Winnebago vs Itasca (View vs. Navion)

I've found that having two sub-brands can be useful. For example, one dealer I encountered with a regional exclusive contract to one brand uses extremely high pressure tactics (to the point where they refuse to give you a price unless you sign a non-disclosure agreement...), while the dealer that sells the other sub-brand is decent.

steveandjil wrote:
I certainly plan on giving the local dealer a chance. Even if he is say $1000 more, it is likely worth it to me to not have to find a way to drive a unit half or even full way across the country.

I'm not going to pay 10k more. I have a feeling that one issue is the dealers trying to make more sell units with more options. I am not at all sure I need Aluminum wheels or full body paint. Those options may well be more lucrative for the dealer ...

Steve

I was willing to give up a couple of grand to stay home too. Initially my local dealer was more than 10 grand more expensive which was a non starter.

The aluminum wheels are waaaay more expensive than you can buy them aftermarket. There is a place in Texas that sells them much cheaper. The inner dual remains a steel wheel as the studs are not long enough for two aluminum wheels on the rear. They are Alcoas. The hubcap/wheel simulators on mine were very noisy (squeaking and clicking) so I took them off and now have just the steel wheels.

If one is full body paint and the other is not, that alone can be a $7000 to $10,000 difference. I've not seen the option price for aluminum wheels, but know that the retail price of a six wheel Alcoa set is more than $1000 before shipping. That would be 2 aluminum fronts, 2 aluminum rear outers, and 2 steel inner companion wheels; no spare, three kinds of wheel complicates the mounted spare problem.

Thats for E-450 duals, I've not seen listings for Sprinter wheels. If M-B OEM, I would expect them to be more dear, several hundred dollars per wheel at least.

steveandjil wrote:
Butch, this is the vent opening in the "living room"? If I had a choice, I'd probably just put a fantastic fan or the like in that location.

Steve

Yes that is the one I'm talking about. If you can get a fantastic fan there then by all means do this. I plan on taking the bathroom little fan out and installing a fantastic fan in this location. Then I can put a Max Air on it and run it even if it is raining. Right now I really have no way to circulate any air except that little pathetic bathroom fan.

Butch, this is the vent opening in the "living room"? If I had a choice, I'd probably just put a fantastic fan or the like in that location.

Steve

I don't know about the aluminum wheels as I agree with you, mine has the wheel liners and look just fine to me. Mine does have the full paint and I didn't think I needed it but it was on the unit I liked so I bought it anyway. Now that we have had ours for a little over a month and it sits in the back yard where we can see it when it is at home and it sure is purity looking. Still don't know if I would order it, most likely not.

One thing I would not get again is the darn Heki skylight. I think they are the biggest waste of money going. Mine has it and my last rig had it and I'll be darned if both of them have not leaked around the flange. I fixed the first one myself as there was no dealer close for it. In fact my present one is at the dealer for the second time trying to keep it from leaking. It had not leaked for quite a while and we had a bad rain storm today and sure enough it leaked. So I called the dealer and they had me bring it right down and put it inside the shop because we were expecting some more later this afternoon and sure enough it poured again. The gear box is out of it also and they have that on order. It worked when I bought it and the next time I tried (2 days after buying it) to open the skylight it didn't work.

What is lucrative for the dealer is extended warranties, and other insurance type products. That's where they make back the mark down they give you. IMHO they are truly a waste of money.

I certainly plan on giving the local dealer a chance. Even if he is say $1000 more, it is likely worth it to me to not have to find a way to drive a unit half or even full way across the country.

I'm not going to pay 10k more. I have a feeling that one issue is the dealers trying to make more sell units with more options. I am not at all sure I need Aluminum wheels or full body paint. Those options may well be more lucrative for the dealer ...

Steve

My local dealer came down close to Lewis' price when I informed them of the quote I had in hand.

Steve, We had a couple of minor problems with our Via when we got it home, but the local Winnebago dealer fixed it under warranty, no questions asked. We downsized from a diesel pusher, and love this rv. We now get off the highway as soon as possible and use secondary roads to see the sites in the RV.

Bill