Thor ACE or Winnebago Vista

I owned a Thor ACE 27.1 and now have a Vista 27N. I bought the 2013 Thor Ace 27.1 new. I owned it for 3 months, of which 1-1/2 months was spent at the dealer's getting things fixed. Every time I took it out some new problem appeared. Finally I traded it on a 2013 Winnebago Vista 27N. Not happy about losing the money but very glad to be rid of the ACE.
The ACE had very poor handling, wandered all over the road even after weighing and adjusting tire pressure and an alignment and “cheap handling fix.” The fit and finish was poor, lots of rattles and bangs. Here’s a partial list of the problems I found after driving a few hundred miles. Exterior: Upper clearance lights full of water. Molding pulled away by driver’s mirror, entry door, and wheel openings. Decals bubbled and pulled away along belt molding, both sides of coach. Rear license plate light didn’t work and was loose. Mechanical: House battery cut out frequently, would not take full charge & drained fast. Interior: Water leaked into left front on driver’s side wall when driving during and after rain, water dripped in from curtain rail, water came in around screws in lower part of fixed part of driver’s and passenger’s side windows. One of the pocket doors came off track and jammed blocking entry into bedroom, the rollers had ripped out of the door. Upper wall trim between pocket doors and hall came off. Shower wall was loose and where it met the pan had gaps in the caulking. Toilet was loose and rocked. Vinyl flooring was cut between entry door and kitchen.
The Vista has had only a couple of minor warranty fixes in a year and half and 8,000 miles. A wood joint opened up on one of the dinette benches and was fixed with an “L” bracket and a couple of screws inside the corner. If full the fresh water tank would siphon down to 1/3 when driving, fixed by re-routings the overflow tube.

I had 30 W and 30t. A lot of coach for the money. We liked the extra slide in bedroom in 30 T. Finally decided we wanted more room and washer dryer and now have 35G. Clearly they are not the top shelf in motorhomes but hey work well and Winnebago does well in all classes. I prefer to spend my savings from not going Monaco or other in different ways and am still very comfortable. I tow a Smart Car so that probably explains who I am.

JackInAZ wrote:
Seriously considering downsizing' in fact, we've already sold our Itasca Suncruiser. We're considering the ACE 27.1 or the Vista 27N and leaning toward the Vista because a closer look at the ACE spells "cheap". Too, we have been particularly devoted to Winnebago products with 11 purchases in 22 years, mostly Winnebago or Itasca.

Would appreciate comments, particularly from those who have tried either the Ace or Vista or both.

I'd go with the Winnebago product. We owned two Thor (shame on us) travel trailers. The workmanship was the worst. We've been very happy with our Itasca Meridian Dp, quality and workmanship wise.

gemsworld wrote:
"At this price point however I think they are all pretty much the same in the quality department."

I beg to differ. I owned a Vista 30W and the quality was just as good or better than a $200K Monaco 40' DP that I used to own.

BTW, I have looked at the ACEs.

OK. :R

Some of you crusties sure get your knickers in a twist when you question quality on their rig. If you believe that a $70k entry level MH is as high quality as a 40' Monaco DP, then I guess I am not dying on that hill. We all really know that's not true. I have been in Vistas and I am not cracking on them but it's an entry level MH with all the entry level bits. Those are facts. I am glad you are so happy with it. I wasn't knocking the Vista, its a fine entry level MH.

"At this price point however I think they are all pretty much the same in the quality department."

I beg to differ. I owned a Vista 30W and the quality was just as good or better than a $200K Monaco 40' DP that I used to own.

BTW, I have looked at the ACEs.

I have had 2 ACEs thus far and have had very little issues with either. We love our current 29.2. it rides vey nice for an entry level RV. I have never owned a Winnie but what I do know is that they are well built. At this price point however I think they are all pretty much the same in the quality department. What I personally didn't like about the Vista was it's interior. It felt a little stark and dated. My that's my opinion. it's the same lauan veneered walls and cabinet sides, same faux metal plastic faucets, same plastic corner trim etc. It's an entry level RV. That said I think Winnie is harder to negotiate on price. I love Thor's customer support and the personal concierge is a nice touch. I can't say for Winnie as I have never dealt with them. I think for the money you'd be fine with either. Buy what you like.

Go with the Winnebago. We downsized some years back from a 40' DP to a Winnebago Vista 30W and had no regrets. Good luck!

IMHO, the floor plan that best suits your needs!

Yesterday we went out looking for a smaller, smarter Class B and I saw the 24SR Citation Sprinter Class B + by Thor and I'm in love. Unfortunately it's either sell my first born son or rob a bank to get it. It was a 24' but the bed slide added 2 more inside feet. The bathroom was huge, and the rest, beautiful
Think I'll start buying lotto tickets.

Have you looked at the Forest Rivers FR3 or Thor Vegas & Axis?