As some of you may know, I've got my eyes on a used 2006 Excel Limited. Still awaiting a few possible deal breaker questions such as whether it has generator prep and 50 amp service. Also, will obviously have it professionally inspected first.
I vaguely recall a thread discussing the various types of frames, but I couldn't find it. This is what I gleaned from the 2006 catalog. Thoughts?
Our exclusive “Drop Z” frame design provides a lower center of gravity for easy towing stability and more useful basement storage. We use a box tube frame for unbeatable strength and durability.
What I recall of my tour of the Excel factory this past October:
Excel uses a 10" box tube frame with 1/4" sidewalls and this frame extends from the rear to just forward of the front jacks. The frame from the jacks forward is, from what I remember, a 8" box tube that is welded below the 10" frame effectively lowering the frame at from there forward to the pin box. This gives a bit more storage in the basement and Excel claims lower center of gravity. Excel makes there frames in house and I haven't heard of any one having frame problems with the Excel. I personally would rather have the 10" box tube run the entire length of the coach but apparently it is not necessary.
The one thing that turned me off from Excel is the wood frame construction and the way the wall studs are secured to the top and bottom plates. Each stud is stapled with either 4 or 5 large staples and to me that weakens the joint. I personally saw during the tour a completed wall that had a stud with a 2 foot split in it. The installer obviously knew that the stud was split but put it in any how. I've built houses and a stud like that would have been discarded.
There is an Excel owners section on IRV2.com where everyone there seems to be in love with their Excels and are helpful with any questions. The president of Excel, Bryan Tillett, posts on there regularly and will answer questions you may have.
-- Edited by R12 on Sunday 16th of March 2014 07:35:56 AM
Terry and Jo said
03:11 PM Mar 16, 2014
I could be wrong as I've not seen the Excel's frames. However, I think the 8" and 10" only applies to the very front part of the framework where the basement area would be. A lot of the times, the frame from that section to the back is 12" or more, depending on the RV's. For instance, DRV Suites Mobile and Elite Suite models have 15" "main frames" and the New Horizons have a 16" "main frame."
Personally, for full time living in a fifth wheel, I don't think I would go with anything that wasn't at least 12" in size.
If you go to the link below and scroll down a bit, Excel shows some details about their frames. However, they are talking about only 8" and 10" frames. While Excel does use the "box frame" design, so does DRV Suites and New Horizons.
New Horizons has a 18" I beam frame. I'm not sure what thickness the vertical is. Jack Mayer can probably chime in on that.
DRV has a 15" box tube frame with two 2x6 box tubes with 11 gauge sidewalls and a 2x3 box tube with 1/4" sidewalls, stacked and welded to form the 15" (except for the Tradition which has a smaller frame.) The 43' DRV's have a 15" stacked box tube frame and all the sidewalls are 1/4".
Here is a picture of the frame on my 38TKSB3 that I had DRV beef up to 1/4" sidewalls on all three frame tubes, the same as the 43' models.
-- Edited by R12 on Sunday 16th of March 2014 04:12:17 PM
-- Edited by R12 on Sunday 16th of March 2014 04:13:21 PM
-- Edited by R12 on Sunday 16th of March 2014 04:16:50 PM
-- Edited by R12 on Sunday 16th of March 2014 04:18:43 PM
cherylbrv said
04:14 PM Mar 16, 2014
So are you guys saying that this would NOT be a good rig to use for full timing?
R12 said
04:27 PM Mar 16, 2014
No Cheryl, I'm not saying that. Excel is a quality rv and the frame question is largely academic here. The reason Excel can use a 10" frame with boxed or rectangular tubing is because Excel does not produce the longer fifth wheels as do the other companies mentioned. A 34 foot camper puts much less stress on the frame than a 40 foot camper and the boxed tubing is stronger than an I-beam. With thermal pane windows the Excel advertises comfortable living in down to -10 degrees F.
The three mfgs. mentioned here all produce a very livable full time unit. The '06 model you started this thread with almost certainly will have generator prep and 50 amp service and I'd be very surprised if this is not the case. Good luck and don't over think the frame. It is more than adequate for long life of the trailer.
cherylbrv said
04:46 PM Mar 16, 2014
But Paul.... overthink is my middle name!!!!! I drive DH crazy. He just takes it as it comes; I need to find something to worry about and then try to resolve it way in advance!!
Jack Mayer said
08:33 AM Mar 23, 2014
Excel produces a very nice unit at it's price point. I would caution people, though, about assuming that a manufacturers claim that a unit will not "freeze up" at -10* is equivalent to "comfortable". -10* is exceptionally challenging for ANY RV, and to assume you are going to live in comfort at that temperature without taking other measures is not an assumption I personally would make.
cherylbrv said
08:34 AM Mar 23, 2014
I have no plans to be in 10 below temperatures any longer!!!!!
Lucky Mike said
08:43 AM Mar 23, 2014
does that mean the RV park at the north pole is'nt doable..?
so much for frozen margaritas & polar bears !!!!!!
cherylbrv said
09:18 AM Mar 23, 2014
Lucky Mike wrote:
does that mean the RV park at the north pole is'nt doable..?
so much for frozen margaritas & polar bears !!!!!!
As some of you may know, I've got my eyes on a used 2006 Excel Limited. Still awaiting a few possible deal breaker questions such as whether it has generator prep and 50 amp service. Also, will obviously have it professionally inspected first.
I vaguely recall a thread discussing the various types of frames, but I couldn't find it. This is what I gleaned from the 2006 catalog. Thoughts?
Our exclusive “Drop Z” frame
design provides a lower center of
gravity for easy towing stability
and more useful basement storage.
We use a box tube frame for
unbeatable strength and durability.
I think this is the thread
http://rv-dreams.activeboard.com/t50970301/best-brand-of-5th-wheel-for-fulltimes/
What I recall of my tour of the Excel factory this past October:
Excel uses a 10" box tube frame with 1/4" sidewalls and this frame extends from the rear to just forward of the front jacks. The frame from the jacks forward is, from what I remember, a 8" box tube that is welded below the 10" frame effectively lowering the frame at from there forward to the pin box. This gives a bit more storage in the basement and Excel claims lower center of gravity. Excel makes there frames in house and I haven't heard of any one having frame problems with the Excel. I personally would rather have the 10" box tube run the entire length of the coach but apparently it is not necessary.
The one thing that turned me off from Excel is the wood frame construction and the way the wall studs are secured to the top and bottom plates. Each stud is stapled with either 4 or 5 large staples and to me that weakens the joint. I personally saw during the tour a completed wall that had a stud with a 2 foot split in it. The installer obviously knew that the stud was split but put it in any how. I've built houses and a stud like that would have been discarded.
There is an Excel owners section on IRV2.com where everyone there seems to be in love with their Excels and are helpful with any questions. The president of Excel, Bryan Tillett, posts on there regularly and will answer questions you may have.
-- Edited by R12 on Sunday 16th of March 2014 07:35:56 AM
I could be wrong as I've not seen the Excel's frames. However, I think the 8" and 10" only applies to the very front part of the framework where the basement area would be. A lot of the times, the frame from that section to the back is 12" or more, depending on the RV's. For instance, DRV Suites Mobile and Elite Suite models have 15" "main frames" and the New Horizons have a 16" "main frame."
Personally, for full time living in a fifth wheel, I don't think I would go with anything that wasn't at least 12" in size.
If you go to the link below and scroll down a bit, Excel shows some details about their frames. However, they are talking about only 8" and 10" frames. While Excel does use the "box frame" design, so does DRV Suites and New Horizons.
http://www.excelrvs.com/news-events/newsletter/october-2012
Terry
Sorry Terry, but I've only been wrong ONCE in my life. It was the time I thought I was wrong but I wasn't.
Excel has a 10" box frame with 1/4" sidewalls. This link to an Excel frame construction video shows it in detail.
http://www.excelrvs.com/construction-videos/frame-design-video
New Horizons has a 18" I beam frame. I'm not sure what thickness the vertical is. Jack Mayer can probably chime in on that.
DRV has a 15" box tube frame with two 2x6 box tubes with 11 gauge sidewalls and a 2x3 box tube with 1/4" sidewalls, stacked and welded to form the 15" (except for the Tradition which has a smaller frame.) The 43' DRV's have a 15" stacked box tube frame and all the sidewalls are 1/4".
Here is a picture of the frame on my 38TKSB3 that I had DRV beef up to 1/4" sidewalls on all three frame tubes, the same as the 43' models.
-- Edited by R12 on Sunday 16th of March 2014 04:12:17 PM
-- Edited by R12 on Sunday 16th of March 2014 04:13:21 PM
-- Edited by R12 on Sunday 16th of March 2014 04:16:50 PM
-- Edited by R12 on Sunday 16th of March 2014 04:18:43 PM
The three mfgs. mentioned here all produce a very livable full time unit. The '06 model you started this thread with almost certainly will have generator prep and 50 amp service and I'd be very surprised if this is not the case. Good luck and don't over think the frame. It is more than adequate for long life of the trailer.
But Paul.... overthink is my middle name!!!!! I drive DH crazy. He just takes it as it comes; I need to find something to worry about and then try to resolve it way in advance!!
so much for frozen margaritas & polar bears !!!!!!
Maybe I'll reconsider if you're there, Mike!!!