Winnebago Trend - First Drive Impressions

rjstractor wrote:

ron.dittmer wrote:
It's too bad Chrysler didn't equip that chassis with DRW to increase it's capability. I think it would have a lot more going for it then. Maybe DRW is available and Winnebago simply choose not to work with it.

I didn't see DRW on Chrysler's website. I can't imagine DRW on a FWD vehicle anyway. I could seen them adding a tag axle for more capacity, like the old GMC and Revcon motorhomes of the '70s. But the drivetrain has a max capacity of just over 11K, so unless they upgraded that there would be no point in building a heavier motorhome. I also noticed on Winnebago's site they did not list an empty weight. I would guess this motorhome is very limited in weight capacity.

It seems the new Trend built on the Dodge Ram Promaster is similar to the earlier 2005-2006 Vista that had a front wheel drive VW chassis and 4 tires as shown here. But unlike the VW chassis, the Promaster is a complete chassis.


The Rialta here utilized that same chassis. It was made from 1995 to 2005.


The cab-forward chassis were shipped over from Europe as conjoined twins and separated at the RV manufacture who supplied everything behind the cab from the main frame to the rear axle, brakes, and all the rest.


The Trend is the next generation of this type of motor home though supplied as an entire cutaway chassis, a much better starting point.


If the end user treats the rig appropriately, it should perform fine. It's not like a typical Ford or GM with DRW and should not be treated as such.

Now that I understand this better, I feel better about the Trend. But I really would not want that drop-down bed feature for I don't have a warm fuzzy feeling over it's reliability. The rear corner double bed would be the choice for my wife and I, but if we had kids to accommodate, I would look for something else before considering the elevator. I could see kids playing around with that thing. Then we'd have to get Otis involved.