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Why can't it just be easy?

Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 3:25 pm
by bilmorvn
Not sure if we'll own a 35 SB or not. Was concerned since we hadn't heard a build date and was getting blown off by the dealer. Finally got the dealer to respond to some of our questions and got a phone call from the factory on some questions the dealer couldn't answer.

Lo and behold, Cardinal has changed their floor plans! (Today they posted the 2008 brochure on their website.) We wanted the W/D in the bathroom--it was they only reason we ordered the 35 SB. They have moved the W/D to the front closet. Not only do you lose the the closet space up front, but they have eliminated the all the TV cabinet area. Good luck full timers!

The dealer is trying to find a suitable previously built 35SB, but know that they won't find one. Maybe we can find an acceptable 35 SB on our own that we can outfit later. Oh, well, back to the HH II.

Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 5:37 pm
by Olbird
bilmorvn,

Try Berryland Campers they have four 35 SB in stock now.





www.berrylandcampers.com

Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 6:15 pm
by bilmorvn
Thanks for the tip. Had told our dealer about them, but they haven't done anything. Part of our problem is that we didn't want a fancy paint job, but better running gear. Can add that later--it is only money!

Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 6:55 pm
by Luizianna
Hey Bill...Berryland is where we bought our rig. They are in our neck of the woods! Hope you find what you are looking for....we found them very easy to work with...maybe if they have something close to what you want...they can add the rest!!

Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 7:59 pm
by Shields
Went to the RV show today and they changed a lot of the floor plans.
The tv cabinet has changed drastically. It is now lowered to the middle section, but a lot of the storage has been eliminated.
The bedroom closets have less hanging room, cedar lining, the dresser at the end of the bed is taller, no cabinets above the dresser.
The big thing this year seems to be a big window by the table and lose the cabinets over the table. I woujld say the storage room has been reduced by 25%.
It seems all the bathroom thrones now come with an auxiliary sprayer. ?? Didn't really figure out why, unless they are going european.
The drawers have latches on them know to keep them closed while traveling.
And they have Goodyear tires on them.

Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 6:38 am
by Olbird
Al and Nadine

Thanks for the great update, I bet the prices went up also.
It seems that some good ideas come out from year to year and things that were working well go away.

That is how the RV market is.

Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 8:24 am
by Double D's
I went to the site and looked at some of the floorplans and am SURE glad we ordered ours when we did, as I would not be impressed with losing the storage over the table - that is my CANDLE cupboard! LOL! Also, with a much light as comes in from the other large windows, I really don't think the window at the table area is necessary. Some of that window is 'wasted' it seems to me, as it goes down below the table height. I think nicer lighting in the sink area would be a nice addition - like the recessed lights we put in, instead of the plastic things and cheap fluorescent one that was over our sink. I DO like the 31RK, as it has a pantry!~ Donna

Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 5:14 pm
by bayoubengal
You are right, it is not easy. We spent a year trying to decide. We walked in the dealer to place an order and found out about all the changes. But since our major concern was CC, the new 6000# axles and goodyear tires swayed us to stay with the model we wanted.

We ordered the 31rkle sight unseen. We knew the window was bigger by the dinette but we didn't realize the o'hd cabinet was removed. It was probably due to complaints of people wacking their head when they stood up. Since it is only the 2 of us I didn't see a problem. They should have made it an option, since some models may need the storage space.

I was the most upset about the bedroom closet. I have absolutely no need for w/d hookups. Again it should have been an option.
I am hoping I can get a hanging rod or add shelves in this closet. But my dealer threw in the 19" TV to make me happy.

I have decided that there is no PERFECT floorplan, but I finally settled on one that came close to what I wanted. Plus I ordered in a color decor I had already seen. Oh well, I think I'll be pleased moving up from a 28RL Wildcat.

Berryland is also our dealer.

Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 7:58 pm
by Olbird
I am not positive but I think the overhead cabinets in the dinette area are only deleted when you get the $1000 option of panoramic windows. The panoramic window options are the windows that go to the floor around the dinette table.

Also someone said a while back that a dealer told them the high gloss gel-coat fiberglass was no longer an option.
To clear this up it is standard on the Cardinal 5th wheel units now but still remains an option on the Cardinal LE models. Just as the molded rear fiberglass cap with the built in bumper is still an option on the Cardinal LE models.

I will check on this with a dealer I always talk to, he can get me the correct information on this option from the factory.

Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 8:01 pm
by bilmorvn
Dealer did find one, but not sure if we can make it work. There are two '08s at Berryland. Don't know why our dealer couldn't work with them. Waiting to get our deposit refunded and then will talk with Berryland--have heard good reports on them.

Both rigs have a lot of options we don't need, but can work with them if the price is right since we still need to add what we want. One option I am not familiar with is hydraulic front jacks. Know what they are, but haven't heard any comments here or elsewhere--any input?

Regarding the W/D in the front closet, Cardinal is just joining the other RV mfgrs.--a bad move from our point of view. What ever one does, they all do. They sure have eliminated a lot of storage---guess you can't be overweight if there is no storage. Another trend we hate is the ugly wall board color. It should be neutral, not baby poo brown.

Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 8:04 pm
by Olbird
They are fast and a great option.

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 7:43 pm
by bayoubengal
We haven't received our LE unit but looking at the floor plans on the FR website for '08 units built post 27 Nov. it indicates that there are no cabinets over the dinette table and chairs. We believe they were removed because of a potential to hit ones head. The brochures only show plans with the table and chairs; therefore, it is possible that units with the booth will have the cabinets since you would have to slide out of the booth and this would eliminate any opportunity to hit ones head.

We also have an '07 brochure and it indicates as a standard feature that all LE units come with high gloss GEL Coating. Our dealer confirmed this as so; however, we had to pay for it on the new '08 models as an option.

Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 10:36 am
by bilmorvn
:( Berrylandcampers doesn't want our business. I sold RVs off and on for a couple of years--don't mind the dealer making a reasonable profit, but it needs to be competative, too. They wanted $6K more than the one we ordered from CW and didn't want to negotiate. Take it or leave it, so we left it. The search goes on.

Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 2:01 pm
by Luizianna
Well, I am very sorry to hear that...I have heard several people say that they had gotten hard to deal with. Their loss, and if they keep up that attitude...it will bite em in the you know where sooner or later. Have you checked with Steven's RV in Lafayette??? I think that is where Lindabud bought theirs. Also Lazy Dayz in Florida, not sure how far you want to go for the floorplan you wanted. Hope you find something soon!!!

Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 8:34 pm
by Olbird
bayoubengal wrote:We haven't received our LE unit but looking at the floor plans on the FR website for '08 units built post 27 Nov. it indicates that there are no cabinets over the dinette table and chairs. We believe they were removed because of a potential to hit ones head. The brochures only show plans with the table and chairs; therefore, it is possible that units with the booth will have the cabinets since you would have to slide out of the booth and this would eliminate any opportunity to hit ones head.

We also have an '07 brochure and it indicates as a standard feature that all LE units come with high gloss GEL Coating. Our dealer confirmed this as so; however, we had to pay for it on the new '08 models as an option.

If you get the panoramic windows option you will not get overhead cabinets. The panoramic windows go almost from the ceiling to the floor that is way the cabinets are not offered. Here is a new 2008 model with overhead cabinets and a dinette with standard size windows.
Look at the new design window treatments around the window frame.

LE comes standard with high gloss fiberglass vacubond walls, it is a option to get high gloss Gel Coat fiberglass vacubond walls. Gel coat is a extra layer of Resin that makes for a thicker wall and covers the hides the fibers a lot better.


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