2003 Winnebago

[BrianinMichigan]

I am looking at a 2003 Winnebago 38'. It's on a workhorse chassis with 60,000 miles. My concern is the rust on the chassis, the propane is rustier than my 25 year old Georgie Boy ever was I still have no rust around my access doors like this Winnie has. It's been driven from Michigan to Texas ever fall/winter and stayed there till spring. Did Winnebago have some quality issues back then? For less than 30K it looks like a heck of a buy but the rust has got me questioning it. everything else works. The engine sounds great. ( I have yet to drive it. ) other than that some TLC and adding on to my car port to do after it's purchased.

[winnie143]

My 1992 Winnie has very little, if any, rust under it. It still has factory paint on the frame. That unit must have spent its days in a corrosive environment or an issue with the early 2000 vintage? What about rv's that came from flood areas?

[whporwil]

The camper probably spent it's winters on the gulf coast.

[Mergs]

We have a 2006 Winnie and it is rusting away. Having trouble with the leaks around the windshield and the rust is dropping around the dashboard. Also having trouble with the transmission getting stuck in park and not starting. It's over $1000 and counting and still not fixed. Tried a Winni dealer and that was about $600. and now trying our regular mechanic and it is a little better but still does it once in a while.

[olfarmer]

Sounds like it was driven on a lot of road salt and/or parked near the salt water for the winter. I would be very careful with my inspection of it. If it is too rusty I might pass on that one.

P.S. My 2001 still has paint on the frame and very little rust anywhere, it is also on a workhorse chassis.

[the_silverback]

I had a 2004 Winnebago on the workhorse chassis. Rust around the trunk doors was a problem. Easily fixed with sandpaper and rust-o-em flat back paint. The workhorse is pretty much bullet proof. the trans is great!! No rain leaks, but like any other unit check for any signs of them. I was very pleased with my 2004. I spent a total of $204 on repairs in 6 years.

[Jayco-noslide]

2 yrs ago we bought a 2003 Itaska(made by Winnebago) 30 ft. class C with 21,000 miles and it has been a good one and seems to be in good shape. But it's on the Ford 450 chassis. No unusual rust.

[kalsbeek]

Suggest you walk away from this one.
My cousin had an 05 one and many rust issues including windshield leaks due to rusting steel frames they are mounted in and not repairable.
Leaky windows and resulting rotting sidewalls below them.
Be careful.