2010 Winnebago 40L. . .from Hell !

[jetartessales]

We just purchased a new (off showroom) 2010 Winnebago 40L from RV World in Nokomis, Florida. This purchase transferred to us on July 22, 2011.

Our shake down (understatement) trip of 3000 miles was a shocker. We turned the coach into RV. World service department with a total of 46 serious complaints. The pride of ownership fell from its graces almost at the snap of a finger. Here is the short list which includes the most serious.
1. Jacks will not work on manual. . .In "auto" the system raises the rear to the point of rear "4" being off the ground, then struggles to level front. . .without success. When raising jacks, the rear hang up until they cannot support the weight further, then "BANG" and the coach drops to the ground. In manual mode, the rear drop until they touch the ground then stop. Pushing front or left, only serves to run the pump
2. Both forward slides failed, the left during extension and the right during retraction.
3. Placing the AC blower on High, closes all the roof vents throughout!
4. MCD shades 3 failed . . .MCD says it is Winnebago install issue
5. We were locked inside our coach twice. Handing the keys through the window to a person outside to manually unlock the entry door freed us.
6. Every inch of the shoe molding at the base of the walls throughout came loose and worked away from the wall.
7. Foot rests (both) on Winnebago's mfg. pride and joy electric sofa BROKE and could not be used.
8. Shower surround (one piece shower enclosure) came loose from the coach bathroom walls and "oil cans" when you step into the shower. Shower floor is supported by a block of foam. . .you guessed it, the foam began colapsing as use progressed

A call to my dealer while enroute brought a call from "Steve" who is Winne's eastern Service manager. I offered to bring the coach to the factory at my expense. . .he said NO, due to the backlog of factory appointments thru the end of September. Steve set up a "bandaid" appointment with Tom Schaeffer's RV in Hamburg, PA. A call to the President remains unanswered.

I can go on and on with many other failures. I sit now, "coachless" while my dealer works through the list of problems.

Advice anyone ?

Thanks,
Eric & Anita Clapp
North Port, Florida

BTW, we just sold our 08 Fleetwood Discovery 40X which gave us 30K of virtually trouble free use. Our error !

[NavyChaps]

This is one reason I like to buy used (price point is another). Just picked up my 03 Adventurer that was traded by the first owner. Looks like all the gremlins were worked out by them. I hope the OP gets their issues fixed, but to add my 2 cents, every "new" RV I have purchased has spent an inordinate amount of time in the shop getting "calibrated." My previous 2 used units gave me very few issues. I hope I will bat 3 for 3. I think it will be hard to call the OP's rig a "Lemon" with one "shakedown" under the belt. If problems persist then it will prove to be so. I recently registered my MH as the second owner with Winne and they called and wrote welcoming me to the family, asking me to visit the factory if I am up their way (this with a 8 year old coach!).

[RayChez]

offthewall wrote:

JTHarley wrote:

braeworth wrote:
This post about Winnebago is one of the many reasons I love this forum: you hear from first-hand experience. I've been researching, researching, researching (did I say I've been researching?:R ) class a's for an imminent purchase, and Winnebago was on the list. Actually at the top of the list is Newmar and older-year Beavers, but Winnebago's been on it because of previously positive word-of-mouth. This will be my last RV (!!!) and it's got to be right.

I realize no rv (or anythng else) is perfect and goof-proof, but one has a reasonable right to expect quality if quality is paid for.

Oh dear. Hope somebody from Winnebago is listening!

braeworth

As I said in a previous post, I've had 2 class A winnebago's . A 2005 journey and a 2006 vectra. I had the vectra until a few months ago when I bought my new and hopefully last coach. The vectra and journey where both great coaches and winnebago took care of all my issues on the vectra in the first year and we never had any problems after that.

Although my heart breaks for the OP, don't let one opinion or one bad build tell the story. If you have researched winnebago then you will know that it is one of the most dependable coaches built and the company is (financially) strong and was one that came out of the last few years of terrible economy still strong with a great cash position.

I know from experience that Winnebago will make it right it's just a real pain when you buy something new and it has issues. If you find a motorhome with NO ISSUES please let us all know because I have yet to hear about any.

x2

As I said in my post, my 2010 Itasca Meridian V Class 34Y has been trouble free for 9 months of ownership since new. This is one of the few threads I've seen with someone having so much trouble with a new Winnebago product. I'm sure it happens but that has not been my experience nor what I found in my research of Winnebago quality before purchase. I certainly would not take Winnegbago off your list just from this thread. I've been very satisfied with mine and I'm VERY picky.

LOL! I have seen bad coaches manufactured by all companies. I have a friend that in 2003 we both bought coaches together. I bought the Flagship of the Gulf Stream coaches at the time, the Scenic Cruiser and he said I am going with a top notch coach, so he bought a Dutch Star by Newmar. He has had all kinds of problems and mine has been minimal. Yet he got one of the most popular brands in this forum. But it has been a nightmare. Mine has had some issues, like the fuel pump went out on the Cat engine. Luckily I had extended warranty, cost me fifty bucks. But other then that it has been a perfect coach through the first eight years. I have other issues, but minor, like a plugged fuel filter after I filled up in Sundance Wyoming. Had to get a new filter installed.
You can get a bad coach on any brand, but if you bought it from a respectable dealer, they will go out of their way to satisfy the customer. I wish you luck with your winnebago coach.

[driveby]

While I realize all manufacturing can produce lemons and the OP certainly appears he's got one, there were a couple other posters who've had issues with new and recent purchases. So while I'm extremely happy with my 08 purchased in 07 I would go in eyes wide open if I were to buy a new one today.

Ironically in 07 I'm sure they were behind the demand yet in 11 they must have idle time and no need to rush. Or perhaps it is just they've stripped resources down so much that they don't have the practice they once did?

I do believe folks from Winnie read this, so guys(gals) pay attention! If this is a trend, reverse it. If it is truly isolated I hope you step up and resolve it.

[Jackha1949]

We have a 05 Winnebago Journey 34H with the 350 Cat and really love the motor home. We have had very little problems with it and the coach is built with lots of quality. I know Winnebago Industry is busy until 1 Oct, however, you can go there and put your name on a list and get work done in several days. You can camp there at the plant as well and have electricity while you wait for service. I know this as I am going there to have my roof inspected and resealed in late September. I don't know of any coaches that do not have problems to fix when they are new, however, you seem to have more than usual. Hopefully you will get all your problems resolved. Good Luck and Happy Motor Homing!

[falconbrother]

This makes me want to keep my 1990 model, that gives me no real trouble. I was gonna upgrade in the spring but, now I think I'll stay in the 90's.

[offthewall]

JTHarley wrote:

braeworth wrote:
This post about Winnebago is one of the many reasons I love this forum: you hear from first-hand experience. I've been researching, researching, researching (did I say I've been researching?:R ) class a's for an imminent purchase, and Winnebago was on the list. Actually at the top of the list is Newmar and older-year Beavers, but Winnebago's been on it because of previously positive word-of-mouth. This will be my last RV (!!!) and it's got to be right.

I realize no rv (or anythng else) is perfect and goof-proof, but one has a reasonable right to expect quality if quality is paid for.

Oh dear. Hope somebody from Winnebago is listening!

braeworth

As I said in a previous post, I've had 2 class A winnebago's . A 2005 journey and a 2006 vectra. I had the vectra until a few months ago when I bought my new and hopefully last coach. The vectra and journey where both great coaches and winnebago took care of all my issues on the vectra in the first year and we never had any problems after that.

Although my heart breaks for the OP, don't let one opinion or one bad build tell the story. If you have researched winnebago then you will know that it is one of the most dependable coaches built and the company is (financially) strong and was one that came out of the last few years of terrible economy still strong with a great cash position.

I know from experience that Winnebago will make it right it's just a real pain when you buy something new and it has issues. If you find a motorhome with NO ISSUES please let us all know because I have yet to hear about any.

x2

As I said in my post, my 2010 Itasca Meridian V Class 34Y has been trouble free for 9 months of ownership since new. This is one of the few threads I've seen with someone having so much trouble with a new Winnebago product. I'm sure it happens but that has not been my experience nor what I found in my research of Winnebago quality before purchase. I certainly would not take Winnegbago off your list just from this thread. I've been very satisfied with mine and I'm VERY picky.

[JTHarley]

braeworth wrote:
This post about Winnebago is one of the many reasons I love this forum: you hear from first-hand experience. I've been researching, researching, researching (did I say I've been researching?:R ) class a's for an imminent purchase, and Winnebago was on the list. Actually at the top of the list is Newmar and older-year Beavers, but Winnebago's been on it because of previously positive word-of-mouth. This will be my last RV (!!!) and it's got to be right.

I realize no rv (or anythng else) is perfect and goof-proof, but one has a reasonable right to expect quality if quality is paid for.

Oh dear. Hope somebody from Winnebago is listening!

braeworth

As I said in a previous post, I've had 2 class A winnebago's . A 2005 journey and a 2006 vectra. I had the vectra until a few months ago when I bought my new and hopefully last coach. The vectra and journey where both great coaches and winnebago took care of all my issues on the vectra in the first year and we never had any problems after that.

Although my heart breaks for the OP, don't let one opinion or one bad build tell the story. If you have researched winnebago then you will know that it is one of the most dependable coaches built and the company is (financially) strong and was one that came out of the last few years of terrible economy still strong with a great cash position.

I know from experience that Winnebago will make it right it's just a real pain when you buy something new and it has issues. If you find a motorhome with NO ISSUES please let us all know because I have yet to hear about any.

[braeworth]

This post about Winnebago is one of the many reasons I love this forum: you hear from first-hand experience. I've been researching, researching, researching (did I say I've been researching?:R ) class a's for an imminent purchase, and Winnebago was on the list. Actually at the top of the list is Newmar and older-year Beavers, but Winnebago's been on it because of previously positive word-of-mouth. This will be my last RV (!!!) and it's got to be right.

I realize no rv (or anythng else) is perfect and goof-proof, but one has a reasonable right to expect quality if quality is paid for.

Oh dear. Hope somebody from Winnebago is listening!

braeworth

[jojolou]

I'm very sorry to hear of your problems with your Winnebago, there quality control must not control anything today. I've always believed Winny was one of the better built coaches out there. We bought our first motor home from them in 2005, a Minnie 31-C and we never had any issues with it. We traded up to a class A only because we started snow birding for longer periods and needed more room. I was intent on buying an Adventurer or a Newmar, but my DW liked the floor plan on our Tiffin and that was that. I wish you the best in getting this resolved promptly and Winnebago better get a handle on their quality control or they will be out of business!

[greybouvier]

We have had similar problems with our new Adventurer. On our first trip we had no hot water. Dealer found the hot and cold water lines were reversed. After our second trip we took it back with 13 issues that had to be fixed. The most annoying was the inverter that did not work. One of the cabinet doors fell off while we were driving and several others lost parts and would not close. Something holding the brake release fell off and it fell towards the floor. The shower head leaks and sprays all over etc.etc. They have ordered parts and say it will take several weeks for them to come. On our way home a hose running to the hot water heater rubbed on something and we lost our radiator fluid. Had to be towed 35 miles to Ford dealer. 5 hours later we were back on the road. The Ford dealer in Payneville MN did a great job. We can still use it so we took it back so we can camp on Labor day weekend. The service tech said he had never seen so many problems. I hope this is not a sign of things to come.

[offthewall]

offthewall wrote:

That's a shame but your experience doesn't jive with ours. We bought a brand new 2010 Itasca Meridian 34Y in November 2010. I am a picky SOB and we have had ONE issue in 9 months of use. The entry door needed a simple adjustment that I ignored for a few weeks, resulting in me eventually getting locked out. Winni and the my dealer were super, instructing me how to drill through the handle to gain access and then overnighting a new handle for me. All under warranty.

I'm impressed with the general fit and finish and quality of our 2010 Itasca and the minor service required under warranty.

I hope you can work out your issues.

Just a P.S. to my own post.

Prior to our Itasca 34Y, we had a Gulfstream. While the apparent fit and finish of that RV was very high, we had a ton of issues in the first year (AC unit replaced, tank sensors replaced, furnace replaced, fresh water tank leaks, ....) Once we had those addressed, the RV gave us four years of trouble free service.

Prior to that we had two Thor/Aerolite TT's. Nightmares both of them. We got the second one for free as a replacement for the first after about four months of use. Those were junk. It didn't matter what you fixed, 10 other things would break after that.

What I'm trying to say is I think you have just had some bad luck with some components of your Winni. If you hang in there calmly and get these things fixed, you'll have a quality MH that will be relatively trouble free. Winnebago makes a good product and has a good reputation. As I stated, we have had virtually no issues with our Itasca (same as a Winnebago) and believe me I know RV problems.

[mc_cc]

Ah....the joy of motorhoming. Wait until you take it in to the service center and they look at you like you have lost your mind. Look at the positive side....when you get all of these items fixed, you will have a motorhome where you have worked out all of the kinks just in time to find some more.

[computerbug]

We have purchased 2 Rvs from RV World,and while the service wasn't the greatess, they did want to make you happy. Call them up and ask to meet with the owner,have your list ready and be calm. The locks are the least of your worries but the one that sent you over the edge, understandable. Have you taken the RV back to let them work on in if not you need to start there. Then call Winnebago in Indiana. Good Luck

[dirtyharryo]

I to had the motorhome from hell it was a 1984 Winnebago. I had it for 10 years did not get to use it for about 8 years it worked the last 2 years I owned it,I am not going to list everything that was wrong with it to much to list, no quality control at all. it was at the dealers more than it was home. One time they said it was fixed it got 500 feet down the road from the shop and quit running. farber east in Columbus Ohio was the dealer. Yes I had a Lawyer.

[J-Rooster]

Eric, you need to get ahold of your Attn. General's Office in FLA., and they will correctly advise you on what you should do! That's what there there for! Happy Trails, Rooster