Destination 36RL Trailer Life Review

[Oakman]

I was impressed with the review in the July issue of Trailer Life magazine of the Winnebago Destination 36RL luxury fifth wheel. The review pointed out the negative aspects along with the positive aspects of the trailer. Definitely worth a read.

[goducks10]

It also makes you wonder how close the rear bumper gets to the 5'er when turning sharp.

[FlatBroke]

There are different length pin boxes. Probably installed the wrong one. You would think that they would have changed it before the review though.

[ParkCountry]

I think Livingston wrote a very fair review of this trailer, pointing out obvious shortcomings that had me wondering, "What were they thinking?" Sadly, it seems like Winnebago has a very poor vetting process, if any. Sounds like management lives in their Ivory Towers without ever actually using and experiencing their products for themselves. As a soon-to-be potential buyer, I appreciate Livingston's candor and rigorous assessment. I expect no less, advertising dollars be damned.

[Winged_One]

B.O. Plenty wrote:
Winnebago must not be paying enough in advertising fees to get a good review..

B.O.

You can tell FR pays a lot, just by reading the Salem review. Was there even one criticism.

[dblr]

I also thought it was a good review and glad to see them point out the poor designs, now I would never buy a 1st year of any brand floor plan give them time to work out the flaws

[goducks10]

Winged One wrote:

rseymour21 wrote:
X4 or X5 or X6 Yes the tailgate is a show stopper! Why would anyone accept that?

How many of us hooked up to our prospective 5th before we bought it? How would we know?

Can you imagine the crestfallen look on someone who tries to hook up for the first time and rams their new trailer?

Could you change pins and get one that sticks farther out to alleviate the issue?

I think it would be easier to just get a V notched 5th wheel tailgate.

As far as the pin length goes I would think that would be up to Winnebago. Too much length would put more stress on the attachment points on the pin box.

As a 1st time 5'er owner it was not one of the things I thought about pre purchase. So I could see how someone could be really P'od about it. FWIW I remove my tailgate before towing anyway so it would be a moot situation for me.

[Winged_One]

rseymour21 wrote:
X4 or X5 or X6 Yes the tailgate is a show stopper! Why would anyone accept that?

How many of us hooked up to our prospective 5th before we bought it? How would we know?

Can you imagine the crestfallen look on someone who tries to hook up for the first time and rams their new trailer?

Could you change pins and get one that sticks farther out to alleviate the issue?

[rseymour21]

X4 or X5 or X6 Yes the tailgate is a show stopper! Why would anyone accept that?

[bobx2]

The tailgate problem is an issue, but the deal breaker for me would be the 3 1/2" clearance between the landing gear and the ground when fully retracted.
It is good to read an honest review for a change.

[MNRon]

The tailgate is just one of *several* engineering/design shortcomings they pointed out. Reading the article my continual thought was ?really?, it seemed to be designed by people who didn't RV. I can't believe that's the case, so it must be a lot harder to design a good RV than one would think.

Regardless, Winnebago has some learning before they can run with the big boys.

[Splashers3]

The tailgate shortcoming IS a show stopper - period. AS far as E Tires, shows they are cutting corners to save a buck - just like most other manufacturers.

[larry_barnhart]

E tires so they aren't any smarter than the other manufactures.

chevman

[B_O__Plenty]

Winnebago must not be paying enough in advertising fees to get a good review..

B.O.

[TomHaycraft]

X2.

No drawer in the galley, except inside the pantry? What about the limited space to drop tailgate when hooking and unhooking. Yes, impressed with the magazine being honest about the traildr's short-comings.