My wife and I have been shopping for a used motorhome for sometime now, planning to go full-time this summer. It's been a long process!Right now we are looking at a 2016 Thor Hurricane 34J for about $70,000. We love the floor plan, although we wish the bathroom were larger and the refrigerator were larger.On the other hand we've been looking at a 2014 Itasca 35B with all the bells and whistles, 4 door refrigerator, etc. for about $90,000. Similar floor plan, although it has the TV in the wrong place, but has 1 1/2 baths.My question is about the quality of build. The price difference is pretty big. But how about reliability? So, Thor owners, I'm asking you! Have you found that the bargain price = cheap materials and low durability? If we buy the Hurricane will we be regretting it every time the bathroom door jams or a cabinet won't close or a hose splits? I know that Winnebago/Itasca owners will say the extra money is worth it. But why? What extra are you getting beside the name?Really appreciate the advice.Jeff

I really don't think there is much difference brand-wise. Probably more impacted by how late the guy who was assembling it was out the night before..They all use most of the same components. My suggestion comes from you saying you wished the bath and fridge were bigger on the Thor. They sure won't seem any bigger when you move into it and unlike house, RVs are **** near impossible to remodel later... Room is obviously an issue for you, get the bigger of the two or just keep looking!

We have a 32' 2002 Itasca Horizon with 110,752 miles on it. It had 27,258 miles on the clock when we bought it in April 2008.All the cabinets are in very good shape though the Corian counter tops in the galley and bath have cracked. Started a couple of years ago.We have replaced the heat pump, shower floor, one burner on the stove, the toilet and this year the fridge. The microconvetion oven is now starting to act up. We use it daily when in the rig. (We travel about 6 months a year)Would we buy another Itasca? Absolutely.

DunellenGuy wrote:My wife and I have been shopping for a used motorhome for sometime now, planning to go full-time this summer. It's been a long process!Right now we are looking at a 2016 Thor Hurricane 34J for about $70,000. We love the floor plan, although we wish the bathroom were larger and the refrigerator were larger.On the other hand we've been looking at a 2014 Itasca 35B with all the bells and whistles, 4 door refrigerator, etc. for about $90,000. Similar floor plan, although it has the TV in the wrong place, but has 1 1/2 baths.My question is about the quality of build. The price difference is pretty big. But how about reliability? So, Thor owners, I'm asking you! Have you found that the bargain price = cheap materials and low durability? If we buy the Hurricane will we be regretting it every time the bathroom door jams or a cabinet won't close or a hose splits? I know that Winnebago/Itasca owners will say the extra money is worth it. But why? What extra are you getting beside the name?Really appreciate the advice.Jeffthe thor unit is a entry level unit a Itasca unit is a high end for a gasser you get what u pay for

Which trim line is the Itasca? Some have more features than others.

Stormy Eyes wrote:Which trim line is the Itasca? Some have more features than others.he did say2014 Itasca 35B with all the bells and whistles

Thor Hurricane 34J vs Itasca 35B | Good Sam Community

19 Replies

wredman
Explorer
Dec 06, 2016
just from a shoppers standpoint, I stacked the 2 companies offerings up like this

Axis/Vegas - ACE - Vista/Sunstar - Hurricane/Windsport - Miramar - VistaLX/SunstarLX - Challenger - Sunova/Sightseer

Both have the ranges covered, but head to head for a flighted competition, the nod would go to Winnebago. That is until floorplans were compared, then its an individual choice, for me floorplan was the primary influence.
jpmihalk
Explorer
Dec 05, 2016
We own a 2016 Thor Hurricane 35C after looking at lots of different models from different manufacturers. Looking at the Thor line, the Hurricane isn't really entry level - the Axis and ACE models are the entry level gas units. In fact, it is very comparable to the previous Itasca Sunflyer Class A gasser that we owned in terms of finish and quality. Of course, this is my opinion... it is subject to interpretation.
usersmanual
Explorer
Dec 05, 2016
crasster wrote:
The way I see it is you only know which one to get. Some people are minimalists, some people like to kick back with are their limbs fully extended with plenty of elbow room. Both coaches are similar in quality. If it was me we are more minimalists and like to spread out at campsites so I'd go with whatever is less expensive and keep the extra cash for other things.

there not even close to "similar in quality"
crasster
Explorer II
Dec 05, 2016
The way I see it is you only know which one to get. Some people are minimalists, some people like to kick back with are their limbs fully extended with plenty of elbow room. Both coaches are similar in quality. If it was me we are more minimalists and like to spread out at campsites so I'd go with whatever is less expensive and keep the extra cash for other things.
usersmanual
Explorer
Dec 04, 2016
Stormy Eyes wrote:
Which trim line is the Itasca? Some have more features than others.

he did say
2014 Itasca 35B with all the bells and whistles
Stormy_Eyes
Explorer
Dec 04, 2016
Which trim line is the Itasca? Some have more features than others.
usersmanual
Explorer
Dec 04, 2016
DunellenGuy wrote:
My wife and I have been shopping for a used motorhome for sometime now, planning to go full-time this summer. It's been a long process!

Right now we are looking at a 2016 Thor Hurricane 34J for about $70,000. We love the floor plan, although we wish the bathroom were larger and the refrigerator were larger.

On the other hand we've been looking at a 2014 Itasca 35B with all the bells and whistles, 4 door refrigerator, etc. for about $90,000. Similar floor plan, although it has the TV in the wrong place, but has 1 1/2 baths.

My question is about the quality of build. The price difference is pretty big. But how about reliability? So, Thor owners, I'm asking you! Have you found that the bargain price = cheap materials and low durability? If we buy the Hurricane will we be regretting it every time the bathroom door jams or a cabinet won't close or a hose splits?

I know that Winnebago/Itasca owners will say the extra money is worth it. But why? What extra are you getting beside the name?

Really appreciate the advice.

Jeff

the thor unit is a entry level unit a Itasca unit is a high end for a gasser you get what u pay for
Canadian_Rainbi
Explorer
Dec 04, 2016
We have a 32' 2002 Itasca Horizon with 110,752 miles on it. It had 27,258 miles on the clock when we bought it in April 2008.

All the cabinets are in very good shape though the Corian counter tops in the galley and bath have cracked. Started a couple of years ago.

We have replaced the heat pump, shower floor, one burner on the stove, the toilet and this year the fridge. The microconvetion oven is now starting to act up. We use it daily when in the rig. (We travel about 6 months a year)

Would we buy another Itasca? Absolutely.
garyemunson
Explorer II
Dec 04, 2016
I really don't think there is much difference brand-wise. Probably more impacted by how late the guy who was assembling it was out the night before..They all use most of the same components. My suggestion comes from you saying you wished the bath and fridge were bigger on the Thor. They sure won't seem any bigger when you move into it and unlike house, RVs are **** near impossible to remodel later... Room is obviously an issue for you, get the bigger of the two or just keep looking!

Forum Discussion

Thor Hurricane 34J vs Itasca 35B

19 Replies

About Motorhome Group

Related Content

Thor put the sink in wrong, perhaps?

Thor Hurricane 32A

2007 Thor Mandalay 40H power step stop working

Thor Hurricane

2012 Thor Hurricane