I traded an 2017 Thor product for a 2007 Itasic Meridian 36 DP. The Meridian is brother from different mother to the journey.
As for the tv thing, I could be wrong but the years you are looking at that was the style. Ours is up front and really its not a neck breaker as my wife all so has neck problems and has never made a comment about the location of the tv.
Our Meridian has the cat c7 350, its not a big diesel but it does get me where I want to go. We traveled all over the canyons this past may. UT, AZ, CO pulling a KIA on tow dolly with no problem it handled all climbs very well.
The Meridian as do other Winnebago products has the fiberglass roof. They do require maintenance just like everything RV.
Good Luck