tippey Posted January 10, 2016 Report Share Posted January 10, 2016 CLOSED** Late Model Residential full-time rig 34'36' wanted.* We have purchased a used 2010 Carriage-Royals International 36MAX1. Rigging and configuring and almost ready to travel! Thanks to all for your comments and suggestions. Forums ROCK! Tipper We're going to want a replacement rig in the next 1-6 months. We're selling our S&B with RV garage now, (see RV Lots for sale) As full-timers we'll need the typical need for excellent insulation, strong frame and a floor plan with travel access to bathroom/bedroom. This rig would have to be a high quality 5th wheel with no weight restrictions for us (We have an HDT Tow Vehicle) The rig must also have the new frame-less thermo-pane windows and very decent storage. *Length from Pin to rear bumper is best to not exceed 36 feet. We do expect to boon-dock so a strong frame is a must and if not equipped we'd want 8K# axles and/or Moryde IS suspension added with 17.5 " wheels. Manufacturers we'd like to consider include: Excel NuWa HitchHiker Champagne Line Or The Discover America Line Carriage 36MAX1 Or the Royal International Version Our current rig should be for sale in February (a 2006 Winnebago Adventurer 35A full body paint, etc.) It along with our Jeep toad will also be sold about that same time or all together if desired. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alie&Jim's Carrilite Posted January 10, 2016 Report Share Posted January 10, 2016 Excel is no longer in business so it would be a used unit. The Lifestyles are not on the DRV level of fit and finish. If the funds were available I'd consider a New Horizon, SpaceCraft, or Continental Coach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelinbob Posted January 11, 2016 Report Share Posted January 11, 2016 You can't go wrong with a DRV or Doubletree. Our 2006 Elite Suite has done well over the years. Good luck with your search. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tippey Posted January 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2016 I did not know that the new Lifestyles were that far off the mark of good quality as you're indicating. We'll look closer then for the differences. The DRV has so much going for it yet I want to raise a question about DRV concerning its' weight versus its' axles. One DRV owner I've talked to has mentioned to me that DRV puts too much of its' quality build weight on its' shorter length two 8# axle rigs. That owners opinion went on to say that when DRV build their longer units and puts that same quality build weight on a three axle system that they're on the mark of what they should be doing on their smaller rigs. I don't know how much weight (pun intended) I should put in that opinion but one of our plans includes taking this rig into typical boon-dock locals via dirt roads. Because of our desire to have these adventures we want a strong frame like DRV has but with a suspension and weight combination that won't disqualify the DRV for dirt road boon-docking adventures. Does that make any sense? We Want a great combination rig that is not just great for highway and luxury resort use. We're selfish and want to boon-dock without worry of damaging the frame or being concerned that we're asking too much from it to crossover from luxury resort unit to luxury boon-docking unit. We are looking for the 35' plus or minus sized rig only. We'll have two axles in any rig we'll purchase from what we've seen so far. Long story shorter would be: Even with a great IS suspension with great 17.5 tires/wheels built into the rig we get, is it going to be likely to guarantee us headaches from too much wear and tear on a heavy two axle DRV to take it into the deserts and open country and expect it to last? If so we'll modify our plans and look for a lighter rig with a more balanced weight to chassis ratio. Am I overthinking this concern or am I making some sense? (I've been know to do both) Maybe DRV sees the demographic for their units to be those that plug in everynight and only travel on fine smooth roads. (haven't seen to many of these lately) LOL We know our choices will keep us looking in the 1-4 year old used fifth wheels. Budget does matter so we do have limitations which translates into the number of concessions we're willing to make. We appreciate your comments. It's all good! Thanks folks! Tipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelinbob Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 Although we do not boondock our 2006 Elite Suite travels down the road at 19,500#. With that said 4500# is at the pin and 15000# is on the two 8000# axles. Would that work for boondocking is a whole other story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tippey Posted January 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 Although we do not boon dock our 2006 Elite Suite travels down the road at 19,500#. With that said 4500# is at the pin and 15000# is on the two 8000# axles. Would that work for boon docking is a whole other story. That's the 64k question I guess it is a whole other story. The answer most likely includes too many variables but I still need to apply some engineering logic along side whatever common sense I still have and then ... PUNT! Most of us know that there's this huge difference between a static load and a dynamic/live load which becomes the 'real' load when the suspension is stressed. This last sentence takes me directly out of my simple world and into the world of acting like Cliff from Cheers. It may be the closest thing to a practical answer about how good any rig is when used beyond the original intention of the manufacturer. live load versus static load on anyone's' RV suspension. I hope that this topic gets the attention of a few gear head engineers that answer in layman's terms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tippey Posted January 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 Excel is no longer in business so it would be a used unit. The Lifestyles are not on the DRV level of fit and finish. If the funds were available I'd consider a New Horizon, SpaceCraft, or Continental Coach. We check out the New Horizons site every week or so just in case there's a good fit for us in a used rig. Good suggestions here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theharveys Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 If you work your DRV through Rolling Retreats, Alicia and Slade (Owners) are able to wrangle some pretty amazing customizations out of DRV. My point is DRV may be open to adding a third axle to a trailer if you wanted it. I know that Southern RV in Jonesboro also gets some customizing on DRVs including adding an additional 2 inch tube to the already heavy-duty frame on their "Walden" DRV fifth wheels. We asked and were told "Yes" about adding a third axle to an Augusta fifth wheel, as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
champ_49 Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 I would say have independent suspension on the unit. That way axles don't even come into play and you will have the best ride available for a 5th wheel in my opinion. I know Lippert will put it on any rig so if you but used you can always make the change to independent! Not sure of who else may do this for you. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rynosback Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 If you work your DRV through Rolling Retreats, Alicia and Slade (Owners) are able to wrangle some pretty amazing customizations out of DRV. My point is DRV may be open to adding a third axle to a trailer if you wanted it. I know that Southern RV in Jonesboro also gets some customizing on DRVs including adding an additional 2 inch tube to the already heavy-duty frame on their "Walden" DRV fifth wheels. We asked and were told "Yes" about adding a third axle to an Augusta fifth wheel, as well. If you are buying a used DRV, I read that some people have added a 3rd axle to a DRV at Moryde. I have been there and it is a first class operation. I am full timing and my trailer wheels weigh in at 3300 to 3500 lbs per wheel. And that was with a full tank of fresh water. So I am well with in limits. I guess the question you have to ask yourself is do you know how much weight of gear you will be carrying? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tippey Posted January 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 If you work your DRV through Rolling Retreats, Alicia and Slade (Owners) are able to wrangle some pretty amazing customizations out of DRV. My point is DRV may be open to adding a third axle to a trailer if you wanted it. I know that Southern RV in Jonesboro also gets some customizing on DRVs including adding an additional 2 inch tube to the already heavy-duty frame on their "Walden" DRV fifth wheels. We asked and were told "Yes" about adding a third axle to an Augusta fifth wheel, as well. That's really interesting to know. I've heard of Rolling Retreats and did not think to ask if DRV might consider beefing up their frame support. Good to know! Above in your post you mentioned an Augusta fifth wheel. Are you referencing the Augusta RV company that makes Luxe & Ambition? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tippey Posted January 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 I would say have independent suspension on the unit. That way axles don't even come into play and you will have the best ride available for a 5th wheel in my opinion. I know Lippert will put it on any rig so if you but used you can always make the change to independent! Not sure of who else may do this for you. Dave Thanks Dave. We are definitely on the same page about an IS suspension. We've been looking at a used DRV that has all Moryde eqpt at the Pin box and underneath with their IS suspension. I'm loving that option in any new (or new to us) rig. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tippey Posted January 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 If you are buying a used DRV, I read that some people have added a 3rd axle to a DRV at Moryde. I have been there and it is a first class operation. I am full timing and my trailer wheels weigh in at 3300 to 3500 lbs per wheel. And that was with a full tank of fresh water. So I am well with in limits. I guess the question you have to ask yourself is do you know how much weight of gear you will be carrying? we don't know yet as we'll be transitioning from a Class A part timing to the fifth wheel full timing. We are SKP's so we always want to know our corner weights on each wheel/tire. I don't know what the cost would be if we buy our rig and then need to visit Moryde for the IS and/or the extra axle. I suppose that i can email Moryde for general costs to expect for that upgrade to any coach they'll work on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Ban Posted February 5, 2016 Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 I have a 2008 Excel Limited tke33. It is 34 ft 11 inches long. It is in good shape and we have been living in it for 4 years. We are buying a mobile home and are selling our hdt and trailer. No problem to sell the trailer seperately. Looking at $35,000. You can contact me at davesuebanville at gmail.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tippey Posted February 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2016 I have a 2008 Excel Limited tke33. It is 34 ft 11 inches long. It is in good shape and we have been living in it for 4 years. We are buying a mobile home and are selling our hdt and trailer. No problem to sell the trailer separately. Looking at $35,000. You can contact me at davesuebanville at gmail.com Thanks Dave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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