Augusta is making quality units with nice standard equipment for full-timers.  My biggest concern, and I've expressed this to them, is the low cargo carrying capacity.

The Ambition is easier on the wallet and while I like the tires, wheels, and brakes I wish they would go ahead and make the MorRyde IS (independent suspension) standard as well.

The company is new and they are still tweaking their designs.  Even if you find feedback on older models, chances are they've already made changes and they are still gathering customer feedback to try to improve.

They are a bit more open to customization than some other manufacturers.  I would definitely consider an Ambition if we could work out removal or downgrade of some of the fancy interior stuff to get better cargo carrying capacity. 

I didn't realize ccc was so limited; hard to tell from web site. I really like the whole Mor ride suspension system - hubby still weighing options on that one. Even though we are two years out (or less if I have my way) do you think getting the consumer reports for RVs that you pay for worth it now or is this something we should do later; is there a better publication out there to compare RVS and such that we should get now? Just feels like we are going back and forth w no real clue other than what a sales guy is telling you. We feel we definitely want new for sure - any thoughts on brands besides Grand Design

I just got off the phone with Chris Eppers, President at Augusta, and he tells me they have made great strides on the cargo carrying capacity in the Ambition.  It is much better now that it was back when we visited the factory last year.  They still have to improve the ccc on the Luxe, but based on what he's telling me, the Ambition is now really in the game on that issue.

As for RV Consumer Group, rv.org, I think they are great helping confirm once you've done your homework and research of what works best for you.  Though they are comparing specs on RVs, much of the information comes from the manufacturers.  So while they are unbiased, their conclusions are only as good as the information sent to them.  They are not a Consumer Reports that actually tests and compares products, but their info may be helpful in determining a starting point or in confirming your thought process as you get closer to a final decision.

Howard wrote:

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I just got off the phone with Chris Eppers, President at Augusta, and he tells me they have made great strides on the cargo carrying capacity in the Ambition.  It is much better now that it was back when we visited the factory last year.  They still have to improve the ccc on the Luxe, but based on what he's telling me, the Ambition is now really in the game on that issue.

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That confirms the same response from Chris to us at the Florida Show, 2016 concerning the Luxe.  The Luxe will require more than an axle and tire upgrade in so many words as it, like other RV's in its class, have used up much of the frame capacity with options, etc.

I took a hard look at the Ambition 38RLS last week. Have not toured one yet but intend to. Here are my notes. YouTube has two walk-through videos by Chris Eppers who states the dry weight in the Ambition line runs between 14 and 16,000 pounds. GVWR on all models is 19,500. Cargo capacity up to about 4,000 pounds. Watch the videos.

My chief concerns were if you can change out the residential fridge for a gas/electric. I wondered if getting service work done will be complicated because they have no dealerships and sell factory direct?

They just started up an owners forum. I tried to register in their forums but as of yet have not received an email conformation to setup my password.

I was going to ask Bill if he thought a properly equipped F350 class truck would stop the trailer or is an F450 class truck required?

I know it's built on a 12" I beam frame as well.  And I'm not sure yet about hung walls, like the Ambition uses, vs laminated.  I know Ceder Creek and DRV use hung walls and they are successful trailers.

Personally, I'm excited about the Ambition.  Wish they had a floor plan in the 37-38' range.

-- Edited by mds1 on Monday 9th of May 2016 10:30:39 PM

19500? I see 20k happening. 4500-5k pin. No fun tow with a 3500. Now add air ride suspension to 3500 that a different animal.

nkee Sticher;

If I’m reading the specs correctly on the Grand Design 366Den the gross weight capacity is 16,000 pounds and the dry weight is 14,250. If I’m figuring this correctly does that not mean the cargo capacity is only 1,750? On their website I noticed it available as dealer stock only which I understand to mean they are not going to be building it any longer.

Everyone has their own list of pluses and minuses for trailers which includes what they can live with and without. Currently, for our needs I rated the Montana slightly higher than the Grand Design Solitude, and prefer the legacy addition of the Montana. Of course, the Montana and Grand Design are in a different class than the Augusta Ambition.

Thanks for the truck info Bill. Did not want to stray from the original poster's questions but thought we should consider the truck needed for a 19,500 pound rig like the Ambition.

-- Edited by mds1 on Tuesday 10th of May 2016 10:52:51 PM

-- Edited by mds1 on Tuesday 10th of May 2016 10:57:54 PM

unless something drastic changing in the RV market between now and next year at this time, I think we are leaning heavily to the Ambition.  we really like the hung walls over the laminated and the 16 inches on center construction. Very few of the fifth wheels have this and just think this is the way to go for full time use.  Could be wrong but so far that's where my research is taking me.  Just wish it were now; I'm so ready to hit the road.

Glenn West wrote:

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On the walls, Our DRV had 3.5" walls with fiberglass insulation. Our Teton has 2.5" walls with blue dow dense foam laminated. The Teton is far easier to heat and cool. Fiberglass/batten tends to compact and drop down in the Rvs. This leaves open areas and lets in cold/heat. I never intend to own another with hung batten walls.

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Glenn, we've had the same experience.  Our trailer with laminated walls is quieter as well then the previous one with fiberglass and both have double pane windows. So its an "apples to apples" comparison in our view. 

After much research we decided to go with an Augusta Ambition.  It is factory direct and they are absolutely the best for the money.   They will answer any questions you have and the person you talk to really knows their product.  

One of the problems not normally discussed is the compacting of hung house insulation. I know of no rv that has 3.5 inch walls. yes 3" so it is compressed 1/2". This reduces the r factor. One of the first rules in insulation is never compress. I had voids in my DRV of insulation. Either it was left out or it dropped down. It was a 2006 Mobile Suites.

We have a 2010 DRV Suites 38TKSB3 Mobile Suites.  It has the 3 1/4" walls and we have not had any problems with the hung insulation.  In fact, we've been in temperatures ranging between 115 degrees down to -6 degrees with no problems with being comfortable inside.  The only thing that I can see that might be an issue is that we don't travel with our RV all that much.

As for sound, when we lived in Oklahoma City until we retired, we lived within 100 yards of Interstate 44 on the NE side of OKC.  The noise wasn't all that bad, even being that close to the highway, and if we turned on an oscillating fan, we heard nothing from outside unless it was really loud.

Terry

mds1 wrote:

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A couple points about hung vs laminated and compression of insulation. 

I'd like to know if Augusta, and others, who use hung walls are installing thinner insulation to start with to avoid compression?  We also have to consider if a reflective barrier is added or not.

I had read a very recent report from a couple who toured DRV and Augusta RV. They had a few very good comments.  DRV has workers paid by the piece and Augusta pays by the hour. Apparently the couple on the tour noticed the hourly workers were more careful about getting the job done right.  This included the hourly employees doing a better job at Augusta than DRV did in applying glue on surfaces where the hung insulation is installed. Presumably better applied glue helps prevent the insulation sagging down.

I may call Augusta and ask why they went with hung walls compared to something top of the line such as Blue Dow Foam inside laminated walls like New Horizons.  I'd often wondered if it has something to do with the equipment requirements and having factory space needed for laminated walls.  I went back and looked at the Augusta RV factory building before they moved in on Google maps. Got me to wondering if they are restricted on space or if they have another building some place else.  Augusta advertises they build hung walls purposefully because they believe it is a better system. 

It would be interesting to know the sound isolation properties of each wall construction type for a more apples to apples comparison. Not all laminated walls are the same, especially when you step up to Blue Dow Foam.

In the price point it would be hard to beat the Augusta Ambition. 

-- Edited by mds1 on Tuesday 16th of August 2016 08:35:33 PM

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The cost of producing laminated walls with foam as opposed to hung walls with traditional fiberglass insulation between the "studs" is pretty significant.  It does require a major additional process and time; especially with long walls.  Simply put, it would raise the cost of the RV.

As I have commented, we had a top of the line RV with traditional insulation and dual pane windows.  Our current unit has laminated walls with solid foam and dual pane windows.  Staying at the same campgrounds (and next to the same trains in Elkhart) the laminated walls are much quieter.  The trailer is also easier to cool and heat.  That's as close to a valid comparison as I think one can have based on personal experience.  Laminated foam walls, with the least amount of voids, are better and have significantly less "drafts."  We can clearly tell the difference between the two.

There is no question  the hung walls with fiberglass insulation can have voids from (or if) the insulation moving.

Laminated walls with foam are "better."  Just are in this regard and others as mentioned.

That said, one has to decide if the cost difference is worth it to them just as those evaluations are made in the brand and "grade" of car one might purchase.

From my inspection at the Tampa RV show I feel August builds a reasonably good rig - albeit with a very limited cargo capacity in their high end Luxe model - at the price point they are trying to meet. They do not yet have a track record but that doesn't mean they will not be long lived. But that is to be demonstrated and one has to decide if that choice is a good one for them. Same thing can be said of longer term manufactures that have issues.  I think that pretty much says it all from our perspective.