Shaderac
Australia
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I am currently looking to purchase an A class Motorhome. Have been looking at the Winnebago Adventurer from 2000 - 2003 with 2 slides as a model that I like. I expressly like the fact that they have the Aircon mounted under the floor and was wondering if anyone on here had knowledge of that model. Also I notice they come in 2 configs, either Ford Triton V10 or Chevrolet and Allison tranny. So would like be interested to hear of any pros or cons on that front as well.
Thankyou.
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Nascarcruzin
Home is where the RV is parked.
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Joined: 01/06/2005
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I've never had an Adventurer,but have always admired them. I really liked the large bedroom slide some of them have. I have had both the Ford Triton and the Chevy 8.1 with the Allison, and in my opinion the Chevy/Allison wins hands down. The Ford is a good combo, but you seem to get more engine noise with them. The Chevy/ Allison seemed more quieter. The only drawback I see with the Chevy/Allison is the Workhorse brake issue. (which I have heard they have resolved). I do not think you can go wrong with either one of them. Of course this is my personal opinion, I am sure there will be someone who disagrees with me as usual. Ronnie
Ronnie & Rebecca
Soddy Daisy, TN
Full-timing since 2004
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Big Katuna
Deland, FL
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Joined: 12/27/2003
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Drive trains and chassis are kind of a tossup that era. Both are much improved over pre-2000 models. The Allison would probably be the one I would get.
The basement AC has Pros and Cons. I know a few people that wish they didn't have them. Harder and more expensive to get worked on, noise complaints as it it under the bedroom. Some people end up adding a roof AC to add extra cooling in hot climes.
Others love them, so to each, their own.
Coaches of that age are due (if it hasn't been done) full fluid changes eg; rear end, brake fluid, coolant, trans, power steering, belts and tires. Adds up $$$.
My Kharma ran over my Dogma.
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br549
On The Road
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We bought a 2002 Adventurer 32V with 8.1 Chev new. Most trouble free MH I ever had. Was in the shop twice. Once for something to do with the seat belts and the other was recall on the brakes. Neither a Winnebago issue. Replaced the shocks to vastly improve the ride and that was it. Only sold it to move up to full time. I think it had about 45,000 miles on it.
On edit: I should add that we drove both ford and Workhorse chassis in this model. Ford had much more engine noise and less power. The Allison transmission was great.
Gerry & Louise
2007 Tiffin Phaeton 36 QSH
2008 Ford Edge Limited AWD
1926 Oakland Landau Coupe in Storage
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past-MIdirector
Michigan
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We looked at a 2004 Adventure and liked a lot about the rig till we got to the basement A/C. A good friend who is a RV mechanic told us about how expensive they are to repair and a couple of the manufacture had discontinued making the units and replacement parts. As he told us if it fails your looking at over 2G to put roof airs on not to mention over 400Lb of scrap in the basement or over 3G for a replacement unit.
We walked away and end up with a 2004 Bounder with more basement space and a better floor plan.
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br549
On The Road
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past-MIdirector wrote:We looked at a 2004 Adventure and liked a lot about the rig till we got to the basement A/C. A good friend who is a RV mechanic told us about how expensive they are to repair and a couple of the manufacture had discontinued making the units and replacement parts. As he told us if it fails your looking at over 2G to put roof airs on not to mention over 400Lb of scrap in the basement or over 3G for a replacement unit.
We walked away and end up with a 2004 Bounder with more basement space and a better floor plan.
I really don't know about parts and repair of the a/c, never had an issue as I have on roof air models. I will say that I really liked the unit. It provided rapid cooling and heating of the unit. While it was loud if you were outside next to it if it was running, inside I had no problem sleeping with it running. Also liked the idea of the weight mounted low and the clean roofline. Since the same unit was used on larger MH models, it really did the job in a 32' and I liked that it used residential filters vs the funky foam things inserted behind the duct grills on roof air units. I'm sure there are other opinions.
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sailor_lou
Connecticut
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Our first MOHO was a used 97 Winne Vectra with basement air. On that model the A/C was located under the kitchen/dining table, which resulted in no significant noise in the bedroom. I can't speak about the repair cost because we never had any problems with the A/C the four years we owned the rig. Our current MOHO has two ducted rooftop units and although that setup isn't what I would consider noisy, I feel it is slightly louder than the basement A/C. We found that both work equally as well and wouldn't consider it a deal breaker either way. The down side is a loss of some basement space, but that wasn't a concern for us. Good luck with your search.
Lou
05 Travel Supreme Envoy
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Patrol 65
Charleston, SC
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I looked at a 2002 Adventurer before buying my Chieftain. All are basically the same as Winnebago didn't change much as far as design in those years. As for the basement units, I would think that it wouldn't be no more expensive to repair than a residential unit because it is basically almost the same as a residential unit. It may be a little noisier since it is under the rear bed but it is not unbearable. One thing that you won't have to worry about is roof leaks from the roof to a/c seal.
Nathan and Linda
KF4GYL
2000 Winnebago Chieftain 35U Ford Triton V10 F53 Banks Power
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louiskathy
Oregon (presently)
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We had a 1988 Champion with two air cond on the roof and then bought a 2000 Winnebago Adventurer in Jan 2007. We live full time on the road but we don't roll the wheels more than 500 miles twice a year. We live in it more than drive it. We love the basement air conditioner. SO much better than a roof air arrangement.
If I flip the control to "fan", the cool air from the basement is circulated through the coach in mere minutes. It's instant results through the entire coach.
We don't run the actual air conditioner all that much because we're in the NW and it just does not get that hot here but maybe 10 days in the summer and then we only need the air cond on for a few hours (never all night long).
So for us, it's perfect but not for everyone. The basement air conditioner takes up storage space... the hydraulic arms for the slides take up storage space big time.
We have the V10 with Banks and for us, it's enough but it would be a slow go if we were pulling anything up and down the mountains. We get passed by DP's all the time.
Kathy
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mblaster
Los Angeles
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I drove a 35 ft 2 slide adventurer/ford. It was so slow it couldnt get out of its own way...empty!...My single slide 32 southwind/ford is downright sporty. Big difference in empty weight!.
01 Southwind 32V
02 Grand Cherokee toad
21ft Carrera Elite daycruiser (summer)
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