Would you purchase a 2013 Elevation?

[Boomer1966]

We are in the market of upgrading our camping needs and wants, came across a 2013 36ft Elevation... Price seems right, been reading a lot of bad reviews, any feed back would be great, liking the unit but we want to enjoy and relax on our trips!! Thank You!!!!

[Jerry Pinkard]

I have a 2014 Elevation 3616. I have had it a year, and been camping several times. I have had only minor issues (bad speaker, leak at kitchen drain, mis-aligned door). Am very happy with mine. If you like the lay-out, and the price is right, go for it. I would recommend that you do a full walk-through and operate everything before you pass on any money, just like buying anything else.

[Boomer1966]

Thank you for your reply Jerry, heading back for a closer look today,,,,

[acftphd]

i have a 2013 3912 model and have used it couple of times. So far only a few minor issues ie closet door comes off the track, vent covers have cracked, ceiling trim peeling at joints, all been covered under warranty. Dealing with a heating issue now is the main problem now but working with dealer to troubleshoot and fix. Otherwise good unit and happy so far. But as mentioned, check EVERYTHING in the walk thru before actually purchasing is best advice to date. So enjoy.

[englishmatt]

What model are you looking at? We have a 3912 and have had lots of problems (Major and Minor). All issues were taken care of and the unit has been perfect for the last 6 or 7 trips.

Just make sure you PDI it very well.

[Lazy D]

I got the same question. I'm looking to buy my first rv & came across a 13 elevation 3612. He has it priced right at $00,000. Will be going to go kick tires this week. Any advise on the main thing to look out for? I've read a bit on here about some duct work issues.
Any guidance would be great
Also, do all of them have insulated and heated floors in 2013?
Thanks.

[englishmatt]

I would check the slide rollers (look under the slides as they operate to make sure the rollers rotate). If they don't rotate, they will break loose and destroy your floor.

Check the roof for loose membrane spots.

Check to make sure air and heat come out of the vents it should come out of.

Make sure there is no water leaks in the front bedroom closet (look to see if any of the wood has swollen in the closet/shelves).

Look at the tires to make sure they are not worn more on one side than the other (if yes, could be a misaligned axle).

Check to make sure the propane valve works from both tanks. Mine was blocked from the left tank.




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[Lazy D]

Thanks englishmatt. I'm completely new to RV world and pretty sure there will be a learning curve. Just trying to avoid a ($00,000.00) (moderator edit) mistake.

It scared me a little when I started looking at the NADA and what they are pricing it to me. Almost 00K under full retail and 00K under anything else I've seen out there.

This unit is not equipped to use the back door as a party deck. Anyone know if that is an option easily added later?

On the 2013 models is the insulated and heated floors standard?

Sorry for so many questions, but thanks for all the help from the pros on here.

[englishmatt]

Can't help with specific 3612 questions, sorry. I have a 3912, which comes with the party deck and heated floor.


That said, there are OEM companies that sell the patio deck fencing etc... so albeit fairly expensive, I'm sure it could be done.

[Jerry Pinkard]

Originally Posted by Lazy D

Thanks englishmatt. I'm completely new to RV world and pretty sure there will be a learning curve. Just trying to avoid a ($00,000.00) (moderator edit) mistake.

It scared me a little when I started looking at the NADA and what they are pricing it to me. Almost 00K under full retail and 00K under anything else I've seen out there.

This unit is not equipped to use the back door as a party deck. Anyone know if that is an option easily added later?

On the 2013 models is the insulated and heated floors standard?

Sorry for so many questions, but thanks for all the help from the pros on here.

Since the back ramp is made to handle toy weights, it should be good for use as patio. The parts to add should be easy to come by and easy to install. I have the patio deck on mine. I can't say I have ever used it though....

[Lazy D]

Gotcha. Made a deal on it today. Will be picking it up Monday after a full run of all systems.

Anyone use the Good Sam club services?

[englishmatt]

I have their roadside assistance service. Not had to use it, but heard nothing but good thing about it.


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[Lazy D]

Ok. One more question. Should the 2013 elevation 3612 be 3/4 ton towable?
I think dry weight is 10,910 wth a pin weight of 2400. Max Gross is 15,500

[englishmatt]

Yes, easily. I pull mine with a 2013 RAM 2500 HD Cummins and it pulls it like a dream.

More importantly, it stops it good too.

I have a Curt 20k hitch with the TrailAire Pin.

Truck and 5'er pull and track like they are on rails.


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[MartyinSC]

Originally Posted by Lazy D

Gotcha. Made a deal on it today. Will be picking it up Monday after a full run of all systems.

Anyone use the Good Sam club services?

Congrats! I'm a strong believer in Good Sam, on many counts. We compared them with AAA side-by-side, and left AAA in the dust. We have used GS on the road, and it was great.
The GS membership gives a lot of benefits, including CW discounts. I use their on-line trip planner to plan each trip, and it integrates with the Rand McNally/GS GPS we bought (discounted) at CW. The trips I create on the computer, with sights, campgrounds, etc, are imported to the GPS.
During the purchase of the two campers, we were given GS Travel Assist. Jury still out on that, don't know if I'll renew that one.

[sleepyT]

Lazy
Like Marty I have Good Sam "Road Side Assistance", and had to use it once just after we started camping, and it was great...I also use the Trip Planner...We also insure our camper through Good Sam...I like the fact that once we put the camper in storage for the winter the premium goes down...The insurance also has several other features that we like...Check it out I think you will like it...

[Lazy D]

I weighed my truck and rear axle. 7880 and 3420 respectively. The trucks manual says max tow is 14200 with 22,000 max GCWR. With my truck weighing 7880 I calculate my max trailer should be at 14,120 and a max pin weight of 2664. Does that sound right?
Am I overthinking that I might exceed the stated limits?

[englishmatt]

What is your truck? Not that it matters, just curious...


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[Lazy D]

2007 Chevy Silverado classic 2500 HD Duramax CCSB 4x4.

[englishmatt]

Two questions:


1.) What is the GVWR (not GCWR) of your truck (on the sticker)? A quick Google search shows 9,200 but what does the sticker say?


2.) What is the max payload? A quick Google search shows 2215lbs, but I'd like to see that the sticker says?


3.) What is the Rear Axle weight max? probably 6K but I'm just guessing.


Simple math for Payload is the GVWR (Not GCWR) less the Actual weight (7,880) = Available Payload.


If your truck GVWR is 9,200 and your actual is 7,800, then you'd have 1,320lbs in payload to play with.


If your truck GVWR is 10,000, the you'd have 2,200lbs in payload to play with.


Focus Point # 1:


Most folks use 15% as the 5th wheel pin weight target, but some use 20% to be conservative. (I use 15%).


So, at 10,910 your pin weight should be somewhere in the 1,636 to 2,182 range.


Fully loaded your pin weight should be somewhere in the 2,325 to 3,100 range.


Focus Point # 2:


if your trucks GCWR is 22,000 then depending on your GVWR you could have with 14,120 to play with regards towing.


Most folks do not exceed the GCWR, they get in trouble with Exceeding the Payload rating first.


Just my thoughts, I'm not a professional. I did not stay at a holiday Inn last night either.