WInnebago Quality

[jm513ma]

I have a 2011 Winnebago Journey which I purchased new.  The quality is not what I expected.

Engine hood fell off when I attempted to open it to inspect the engine.  The adhesive bonding the hood to the hinges failed.  I received an interesting reply when I contacted Winnebago ... "There is a lot of vibration back there which over time causes that to let loose."  This is not the first bonding adhesive failure I've experienced.  The louvre assembly in the engine hood also came loose and I have two other fiberglass panels that have separated from the underlying support structure.  

Is anyone else have these sort of problems?

[ccmsm]

We bought a new 2014 Winnebago Adventurer. The sticker price was about 30k more than the same size and features of a comparable Georgetown. We paid the difference thinking we were getting quality. That turned out not to be the case. We had so much trouble with it that our mobile tech had us in his speed dial. The second time I called Winnebago the tech gave me an unacceptable answer so I asked to speak to a supervisor. He said no because he would give me the same answer. Thankfully were able to get rid of it back in January. I would not recommend anybody deal with Winnebago or Lazydays in Florida.   ccmsm

[RodgerS]

"The quality is not what I expected." 

"We paid the difference thinking we were getting quality. That turned out not to be the case."

Sorry to hear that, but I'm not surprised...two more common stories.

Now would be a good time to read the 8 expose articles about the industry in RVdailyreport.com...would like to be more comforting.

Rodger S. 

[manholt]

Winnebago used to have a commercial, where a crane picked up the Class A by all four corners. too prove the integrity of their RV's.  Impressive and they sold a lot off units!  The last time I saw that commercial, was about 20 years ago!  I had a 07' Tour 40' KD, DP.  Bought new, had some issues that was above the normal new, but all in all it performed as expected for 4 years and 57,000 miles.

Would I buy any manufactured new class A DP today?  Only one, the Newmar Dutch Star is the biggest bang for the bucks in a class A DP ! 

[RodgerS]

I hate it when I agree with Carl. Rodger S. 

[wayne77590]

I have a 2008 Winnebago Destination and I have had problems with it since purchased new. It's just an on-going saga.  Unfortunately I purchased a model in its first year of production.  We enjoy the interior layout and cabinetry but not the repair bill even with GS which has been great.

We wish we had purchased used.

[manholt]

Wayne.  Still have problems, or are they a thing of the past?  Other than the smaller BS we all deal with every time we hit the road to our personal freedom!

[five]

As we read about quality issues from the numerous coach makers, I wonder if you go out and pay $1.2 m to $2m for a Prevost or a Newell if those owners have the same problems we do.

[RodgerS]

Five,

They are buying a coach that is consistent with the status they wish to represent to others. I suspect the buyers don't really care about quality issues.

They probably have the land yacht maintained and driven by one or more full-time chauffeur/mechanics. They probably have an arrangement with the mfg/dealer that the coach is road ready when needed and any repairs taken care of immediately, with mechanics available to fly out to the site. They probably don't tow their limousines but but make use of rentals including the driver. Same with any jets they are using. 

If their entourage is large enough, they may own several land yachts. 

Or course, there are exceptions, especially the used buyers. Some CEOs and entertainers fly their own jets. 

Rodger S. 

[jleamont]

On July 29, 2016 at 7:05 PM, RodgerS said:

I hate it when I agree with Carl. Rodger S. 

Yep, I agree with Carl also. 

[manholt]

Rodger....Wrong!  I don't know many, but enough of the Custom Coach crowd to know what they do.  One.  They don't pay MSRP for a new coach (neither do I or 90% of us), 30% to 40% off.  Second.  All the ones I know, let their Company or family stock Corporation buy the coach and place the name of Co./Corp. on coach...7 year depreciation and advertising tax write off.  Entertainers and NASCAR drivers do the same thing.  Third.  They drive their own coach!  Only entertainers don't when they are on tour...makes good sense to me!  

You have to many probably, that = I'm guessing!

[RodgerS]

You must be right Carl. You seem to know a lot of those owners. 

Rodger S. 

[wayne77590]

On 7/30/2016 at 7:53 PM, Manholt said:

Wayne.  Still have problems, or are they a thing of the past?  Other than the smaller BS we all deal with every time we hit the road to our personal freedom!

Sorry I did not see this or other posts sooner.  Yes, it is still a problem.  Since 2010 I have had problems with the jacks. First the jack alarm would sound going down the highway. Drove Earlene up the windshield, I just tuned it out.  Went to the factory service center and spent 10 days there.  Last day they said they fixed it. got in it and checked it out and ding, ding, ding, ding - not fixed. Had two technicians sitting around with a service writer and I asked if they had check to see if there was 1500 psi on the pump port.  The service writer looked at the technician and the technician said, "We don't have a gauge!"  Are you kidding me. This is the factory service center. Oh well - off we went and I fixed a switch on the controller to shut off the alarm.  To this day I still use that switch.  One of these days I'm going to the Power Gear location and let the "fix" it.  Other problems with jacks also.  Had a major problem with the full slide and it pulled the rack it was supposed to slide on out of the floor, first year we had it.  Just put in a new motor on the 12'+ slide(little slide). Other than that, running good.

7 hours ago, FIVE said:

As we read about quality issues from the numerous coach makers, I wonder if you go out and pay $1.2 m to $2m for a Prevost or a Newell if those owners have the same problems we do.

When we were at Guarantee RV in Junction City, OR getting the big slide repaired there was just about every make/model RV awaiting some type of repair.  There were 20 electric hook-up sites and 20 boondock sites and every one was full awaiting some type repair. So yes, those high-priced RV's are just as prone to breaking down as any.

 

1 hour ago, RodgerS said:

You must be right Carl. You seem to know a lot of those owners. 

Rodger S. 

Roger, Carl is always right. If you don't believe me, just ask him. :-)

He's just like me, and if you don't believe me just ask my wife.

[manholt]

Wayne.  Your just bound and determined that the 08' POS, is not going to get the better of you!   I would have gotten rid of it a long time ago.  I don't beat myself up and hate stress!  Really sad that your having that kind off major problems with it...my Powergear is acting up also and as soon as I get the electrical problems fixed...today, I will go thru the long process of re-zero my computer...right now it thinks that flat is a twist on Jacks or air!  That might be your problem also....WildBill has a step by step write up under leveling on this Forum and I have the Installation manual.

[wayne77590]

Carl, I wish I had YOUR money so I could get out from under it and by a Prevost - but then one day I asked my wife, "Do you know the difference between a Prevost and our motorhome?"  Of course she responded that she didn't so I said, "The cost to repair it."   They both break down.

Here is another problem that we had (have)(had)(have - etc.) with the jacks.  After sitting for a little bit (hour) it would dip down to the drivers side.  The repair place worked and worked and worked and finally installed 3 new jacks after finding that the seals needed being replaced on the old ones. (Can't replace seals on our Kwikee jacks without torching them.) We would take it out of the shop, go on a little trip, and put it back in the shop when we returned.  This time we left on May 14th and go figure the jacks are holding. However, the one jack they did not replace shows hydraulic oil around the pad so it is leaking now also, but the jacks are holding.

One of the things that can cause the jacks to not hold is sand, dirt, rust, etc., getting between the seal and the piston.  Power Gear said to take a baster, stir up the pump holding tank, take a sample using the baster and use a paper towel to strain the sample. If there is any foreign objects on the towel to flush the system.  Hmmm! I wonder what that would cost.

Yep! A motorhome is a hole in the road that one keeps pouring money onto. Sort of like a boat in the water.

[RodgerS]

"The service writer looked at the technician and the technician said, "We don't have a gauge!"  Are you kidding me. This is the factory service center."

Don't be surprised. When I took my specialist A/C class, the instructor said that there several problems plaguing the service repair side of the equation:

1) the technicians are often brought in from outside the industry and few are provided RV specific training.

2) troubleshooting tools are not often readily available because the focus is on replacing, not diagnosing. 

3) the dealership technicians are poorly paid despite the demand. 

==================

Some of you old hands may always be right, but I'm never wrong. 

So straighten out and fly right.

Rodger S. 

[jleamont]

I

8 minutes ago, RodgerS said:

"The service writer looked at the technician and the technician said, "We don't have a gauge!"  Are you kidding me. This is the factory service center."

Don't be surprised. When I took my specialist A/C class, the instructor said that there several problems plaguing the service repair side of the equation:

1) the technicians are often brought in from outside the industry and few are provided RV specific training.

2) troubleshooting tools are not often readily available because the focus is on replacing, not diagnosing. 

3) the dealership technicians are poorly paid despite the demand. 

==================

Some of you old hands may always be right, but I'm never wrong. 

So straighten out and fly right.

Rodger S. 

I can relate to this. When I was a dealer tech many times we needed special service tools, was often told "substitute something, we are not buying it". My boss asked me often "what do you think is the problem?" (if I had the proper tool I could have chased down the root cause) "Throw that part at it just let your pen justify it". Glad to be out of that industry!!

My favorite; I asked for a pack of hot dogs one time in lieu of the fuel pressure gauge they wouldn't buy, service manager; why? They taught us in school what happens when High Pressure fuel hits your hand and they demonstrated it with a hot dog, so I will tape a hot dog to the line, if it explodes must be enough pressure....right, so see you were right no need for a gauge .

I was paid well but no benefits, 401k, pension to speak of. The automotive/truck industry is also falling apart.

[jleamont]

I

8 minutes ago, RodgerS said:

"The service writer looked at the technician and the technician said, "We don't have a gauge!"  Are you kidding me. This is the factory service center."

Don't be surprised. When I took my specialist A/C class, the instructor said that there several problems plaguing the service repair side of the equation:

1) the technicians are often brought in from outside the industry and few are provided RV specific training.

2) troubleshooting tools are not often readily available because the focus is on replacing, not diagnosing. 

3) the dealership technicians are poorly paid despite the demand. 

==================

Some of you old hands may always be right, but I'm never wrong. 

So straighten out and fly right.

Rodger S. 

I can relate to this. When I was a dealer tech many times we needed special service tools, was often told "substitute something, we are not buying it". My boss asked me often "what do you think is the problem?" (if I had the proper tool I could have chased down the root cause) "Throw that part at it just let your pen justify it". Glad to be out of that industry!!

My favorite; I asked for a pack of hot dogs one time in lieu of the fuel pressure gauge they wouldn't buy, service manager; why? They taught us in school what happens when High Pressure fuel hits your hand and they demonstrated it with a hot dog, so I will tape a hot dog to the line, if it explodes must be enough pressure....right, so see you were right no need for a gauge .

I was paid well but no benefits, 401k, pension to speak of. The automotive/truck industry is also falling apart.

[manholt]

Ah, yes!  I forgot, when there is a convention, nobody is taking care of the FMCA computer for a week.  Therefor we get double postings and other strange things!

Wayne.  Your answer about money is the reason why I'm reluctant to bring up the obvious!  You are right in saying that the cost is no guarantee that you will not break down somewhere sometime....Million dollar coach just don't travel the way we do, they are a Winter home on wheels and most owners have 2 homes...one, generally, where they come from to live and use 5 months a year and the other for 5 months a year.  Most don't bother with a Toad, need car, rent one.  They have the cars and trucks at both homes!  They also travel with clubs, like Liberty or Marathon or Foretravel owners Club.  Also, FMCA Custom Coach Club and the Bus Nut's.  Most of these clubs have Tech's and parts Van with them, so a break down, is more comfortable, than ours!  

Carl

[manholt]

Ah, yes!  I forgot, when there is a convention, nobody is taking care of the FMCA computer for a week.  Therefor we get double postings and other strange things!

Wayne.  Your answer about money is the reason why I'm reluctant to bring up the obvious!  You are right in saying that the cost is no guarantee that you will not break down somewhere sometime....Million dollar coach just don't travel the way we do, they are a Winter home on wheels and most owners have 2 homes...one, generally, where they come from to live and use 5 months a year and the other for 5 months a year.  Most don't bother with a Toad, need car, rent one.  They have the cars and trucks at both homes!  They also travel with clubs, like Liberty or Marathon or Foretravel owners Club.  Also, FMCA Custom Coach Club and the Bus Nut's.  Most of these clubs have Tech's and parts Van with them, so a break down, is more comfortable, than ours!  

Carl

[wayne77590]

Okay Carl, I got it the first time. Hee hee!

Gremlins at work again.

[RodgerS]

I just assumed the double postings came with too many glasses of wine. 

And, reading some of these posts with a glass of wine helps at times.

I suspect I will need to drink a whole bottle of wine so I can actually buy a MH.

Rodger S.