Help needed, info and pricing on a 2005 Mobile Suites 36TK3

jsr21 wrote:

Luke Porter wrote:
Back in 2005 there was Newmar, Teton, Carriage and Travel Supreme. "Mobile Suites" was a new company and their units were not up to "quality" of the established companys.

Sadly things have changed big time with the loss those old top end products.

DRV has continued to improve and is now the leading top end producer.

But the older "Mobile Suites" products don't compare to top end units of 10 years ago.

Totally disagree...specifically why do you think in 2005 they did not compare?

If you want to think an early Mobile Suites is equal to a upper end Newmar, Teton, Carriage or Travel Supreme---feel free.

My 2004 has electric slides & jacks, the 2005 and up are hydraulic. Overall the unit your looking at worked well for us full time, but some things to check. The rigs came with 7,000lb axles standard and 8,000 were an option. The g rated tires were almost overloaded at the 7,000 loads and the H tire was an option, better in my opinion.If your trailer is the 16,000 gvwr the trailer is heavy, depending on options and does not leave much carrying capacity if your full timing. My trailer was as heavy as 17,200 with a 4,200 lb pin. We pared that down over time but the trailers do tend to have a heavy pin overall. The thick walls help with sound proofing and temperature control. Many units were equipped with dual pane glass, some had the seals fail, the glass didn't break, just fogged up.The gel-coat can easily be polished and the graphics are all paint except for the decal on the nose. A good rub out and polish can bring most any dull rig back to life. The web site for the owners of these units is here and asking any other questions there might be helpful to you. The prices seem to level off at the 25-30 range for the year you are looking at, again depending on condition and options. Hope this helps

Luke Porter wrote:

jsr21 wrote:

Luke Porter wrote:
Back in 2005 there was Newmar, Teton, Carriage and Travel Supreme. "Mobile Suites" was a new company and their units were not up to "quality" of the established companys.

Sadly things have changed big time with the loss those old top end products.

DRV has continued to improve and is now the leading top end producer.

But the older "Mobile Suites" products don't compare to top end units of 10 years ago.

Totally disagree...specifically why do you think in 2005 they did not compare?

If you want to think an early Mobile Suites is equal to a upper end Newmar, Teton, Carriage or Travel Supreme---feel free.

I wasn't looking for your opinion...wanted you to provide actual facts

Old-Biscuit made it sound like the company was sold, it was not. The company was originally named Doubletree, renamed Drv due to the Doubletree hotel chain. It was started by former Sunnybrook employees and the first year of Mobile Suites off the line were built at the Sunnybrook factory, 2004 I believe. The Elite Suites model was added later & Select Suites model was added in 2006, calling it a 2007. It is not the Mobile Suites Company. They now make Elite Suites, Mobile Suites and a new model Tradition. They build a quality unit, we have purchased 2 and would recommend them. I would not buy any used unit without a thorough inspection, it is well worth the cost. There is a suites owners forum, www.suitesowners.com, if you want to ask actual owners any questions, sign up and ask. Luke Porter, I won't debate the quality of the older Newmar, Teton, Carriage or Travel Supremes versus the older Mobile Suite but they are all OOB (well, not Newmar, just quit building towables), Drv is still turning out units. Whether it's because of poor financial planning or something else, who knows.

Those of you who are pulling Mobil Suites, what is you choice of tow vehicle ? From what I have seen ( I will admit I've only seen a few ) it seems F550, or Freightliner seems common.
Point being, are these trailers a bit much for the typical one ton dually, or will a F350 work okay and not be over limit on rear axle rating ?

You should be within the ratings of most newer 1 ton trucks- About 2011 and newer.

My Mobile Suites actual loaded weights would be under all maximum weight ratings of a 2013 1 ton single rear wheel GMC Duramax.(not dully)

Depends on actual trailer and if you have washer/dryer or other options that increase pin weight.

Dully is best with capacity and increased stability from the extra rubber on the road.

Randu

Yikes!! How much heavier are the MS than others?? Are they heavier due to being a four seasons trailer?

Yikes!! How much heavier are the MS than others?? Are they heavier due to being a four seasons trailer?

Suites are substantially heavier then most trailers. The have heavy frames. They are not built to be light in any way. A new 3500 SRW is the minimum a dually would be preferred.
In general DRV's are built for full time RV'ers they are made they are not made with weekenders or those in the market for a reduced weight camper.
They are about as heavy as you get.

OK...I got the numbers:

Length: 36'
DRY WEIGHT: 12,790
PAYLOAD CAPACITY: 3,710
HITCH WEIGHT: 1,959

This does not sound particularly heavier than others of this size...