Prospective Buyer Questions

[KevinSonya Harmon]

Update, your posts have been very helpful. We turned in the order sheet for pricing on a new 2017 38RL to the dealer today. They have a 2016 38RL on the lot with most of the options we choose, but it's an early 16 without the upgrades (aluminium steps, waste mgmt, energy mgmt, straight line roof, Jensen surround sound, stainless 60/40 sink, etc)

Your collective suggestions on the forum helped us with several options above/beyond the normal "glitzy" stuff. Assuming the pricing comes back within reason compared to the stock 2016, we should be more than prospective owners soon.

Options we selected beyond the mandatory ones are:
1) 8k axles with "H" rated tires
2) Onan LP gen set
3) 2 Max's fans
4) king bed slide in slide
5) disc brakes
6) water filtration
7) trail air pin box
8) 40 lb bottles
9) 2nd power awning w/LEDs
10) power cord reel

We also discovered we can delete the factory furniture for a savings and order La-z-boy recliners and sleeper sofa custom to fit/match.

We passed on:

1) Unigard Awning upgrade
2) Slide awning package
3) 3rd A/C
4) Electric Induction Cooktop
5) theater seating
6) washer/dryer
7) wireless backup camera, will have in 2017 F-350 cab screen
8) Holding tank heating pads, half timers, not full timers


Thoughts and feedback welcomed before we make a final decision

[Dave&Ginny]

Originally Posted by KevinSonya Harmon

Update, your posts have been very helpful. We turned in the order sheet for pricing on a new 2017 38RL to the dealer today. They have a 2016 38RL on the lot with most of the options we choose, but it's an early 16 without the upgrades (aluminium steps, waste mgmt, energy mgmt, straight line roof, Jensen surround sound, stainless 60/40 sink, etc)

Your collective suggestions on the forum helped us with several options above/beyond the normal "glitzy" stuff. Assuming the pricing comes back within reason compared to the stock 2016, we should be more than prospective owners soon.

Options we selected beyond the mandatory ones are:
1) 8k axles with "H" rated tires
2) Onan LP gen set
3) 2 Max's fans
4) king bed slide in slide
5) disc brakes
6) water filtration
7) trail air pin box
8) 40 lb bottles
9) 2nd power awning w/LEDs
10) power cord reel

We also discovered we can delete the factory furniture for a savings and order La-z-boy recliners and sleeper sofa custom to fit/match.

We passed on:

1) Unigard Awning upgrade
2) Slide awning package
3) 3rd A/C
4) Electric Induction Cooktop
5) theater seating
6) washer/dryer
7) wireless backup camera, will have in 2017 F-350 cab screen
8) Holding tank heating pads, half timers, not full timers


Thoughts and feedback welcomed before we make a final decision

Congratulations on the future buy just make sure you do your research on pricing because there is a huge mark up in the RV world but unfortunately we can't discuss pricing here.

I would recommend you reconsider the 3rd a/c and make sure you put heat pumps on all 3. I would also add the tank heating pads and the unigards.

depending on where you live this could give you more season time for using the RV and the unigards protect the awnings from the sun.

[Char & Steve]

Originally Posted by Dave&Ginny

Congratulations on the future buy just make sure you do your research on pricing because there is a huge mark up in the RV world but unfortunately we can't discuss pricing here.

I would recommend you reconsider the 3rd a/c and make sure you put heat pumps on all 3. I would also add the tank heating pads and the unigards.

depending on where you live this could give you more season time for using the RV and the unigards protect the awnings from the sun.

Agree with Dave on all but I just went through adding the backup camera so if it's an option.... GET IT!!!! Not a fun job wiring it on the RW. Wireless might be easy but you don't get the performance of hardwired.

Steve

[bergeman]

Smart move on the furniture.

I would recommend the heating pads, also. I unexpectedly found myself in Wyoming in November wishing I had them.

[atom ant]

I was pleasantly surprised how nice the heat pumps were, and honestly I love the unigards on my awnings.

Looks like you got the critical stuff covered!

Is the residential fridge an option now, or standard? I didn't see it on your list.

Congratulations by the way! How exciting!

[spindrift]

Congratulations!

If you plan on any significant amount of camping in our southern climates, I would advise that you reconsider the 3rd A/C.

[RWJSIM2003]

As others have mentioned I would get the following added
1. 3rd AC
2. Heat Pads
3. Side awnings


Congrats on your new Rig

[travelin' texans]

3rd a.c. with heat pumps - absolutely yes, unigard - yes, slide awnings - no (if you plan to go anywhere the wind blows regularly), Maxx Air fans on every vent in the unit - absolutely, leds on the awnings - no (reading the other forums everyone has problems with going out), second awning - absolutely. If you think you may want/need it later, now is the time to get it & negotiate it into the deal, cheaper than adding it later.

[coloradolivin]

FYI we are adding the second awning for about $1800 installed. And, the color won't be exactly the same

[KevinSonya Harmon]

Originally Posted by atom ant

I was pleasantly surprised how nice the heat pumps were, and honestly I love the unigards on my awnings.

Looks like you got the critical stuff covered!

Is the residential fridge an option now, or standard? I didn't see it on your list.

Congratulations by the way! How exciting!

From what I understand, the heat pumps come as a mandatory upgrade on the A/C units. It's listed as an option but checked as mandatory on the order sheet, just like the exterior TV.

The Full Time living package comes with 12 cubic foot refrig with Icemaker. The stock unit we viewed looks residential, 2 upper doors, one lower freezer drawer. Might not be the residential version.

[KevinSonya Harmon]

Originally Posted by spindrift

Congratulations!

If you plan on any significant amount of camping in our southern climates, I would advise that you reconsider the 3rd A/C.

So our first RV had one A/C for 26 feet, so I assumed 2 for 40 feet would be adequate. Assuming a 95 degree summer day, can the 2 units properly cool the coach?

[atom ant]

Originally Posted by KevinSonya Harmon

From what I understand, the heat pumps come as a mandatory upgrade on the A/C units. It's listed as an option but checked as mandatory on the order sheet, just like the exterior TV.

The Full Time living package comes with 12 cubic foot refrig with Icemaker. The stock unit we viewed looks residential, 2 upper doors, one lower freezer drawer. Might not be the residential version.

Hmm - pretty cool on the ACs, didn't know they made them mandatory heat pumps.

You might double check on what fridge you got so you aren't sorry. The residential package typically came with a 3-dr residential style fridge, electric cooktop, convection oven, and stainless appliances. In addition you get an inverter for the fridge and larger batteries. Otherwise I believe you get the Norcold camper style 4 dr fridge with ice maker, gas oven range, appliances in black except fridge that is wood doors. We have the camper version and really like it, but wanted you to know the differences.

[spindrift]

Originally Posted by KevinSonya Harmon

So our first RV had one A/C for 26 feet, so I assumed 2 for 40 feet would be adequate. Assuming a 95 degree summer day, can the 2 units properly cool the coach?

We saw some toasty temps last Summer where we needed an electric fan to move cooler air to the front of our FL. Even then, we couldn't get cooler than 76*; not my ideal temp but for the short amount of time we had to live with it, we didn't mind. Now if I were living in those temps it would be a different story so that's why I said you'll need to evaluate your camping style. If I had to do it all over again, I would still only have 2 A/Cs because another mechanical system isn't a headache I need right now. I'll tell you straight up, when we go fulltime our new fifth will have 3 A/Cs.

[Ford truck guy]

Originally Posted by atom ant

Hmm - pretty cool on the ACs, didn't know they made them mandatory heat pumps.

You might double check on what fridge you got so you aren't sorry. The residential package typically came with a 3-dr residential style fridge, electric cooktop, convection oven, and stainless appliances. In addition you get an inverter for the fridge and larger batteries. Otherwise I believe you get the Norcold camper style 4 dr fridge with ice maker, gas oven range, appliances in black except fridge that is wood doors. We have the camper version and really like it, but wanted you to know the differences.

On ours , the Residential appliance package came with:
Whirlpool Stainless Steel French Door Refrigerator W/Ice maker & water dispenser , 1000w Pure Sine inverter , Group 31 battery upgrade ( 2 )

[atom ant]

Originally Posted by Ford truck guy

On ours , the Residential appliance package came with:
Whirlpool Stainless Steel French Door Refrigerator W/Ice maker & water dispenser , 1000w Pure Sine inverter , Group 31 battery upgrade ( 2 )

Did that put you into the electric cooktop, or is that a separate option?

[Ford truck guy]

Originally Posted by atom ant

Did that put you into the electric cooktop, or is that a separate option?

Separate option.... The cook top option came with the oven delete and 3 drawers in it's place.. that was one of DW's only demand.... an oven... I was not arguing that !

[bergeman]

Originally Posted by Ford truck guy

Separate option.... The cook top option came with the oven delete and 3 drawers in it's place.. that was one of DW's only demand.... an oven... I was not arguing that !

I have the induction cooktop, in retrospect I would now opt for the gas stove and oven. You could always use a portable induction burner.

[Rick and Mindy]

I have the gas stove and oven but the 31SL would have better storage with the oven delete and the 3 drawers.

[bergeman]

Originally Posted by Rick and Mindy

I have the gas stove and oven but the 31SL would have better storage with the oven delete and the 3 drawers.

We should trade

[Rick and Mindy]

Originally Posted by bergeman

We should trade

I don't think I could handle that monster!!!!!