours! Send me a PM or e-mail me at gdbontly at gmail dot com if you are interested and we'll set up a time to meet.

[davydee]

Originally Posted by rockintom

Make your "legal address" in one of the preferred states. Texas (Escapees) or South Dakota (Alternative Resources ) and there are about 2 or 3 other fairly good preferred states. rockin'

Rockin', SD!