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

[The_Mad_Norsky]

I am just thrilled to hear the latest turn of events here.

Now get packing and get going!

All the best to you!

[Cummins12V98]

Man I just love the Auto Sat Dish!!! ^^^^^

[Cummins12V98]

FishOnOne wrote:

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

Jim,
That camper looks like a jewel... Enjoy it along with your family.

I think the BIG hips are sexy!

Jim happy it's a non issue!!!

[FishOnOne]

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

Jim,
That camper looks like a jewel... Enjoy it along with your family.

[NC_Hauler]

Splashers3 wrote:
WOW Jim - just catching up and can't believe your luck....but I am so glad that things turned out in your favor. I think your health is gonna be just fine. Look at what you've gone through my friend!

Load her up and hit the road...after your house sale closes.

Keep us posted as to your where abouts...remember, we have to link up.

Mike

Looking forward to it Mike.:)

Jim

[NC_Hauler]

shadows4 wrote:
Been following your saga Jim, AWESOME news!!!! Best wishes for you and yours.

thank you, it's greatly appreciated:)

Jim

[shadows4]

Been following your saga Jim, AWESOME news!!!! Best wishes for you and yours.

[Splashers3]

WOW Jim - just catching up and can't believe your luck....but I am so glad that things turned out in your favor. I think your health is gonna be just fine. Look at what you've gone through my friend!

Load her up and hit the road...after your house sale closes.

Keep us posted as to your where abouts...remember, we have to link up.

Mike

[NC_Hauler]

Will get update from Jason sometime Monday..Will follow up..."A cloud has been lifted":)

[Travlingman]

Fantastic to hear. Hopefully you can start packing and get ready to hit the road.

[RustyJC]

Jim, that's great news!! Glad to hear it. 😉

Rusty

[NC_Hauler]

MAJOR UPDATE!! In my "no patience" life, I found out today that TJCW has found that small area on the roof is paint overspray and NOT an issue with the roof...I got a call today from a Manager and he caught me up to date with everything...I'm hoping they're right and we can pick our unit up early next week...I gotta get my emotions under control, the stoke was a real life changer and I don't want another one...

CW has done good by me thus far..I jumped the gun and if the roof is a non issue and my punch list is fixed...it's been a good experience.


hoping they'll clean it up for me..When I got it, it had been washed and had water spots on it, I wiped entire unit down and not feeling up to doing it again any time soon.

Jim

[Cummins12V98]

I would HIGHLY suggest you contact Ed Fry the the Warranty BIG Dog at DRV edfry@drvsuites.com. Ask him if he has been contacted about this.

I would suggest if you are planing to head West to get Rolling Retreats on board for the repair. They are highly regarded repairing anything DRV.

You need to be pro active on this. Sorry but I would NOT depend on Camping World for ANYTHING!

[NC_Hauler]

RustyJC wrote:
The RV Armor roof has a lifetime, transferable material and labor warranty. I think you may have misunderstood - I was proposing that Thor pay to have RV Armor come to your location and install a roof rather than having to haul it back to Howe, Indiana. If I were in your shoes, I'd propose it to Camping World/Thor as a mutually agreeable solution, but I'm not in your shoes.

On Edit: Based on the post above that popped up while I was typing, Thor may play hardball on this, but if they aren't assuming the warranty obligation, who knows? I guess it depends on DRV's current warranty administrator.

Again, just a thought....

Rusty

Not a bad idea Rusty, next time I'm contacted, depending on conversation slant... I'll bring it up. Sounds like a good alternative.

Jim

[NC_Hauler]

Hunter11 wrote:

What's your opinion of the RV Armor-type spray-on roofs? Our daughter and son-in-law had one installed on their Mobile Suites last year and are really happy with it. They will actually come to your location and install it - it's about a 3 day job. If you find it acceptable, it may wind up being a better option for your timetable and even for Thor's pocketbook than having to pay to return it to the factory, etc. It might be worth discussing with Thor as a reasonable compromise - again, IF you are comfortable with the technology.

I went through this with our 2015 Heartland Landmark. Under warranty our roof delaminated and both the wood decking and rubber roof had to be replaced. I tried to go the RV Armor roof replacement and was told Thor/Heartland would not warranty anything other than the original replacement. I was told if we wanted this option the cost would be on us with no warranty.

Jim,

I know how you are feeling right now as we went through this with our Landmark. We are full time and in a 23 month period we were out of our trailer for 6 weeks due to warranty work due to poor workmanship by Heartland. That trailer was the biggest POS we ever owned. We spent about ten days at a hotel that excepted pets on our dime while we were out of our trailer. We are lucky that my wife has family here and the other time we were out of it we were able to stay with them. It was very stressful on both of us.

We were lucky and got out of the Landmark while we still had good equity in it and got into the MS we now own. We have had a couple of issues but they were taken care of by DRV and our dealer. I know it is hard to do when you are full time but give your dealer and DRV a chance to make it right.

Will do what you suggested.. Just impatient I guess. Hoping CW and Thor will make it right... Would just like to hear something about what's happening.

Thanks for sharing.

Jim