Mobile suites weight and mobility question

The model is 2006 36TKE and she said it was 13,000 dry and 18,000 loaded. Has a washer and dryer, and I believe double pane windows.

They are asking 29,900 for it. Is this a good price?

bstark wrote:
Stacey Franks AKA "Stripit" who posted earlier is hiding his light under a bushel on this weight thread as he used to weight these rigs professionally with independent certified wheel scales.

I'm willing to bet he never saw a 36' Mobile Suites weigh under 15K unless it was empty of everything; no flatware, no portable BBQ, nada in the storage bay, empty.

So right, these are well built heavy units. Some folks actually care what they put into them, others not so much. I saw some really heavy/over weight trailers. people wondered why tires failed. Some of the things folks carry would make you laugh. How about a 60 gallon fresh water fish tank in the bedroom! Or a old upright piano in the living room! Everything has a weight, where you put it in the trailer can make a difference, but it still adds to the total weight. Plan ahead and enjoy your travels.

Ok you can see what I have in my sig below. DRV's are heavy and the minimum is a dually. Dry weight from the factory is what your unit weighed with options. Not counting fluids. Mine came out at 17,245 with. A fiber glass roof. Wash/dryer, 4 6v batteries, 6500 watt genie propane tanks and all the standard equipment like dual pane windows two 15000 ac two electric awning, spare tire and level up gear 17.5 inch tires and much more. Ours came with all of the options we wanted. All we did was add our stuff. Yes it is heavy and the truck I drive pulls it like nothing. I am just finishing up my first 2,000 miles shake down cruise on my way back to SW Fla. The unit is very solid. I have not weighed it yet as I am not done loading it. But then again that is why these units come with 8k axles and not 7k like most RV's.

janegowest wrote:
There is a 36' MS for sale in our area that the couple had purchased to live in while they were house hunting for 3 years. The pics look really good. She said that this unit is NOT for weekend camping, due to its being 12,800 lbs. dry weight.

Is what she said true? We will need to live in ours for a while but will be doing some traveling as well. Is this weight not a good choice for traveling around?

I understand what the lady was trying to tell you, and I agree with her. The point was not that you can't use the MS for weekend camping. The point was that the MS is capable of more. You can weekend camp in high end trailers with no problem. But you might not be happy full time camping in weekend level trailers.

I love my DRV, but it's wide, tall, long and heavy. My last rv was 35' but measured 37.5 only caused an issue once. Got measured at the gate of some national park and promptly got turned around. The highway went through it, wasn't camping there just passing through. This rig makes my last one look small.
Took a while to drive around.

Lantley stated in part of his post; "Keep in mind we all started somewhere. There is a saying. Do your homework and"Buy your last RV first!" .

True statement, would save a lot of money in the long run to be sure...same can be said for a Tow vehicle...if you KNOW you might go heavier "down the road", again, you'll save money in the long run by purchasing a truck that can handle what you may tow with it later on...

I would have to agree a DRV is a big step for your first RV. However If you are committed to the RV lifestyle it can be done.
You can start with a lesser RV but if your ultimate plan is to upgrade than the baby steps are a waste of money.
Truth is most people don't start with a DRV simply because they can't afford it.
If you can afford a DRV and are committed to RV life go for it.
If you are unsure or not fully committed to RV life, there are many cheaper worthwhile starting points.
Keep in mind we all started somewhere. There is a saying. Do your homework and"Buy your last RV first!"

janegowest wrote:

NC Hauler wrote:

janegowest wrote:
Wow...sounds like too much to jump into for a first rig to zip around in, to see if we like the lifestyle.

Why? I'd just make sure the unit is in good shape and make sure you have the truck to tow it with....It'll be easier to "like the lifestyle" in that 5er:)

Sounds like too much of an investment in the truck, to tow something that heavy around. Maybe a shorter rig would be easier to manage as a newbie, like backing into campsites, etc.

Felt the same way when I went from a pop-up to a TT, then TT to 5er's, then to longer 5er's...just takes practice...experience is the best teacher...

Bottom line, it depends on where you are in life, what your budget dictates you can spend. "IF" going with a heavier 5er, that was the reasoning on having a dually to tow it with...But again, only you know what you want and how much it'll be used...

My 5er's exterior length is 39' 9" long and I've camped everywhere I want to...A lot of campgrounds have pull thru sites...all it takes is a search on the internet to see if a campground will be a problem for you or not.....shorter rig, if it works for you might be a better idea if you're apprehensive about towing a longer, heavier 5er..

NC Hauler wrote:

janegowest wrote:
Wow...sounds like too much to jump into for a first rig to zip around in, to see if we like the lifestyle.

Why? I'd just make sure the unit is in good shape and make sure you have the truck to tow it with....It'll be easier to "like the lifestyle" in that 5er:)

Sounds like too much of an investment in the truck, to tow something that heavy around. Maybe a shorter rig would be easier to manage as a newbie, like backing into campsites, etc.

Our 36 SB3 MS dry was 14,500# and Gross is 17,500# reality is it's well over 18K probably 19K. 4,500# pin weight.

Yea it needs a Dually!