2006 Winnebago Journey 34H

I had a winnebago 34 (H?) Chieftain 1999 gasser that had a very similar floor plan. only difference was flipped shower/tub and toilet. worked out great.
bumpy

The Freightliner, Caterpillar, Allison should do you very well.

350 HP/900+ lb-ft torque in that short a coach will be quite strong.

Russ

I have the same 34H, an earlier version, but the same floorplan. The same Cat/Allison. I love it. the best floorplan in a smaller diesel. It goes up hills like a billy goat, and its impossible to overload it. You will have way more carrying capacity on each wheel/axle. Just get a four corner weight and reduce your tires to recommended pressure or you will feel the bumps in the pavement.
No issues with mine, average about 8.5 mpg. often in the 9s when without the toad and no head wind, but when is that.

The Freightliner, Caterpillar, Allison is a good combo. Drives and handles great.
Run the heat pump/air conditioner and check for excessive noise. The bearings in the squirrel cage shaft are prone to wear.
Hard to detect, but Winnebago has a rust issue in the windshield mounting.
At that age, check the date on the tires. If over 7 years, you may want to replace them.
Check the roof seal seam down each side. This is important as it holds the roof on.
Check the dash air/heat. The system default is to blow air out of the defrost and not the front vents.
Make sure the recall has been done on the Norcold fridge. Not only that, check for good cooling. This will take several hours as you are probably aware.
I might think of some more as the day goes along.
You might want to browse the Winnebago forum on irv2.com.

rv2go wrote:
Make sure the recall has been done on the Norcold fridge.

Some of us prefer the recall not to be done. That way the fridge actually works.

obgraham wrote:

rv2go wrote:
Make sure the recall has been done on the Norcold fridge.

Some of us prefer the recall not to be done. That way the fridge actually works.

doesn't that depend on whether you have the 12 cu ft refrigerator or not. my 12 footer needed the recall, twice.
bumpy

If you like the floor plan, go for it. Our '07 34H with the 300 Cummins and MH2500 has served us very well over the years towing a 4,000# toad all over the country. That combo with the Cat and the Allison 6 speed should serve you well.

wolfe10 wrote:
The Freightliner, Caterpillar, Allison should do you very well.

350 HP/900+ lb-ft torque in that short a coach will be quite strong.

That much torque? Nice!

We just picked up our 2007 34ft with the 350 Cat. We absolutely love it. As others have said, I don't think you could overload it, it pulls up mountain passes like a beast. We tow a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee and you hardly know it is there. Handles like a dream.

Jeff

Thank you everyone for your replies. This 06 I will be looking at is being traded in on a new (in stock) unit at the dealer but closing for the new unit hasn't taken place as yet. I was told perhaps this weekend. So I am hopeful early next week the 06 will be at the dealer for us to look over.

As I get closer to my first Class A my next bridge (learning curve) is about Tow bars for flat towing and what brake controllers (if any) you are using. I'll be towing a 2013 Ford Edge (FWD V6).

It is the brake controllers that worry me as I remember a few months back reading a few stories on forums of folks who had their controllers fail and drag the toad's brakes while towing and it destroyed the toad's rotors, calipers and bearings and almost caused a fire. I have a friend who has owned class A's for 19 years, towed thousands of miles all over the USA and Alaska and always flat towed and never used a brake controller and never had an issues. Granted most of the coaches he has owned were 40+ footers with a tag axle.

So any input on tow bars and especially toad brake controllers (perhaps a controller(s) brand I SHOULD stay away from) would be appreciated.

Thanks
Russ