2014 Winnebago Minnie Winnie 25B

fred42 wrote:

1. This unit has a wheelbase/length ratio of .49. Most people want something near 55 or higher. If you buy this you will be back on the forum soon asking how to improve the loose frontend handling.

Fred42 -

Is this calculated by dividing wheelbase into length? For example, our C has a wheelbase of 220". It's length is 31' 11" or 383". I am assuming our ratio would be 57% (220" / 383"). Is that correct? Thanks.

Thanks alliemac9.

We have that floor plan (see signature and profile). Unfortunately, the model was only built in 2007 so would only be available used (if you can find one - we hunted for a long time). But I thought I'd throw it out there since you didn't't specify if you were interested in used options as well.

Thanks all. We have also looked at the Access/Chalet 24V's, possibly previous rentals. Yes the 3500 chassis concerns me. I would definitely want the 4500/450 for CCC and/or towing.

In 2010 we decided we wanted to change the way we traveled by RV so we in 2011 we sold our 30’ two slide Winnebago Minnie and the Jeep we always towed. We purchased a used 19 1/2’ Pleasure-Way Class B and did many extended trips in it for over the 18 months we owned it. We really liked the small MH the way it drove and the idea we didn’t need to tow anything, but it was just too small for us.

We wanted something a little bigger, and decided Winnebago’s model 24V class C like the Minnie, Outlook, Spirit & Chalet floor plan would work for the way we wanted to remodel it into a Winnie for two. Two good things about the 24V plan is a flat floor under the dinette or optional couch and a RV queen bed. In June we found a private party that had a 2006 Winnebago Chalet 24VR for sale and purchased it.

I did some major interior remodeling, If you are interested in seeing my compete write-up with pictures go to www.rvforum.net, login, go to Winnebago-specific issues then my post “Our Winnie Class C remodeled for two” - on: December 08, 2012. Or send me a private message with your email address and I will email write-up to you. If you are not a member of rvforum.net you can’t see the pictures.
Happy New Year,
Dick

I could offer my opinion but since "I'm not book smart, I'm street smart." it would be worthless to you.

I am also looking for a short class C. Everyone has their own priorities and needs, all I can say is how I would evaluate this unit.

You are smart to ask if someone else has this floor plan. Winnebago does many things right, but I have found them unacceptable when looking for shorter, so called "entry level" class A or C units.

1. This unit has a wheelbase/length ratio of .49. Most people want something near 55 or higher. If you buy this you will be back on the forum soon asking how to improve the loose frontend handling.

2. It is on the Chevy 3500 chassis (GVWR 12,300), it should be on the Chevy 4500 (14,200). The only thing worse than a bad wheelbase/length ratio is a bad wheelbase/length ratio on an overloaded chassis.

3. I cannot determine the roof design of this unit, but it may have a flat roof like the Winnebago Access line. I would rather have a crowned TPO roof than a flat fiberglass roof.

They may not have this floorplan but if you want to solve these problems and get composite sidewalls, take a look at Forest River or Coachmen.

I took a quick paper look at the specifications and design of this upcoming new model and compared them to our non-slide 2005 24 foot Itasca 324V Spirit and noted these things:

The length is listed as 26'8", but the wheelbase is supposedly only 158" - this definitely doesn't appear correct - if so, it will have a huge rear overhang. (Our 24 footer has a 158" wheelbase and it's over-hang in the rear is the most I'd ever want.)

The fuel capacity is listed as 59 gallons - has Ford increased the fuel tanks on their E series cutaway vans - or are the specs I read with the Chevy chassis instead of the Ford chassis? (Our Ford E450 Itasca has the standard E series fuel tank capacity of 55 gallons.)

The grey tank and black tank capacities look a little small, at 27 gallons grey and 23 gallons black. (Our 24 footer has a 29 gallon grey tank and a 39 gallon black tank.)

The fresh water tank capacity appears to be conservative at 40 gallons including a full water heater. (Our 24 footer has a 46 gallon fresh water capacity including a full water heater.)

In the single "sneak peak" photo I saw of it the roof appeared to be flat without rolled-over corners. (Our Itasca has a crowned roof with full length rolled-over corners.)

Sometimes preliminary published information is subject to change, so you probably can get later information that may read differently. We love our compact but comfortable non-slide Itasca. It's design and workmanship have no compromises that were blatant cost cutting driven as far as I have been able to tell ... and I have poked around a lot in behind it's cabinets, on it's roof, inside it's outside storage cabinets, and underneath it.

P.S. Just as a heads-up, this almost 27 foot Class C motorhome should not be bought based on a Ford E350 or Chevy 3500 chassis (if either of them is even offered by Winnebago for this model). The weight of a coach structure this size when you load it up for travels will be at the least too close to, or at the worst slightly over, the maximums for both of these chassis. Buy a Class C of this size with the Ford E450 or Chevy 4500 chassis.

Winnebago Chalet line is similar. They are sold into the rental market, so I don't know about getting a new one, and off rental has its risks.

might look at leisure travel van.