Forks rv

[JOHN EVANS]

Anyone have any info on these people. The rigs look good on their website. They are in Shipshawana and we have cabin fever so we are thinking of a factory tour.

[billr]

They are top line for sure. Total custom rigs for big checkbooks. One at the Tampa show was sale priced at $190K Most are $250 and up. Need the lotto win for these! ha

We would love to tour when we are there. They cut no corners.

Enjoy!

Bill

[JOHN EVANS]

A factory tour is set for the 12th of April

[Carny Bill]

I saw a model of theirs 2-3 years ago and saw their latest in feb.
the later is much better than the previous, they mostly are
A lot of flash from what I saw

[JOHN EVANS]

a little flash aint bad as long as there is high quality along with it

[Diesel-Gypsy]

Those trailers are built on a serious frame, just the frame with a coat of paint on it weighs 7,000lbs.
I took some pictures of one in Jan. look here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10200102506660138.1073741826.1074273493&type=1&comment_id=5108587&offset=0&total_comments=8#!/media/set/?set=a.4603869209461.171979.1074273493&type=3

I think they are well detailed, and well priced for that level of fit / finish.

Rick

[JOHN EVANS]

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[hitchup]

Rick, I got the same error message as John when I clicked on the link. So I went to your blog, found your name and looked you up on Facebook.

Too many Canadian Rick/Richard L. of all different ages, so couldn't find U or the photos!

Vickie

[billr]

Link worked fine for me.

[Diesel-Gypsy]

The link is a link to one of the albums on my Facebook page, so.....maybe if an individual has no facebook account at all, then they perhaps cannot view other folks stuff on facebook.

Sorry about that.....

Rick

[JOHN EVANS]

i have a facebook account and the link still wont open

[Motor31]

I got the same message as John did.

[Diesel-Gypsy]

Ok folks, I have loaded some of those Continental Coach pics onto my blog. Just clik on it in my signature.
Let me know if it works.

Rick

[JOHN EVANS]

Thank you Rick

[hitchup]

So, now we have a good idea of what another high end custom dealer has. Our biggest gripe, IF these are meant for fulltimers, then why do they only have R-7 insulation in the walls?

But it would definitely be worth a trip to take a factory tour...

[JOHN EVANS]

We had a factory tour this last Friday. impressive frame and quality construction. I contacted them today regarding priceing out a 38 ft unit, equipted almost like our MS. porcelain tile through out rig 16 gal hot water tank, mor ryde suspension, trail air, big foot level system. If we decide to trade it will take 4 to 5 months for build.

[billr]

Sounds nice John! We want to visit the factory one day. Ok, now that you have teased us....what is the quote?

[JOHN EVANS]

still waiting on their quote, they said give them a day or 2 to complete it .

[Diesel-Gypsy]

John, do you have any idea what that 38' 5th. will weigh?
I know that the 1st thing I saw when I looked at one of their units was they were quite heavy compared to a DRV product.

You would most certainly have to look carefully at your prime-mover.

I am also quite interested in hearing the outcome of your quote.

Thanks,
Rick

[billr]

Hey Rick,

I think the one in Tampa was a 40'?? had a GVWR of 33K. I think I would have to add the second tandems back on the Volvo for the pin on these beasts! ha I can tell ya it would be real close on a singled HDT with bed and Smart.... rear axle limit.

But, I did just see a TV ad and I think a Toyota could handle it nicely! :wink:

Bill

[JOHN EVANS]

If i remember right i think the fellow that took us through on the tour said 18500 which is the same as our Suites

[JOHN EVANS]

While there we discussed our want for a new truck and Jay spoke of the new Dodge and its towing cap. He knows what i tow with and never spoke of a need for us to upgrade to larger truck .

[billr]

Wow, the frame on the one at Tampa was 18K on its own (as told by the rep). that was with nothing on top of it.... They must have a different product entirely if they are sticking an 18.5 gross on it. Interesting.

[JOHN EVANS]

i will be saking again on weight when i receive their quote

[JOHN EVANS]

I just spoke with Jay our quote will be e mailed later today.I asked about rigs weight he will include that in quote, i said i thought 18,500 was what i heard, he said that weight will be real close. the frame is 12 inch I beam that weighs 12 lbs per 1 sq ft.

[Motor31]

Never never never never rely on the RV salesman to keep you safe or in the limits of your tow vehicle. His obligation is to separate you from your money in exchange for his employers RV. He has no interest or concern for you once you sign the papers and probably none before hand as long as you have money available.

[billr]

John, it sounds like they do have a completely diff product than what they had at the show in Tampa. As you may know already, go more by what total GVWR they will place on it and then the aprox 20% of that for the est pin wt. You can do the math from that. This will give you what it should be loaded when you are rolling down the road.

Like Mike said....est weights from the manufacture or salesman are almost useless. They will have the GVWR that they plan to put on the unit.

I sure hope it turns out to be a nice alternative to what else is out there.

Thanks for updating us on this unit!

Bill

[JOHN EVANS]

[bstark]

Bill: That's what I make of it as well. While their trailers offered to date have been primarily custom builds on modified commercial type flat deck frames, it would seem their latest offerings are going the same way as the bulk of the industry; lighter and cheaper to construct.

Among the minimum weight for a piece of 12" structural piece of "I" Beam would be of a type with a 4" top and bottom flange width with those flanges having a thickness of .224" and that 12" center web would be .200" thick and THAT beam would weigh 14 lbs. per linear foot.

For the stuff they are calling 12" "I" beam to come in at a linear weight of 12 lbs., a full 2 lbs. less per foot, means those web and flange thicknesses must be CONSIDERABLY thinner and/or they are using a narrower top and bottom flange and hence would be way less resistant to either lateral or torsional flexing.

Summation: the frames under the DRV's of the 15" stacked multiple box would be a far better bet than any of the RV industry's "so-called" I beam variety.

As always, JMHO.

[Diesel-Gypsy]

John, Continental Coach does offer several different builds, some lighter than others.
The model I posted a link to, which I visited in Tampa, was an ELEGANCE.
That was a tri-axle, and if memory serves me had a maximum GVWR of 33,600 lbs.

I'm fairly certain that is not the 5th. wheel you are talking about.

Please continue to pass on any or all the information you gather on your quest.

Thanks,

Rick

[bstark]

John, Continental Coach does offer several different builds, some lighter than others.
The model I posted a link to, which I visited in Tampa, was an ELEGANCE.
That was a tri-axle, and if memory serves me had a maximum GVWR of 33,600 lbs.

I'm fairly certain that is not the 5th. wheel you are talking about.

Please continue to pass on any or all the information you gather on your quest.

Thanks,

Rick

That jibes with what I looked at in 2008 out in their front yard.

That thing had two entrances and was a tri-axle at least 45 ft long with the same landing gear found under commercial trailers.

It was a wonderfully finished trailer outside with full body paint scheme and a rear office floor plan.

As it was locked up, I don't have any impression to offer on the interior, but if the finishing details of the outside were of any correlation, she'd have been a humdinger!

There was also no way in h*** it would have had a GVW of less that 30K.

[JOHN EVANS]

The model i specked out with them is the Classic 38 ks3. They e mailed me a print of it with the mods i asked for. The mod. is a king size bed and a shower that has a very low lip. The frame that we saw in their shop was a 53 footer with the stiff leg landing gear, it was going to England.There was a rig in their yard that was built for a circus wild full body paint on that pink and yellow and purple.

[JOHN EVANS]

Anyone want to take a guess on the price?

[billr]

Sure.... 38' from what little info we have a wild guess would be $160K

[JOHN EVANS]

FORKS R.V. INC
11280 West US 20
PAGE 1 of 1
Shipshewana, Indiana 46565
(574) 825-7467
DATE:
4/23/2013
DEALER: FACTORY DIRECT
CUSTOMER: JOHN EVANS
2013 CONTINENTAL COACH CLASSIC - 38KS3 - CUSTOMIZED FLOOR PLAN DRAWING # DB08502 A
BASE PRICE - M.S.R.P.
(INCLUDES 2013 CONTINENTAL COACH CLASSIC STANDARD FEATURES)
$181,341.00
OPTIONS - M.S.R.P.
1
48 X 35 SHOWER WITH SEAT - ALMOND FINISH
INCLUDED
2
KING SIZE BED
$185.00
3
PREP ONLY FOR 2 PIECE SLENDIED WASHER/DRYER
STANDARD
4
POLISHED PORCELIAN FLOORING (DIAMOND PATTERN-NO INLAYS) IN LOUNGE (IPO) STANDARD CARPETED FLOORING
$1,475.00
5
POLISHED PORCELIAN FLOORING (DIAMOND PATTERN-NO INLAY) IN GALLEY (IPO) STANDARD VINYL FLOORING
$1,271.00
6
POLISHED PORCELIAN FLOORING (DIAMOND PATTERN-NO INLAYS) IN LOUNGE (IPO) STANDARD VINYL FLOORING
$668.00
7
SEALAND PROBLESS TANK MONITOR
$224.00
8
16 GALLON GAS/ELECTRIC WATER HEATER (IPO) STANDARD 12 GALLON GAS/ELECTRIC
$564.00
9
17.5" POLISHED ALUMINUM ALCOA WHEELS W/ GOODYEAR 17.5" (H) RANGE TIRES (IPO) STANDARD 16" WHEEL/TIRE
$4,449.00
10
MOR RYDE IS SUSPENSION W/HYDRAULIC DISC (IPO) STANDARD MOR RYDE SRE W/ SPRING ELECTRIC DRUM
$5,123.00
11
AIR RIDE 5TH WHEEL PIN BOX HITCH
$405.00
12
ADD MATCHING MANUAL PORCH AWNING TO DINETTE SLIDE OUT
$1,730.00
13
STAINLESS STEEL PREMIUM GRAB HANDLE
STANDARD
14
WINEGARD TRAVELER DISH 1000 SAT. SYSTEM
$2,520.00
15
GROUND CABLE TV CONNECTION
STANDARD
16
NIGHT SHADE ON SHOWER SKYLIGHT
$65.00
17
RESIDENTIAL REFERIGERATOR - NO WATER OR ICE W/1800 WATT INVERTER AND (4) 6VOLT BATTERIES (IPO) STANDARD
$2,760.00
18
3 BURNER GAS COOKTOP (IPO) GAS RANGE
$412.00
19
CONVECTION MICROWAVE STAINLESS STEEL (IPO) STANDARD MICROWAVE
$627.00
20
32" MASTER LED (IPO) 32" LCD TV
$155.00
21
40" ENT. CENTER LED (IPO) STANDARD LCD
$190.00
22
OMIT STANDARD SOFA
-$537.00
23
OMIT STANDARD RECLINER CHAIR (2)
-$555.00
OPTIONS TOTAL
$21,731.00

[JOHN EVANS]

$203,072.00 - FACTORY DISCOUNT - TRADE IN VALUE OF OUR 06 MS THEN ADD IN THE EXPRNSE OF A NEW TRUCK AT 64 K I better come out of retirement
:lol:

[billr]

Well then...I was a tad low eh! I know the model at the show was a year old I think and is their display unit. They had it priced at $190 but it was the higher model and was 41' I think.

No way to haul without a tractor though at 33K. \

I really doubt they can produce a 38' with those options and have it gross 18K, more likely 18K empty..... So I think it would be MDT territory at least.

Thanks for posting the news though!

Makes these ol DRV units even with their flaws look pretty darn good.

Bill

[JOHN EVANS]

20 K The way we have it specked out so about 22 to 23 after loading our belongings into it ,So im sure a 3500 could still tow it and stop it.

[Motor31]

What 3500?

[JOHN EVANS]

my G.M.C. It tows our 38 ft MS just fine and im running 20 k on that

[billr]

20 K The way we have it specked out so about 22 to 23 after loading our belongings into it ,So im sure a 3500 could still tow it and stop it.

20K empty sounds more like it. Thanks for looking into it. Loaded it would be in the 23K plus plus range as most go. Looking at close to a 5K pin on it then.

I don't want to get too far into the truck issue but to say a 3500 will not be overloaded on GVWR or maybe even rear axle would be suspect. Do a simple calculation...take your trucks GVWR off the door sticker, weigh your truck as it is with hitch, two people and full of fuel. Then add the 5K for the pin weight. See what you get. If you have the rear axle weight from when you weighed the truck on its own,, again add the 5K and see how it compares to the rear GAWR on the sticker. If you come in under then yahoo. If not then you can decide.

I do think its a great trailer but most likely will fall into the 450 and MDT category. Combined weight will be like 33K with a 450 or 3500.

Bill

[Carny Bill]

I see the truck wars starting all over again.

[JOHN EVANS]

NO TRUCK WAR HERE, I have thought of a Ford f 650 with a cummings and allison tranny, i have even thought of Dodge but until i hear more about their new trannys they remain a thought.GMC is also in the running or 01 has 250 k on it and has been a strong preformer .Like i said before new truck new rv i would have to come out of retirement to afford these.Im too old and my body is to broke to go back in the water and do the things i used to do . lol

[Motor31]

Looking at the last tow ratings for 2013 the Dodge doesn't even break 18k load capacity. In 2013 the Ford did break 20k.

[billr]

I agree John, same here to get a trailer like this one for us! And we are not even retired! We are looking at the Lotto! ha Sure is noce to shop and dream though.

We all have nice rigs in our DRVs. So that is something. We will be with ours for some time I think.

Ignore the "Truck Wars" comment. Its rubbish. They show up here and there with no real facts.

Bill