Forum Discussion

sloman2001's avatar
sloman2001
Explorer
Jun 23, 2014

Winnebago Adventurer Gasser

We are motorhome "wanna bees" and wish to purchase this year. We have looked for the best floor plan for us and have really wanted a DP. But our favorite floor plan is a gasser that is 39'1" long. We have always been led to believe that once you get that big, you really need a DP. So our concern is power going through the mountains, noise up front, and the life expectancy of the engine.

Does anyone have a big gasser that they have experience with concerning these 3 issues? We are looking at the Winnebago Adventurer 38Q, with a Ford F53 V-10 engine on a 26,000 lb. chassis. I readily admit I know nothing about engines other that what the accelerator pedal does. F53 V-10 means nothing to me.

Since this is really the size rig I am looking for, do I just need to give up what I want in the floor plan and go with a DP. I am confused why Winnebago would put such a large coach on a gasser chassis, but I can learn. Not throwing stones here, trying to learn whether this a big issue or non-issue. Any insights?

For us, this is a 1 time shot, can never replace it. Have saved for this for 40+ years.

Thanks in advance.

Tom
Class A
  • sloman2001's avatar
    sloman2001
    Explorer
    Jun 23, 2014
    By the way, my DW and I went "full time" last August 2013. We currently have a 5ver, and wish to replace.

    Just thought you may want to know that.

    Tom
  • Mr_Mark1's avatar
    Mr_Mark1
    Explorer
    Jun 23, 2014
    Tom, I don't think Winnebago would build that coach if the engine couldn't handle it. Will you be towing? I would think that coach has a 5,000 lb. towing capacity. I believe that coach will do everything that you will want it to.

    I'm assuming that you are talking new? If you are looking at a new gasser you could take a peek at a used DP to see if that will work. Since it's your last coach (many of us have said that), you can't beat an air-bag chassis and the torque of a diesel engine.

    The point is, how are you going to use the coach? Will retirement let you travel six months a year? What are your plans for motorhome use?

    Good luck,
    Mark
  • phnguyk's avatar
    phnguyk
    Explorer
    Jun 23, 2014
    Main thing to keep in mind is the upgrade to the 2006 and up f53 chassis and more importantly the v10 and transmission. Better 3v motor and even better 5 spd torqshift in 2006's and newer.
  • sloman2001's avatar
    sloman2001
    Explorer
    Jun 23, 2014
    Mr. Mark, we will be traveling 6 months out of the year, and stationary the other 6 months. We sold our house and live in our current rig. For us, it is not really the cost as much as it is the interior layout. We prefer new, but could buy used. None of the DPs we have looked at have the layout of the Adventurer 38Q. That is our dilemma. Maybe we are just being too picky. Not sure.

    Tom
  • -Gramps-'s avatar
    -Gramps-
    Explorer
    Jun 23, 2014
    You have to live with the floorplan, its your house, the engine pushes it down the road.
  • Vet_Man's avatar
    Vet_Man
    Explorer
    Jun 23, 2014
    I have a friend that had a 38ft Winnebago with 100,000 plus miles on it. It is a Work Horse Chassis. He tows a Chevy SUV. Check irv2 web site.
  • et2's avatar
    et2
    Explorer
    Jun 23, 2014
    If your within the designed capacity of the MH I wouldn't worry about the gasser if that's the floor plan you like. It'll do what you want it to from point A to B. Don't let anyone tell you different. Their are many decades old still running.

    The DP will be more quiet and smoother power plus a exhaust brake which is great. But you'll pay more for it.

    Get what makes your happy. You'll be more happy with the floor plan then worrying about weather you should have got a diesel
  • Mr_Mark1's avatar
    Mr_Mark1
    Explorer
    Jun 23, 2014
    Tom, I pulled up the Adventurer and looked at the 38Q. I can certainly see the interest in that floor-plan. I have a slow connection at my current location so I was not able to enlarge it but I got the idea of it with the expandable sofa, etc.

    I can say the floor-plan of any unit is the selling point. Once parked, the floor-plan is what makes everything work. The V-10 won't be too shabby as it will do what you need it to, getting you to your next location.

    Safe travels,
    Mark
  • bullydogs1's avatar
    bullydogs1
    Explorer
    Jun 23, 2014
    That's a great floor plan....I just looked it up...I would have one concern..and that's overhang (distance from rear wheels to rear of coach)...if you hit a steep driveway or a steep campsite, you might hit the rear against the bottom ....I usually stay in a relative's driveway at least once a year and they have a slightly steep driveway...I just clear it, but we watch anyway...this one would not make it with the overhang...I will never forget the steep upgrade at a campground in amish country ( I forget the name...but the campground was right on a residential hilly street)...my gasser bumped the bottom and knocked the spare tire loose due to high curb to street level driveway...if it works for you, then perfect...
  • mtofell1's avatar
    mtofell1
    Explorer
    Jun 23, 2014
    I'm in the planning stages of moving up to a class A someday and am in a similar decision process. The thing I'm really learning is that it all comes down to what you are going to tow (if anything) and where you are going to drive.

    No towing and hanging out mainly in flat areas and a gasser would be fine. Hooking up a 4-5K# (or more) toad and rolling up the mountain passes you'll probably be disappointed.

    Doing only one of those with the gasser would be somewhere in between. As in, no towing in the mountains or towing in the flats would probably be manageable.

    Take me with a grain of salt though.... I've never driven a class A a foot but have towed a lot of trailers. I've just been reading A LOT on here of everyone else's experiences and opinions.

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