Search is back to Vista or Sunstar 26HE and only 2 vents?

Back from a 2500 mile trip to TX in our 26HE. Performed well, got about 7.5 when we kept it between 60-65. Going out was a bit windy and we were inexperienced driving, but by the time we got home we were very comfortable driving it.
If you are going for a test drive, find a narrow road. See if you feel comfortable. That is the real test. Anyone can drive on the interstate.
The 26HE's all have the TV front and center. It really has little in, common with the larger Vista/Sunstars. It has a much shorter wheelbase, which affects handling, but also makes it very maneuverable.
Your idea for a 12 V TV in the back makes a lot of sense. There really isn't a good way to watch it in the front.
Overall, we like it a lot.

DAS26miles wrote:
Our driveway can only handle up to 27 feet otherwise I have to move a tree.

We went and looked at another one today at a dealership 90 miles away. I was amazed that it wasn't it near perfect condition being new. Control panel was removed for another MH and other parts were damaged. First impressions weren't good. To say that they will fix it before it goes out makes me question the quality of the product. It should be perfect before it is shown to customers and if something breaks, the salesman should notify service to fix it asap.The one we have been looking at for a few months is New and looks it. It's been washed and tires are dressed.

If we do get one, I will just add a fantastic fan to the lounge/kitchen vent and open the bedroom windows as 2wheelluge has done. If not adequate, I will look into adding another vent.

Unfortunately, your expectations on a new, entry level coach are too high. Most of the time there are issues that require a punch out list. If you are lucky this can be addressed in one or two trips back to the dealer. Many suffer a much worse fate. MH's - I don't care what brand, have issues in brand new coaches. You buy entry level and the problems are exacerbated. There is little quality in production MH's and it's worse the further down the food chain you go. Slapped together with glue and staples and out the door. Sad truth. And the dealers really don't care. Washing and tire dressing is just lipstick on a pig. Pick a brand and a dealer that stands behind fixing these things, because you will have issues. The sale is easy, the dealer is just a means to an end, the post sale is the tricky part.

Our driveway can only handle up to 27 feet otherwise I have to move a tree.

We went and looked at another one today at a dealership 90 miles away. I was amazed that it wasn't it near perfect condition being new. Control panel was removed for another MH and other parts were damaged. First impressions weren't good. To say that they will fix it before it goes out makes me question the quality of the product. It should be perfect before it is shown to customers and if something breaks, the salesman should notify service to fix it asap.The one we have been looking at for a few months is New and looks it. It's been washed and tires are dressed.

If we do get one, I will just add a fantastic fan to the lounge/kitchen vent and open the bedroom windows as 2wheelluge has done. If not adequate, I will look into adding another vent.

And really leap to the 30T. It was a great smaller coach. We just wanted a bit more space. Actually were seriously considering the Forza 34T but were frustrated with some of the things in the floor plan like lack of opposing slides and we loved the 35G. Spent 4 months in it this winter and had great room. 30T has a ladder but most of these are rated around 200 lbs. I always used my extension ladder for most of the climb up and now at my edge I will only see the roof from the upstairs looking down at the cottage.

I know this is off topic, but have you thought about going a foot + longer and getting a 27N. It has a powered vent in the bedroom, range hood in the over the stove microwave, and a ladder standard. It also has upgrades such as gas and electric water heater, a larger kitchen area, inverter, huge amount of closet and storage space, and a a really big kitchen area for the size of the coach. Also the TV is at eye level so you don't have to sit sideways or get a crook in the neck to watch it. I started out looking at the 26HE, but when I saw the 27N next to it with all its added features, I stretched the budget and went with the 27N.

soren wrote:

Mr.Mark wrote:
It concerns me a little that a RV is not made strong enough to hold a ladder. Makes me wonder what would happen in a crash.

Safe travels,
MM.

Bit of a misunderstanding of the structure involved. Doesn't matter who built the unit, if it gets a ladder, it has additional reinforcing added to the stress points where the ladder attaches. In sticks and bricks construction is would be called blocking. If a client tells me that they want grab rails in the bathroom, I add blocking in the walls to attach the rail to. It does nothing for the structural integrity of the structure, the same can be said for a motorhome. OTOH, designing a motorhome that could randomly accept a ladder attached to the exterior, would be asking a lot.

Thank you for explaining. That makes sense.

MM.

Mr.Mark wrote:
It concerns me a little that a RV is not made strong enough to hold a ladder. Makes me wonder what would happen in a crash.

Safe travels,
MM.

Bit of a misunderstanding of the structure involved. Doesn't matter who built the unit, if it gets a ladder, it has additional reinforcing added to the stress points where the ladder attaches. In sticks and bricks construction is would be called blocking. If a client tells me that they want grab rails in the bathroom, I add blocking in the walls to attach the rail to. It does nothing for the structural integrity of the structure, the same can be said for a motorhome. OTOH, designing a motorhome that could randomly accept a ladder attached to the exterior, would be asking a lot.

I wouldn't make a vent a deal breaker, however not having a ladder is a pain. Further the admitted lack of structural integrity to support a ladder would make me re-think for sure. I've never heard of any MH than can't be ordered with a ladder. Everyone touts Winnie as being one of the better quality MH's, but the more I hear about them I have to question the accuracy of such claims. First it was the roofs coming off now not enough structure to support a ladder? Also the Vista 26's wheelbase to length ratio is only 48.9% which accounts for poor handling - as has been complained about in other forums. The RVGC says a wheelbase-to-length ratio of 50% or below is "dangerous." "Good" is 56% to 59% and "excellent" is 60% and above.

DAS26, the only thing about adding a vent in the bedroom is the extra light coming in on sunny mornings. Also, if the vent were to ever leak, it will ruin your mattress.

A roof vent on in the kitchen will pull air through an open window in the bedroom (we have done many times). I like air moving. I have a small fan that I put across from the bed to blow directly on me (on low). I sleep like a baby. LOL!

It concerns me a little that a RV is not made strong enough to hold a ladder. Makes me wonder what would happen in a crash.

Safe travels,
MM.

Thanks,2wheelluge. I checked with Winnebago and they said it was ok to add a vent/fan in the bedroom. However there are thin metal 3" straps used to secure the roof to the sides every 4 feet coming off the back wall to avoid. So if we get the 26HE we will probably add a bedroom vent and or vent/fan.
Does your MH have a range hood? Some we have seen don't and I'm sure the smoke alarm will be going off every time the stove is used.
Also, is your TV in the front/center or on the passenger side wall above the chair? We have seen both. I guess you can't watch TV unless you have shoreline power or run the generator and no DVD. We were thinking of replacing the TV with a 12volt with a DVD player built in.
Then move that TV to the bedroom.
I asked Winnebago about a ladder and they replied NO! the back wall doesn't have the structural framing to support it. So I guess I would have to buy and store a ladder to go on the roof and adjust solar panels if I mount them up there.
I have other topics out there about the 26HE like where to get a rim for a spare tire.
We are driving 100 miles tomorrow to check out a 2015 Vista 26HE and hopefully test drive it.
Hope we can get a deal as the 2016 are already arriving at some eastern dealers.