Just bought a 2003 Winnebago(Not sure of model; Spirit?) 29.4 ft. Class C with 2 slides with about 20,000 miles for $23,000. It has 2 yr. old tires and needs 3 batteries and slide awnings. Switching from 25 ft. 5er and half-ton truck. Any thoughts, advice, opinions. Am I going to like it a lot or think it was a dumb(expensive)move? I will be towing a 2012 Chevy Sonic (2900 lbs).

We did a similar switch a few years back as our kids got older and I was in truck alone towing 5'er while DW was in Durango alone towing boat. We now ride together in MH with boat in tow. Biggest negative to our arrangement is no toad once camp is setup. But, we manage well with the MH as needed since we do weekend trips mostly.Our MH has a little less storage and galley area than the 5'er did. It took a little adjusting for that. We REALLY like traveling in the MH. We often stop for potty breaks and/or lunch and the 5'er was always hot inside. With the MH, it is much nicer stop...especially when raining and you don't even have to get out of vehicle :)Since we don't use a toad, we have really simplified our campsite setup so it goes much faster than the 5'er did. Even if we had not simplified, I think it would be easier/faster although a 5'er is pretty simple/quick.We don't have levelers and use plastic lego type blocks as needed. I mounted levels in cab area and usually can inch around site and get close enough. With 5'er, I think I was obsessed on being perfectly level and that took longer than needed with setup.Hope you enjoy the change! There are some negatives but overall the positives have outweighed them...at least for us.

I cannot comment on whether it is dumb or not. Only you can be the judge of that and you will find out. Regarding the house batteries, now is your chance to upgrade. If you dry camp at all get the biggest baddest 6 volt batteries you can afford.If you do the above, I would highly advise replacing the power converter too as it's probably a crappy single stage unit. Then add a Trik-L-Start to keep the chassis battery happy when plugged in...especially if you store it that way.

Dakzuki's battery comment made me totally forget one big positive point...on-board generator is "da bomb!" We overnighted in parking lot on college campus for tailgating the 2 years daughter was in marching band. Have the generator very nice for running microwave, a/c, recharging batteries, etc. I did not run while sleeping but would cool down interior until just before going to sleep. Then, by the time I would wake a little warm, I could open windows for a nice night time breeze. I did made a genturi type exhaust extension for generator.We'll also use generator for lunch stops while traveling.

To me, if you drive more than you stay parked, a MH is better than a towable since you have access to the kitchen and bathroom without stopping. Except, of course, for the driver. Fortunately, my bladder has almost exactly the same range as the gas tank.If you don't drive a lot but stay parked a lot, a towable is better because you then have access to a vehicle other than the MH to get around.

You can go to www.winnebagoind.com and download a lot of things on the unit you just purchased such as wiring & plumbing diagrams, owners manual and 2003 brochure. Also check out the WIT club. You unit sounds like a 2004 Minnie we had model # 29B. I think you will enjoy this model. Winnebago Minnie and Itasca Spirit are about the same except for interior trip. The price you got sounds like a good deal for you. DickPS: Now you need your user name changed to Winnie-2slide

Just switched from 5th wheel to Winnebago | Good Sam Community

13 Replies

fireman93514
Explorer
Oct 08, 2013
One thing to think about is tail swing. If you have not driven one, all that overhang behind the rear axle swing in the opposite direction of you turn. Generally only in tight situations like gas stations parking lots etc.

Have fun with it.
Bobbo
Explorer III
Oct 08, 2013
They are the same RV. The only difference between the Minnie and the Spirit is nicer wood and fabric in the Itasca.

2003 Itasca Spirit
Jayco-noslide
Explorer
Oct 07, 2013
Sorry; it is actually an Itasca Spirit.
Bobbo
Explorer III
Oct 04, 2013
If this is your brochure, you have a 2003 Winnebago Minnie. One of the floorplans is the 29B. I have the 2007 version of the 31C, but it was renamed from the Minnie to the Outlook.
j-d
Explorer II
Oct 03, 2013
I wonder if you bought the "29B" floor plan. If you did, that one's the pick of the litter in my opinion. Winnie had a 30-ft Class A on the same plan and we kept coming back to liking those two.
KristinU
Explorer
Oct 03, 2013
Ditto the first time you have to use the bathroom on the road...or the first time you don't have to mess with hitching and unhitching! Pop the parking brake and drive away - ahhh, so nice!
Cobra21
Explorer
Oct 02, 2013
You are going to Love the simplicity of it!!

Brian
Jim_Shoe
Explorer
Oct 02, 2013
The first time you need a bathroom while you're in the middle of a huge traffic jam or driving through a powerful thunderstorm, that MH is going to be worth every penny. Just a reminder - pull over and stop first if you're the driver. :)
dicknellen
Explorer II
Oct 02, 2013
You can go to www.winnebagoind.com and download a lot of things on the unit you just purchased such as wiring & plumbing diagrams, owners manual and 2003 brochure.
Also check out the WIT club. You unit sounds like a 2004 Minnie we had model # 29B. I think you will enjoy this model. Winnebago Minnie and Itasca Spirit are about the same except for interior trip. The price you got sounds like a good deal for you. Dick

PS: Now you need your user name changed to Winnie-2slide
Bobbo
Explorer III
Oct 02, 2013
To me, if you drive more than you stay parked, a MH is better than a towable since you have access to the kitchen and bathroom without stopping. Except, of course, for the driver. Fortunately, my bladder has almost exactly the same range as the gas tank.

If you don't drive a lot but stay parked a lot, a towable is better because you then have access to a vehicle other than the MH to get around.