Just purchased a 1999 34' Excella

[SilverToy]

Hi all -

Have a question that seem to only fall with the "BIG Toys" as I got NO responses elsewhere on the forum...

Anybody else have a 'Kool-Matic' vent in the rear?? I do not like it since it cannot be sealed against drafts - got a fantastic vent to replace it with. Just not sure if keeping the KM is a worthwhile endeavor...?

BTW - the 34 is THE way to go! All the rest think they know what ASin' is all about, but they don't really... Until you go big, you haven't really gone at all! 'Just the facts, mame!'

That 34 forums group idea is great! Tell me where and when, I'll add my .02 cents for any and all!

Back to the regular thread...

Axel

[bill benton]

Hi I'm not sure what kind mine is. If your talking about one that is about the size of your AC then I know what you mean. Mine looks like a large square AC grill on the inside. It has a hard plastic cover for the inside but thats the only weather seperation between the inside temp. and the outside temp.

[bake315]

Originally Posted by Tarheel

Taking mine in next week to have a 20' panel replaced, didn't swing quite wide enough. Stuff happens.

Oof! Sorry to hear about that, Rick! Stuff does happen, indeed! Like me forgetting my tote tank was still under the back of my trailer when I pulled it out of it's "port" and breaking the motor housing on one of the rear stabilizer jack motors. Fortunately, it was only about $7 to replace from Ultra-Fab.

Yes, we love our 34' too... She's a big mammooooo!

[SilverToy]

Hello all -

Moved SilverToy today. From Winter storage to getting ready to leave status. Will be doing all the neccesary things tomorrow AM.

Had to do the trailer shuffle to get SilverToy out - moved 10K utility trailer (friend is keeping it here). Then had to move the wife's ride, then SilverToy out and over to the handy driveway.... Then the UT back into ST spot, then the car back....

Boy am I whupped! 3 backing approaches, and 3 cranks up, down, up.... Making lists now....

5 neighbors stopped to ask about, 'Are you taking a New Years trip again??' "Yes." 'Oh, we are SOO jealous that you can just pick up and go...'

Well, not quite, but then green is a nice color on them. Told em all to buy one and then they could go.... too!

First time backing with the 'new' Schefenecker mirrors. Will take some getting used to - as the RT side has a bit of convex surface to it, and the size of objects is a bit startling at first. Nearly swerved into oncoming traffic the first time merging with the mirror. That would have been great, new and better mirrors, and I get in a wreck because of them..... Fortuanately all was well. Finished the lights, heaters hook up today and they are really something. Looks a bit 'big rig-ish' (yeah right!) and I got a complement on them already! Only 2 buttons left on that brand new shirt but worth it to me.

OK, gotta run - lots to do to get out of here tomorrow!

Axel

[Silvertwinkie]

Originally Posted by ciquing

Would love to hear from any other owners! Tips, pointers, "watch for" anything you'd like to share! We will start shopping for the ZipDee Screen room this weekend - has anyone else used one? We have ZipDee chairs but now the research begins to find what "extra's" we just can't camp without!
Thanks!
Mona

Nice find.

I would suspect my only thing I could share would be to have a fund established. With 6 tires, 6 wheel bearing re-packs a 34' is not only king of the road, but also the king of expenses for maint having 2 extra wheels and one extra axle compared to most RVs.

But, the space it can provide....is the Lucy long, long trailer.

Enjoy!

[classic67]

Congrats on your new '34! I have a F250 Crew Cab Looooong Wheel base Diesel which pulls our 31' Classic. In my comparisons of the F250 to the F350, I found only three key differences.

1. Payload Capacity is 1,000 lbs more on the F350 (4,300lbs vs 3,300lbs) (Thanks to one extra overload leaf (top) spring on the rear).

2. Towing capacity are the same for both the F250 and F350: 12,500 lbs. If you go with a dually (about $1,000+ more), you jump up to 15k lbs towing capacity.

3. Nameplates.

The F250 was still much more of a truck than we needed, so we opted for the F250 over the F350 despite the cost difference being minimal.

Oh yeah, you can get some great deals now too. We got $100 over invoice, 0% financing and the combined $1,000 rebate being offered at the time. Now they give you a longer warranty too! We missed out on the warranty offer which came out a month after our purchase.

[nilesrob]

Originally Posted by hookedonclassic

Brad: Did you notice any difference in the ride after the air bags were added. I have a chopping ride on concrete highways and looking for a way to improve. Sorry for being off the topic.

Change roads. Some of the older cities in the southeast have old concrete roads that'll send your teeth flying. The air bags if anything stiffen the ride - although on normal roads provides a completely comfortable ride. I feel your pain, but the airbags don't cure that pain.

[hookedonclassic]

Thanks Brad for the opinion.

[Larry C]

Forget the Ford, look for a Dodge/Cummins Quad Cab 2500.

[Minnie's Mate]

I don't think there is a big difference in the towing power between F-250 and F-350. The suspension is heavier and capable of more cargo in the bed is biggest thing, I think.

[jcanavera]

Originally Posted by Minnie's Mate

I don't think there is a big difference in the towing power between F-250 and F-350. The suspension is heavier and capable of more cargo in the bed is biggest thing, I think.

The only caution regarding going from 3/4 ton to one ton vehicles is that it always doesn't get you a corresponding greater towing capacity. Usually the heavier components in the tow vehicle can cut down towing capacities. So use caution here if you are comparing the same engine and axle ratio between 3/4 and one ton vehicles.

Jack

[Streamer1]

I think you will be fine with ANYBODY's 3/4 ton Diesel. I have a Ford F250 CC short-bed and it is a great truck.

[Poprivet]

Originally Posted by ciquing

Thank you! We are presently towing with a '95 G20 Conversion van 3/4 ton with 184k will be purchasing new tv. We are seriously contemplating an F250 Quad Cab 6.0 diesel Super Duty 2WD with tow package. Is there any need for us to think about a full ton F350?? Of course, more is always better, but is this over kill to tow the 34' Excella?? Any thoughts??
Thanks!
Mona and Michael

First things first. I salute you and your family for your service in the Army. Thank you.

Now down to business. Both the Ford and the Dodge, Properly equipped, will do the job - - - but - - - If you are looking for a T/V that is a pleasure to drive and ride in while doing the job even better, go with a Chevy or GMC 2500 with tow pkg. I full timed for over 5 years in an 34' triple axle Avion, 10,000# unit, and had 3 big block Chevy's and one Ford. The Chevy's were, in my humble opinion, the best solution.

But - Now you have the trailer so don't take our word for it - test drive your T/V with and without the 34' before you buy.

And welcome to the forum. This is a strong group of deticated and fun loving folks - Kid's and pets included.

[firedog]

Hi all, I am also a recent owner of a Excella 29 footer,I bought the tow package with the Excella April 29th 2007,its a 3/4 ton Yukonand it pulls the 29 footer so easy,with the 6.0 vortec engine .I highly reconmend this as a option for a Tow vehcile .

Originally Posted by David Alan

First things first. I salute you and your family for your service in the Army. Thank you.

Now down to business. Both the Ford and the Dodge, Properly equipped, will do the job - - - but - - - If you are looking for a T/V that is a pleasure to drive and ride in while doing the job even better, go with a Chevy or GMC 2500 with tow pkg. I full timed for over 5 years in an 34' triple axle Avion, 10,000# unit, and had 3 big block Chevy's and one Ford. The Chevy's were, in my humble opinion, the best solution.

But - Now you have the trailer so don't take our word for it - test drive your T/V with and without the 34' before you buy.

And welcome to the forum. This is a strong group of deticated and fun loving folks - Kid's and pets included.

[elolson]

Now that it has been some time since you bought the 34' rig, any thoughts? I guess for anyone else getting this far into the reply's I can add a blurb about AC. We are down here in Tucson and spent two weeks up in Globe, AZ at the Apache Gold Casino rv parking lot. It was the end of June/First week of July and Phoenix was setting records for heat. I was up there to work, hauling 80k lbs acid a trip from the smelter at Miami to the big open pit in Morenci. I was running nights and sleeping days. Needless to say, a big old aluminum skin in AZ in Summer is one hot hell hole. Due to an, a'hem, unfortunate incident with the ac on a previous trip, we had already upgraded to a 15k BTU heat pump. This was throwing the braker, added an auto-transformer and this made all the difference as far as keeping the unit running. Still had hot/weak breaker tripping more than I thought was necessary.

Never really did have the BTU's to cool the rig. If I sealed off the bedroom/bath then the front area was OK, not cool, but not horrible. There was no way to get the bedroom cool and I had tin foil on all the windows, it was a redneck special for sure.

Apparently, the excella I have, 2000, is already wired for dual units, I bet y'alls is too. Joe down at Oasis RV in Tucson, the local AS dealership, said all I have to do is drop it in, they took care of the upgraded control unit with zone control during the 15k BTU install and would just have to switch it over to a unit installed in place of the "less than" fantastic fan. This lets you keep the 30 amp, but run a unit dedicated to the bedroom so that it can actually get cool. It would have been a good improvement, but I need to save up the scratch to invest in the second unit. Right now we are heading into fall so no big deal, but trips down to Mexico are fun in the off summer season, but AC is king.

So if you are going big, with the 34', and are in the SW, then consider a second AC unit for the bedroom if you are going to get any use at all during the heavy summer months.

[bake315]

I for one will be adding a second A/C before our next summer trip. One unit is vastly inadequate unless you have a fully shaded site, and even then it's iffy when the ambient temp is anywhere near the century mark.

[elolson]

Amen brother. I have inquired about a 50 amp upgrade to run two at once, but that is a whole lot more work. If you search the internet then there is some couple that did just that at Patrick the Traveling Irish Wolfhound They wired the rig for 50amp with a custom pigtail for a 50 amp to two 30amp split. Most of Mexico is 30amp, so no dice there but 50amp is common in US, and as you know, unless you have major shade, then 100deg, a 34' airstream, and solar loading is one miserable experience .

[SilverToy]

Dave, elolsen, etal....

I to have had some, well.....warm experiences when the temps head north of 95+ degrees. As more quailified than I have mentioned, there are definate issues with getting the temps down in a 34ft'er when the murcury goes above 95F....

That being said, the AC does reduce the temp fairly well if you follow the following series of activities...

a) Hook up the electric
b) Open the front FF and turn to high vent IN
c) Put the rear vent onto HIGH OUT
d) Go about setting up the rest of the campground

After the rest of the trailer is set-up and ready for you to 'common in' you can go in and turn the AC on to high. Give it about 10 or 15 minutes and youy should be ready to cool off.... Not likely that you'll need a parka, but at least there will be the temp differential that makes AC so comfortable to walk into....

Again, this is NOT a parka type experience, and temps above about 95F do present MORE propblems, but this series of activities has helped to make the 34 a REALLY great place for us - all 5 of us. Oh, and a dog!

Just don't light that stove!

That's another email!

Peace

Axel
SilverToy

[elolson]

Good suggestions. Mine all revolve around getting the awnings out as soon as possible and fully extended. I did get caught in a micro-burst and completely bend all the support rods on the main one . Still, keeping the sun off the skin is the main goal.

[PhilipKS]

Hello all!

I also have a '99 34. I Purchased MyAS on Ebay in March 2010, and finally picked it up in Tucson in September 2011 (and have been fulltiming since then). The PO kindly stored it for me as I was overseas.

My first experience towing would have been great if the skylight in the rear hallway hadn't of blown off in Eastern Arizona. Of course, I didn't notice anything wrong. A helpful trucker waved me over and told me of it. Those skylights don't last long in the SW! I've replaced it, and the front one too, but now plan to replace both of them again with something more substantial than OEM.

I've read this thread and others, and agree that I'll be adding a second AC unit in the bedroom before next summer (funds allowing). So far, the only other thing I have done is to replace the shower head, but there is a list building!

It has been fun learning the systems and having those 'Ah-ha!' moments. Figuring out the thermostat in the bedroom was for the fantastic fan was really enlightening! There was not a single piece of documentation when I picked it up. I was sorely dissappointed when the manual I ordered from Airstream did not cover the appliances. I've been downloading them ever since, but it isn't quite the same as having the owner's packet that ties everything together. Oh well.

My tip for this thread: Get a label maker! Label the City Water connection as well as the Black Tank Flush! That could have been a disaster in the making, but I was being observant . Someone had a black cap on the City Water hookup, and a white cap on the Black Tank flush...and I had no books.

Happy Streaming!

Philip