Hi..
My husband and I are planning on fulltiming in the next year (or so) and we are having a tough time picking out a 5th wheel. We really like the Excel - what we can find out - but they are hard to find here on the east coast. Anyhow, Doug's RV in Duncan Oklahoma seems to carry quite a few...has anyone had any dealing with Doug's RV in Oklahoma? It's a long way for us to go...but if its worth it...
thanks

Loralie,

I did a quick Google search and came up with a web site for Excel. They have an 800 number and I would think that they could direct you to a dealer in your area. (At least closer than OK.) The web address is www.excelrvs.com

Good luck,

There is an Excel Owner's Forum at http://irv2.infopop.cc/eve/forums?a=corfrm&cf=6281048492

Someone there should be able to answer your questions about Excel. 

I have been researching 5th wheels for a couple of years and have had Excel on our short list along with HitchHiker Discover America made by NuWa and Carriage Cameo.  All of these are considered full-time quality RV's.

The thing about Excel is they are heavy due to all wood frame construction in the walls and roof.  NuWa uses a vacuum bonded wall made of Dow Blue Foam and some aluminum framing with wood inserts.  This makes for a lighter yet very strong wall.  Carriage uses aluminum framing with pink insulation bats which is lighter.

After all this research we have decided on the Discover America due to its lighter weight, excellent construction and excellent customer service.  Once we sell our condo we'll be buying our new HitchHiker.  There is a HitchHiker Owner's Forum at http://www.nuwaowners.org/.  I would recommend you log on and read some of the threads.  The CEO of NuWa participates on this forum on a daily basis and provides answers posed by owners and prospective owners.

Good luck!

Hi...thanks for the information. We are also looking at the NuWa Hitchhiker. There is a dealer near us, so it would be easier all around. We did contact Peterson and they gave us a dealer a couple of hours away which we visited last spring. However, he only had 3 in stock...so not much to look at. Now we are thinking about maybe trying the Rally in Perry, Georgia in March. The research is exhausting!!! But so exciting...I am soooooo ready.

We are very pleased with our 2007 Hitchhiker Champagne 35CKQG.  Do check out the Hitchhiker's Owner's Forum.  It is a very useful and friendly independent group but NUWA management, including the CEO, do respond to questions there.  See www.nuwaowners.org. 

Have fun.

Leslie & Robert

thanks again for the info. My husband says MAYBE if we can find a used set (rv and truck) I might be able to retire after this year and we can take of in Jan 09 instead of summer of 09....sounds good to me! Has anyone bought a used rv and found it to be ok? Always worried about getting someone else's problems. Happy Thanksgiving!

I am no expert (6 months into my first 5 wheel 2007 Doubletree) but if I were to buy again I would buy used. I've had so many problems, I'd like to buy something someone has already worked the bugs out of.

Loralie, If you look long and hard enough you can find some sweet deals on used trailers and trucks. So many people buy these rigs find out they don't really care for RVing and then sale them well below market value. Some have not been used enough to tell that they are used rigs! It takes time and effort to find these deals but they are out there. You can save a ton of money t his way and still have the trailer of your dreams. Joe and Sherri

Barb and I bought our Hitchhiker Discover America new in 2004. Other than the fact we wanted a particular floor plan and some other additions, we would have looked for a used rig. Unless you plan on keeping the rig for a long time you will never recover the initial purchase price. You lose a ton in the first few years of ownership. It's just like a car only worse. We bought ours with the idea that it was going to be our home for a long time. There are a lot of good deals out there on used rigs and generally all the bugs have been worked out of them. Good luck on whatever you end up buying. Get out there as soon as you can. Ray

We bought new in2006 because we had absolutely no knowledge or experience with RV's or trucks, did the whole thing in 6 months, and didn't want to "poison the well" and end up quiting fulltiming because we made bad choices in either a trailer or truck. Now, looking back after almost 2 years, we would have been better off doing more research and buying used. As someone mentioned, there are many people who buy new, hardly use the rigs, and go on to another hobby in a few years. There are bargains out there for the careful buyer. Good luck,

We also bought new in 2006 both truck and trailer and I also would not do it again. We have been very lucky with our rig only replaced several day night shades under warranty, our refrigerator had to be replaced and that is it. This summer we found we were overweight and after careful consideration of what we wanted to do, looked at motor homes again, looked for 3 axle trailer that we liked we decided that this is the one we wanted to keep at least for another 5 years so my husband put a third axle under it and it pulls so much better plus we have another brake. People who look at it can't believe it didn't come that way. We've had people say what model Montanna is that - we didn't know they made a 3 axle. Anyway the game plan is in another 5 years we will decide again whether we want a motor home or another 5th or keep what we have longer. Betty

We bought our used RV on E-Bay.  It is a 2002 and we bought it in 2005.  We had a pretty good idea of what we wanted because we had rented over the years.  Not really ready to buy yet but my DH had his profile set up on e-bay and when something would come up that we would like he would lowball it.  One day he sheepishly said "Honey, you know that RV we looked at that we liked last week.  We are now the owners.  They accepted our offer."  After the shock,  he and my brother flew to Az. to drive it to Ky.  No money exchanged hands until he had seen it and approved the sale, but we love it and wouldn't change anything.  You just have to be patient but there are some great deals !!!  I want someone else to take that first big depreciation.  Brenda

Again...thanks for all the information. Allan and Jeanne, you sound a lot like us...we too have been researching for several years, attended a couple of LOW and RV shows. We use the RV consumer disk extensively...that's how we've come to decide the Excel is the best for what we want. Not too big and really good in cold weather. Plus safe on the road and easy to handle. Now the issue is finding a used rig...there aren't many excels out there. But we will be looking. If you hear of any, we would love an email (lparks9999@aol.com) thanks and happy travels to all! Loralie