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renojack's avatar
renojack
Explorer
Nov 21, 2013

New Denali 287RE

I did it! Went to a local hotel parking lot RV show for several local dealers. The DW and I have gone for the last 5 years just to see new, mostly luxury fivers, like new home model shopping.

Saw this TT that had all the features of a fiver but is a 36 ft Denali TT 287RE. We loved the 30 ft Pilgrim but this one was affordable and we did it. Picked it up Monday after a walk thru on Friday that revealed a problem with the Scwintek kitchen slide. We will be going locally as soon as temperatures permit. It is snowing just because we want to go.

Using my Andersen WD hitch. So far so good. Haven't been to the scales yet but I know the base weight at the factory is 8530, 1500 more than the Pilgrim. Locally it pulled well on the freeway up some good hills and being passed by several Big Rigs with no sway. The Pilgrim always weighed in at 50% max FAWR but our last trip of 1800 miles to Grand Canyon and San Diego in high winds (35-50 mph)the hitch did well. I hope I can continue to use the hitch. Similar tongue weight.

If anyone has experience with this unit I would love to hear what to look for good and bad. Also, any comments on Surge Gaurd (EMS)interior or exterior issues so that I can order soon.

9 Replies

  • Sorry. I will check next weekend as I am in San Diego cor the holiday.
  • The kitchen slide IS different as it is on th multiple motor schwintek system. In videos it shows that it stops auto when it hits an obstacle or the end of the run when the trim hits the wall or closed when the slide hits the outer shell. I will check the outside trim tomorrow when I see the trailer again in storage.
    Today I bought ball valves for the low point drains, a three way valve and hose to attach before the pump to change to suck in anti freeze instead of on board fresh water. Hope to install Sunday.
  • All three of these slides are different but the bedroom and the main act the same. When they start you hear the motor going and when you hear the ratcheting you stop. Both those are touching rubber all the way around and look right to me. The kitchen one is strange. First the motor does not make a sound immediately then makes a weird noise and no ratcheting at the end. That slide does not touch rubber and I can see about 3/4" of white outside wall. It does not look right to me. I went back and looked at another one on the lot and it was about the same distance from the wall but that one had black where mine was white. I was wondering how yours sounds and looks fully extended.
  • elousv wrote:
    What was the problem with the slide?


    The upper motor burnt out while slide was being demonstrated. After I got it home (in the daylight) I found that the factory had not installed the side and top seal properly and a hole large enough to put two fingers through was just above the motor that the dealer replaced before delivery. Now I am waiting for the whole seal to be replaced. Now I will need to check on the gap in the floor that was mentioned above.
  • I looked at this model at a local dealer last summer and really liked the layout as well. As you mentioned the slide was a problem for me too. I don't know if it was the same problem as yours but it was two-fold for me.

    First on the inside, the slide floor was a toe-stubber in front of the fridge and stove. I did not like how it stuck out into the main floor space with the metal edge. They should have ended it closer to flush with the appliances so you didn't kick into it or twist your ankle on it. Standing close to the stove you had to choose what level you stood on. With the transition zone being best for me my foot was half on half off the slide floor. Very awkward feeling.




    Second, on the one I looked at, I could see daylight coming in all across the bottom of the slide. I looked at it from the outside and sure enough there was at least a 1/2" unsealed gap between the main floor and the slide floor. Yes it was fully deployed. A gap that big means heat loss or gain depending on time of year. I like camping during the winter so I could see snow drifts piling up on the kitchen floor on a windy day.

    I really did like the floor plan but the build quality in the slide out turned me off on that model and probably any Denali product with a slide after seeing that. I wonder what the OP saw on their slide?

    As far as surge guard I'd go Progressive Industries interior. Wire it up and forget about it, no worries about it walking off when your not looking.
  • Good choice. This unit was on our short list a few months ago along with the Keystone Cougar High Country 321RES. Both have the same floor plan. You have the 10 gallon hot water tank which is nice.
    Here's a video of the 2013 model if anyone would like to watch.
    Denali 287RE
    Have fun and enjoy all that room...
    Happy trails,