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GJax's avatar
GJax
Explorer
Sep 20, 2018

Wennebago Adventurer 35C used

I am looking at a used 2000 Winnebago Adventurer 35c motorhome. 65k miles, Ford 6.8l V10 275hp. Price is good, and the vehicle is in good to very good appearance shape. This is my 1st venture into a Class C. Looking to take 3-4 day 300 -500 miles, extended weekend trips in the Texas Hill Country and a 7 day 1200 to 1500 mile 7 day trips occasionally. I'm having a compression test done to see how the engine is. All the other mechanical items work good, slide, generator, fridge, oven, nothing beyond normal wear and tear. I'm looking for any comments good or bad about this unit. I appreciate this forum as you guys have brought me over to the V-10's as I was skeptical prior. Thanks for any input.

19 Replies

  • GJax wrote:

    mike brez - it did have a leak at the bath skylight, but has been repaired and re-caulked.
    What Mike said has nothing to do with leaks - the edge caulking is an element of the roof assembly that holds it down on the edges. Chances are very good it needs to be redone and if it gets missed it can ruin your day for about $10K in a crosswind.

    Winnebago has used the the same design for over 50 years, so it will be the same as in this video. Winnebago Roof Cove Maintenance. Given the year, as suggested by others, it may be easier to just clean the cove and awning rail and run enterbond tape down the length and call it a day. The main objective is to not let that roof flap come loose from the awning rail. Here is a diagram:

  • Again thanks for the comments, I do appreciate them.
    John Wayne, you are correct, it is a class A, I had previously looked at a Class C, I mis-typed. I did read about the plug issue, that's what originally had me not liking the V10, but after further research, I found many more positive than negative. I agree about the old hose clamps, never liked the spring type. I'll check the air filter snorkel and look for the P1 stamp.
    mike brez - it did have a leak at the bath skylight, but has been repaired and re-caulked.
    Since I am somewhat of a DIY'er, and still fairly young (in my mind), I'd do most of the maintenance. Always have and I've had 3 trucks go well over 300k miles in my time. Tires are 3 years old, and have good tread on them. Was going to have it diagnostic scoped to check compression and see if any other issues are present prior to making a final deal.
  • There's an '01 Adventurer 35u for sale by me for $5,000. 2 slides, looks to be in good shape. Tires are good. The V10 threw a rod at 57k miles. I can do the work myself so it's very tempting. But makes me wonder how often V10s throw connecting rods through the block.
  • You will hear from people about spitting spark plugs, it has happened to some. If you can see the front of the cylinder heads if it has a P1 stamped on it these were later heads with more threads for the spark plugs. Are you sure it's not a class A you say class C in your post. Also check to see if the hose clamps have been replaced with worm type s/s clamps. The older spring clamps they used would rust through and leak the one for the heater hose over the 1st spark plug on the right bank would leak into the spark plug hole.
    If it is a class A see if they have the updated snorkel for the air filter if not driving in heavy rain the air filter can become water logged and you will loose power, no biggie but it can happen.

    It's a solid engine and if it's been taken care of should go a long ways I have 130,000 plus miles on mine and it still going strong.
  • Yeah, thanks midnightsadie, tires look good, 3/4 tread left, but I didn't think of checking the code, I'll do that
  • tires a big bucks item. even if they look great find the date code and it will tell how old they are. sounds like a nice rv.
  • Did your inspection of the roof go as well as other areas?