2016 MS36RSSB3 Review and Weight's update

[NC_Hauler]

Updated 9/9/16

Purchased the MS36RSSB3 as some of you know and we've lived in the unit now for a little over two weeks and are loving it...No real high or low temps, but highs a few times at 90-92 degrees and high humidity and we've been "kept cool" quiet easily. Fit and trim are very good, appliances and furniture are very good, zero issues and the wife is loving the new convection/microwave. The washer and dryer are working perfectly as is our DTV auto satellite on the roof. The Onan LP 5500 penny is also very nice. Oh, the dishwasher is great and Kathy said it's easier to load and unload and offers more room than the one we had in our last 5er.

Also got weight's in August. First, of truck ready to hook up to the 5er with full tanks of DEF and diesel, the wife, myself sand two boxers and toolbox loaded as usual. Second is with 5er connected, fully loaded for full timing.

Truck specs: GVW= 14,000#
FAWR=6,000#
RAWR=9750#
GCWR=39,100#

Truck ready for hook-up:
Steer axle=5500#
Drive Axle=3940#
GW=9440#

Truck hooked to 5er:
Steer axle=5600#
drive axle-8800#
trailer axle=14,420#
GW= 28,220#

Still under trucks GVWR and well under RAWR and GCWR.

Truck towed the 5er easily through the mountains of NC, TN, VA and WV, transversing several 7% grades on I77 and I64. 5er with IS towed extremely well. (17.5" GY G114's aired to 125 psi per placard on 5er and per conversation with GY, towing a lot in the mountains, they too, recommended the same air pressure ratings.

I was concerned towing 2300# more with what I've read on some of the IBC's, but with truck in T/H, EB on aggressive , I had no issues with the brake controller going down these long 7% grades on the Interstates. IBC set on electric over hydraulic on "10", No issues, even the wife was impressed:)

Quite happy with the trucks performance and though we haven't been living in this unit but a little over 2 weeks, we're really happy with it..The size is perfect for us,, Cargo space far exceeding our expectations (basement and all the many cabinets):)

Will follow up after a little bit, but feel much better about our 5er purchase after "getting to know it better". I know DRV doesn't make it anymore and that seem's to be it's downfall to some...but after owning numerous 5er's for quite some time, including our 2006 HR Presidential Suite, which we loved and traded after 10 yrs of ownership, (and we thought it was totally awesome)...This one has been of the highest quality and has some really nice features.

Thought I'd update for anyone interested.



Jim

[NC_Hauler]

This is a beautiful unit, but while climbing around on a ladder, wiping down front sidewalls, I found near door side up by the gutter spout, a foot long or so, "crackled area" on the roof..You can feel it with your hand..Have no clue how it happened, but my gut tells me, it was at the Thor manufacturing facility...It's now back at Camping World with a small punch list, except for roof issue..I've discussed with Camping World and Camping World Admin,seeing as how my dealer, Tom Johnson Camping World in Marion NC, is taking care of the issues for me. I also emailed information to Thor this morning to let them know...Camping World is also getting in touch with them


bummer is, we close on our home sale Aug. 23rd. We were going to start full timing then...now we don't know what will happen...Still need to load up our 5er with clothes, and other stuff...

SOOO I got Camping World representing me and hoping Thor will step this up..The unit was manufactured in Dec., and we purchased it brand new..and possibly needing a new roof?!? (NO WAY A BRAND NEW ROOF IS GOING TO GET A PATCH JOB!!) I don't need the stress. Still recouping from my stoke that I had one year ago on Aug 19th. this year....Hoping this get's resolved in a timely manner.

Jim

[Me_Again]

My infrared heat gun shooting the tire tread may not agree with internal temps. Chris

[RustyJC]

NC Hauler wrote:
Rusty. what did you think about the way it was setting? I was setting fairly level.

Jim

It actually looks more level than ours. We don't have the rear air on our truck (bought it off a lot), and I think it actually sits higher when hitched up than you fellows whose trucks have the rear air. Ours isn't horrible, but it's nose high enough to notice when compared to our 2011 Ram, and the TPMS sees the difference.

Rusty

[NC_Hauler]

Rusty. what did you think about the way it was setting? I was setting fairly level.

Jim

[NC_Hauler]

gsbrockman wrote:
Hey Jim....does that fancy satellite dish just pop up and aim itself???

YEP!!! Pretty slick...and thanks again.

Jim

[Hunter11]

Nice theory, but the fronts and rears ran within 1 degF of each other when towing with the 2WD 2011 Ram 3500 dually, and the 5th wheel was dead level. The only difference between then and now is the 4x4 truck and the change in the 5th wheel's attitude.

This is my experience with our trailer tires. The only difference I have seen in temps is side to side temps when one side is in the sun running down the highway.

[gsbrockman]

Hey Jim....does that fancy satellite dish just pop up and aim itself???

[RustyJC]

Me Again wrote:

RustyJC wrote:

NC Hauler wrote:
Ron...MS is setting "almost level on my Ram...pictures to follow.


Jim

Jim,

A smidge nose-high? Ours is, even with the 2" risers. According to the TPMS, the rear tires are running 3 to 4 degF warmer than the fronts after several hours on the Interstate. Unfortunately, I'm as low as I can go on the adjustments of the RVK3600 Companion.

Rusty

Front trailer tires will run cooler as they "see" fresh air, the rears ride in the wake of the fronts and the heat they give off. Chris

Nice theory, but the fronts and rears ran within 1 degF of each other when towing with the 2WD 2011 Ram 3500 dually, and the 5th wheel was dead level. The only difference between then and now is the 4x4 truck and the change in the 5th wheel's attitude.

Rusty

[NC_Hauler]

Greg, thanks buddy...guess it's time for another meal , huh?:B

[Cummins12V98]

gsbrockman wrote:

NC Hauler wrote:
I can think of a 2010, 2012 and that 2013 as examples when they were traded in.

Ron...MS is setting "almost level on my Ram...pictures to follow.


Jim

Nice to have a picture posting friend. :B

Looks good, get it on some very flat ground and measure the 4 corners of the RV to the ground. Also each axle weight will tell a lot.

If you don't have the 2" riser I am sure you are nose high. Pic below does not look bad but the front was around 5" higher than the rear. I have 6 1/2" clearance at the tailgate. My axle weight was 1,400# more on the rear axle before I had the 3" riser added.

[Me_Again]

RustyJC wrote:

NC Hauler wrote:
Ron...MS is setting "almost level on my Ram...pictures to follow.


Jim

Jim,

A smidge nose-high? Ours is, even with the 2" risers. According to the TPMS, the rear tires are running 3 to 4 degF warmer than the fronts after several hours on the Interstate. Unfortunately, I'm as low as I can go on the adjustments of the RVK3600 Companion.

Rusty

Front trailer tires will run cooler as they "see" fresh air, the rears ride in the wake of the fronts and the heat they give off. Chris

[gsbrockman]

NC Hauler wrote:
I can think of a 2010, 2012 and that 2013 as examples when they were traded in.

Ron...MS is setting "almost level on my Ram...pictures to follow.


Jim

[RustyJC]

NC Hauler wrote:
Ron...MS is setting "almost level on my Ram...pictures to follow.


Jim

Jim,

A smidge nose-high? Ours is, even with the 2" risers. According to the TPMS, the rear tires are running 3 to 4 degF warmer than the fronts after several hours on the Interstate. Unfortunately, I'm as low as I can go on the adjustments of the RVK3600 Companion.

Rusty

[NC_Hauler]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

backlater wrote:
Jim
Hope you are enjoying your new 5th wheel at TJ Camping world and everything went well, it's hot here in Asheville today so it should be a good test for your AC units.
We are enjoying our new RAM (your old one)and it pulls our Cedar Creek with ease.

Jay

Yea there are a lot of primo used NC Hauler trucks out there! :B

I can think of a 2010, 2012 and that 2013 as examples when they were traded in.

Ron...MS is setting "almost level on my Ram...pictures to follow.


Jim

[Cummins12V98]

backlater wrote:
Jim
Hope you are enjoying your new 5th wheel at TJ Camping world and everything went well, it's hot here in Asheville today so it should be a good test for your AC units.
We are enjoying our new RAM (your old one)and it pulls our Cedar Creek with ease.

Jay

Yea there are a lot of primo used NC Hauler trucks out there! :B