themagicoen
Expert Expediter
Does anyone have an ARI sleeper? I'm looking at a 132" model w/ the side door. Seem pretty solid and well built but just thought I would ask.
ARI Sleepers
- Thread starter themagicoen
- Start date
As an owner of an ARI sleeper who has done some pretty thorough shopping around, I'll go one step further than DaveKC and say if the sleeper is new, there is no better quality sleeper out there period.
You can verify this yourself by doing a careful comparison of the manufacturer warranties. If you shop around, also ask about the manufacturer quality control process and ask to see the documents used in that process.
ARI showed us a quality control audit actually underway when we shopped them. It is nothing short of amazing compared to what others do or say they do.
ARI's pricing was very good too. One vendor priced a 124" sleeper for us. ARI priced a similarly-equipped 132" sleeper at $15,000 less. That's $15,000 less for a bigger and better product!
I know of no better price/quality package for state of the art sleepers than ARI provides.
ARI is short for American Reliance Industries. They are located in Shipshewana, Indiana. Web site:
http://www.legacysleepers.com/
The FedEx truck shown in their showcase is ours:
http://www.legacysleepers.com/showcase.php?cid=12
You can verify this yourself by doing a careful comparison of the manufacturer warranties. If you shop around, also ask about the manufacturer quality control process and ask to see the documents used in that process.
ARI showed us a quality control audit actually underway when we shopped them. It is nothing short of amazing compared to what others do or say they do.
ARI's pricing was very good too. One vendor priced a 124" sleeper for us. ARI priced a similarly-equipped 132" sleeper at $15,000 less. That's $15,000 less for a bigger and better product!
I know of no better price/quality package for state of the art sleepers than ARI provides.
ARI is short for American Reliance Industries. They are located in Shipshewana, Indiana. Web site:
http://www.legacysleepers.com/
The FedEx truck shown in their showcase is ours:
http://www.legacysleepers.com/showcase.php?cid=12
>As an owner of an ARI sleeper who has done some pretty
>thorough shopping around, I'll go one step further than
>DaveKC and say if the sleeper is new, there is no better
>quality sleeper out there period.
>
>You can verify this yourself by doing a careful comparison
>of the manufacturer warranties. If you shop around, also ask
>about the manufacturer quality control process and ask to
>see the documents used in that process.
>
>ARI showed us a quality control audit actually underway when
>we shopped them. It is nothing short of amazing compared to
>what others do or say they do.
>
>ARI's pricing was very good too. One vendor priced a 124"
>sleeper for us. ARI priced a similarly-equipped 132" sleeper
>at $15,000 less. That's $15,000 less for a bigger and better
>product!
>
>I know of no better price/quality package for state of the
>art sleepers than ARI provides.
>
>ARI is short for American Reliance Industries. They are
>located in Shipshewana, Indiana. Web site:
>
>http://www.legacysleepers.com/
>
>The FedEx truck shown in their showcase is ours:
>
>http://www.legacysleepers.com/showcase.php?cid=12
I'm not on a witchhunt here, but I tend to have a memory for some things.
I'm wondering how you reconcile what you have said here with what you said in the post at the link below:
http://www.expeditersonline.com/dcforum/DCForumID2/2097.html
Subject: "If You Had It To Do Over Again"
Your words: "2. We would have shopped more thoroughly for a sleeper vendor, instead of relying on word of mouth from experienced drivers."
>thorough shopping around, I'll go one step further than
>DaveKC and say if the sleeper is new, there is no better
>quality sleeper out there period.
>
>You can verify this yourself by doing a careful comparison
>of the manufacturer warranties. If you shop around, also ask
>about the manufacturer quality control process and ask to
>see the documents used in that process.
>
>ARI showed us a quality control audit actually underway when
>we shopped them. It is nothing short of amazing compared to
>what others do or say they do.
>
>ARI's pricing was very good too. One vendor priced a 124"
>sleeper for us. ARI priced a similarly-equipped 132" sleeper
>at $15,000 less. That's $15,000 less for a bigger and better
>product!
>
>I know of no better price/quality package for state of the
>art sleepers than ARI provides.
>
>ARI is short for American Reliance Industries. They are
>located in Shipshewana, Indiana. Web site:
>
>http://www.legacysleepers.com/
>
>The FedEx truck shown in their showcase is ours:
>
>http://www.legacysleepers.com/showcase.php?cid=12
I'm not on a witchhunt here, but I tend to have a memory for some things.
I'm wondering how you reconcile what you have said here with what you said in the post at the link below:
http://www.expeditersonline.com/dcforum/DCForumID2/2097.html
Subject: "If You Had It To Do Over Again"
Your words: "2. We would have shopped more thoroughly for a sleeper vendor, instead of relying on word of mouth from experienced drivers."
Additionally, you were't comparing apples to apples. A 124" sleeper is considered a specialty configuration whereas a 132 is a stock size. Other stock sizes are 72,84,96,120 ect. When you deviate from those numbers, the price goes up. Biggest reason is many things have to be made just for that odd configuration, verses a standard size. Everything there is prefab, so the price is cheaper. I am referring to in this case, comparing ICT,ARI, and Double Eagle. In our case, we have a 126 in our fleet. That configuration cost more than a 132 if we went that route. Just because it isn't a stock size.
Davekc
owner
22 years
PantherII
EO moderator
Davekc
owner
22 years
PantherII
EO moderator
>I'm not on a witchhunt here, but I tend to have a memory for
>some things.
>
>I'm wondering how you reconcile what you have said here with
>what you said in the post at the link below:
>
>http://www.expeditersonline.com/dcforum/DCForumID2/2097.html
>
>Subject: "If You Had It To Do Over Again"
>
>Your words: "2. We would have shopped more thoroughly for a
>sleeper vendor, instead of relying on word of mouth from
>experienced drivers."
There is nothing to reconcile. After word of mouth from experienced drivers influenced our choice of a sleeper vendor (who will remain nameless), and that vednor and others failed us, and we rejected the truck they built, we took matters into our own hands. We shopped sleeper vendors ourselves and decided on ARI. If we had it to do over again, we would have done exactly what I said in item 2 above.
>some things.
>
>I'm wondering how you reconcile what you have said here with
>what you said in the post at the link below:
>
>http://www.expeditersonline.com/dcforum/DCForumID2/2097.html
>
>Subject: "If You Had It To Do Over Again"
>
>Your words: "2. We would have shopped more thoroughly for a
>sleeper vendor, instead of relying on word of mouth from
>experienced drivers."
There is nothing to reconcile. After word of mouth from experienced drivers influenced our choice of a sleeper vendor (who will remain nameless), and that vednor and others failed us, and we rejected the truck they built, we took matters into our own hands. We shopped sleeper vendors ourselves and decided on ARI. If we had it to do over again, we would have done exactly what I said in item 2 above.
>Additionally, you were't comparing apples to apples. A 124"
>sleeper is considered a specialty configuration whereas a
>132 is a stock size.
I apologize. There was a typo in my post about sleeper size. It was not 124 inches. It was 120 inches; a stock size. My mistake.
For people shopping custom sleeper prices, I suggest you start with ARI. The information they provide is comprehensive, which makes ARI a good place to start.
Better than most other vendors, ARI quotes prices in writing and in great detail. It is easy to decide what features and components you want to include or omit. ARI also has a nice information packet that describes sleeper components and features. More than simple sales literature, the packet is educational and informative.
With that information in hand, and a good idea of what you want in your custom-built sleeper, you can go to other vendors and compare.
>sleeper is considered a specialty configuration whereas a
>132 is a stock size.
I apologize. There was a typo in my post about sleeper size. It was not 124 inches. It was 120 inches; a stock size. My mistake.
For people shopping custom sleeper prices, I suggest you start with ARI. The information they provide is comprehensive, which makes ARI a good place to start.
Better than most other vendors, ARI quotes prices in writing and in great detail. It is easy to decide what features and components you want to include or omit. ARI also has a nice information packet that describes sleeper components and features. More than simple sales literature, the packet is educational and informative.
With that information in hand, and a good idea of what you want in your custom-built sleeper, you can go to other vendors and compare.
>>I'm not on a witchhunt here, but I tend to have a memory for
>>some things.
>>
>>I'm wondering how you reconcile what you have said here with
>>what you said in the post at the link below:
>>
>>http://www.expeditersonline.com/dcforum/DCForumID2/2097.html
>>
>>Subject: "If You Had It To Do Over Again"
>>
>>Your words: "2. We would have shopped more thoroughly for a
>>sleeper vendor, instead of relying on word of mouth from
>>experienced drivers."
>
>There is nothing to reconcile. After word of mouth from
>experienced drivers influenced our choice of a sleeper
>vendor (who will remain nameless), and that vednor and
>others failed us, and we rejected the truck they built, we
>took matters into our own hands. We shopped sleeper vendors
>ourselves and decided on ARI. If we had it to do over again,
>we would have done exactly what I said in item 2 above.
Fair enough.
After reading about the first truck build disaster I'm certain you wished you had chosen different advisors. :-(
>>some things.
>>
>>I'm wondering how you reconcile what you have said here with
>>what you said in the post at the link below:
>>
>>http://www.expeditersonline.com/dcforum/DCForumID2/2097.html
>>
>>Subject: "If You Had It To Do Over Again"
>>
>>Your words: "2. We would have shopped more thoroughly for a
>>sleeper vendor, instead of relying on word of mouth from
>>experienced drivers."
>
>There is nothing to reconcile. After word of mouth from
>experienced drivers influenced our choice of a sleeper
>vendor (who will remain nameless), and that vednor and
>others failed us, and we rejected the truck they built, we
>took matters into our own hands. We shopped sleeper vendors
>ourselves and decided on ARI. If we had it to do over again,
>we would have done exactly what I said in item 2 above.
Fair enough.
After reading about the first truck build disaster I'm certain you wished you had chosen different advisors. :-(
>Fair enough.
>
>After reading about the first truck build disaster I'm
>certain you wished you had chosen different advisors. :-(
Thank you for understanding. The good news is the frustrations of the past remain there, in the past. We're delighted with the truck we are in today.
>
>After reading about the first truck build disaster I'm
>certain you wished you had chosen different advisors. :-(
Thank you for understanding. The good news is the frustrations of the past remain there, in the past. We're delighted with the truck we are in today.
Well, it's not so much 2 cents worth as it is possibly helpful information.
Recently I had a private coach up at the Ohio State game, and I got fuel at the J in Walton, KY... where I should have dumped the holding tank. But I didn't. Oh Well. No big deal right. I've had 12 people onboard this particular sleeper coach in the past and could take the holding tank 3 days if needed before I had to flip that "magic Switch". I had 6 guys (picked up a 7th in Columbus) and we went on into the game.
Well, we didn't just slip right in that easily, since I discovered that Ohio and Michigan State are extreme rivalries. When these 2 teams play eachother it apparently brings every college footbal fanatic in the US and Canada into the area.
Anyways, after driving for about 10 hours, I waited for 3 hours outside the gates (along with 20+ other busses and motorhomes), because even though we had a spot being held for us, we still could not get into any of the 4 entrances until 5 am... at which point you had your choice of which vehicle you wanted to rub up against.
Well, as I said earlier, I didn't dump the holding tank before making the entrance. I have no auxiliary holding tank. Grey and Black water both go into 1 tank. Lucky me right?.
Well, the tailgating got underway about mid to late morning on Saturday. (I picked up and left Greenville, SC on Friday about 3pm).
On Saturday evening, just about half time during the game I discovered that the holding tank was just about full.
Now, I'm not exactly sure the holding capacity of the holding tank, but I am Now sure of the holding capacity of "Waste Material" in black doubled Trash Bags.
There was no Spill. No Leak. Just a very nervous driver holding a very full black plastic trash bag of about 3 to 4 inches of a narrow holding tank... I'm guessing it amounted to about 4 to 6 gallons. I got the pleasure of doing that twice. Thankfully I was parked beside a big green dumpster. I have to say... I've never lifted and dropped a bag into a dumpster so carefully before in my life.
The dump system on my coach has a key you turn by the drivers seat, which opens an electric valve on holding tank. I strongly recommend that if you ever consider this set-up for your own rig, I would advise a 2nd key switch by the valve itself so that there is NO confusion when it comes to closing the valve...
Because Gravity brings shtuff down real fast!
Therefore there is the potential for a Very full bag Very quickly.
I just thought I'd share this information with this topic because it does have to do with custom sleepers.
And Custom Sleepers do have plumbing systems.
This particular set-up allows an operator to engage the valve while the vehicle is in motion, though I would never do that because that would be against the law.
Even in the rain it's against the law.
This particular set-up is also nice in the sense that it allows an operator to engage the valve while remaining seated in the drivers seat. That is not advisable though to do unless one is positioned by a proper dump station.
Not a dark entrance ramp or over a storm drain,
because that is also illegal.
I did call a septic tank co. while at the game and they told me that if I had a free ticket to the game they'd come out and relieve my coach tank. I had a passenger who paid 400 for a ticket, and could have easily sold it minutes after he bought it for 700.
I offered 150 cash to the septic tank co. and they laughed, even though I was parked by a service road where they had easy access to me. I tried a few other co.'s and got no answers or "no way's". That's alright, I took great pleasure in knowing that the co. that wanted a free ticket then laughed at me... also had to empty that dumpster I was parked next to.
Lesson here, Always completely dump your holding tanks before laying over and parking...
and inviting 20 to 30 guests onboard in the course of a day.
That's information that I know is funny to some degree,
but also very Very True.
Ohio won more than that game that nite.
You know I got my mirror hit by a motorhome while I was trying to make a right turn (for 10 minutes) into that parking lot and he was going into another parking lot... I got out and repositioned my mirror... and told him his village called me and that they were missing their idiot.
I got fed up,
moved all the cones to block traffic I was fighting...
and made my turn.
Some people amaze me. Simply amaze me.
Hope this info helps.
BigBusBob.
Recently I had a private coach up at the Ohio State game, and I got fuel at the J in Walton, KY... where I should have dumped the holding tank. But I didn't. Oh Well. No big deal right. I've had 12 people onboard this particular sleeper coach in the past and could take the holding tank 3 days if needed before I had to flip that "magic Switch". I had 6 guys (picked up a 7th in Columbus) and we went on into the game.
Well, we didn't just slip right in that easily, since I discovered that Ohio and Michigan State are extreme rivalries. When these 2 teams play eachother it apparently brings every college footbal fanatic in the US and Canada into the area.
Anyways, after driving for about 10 hours, I waited for 3 hours outside the gates (along with 20+ other busses and motorhomes), because even though we had a spot being held for us, we still could not get into any of the 4 entrances until 5 am... at which point you had your choice of which vehicle you wanted to rub up against.
Well, as I said earlier, I didn't dump the holding tank before making the entrance. I have no auxiliary holding tank. Grey and Black water both go into 1 tank. Lucky me right?.
Well, the tailgating got underway about mid to late morning on Saturday. (I picked up and left Greenville, SC on Friday about 3pm).
On Saturday evening, just about half time during the game I discovered that the holding tank was just about full.
Now, I'm not exactly sure the holding capacity of the holding tank, but I am Now sure of the holding capacity of "Waste Material" in black doubled Trash Bags.
There was no Spill. No Leak. Just a very nervous driver holding a very full black plastic trash bag of about 3 to 4 inches of a narrow holding tank... I'm guessing it amounted to about 4 to 6 gallons. I got the pleasure of doing that twice. Thankfully I was parked beside a big green dumpster. I have to say... I've never lifted and dropped a bag into a dumpster so carefully before in my life.
The dump system on my coach has a key you turn by the drivers seat, which opens an electric valve on holding tank. I strongly recommend that if you ever consider this set-up for your own rig, I would advise a 2nd key switch by the valve itself so that there is NO confusion when it comes to closing the valve...
Because Gravity brings shtuff down real fast!
Therefore there is the potential for a Very full bag Very quickly.
I just thought I'd share this information with this topic because it does have to do with custom sleepers.
And Custom Sleepers do have plumbing systems.
This particular set-up allows an operator to engage the valve while the vehicle is in motion, though I would never do that because that would be against the law.
Even in the rain it's against the law.
This particular set-up is also nice in the sense that it allows an operator to engage the valve while remaining seated in the drivers seat. That is not advisable though to do unless one is positioned by a proper dump station.
Not a dark entrance ramp or over a storm drain,
because that is also illegal.
I did call a septic tank co. while at the game and they told me that if I had a free ticket to the game they'd come out and relieve my coach tank. I had a passenger who paid 400 for a ticket, and could have easily sold it minutes after he bought it for 700.
I offered 150 cash to the septic tank co. and they laughed, even though I was parked by a service road where they had easy access to me. I tried a few other co.'s and got no answers or "no way's". That's alright, I took great pleasure in knowing that the co. that wanted a free ticket then laughed at me... also had to empty that dumpster I was parked next to.
Lesson here, Always completely dump your holding tanks before laying over and parking...
and inviting 20 to 30 guests onboard in the course of a day.
That's information that I know is funny to some degree,
but also very Very True.
Ohio won more than that game that nite.
You know I got my mirror hit by a motorhome while I was trying to make a right turn (for 10 minutes) into that parking lot and he was going into another parking lot... I got out and repositioned my mirror... and told him his village called me and that they were missing their idiot.
I got fed up,
moved all the cones to block traffic I was fighting...
and made my turn.
Some people amaze me. Simply amaze me.
Hope this info helps.
BigBusBob.
greg334
Veteran Expediter
Good story Bob.
but I already heed you advice; "Lesson here, Always completely dump your holding tanks before laying over and parking...
and inviting 20 to 30 guests onboard in the course of a day."
I don't think I will ever invite more than 10 people to my truck at any one time just in case.
but I already heed you advice; "Lesson here, Always completely dump your holding tanks before laying over and parking...
and inviting 20 to 30 guests onboard in the course of a day."
I don't think I will ever invite more than 10 people to my truck at any one time just in case.