Excel wasn't on your list, but ours has been acceptably trouble-free. The warranty was two years; we've lived in it 3.5 years now. Fridge, furnace, a/c, water heater - failures. We did have a minor issue with some hose instead of pex being used on the kitchen faucet with pex fittings; they leaked. Mom wanted a new faucet anyway, so in it went with pex, this time.
Excel makes their own frames, and they also have no history of frame failure. Like the NuWa, they are wood. Some think that is a backwards building material, but we can make phone calls from inside while in many areas, the aluminum sidewall guys are outside standing on their picnic tables!
Sluggo54 wrote: Excel wasn't on your list, but ours has been acceptably trouble-free. The warranty was two years; we've lived in it 3.5 years now. Fridge, furnace, a/c, water heater - failures. We did have a minor issue with some hose instead of pex being used on the kitchen faucet with pex fittings; they leaked. Mom wanted a new faucet anyway, so in it went with pex, this time.
Excel makes their own frames, and they also have no history of frame failure. Like the NuWa, they are wood. Some think that is a backwards building material, but we can make phone calls from inside while in many areas, the aluminum sidewall guys are outside standing on their picnic tables!
Sluggo
I did not memtion Excel because they are heavy and I have a Chevy 2500 Duramax I got a dealer telling my I can tow a 38 ft Big Horn and it looks like it will be 1000 lbs over load on my truck. The pin weight is not much more than what I am now towing.
I also got another problem it is how much difference to pay on a trade ? The NADA book list my low retail at just under $18,000 and I am looking at fivers in the $60-$70 k range. A Jayco dealer wanted $32,000 on a $60,000 Designer they had reduced it to $44,000, as it was a 09. The wife did not like the kitchen on this one, so that was it no mater how good the deal. Car & truck trading much easier and it is also easier finding what we want.
* This post was
edited 11/06/09 10:07pm by Dianne and Tom *
For the most bang for your buck, buy the Bighorn. We're on our second and have lived in this one since buying it in January.
Heartland stands behind their units better than any other manufacturer. While its true that they are a new company, they are already at #3 in fifth wheel sales.
Jay-Driver
Stella-Director of Operations and Navigator
Cassie-Schnauzer
'07 Heartland Bighorn mod. 3055
2002 GMC 2500 CC 4X4 with Edge, no Attitude
Duramax/Allison
Luverne boards, Tuff Stuff sprayed-in bedliner
Cedar Creek also make some really nice units in your price range and in the size/weight you are looking at. Factory stands behind them often times after the warranty has ended. We have had a remarkably trouble free CC for five years and they would be at the top of our list if we were looking to replace our RV.
Sluggo54 wrote: Excel wasn't on your list, but ours has been acceptably trouble-free. The warranty was two years; we've lived in it 3.5 years now. Fridge, furnace, a/c, water heater - failures. We did have a minor issue with some hose instead of pex being used on the kitchen faucet with pex fittings; they leaked. Mom wanted a new faucet anyway, so in it went with pex, this time.
Excel makes their own frames, and they also have no history of frame failure. Like the NuWa, they are wood. Some think that is a backwards building material, but we can make phone calls from inside while in many areas, the aluminum sidewall guys are outside standing on their picnic tables!
Sluggo
I did not memtion Excel because they are heavy and I have a Chevy 2500 Duramax I got a dealer telling my I can tow a 38 ft Big Horn and it looks like it will be 1000 lbs over load on my truck. The pin weight is not much more than what I am now towing.
I hope you realize that a larger truck is in your future! Start thinking dually!
I would like a larger 5th wheel someday, but our 2500 Dodge is already almost 1k over it's GVWR with a 29' Cardinal WBLX. Any 2500 towing the trailers you are looking at will be over the GVWR by the same 1K or so. Unless you have a 2x4, then you will only be over by 500 lbs.
NOT that this is an issue or anything! Just stay out of BC, Canada for sure.
Chris
My Rig
2001.5 2500 STD CAB AUTO SLT 4x4, CTD 4:10's, Bomb'd to Tow
2005 Cardinal 29WBLX.
Take time and go and see one made at each place. This will let you make up your mind. I have the living room up front I like it there for it set up so you can see. DO not get a rear dinning room.
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