DRV vs Excel

I really know nothing about the Excel, I do know the MS is heavy and has a high percentage pin weight. Mine is at least 25%.

INHO no matter what MS you choose a Dually is the right choice like it or not!

Acei wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

drfife wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:


Have you ever weighed your rear axle?

Yes, I have weighed my lash-up loaded and was within all specs for the truck and trailer.

That tells me the Excel is a lighter made RV than the DRV. My pin weight would kill your truck at over 4,500#.

Or, they are not balanced the same way. I think DRVs in general, are a bit more head heavy. Compare to its GVWR, its hitch weight is heavier compare to most other manufacturers.

True
I was at Can- Am in London a few weeks ago and in the discussion about pin weights it came up 'we had Double tree move the axles forward to reduce the pin weight a bit'.
I have been noticing in pictures that axles have been creeping up toward the middle,not in favour but they can't over weigh themselves out of the SRW market,duelys are a deal breaker for a lot of RV'ers

Cummins 12V98:

you must remember that when comparing an Excel Winslow to Mobile Suites weight wise, it is really an apples to oranges comparison.

A more apt comparison would be to compare weights of an Excel Limited to Mobile Suites, which I think one would find are much more of a similar product.

Mind you, the Winslow's are very, very nice fivers. The major obvious difference between the Winslow's and the Limited's is the roof. Winslow's use a, call it regular for lack of a better word, roof, with the new Rhino lining available.

Limited's use a full fiberglass roof, which does add much more weight to the trailer. I've been browsing, and most of the Limited's I have looked on list a GVWR for the trailer in the 18,000 range, which places them right with Mobile Suites for weight.

Cummins12V98 wrote:

drfife wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:


Have you ever weighed your rear axle?

Yes, I have weighed my lash-up loaded and was within all specs for the truck and trailer.

That tells me the Excel is a lighter made RV than the DRV. My pin weight would kill your truck at over 4,500#.

Or, they are not balanced the same way. I think DRVs in general, are a bit more head heavy. Compare to its GVWR, its hitch weight is heavier compare to most other manufacturers.

drfife wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:


Have you ever weighed your rear axle?

Yes, I have weighed my lash-up loaded and was within all specs for the truck and trailer.

That tells me the Excel is a lighter made RV than the DRV. My pin weight would kill your truck at over 4,500#.

Cummins12V98 wrote:


Have you ever weighed your rear axle?

Yes, I have weighed my lash-up loaded and was within all specs for the truck and trailer.

Acei wrote:
Kinda hard to get the prices for the 32ft DRVs since they are apparently special order only. I've seen 2013 Excel 31ft models go for as low as $65kUS after some discount, which is actually not that much higher than Keystone Montanas...

Am I reading this right?

Dealers can supply you with the price sheets for the asking. Here are the DRV's MSRP for 2012 base unit. Options are extra of course. Figure about another 5% higher for 2014.


32TK3 Telescoping Kitchen Triple Slide $81,948
32RS3 Rear Sofa Triple Slide $81,948
36RS3 Rear Sofa Triple Slide $85,232
36TK3 Telescoping Kitchen Triple Slide $85,232
38PS3 Private Suite Triple Slide $98,304
36RSSB3 Rear Sofa Side Bath Triple Slide $86,826
36TKSB3 Telescoping Kitchen Side Bath Triple Slide $86,826
36TKSB4 Telescoping Kitchen Side Bath Vanity Quad Slide $89,052
38RESB3 Rear Entertainment Center Side Bath Triple Slide $96,128
38RSSB3 Rear Sofa Side Bath Large Kitchen Triple Slide $95,012
38TKSB3 Telescoping Kitchen Side Bath Triple Slide $95,012
38REPS3 Rear Entertainment Center Private Suite Triple Slide $95,012
38SKSB3 Straight Kitchen Side Bath Triple Slide $96,128
41RESB4 Rear Entertainment Center Side Bath Quad Slide $93,496

drfife wrote:

Acei wrote:
drfife, which Excel model is that one? Also, the truck looks like a SRW - how's the stability when you pull the trailer?

Personally, I'm thinking of going DRW but I'm personally not crazy about it's extra width during grocery runs...

I have a 2013 Excel Winslow 34IKE.

Yes, GMC 3500HD SRW standard bed. I've towed 5,000+ miles. It is very stable towing.

Have you ever weighed your rear axle?

May help for pricing just to browse through RVtrader.com on these units.

They show many new units, and prices, on the dealer lots.

Here's a link for you: RVtrader web site

I looked for the pricing info on them and got the impression that the Excels are a bit cheaper than the DRVs, by about $20k. Looks like even the Lifestyles are a bit more expensive than the Excels but still cheaper than the DRVs.

Kinda hard to get the prices for the 32ft DRVs since they are apparently special order only. I've seen 2013 Excel 31ft models go for as low as $65kUS after some discount, which is actually not that much higher than Keystone Montanas...

Am I reading this right?