Looking to downsize. Have been RVing for approx. 20 years. Pretty sure I know what I want.Currently have a motorhome but we have decided (after lots of soul searching) that we would like to downsize. Have decided on a Class C. Even narrowed it down to two: Winnebago Access 26QP and/or Four Winds 26a. These units offer what we need (just the two of us) inside and very reasonable storage outside.Now all of that said, the one deal killer is that we want a front entertainment center (not the cab over bed). We realize dealers don't order them this way as most buyers are young families wanting the sleeping space. At least that's what they keep telling us.We have talked with three dealers in our area: 1. After visiting the lot and explaining what we want. Sent me an email for the unit on the lot. Responded that we were not interested in that unit but would be interested in ordering. Asked what pricing difference we might expect between two different units if we factory ordered. Never got an answer the email.2. Showed no interest after we said we didn't want anything on the lot but would not be against ordering one and waiting for it.3. Camping World, gave us a brochure for the Itasca (said it's just like the Winnebago) and a build sheet to fill out. Got home and found the brochure to be 2013 and so was the build sheet.Really, it's this difficult to buy what you want ????

Probably for several reasons:1. They spend a lot of time chasing these requests for people just kicking tires.2. People changing their orders due to what different options cost - more time spent communicating with the factory.3. People who do order getting upset with late deliveries either due to factory problems or trying to get the RV delivered to the final location.4. The ordered unit arrives with something not ordered, the wrong color on something, or without some option requested - a lot more time spent trying to correct it with the factory.5. People wanting to know if the factory will do something custom for them - a lot more time spent talking to the factory.6. And the retail store may discourage a salesman from trying to order something because the customer invariably calls in with questions when the salesman is off or on vacation and no one else knows what's going on because the salesman has been handling everything - then the customer is upset because they can't get answers.7. If you don't take the special order after its been made, how likely are they to sell it the way you ordered it? They may have to discount it and loose money on it?8. And there's probably other reasons.These are the same reasons why a lot of house builders quit building spec houses - it's too much hassle dealing with the customers. It's easier to just build a house and put it on the market when it's finished.Bill

Greetings!At this time of the year, manufacturers would prefer that theirdealer's sell what's on the lot. Buying a new car in August isthe same deal. Manufacturers have probably stopped building "2014"and making 2015's that have a standard floor plan that they knowwill appeal to the average buyer. If you want something that mightbe considered out of the ordinary, talk to them during the Winter.Tom

Trackrig offers some good suggestions.There must be a valid reason, as during the 60's, it was very easy to order a car with just the features you wanted. Try that today. Most car dealers will laugh at you, before they tell you "No way, no how,ain't going to happen." .

Contact Nexus RV they will build it the way you want! No middle men dealers to hassle with, you deal directly with the factory owners.

Winnebago.........Phone: (641)-585-3535Thor Motor Coach (Four Winds).......General Sales Inquiries (800) 860-5658Call MFG. direct and inquire.

Why don't dealers want to order for customer request??

ron_dittmer
Explorer II
Aug 14, 2014
mlts22 wrote:
What is interesting is that Sunseekers and Foresters have a "hybrid" plan as an offering that has the entertainment center, but yet can also offer a bed up in the cab-over.
I heard that Phoenix USA exports PCs with a different B+/C cab-over design which offers sleeping for one or two occupants. For whatever the reason, they don't advertise it. I would really like to see what that cab-over looks like, assuming what I heard is true.
mlts22
Explorer
Aug 14, 2014
There are a number of custom "C" builders out there. Lazy Daze has a great reputation, similar with Phoenix Cruiser and Nexus RV. There is a price difference, but surprisingly, for what one nearby Winnebago place was charging for a Trend (they were asking more than Winnebago's MSRP initially), I could buy a fully loaded Phoenix Cruiser which would be the same length and about the same width... but upfitted with Quigley's 4x4 option, and having a slide-out.

There are several good dealers in my neck of the woods, but since they don't sell "C"s, I probably am going to buy something from PC or Nexus RV, and if it needs any major repairs, it goes to those guys.

What is interesting is that Sunseekers and Foresters have a "hybrid" plan as an offering that has the entertainment center, but yet can also offer a bed up in the cabover.
bukhrn
Explorer III
Aug 13, 2014
EdnGay wrote:
Both Forester and Sunseeker from Forest River offer the entertainment center instead of the overhead bunk.
I have the entrainment center and so does a friend of mine.
X-2, I bought my Forester off the lot with the entertainment center.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Aug 13, 2014
pigman1 wrote:
Holy smokes!! 9-12 months??? Did they have to go out to mine the ore for it? Tiffin made us a one of a kind with a complete re-design of the engine cooling system and the Bus heating system as well as some inside cabinetry and audio/visual changes and I got it in 4 1/2 months. Something screwy somewhere.

doesn't amaze me. I assume that since Tiffin has dealers who need stock, that their production is increased for floor stock as well as special orders thus they can just slow down one unit for floor stock and custom produce one. whereas the other company has no dealers, as far as I know, and obviously have much more demand when compared with ability to manufacture. one reason they probably didn't go under in the "bad" years.
bumpy
pigman1
Explorer
Aug 13, 2014
2dogtravellin wrote:
X2 on the Lazy Daze, but do expect a 9-12 month wait. Each rig is built specifically for the individual. They don't crank out hundreds and then expect to sell them at dealers. Ours took 9 months. We ordered it at the beginning of September and got it in June, but it's perfect.
Holy smokes!! 9-12 months??? Did they have to go out to mine the ore for it? Tiffin made us a one of a kind with a complete re-design of the engine cooling system and the Bus heating system as well as some inside cabinetry and audio/visual changes and I got it in 4 1/2 months. Something screwy somewhere.
2dogtravellin
Explorer II
Aug 13, 2014
X2 on the Lazy Daze, but do expect a 9-12 month wait. Each rig is built specifically for the individual. They don't crank out hundreds and then expect to sell them at dealers. Ours took 9 months. We ordered it at the beginning of September and got it in June, but it's perfect.
map40
Explorer
Aug 12, 2014
Go to RVDirect.com You can order anything you want.
ron_dittmer
Explorer II
Aug 12, 2014
LetsRV wrote:
I'm not looking for a custom rig!!

I'm only asking for an offered option on a standard build.
That must be quite a frustrating experience for you. Like yourself, I can't understand why it would be so difficult to order a spec'd rig from a Winnebago dealer. Did you ever call Winnebago and ask their customer service/sales department? Maybe they could get your local dealer to cooperate, or maybe offer an alternate means to get you what you want. Who knows, they might have what you want ready and waiting for a dealer to request it.

Like kendall69 mentioned, if you were open to other brands, the 8+1 model line up of Phoenix Cruisers might be worth consideration. They really do aim to please, down to the nitty-gritty. And everyone of them has an entertainment center in an aerodynamic B+ cap. Something to note, they are a bit more compact than the Access which makes for easier drivability. You might consider them too compact to your liking.
Dakzuki
Explorer
Aug 12, 2014
wcjeep wrote:
Dealer does not want to get stuck with something custom should you change your mind. Dealer would eventually have to discount the custom order rig later at a loss.

Call manufacturer. Find your preferred unit at a soon to be happy dealer.

Not an issue. Dealers can take a hefty deposit on factory orders. I gave them a big pile of money up front on mine.
elektron
Explorer
Aug 12, 2014
LetsRV wrote:
Looking to downsize. Have been RVing for approx. 20 years. Pretty sure I know what I want.

Currently have a motorhome but we have decided (after lots of soul searching) that we would like to downsize. Have decided on a Class C. Even narrowed it down to two: Winnebago Access 26QP and/or Four Winds 26a. These units offer what we need (just the two of us) inside and very reasonable storage outside.

Now all of that said, the one deal killer is that we want a front entertainment center (not the cab over bed). We realize dealers don't order them this way as most buyers are young families wanting the sleeping space. At least that's what they keep telling us.

The new 2015 version of the Winnebago View/Itasca Navion comes with the overhead compartment configured as storage. The bed is an option. They have dropped the View Profile/Itasca IQ configuration which had a smooth slope with no room for a bed (but two storage compartments and a large window instead.

We have talked with three dealers in our area: 1. After visiting the lot and explaining what we want. Sent me an email for the unit on the lot. Responded that we were not interested in that unit but would be interested in ordering. Asked what pricing difference we might expect between two different units if we factory ordered. Never got an answer the email.

That is not surprising. Many dealers of automotive products pay for "floor planning" which means they are paying interest on inventory that sits on the lot, so they tend to be very anxious to sell their existing inventory. I had no problem waiting for my Itasca (but didn't have to). And the 5 dealers I talked to would all have ordered as I requested. The wait time from March was about 6 to 8 weeks.

2. Showed no interest after we said we didn't want anything on the lot but would not be against ordering one and waiting for it.

Try Lichtsinn Motors in Forest City, IA. I found what I wanted there and flew into Minneapolis where they picked me up. They had what I wanted in stock. I have no doubt that Nicole would order what you want.

3. Camping World, gave us a brochure for the Itasca (said it's just like the Winnebago) and a build sheet to fill out. Got home and found the brochure to be 2013 and so was the build sheet.
Licthsinn sent me the current build list and I ordered from that.

Really, it's this difficult to buy what you want ????

Yes it can be. I refused to buy any of the dark wood models which were all that could be found in MD, VA, and Delaware when I was looking to buy. So I went to Iowa. This dovetailed with my plans to visit Mall of America and was quite a pleasant trip.