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2014 minnie winnie

charlestown
Explorer
Explorer
im getting ready to buy a 2014 Minnie Winnie 31k out here can let me know how they like theirs ?
7 REPLIES 7

KristinU
Explorer
Explorer
j-d wrote:
Kristin, is your 2008 Winnebago built on a 2007 Ford? If so, the biggest change in the actual chassis was the Front Axle Assembly. I call it "Assembly" because as they changed the axle forgings to use a different Sway Bar arrangement, different Ball Joints and changed the Radius Arms, they also upgraded the Brakes. Several companies take all that off of new vehicles to make 4x4's out of them and sell these new parts as an upgrade kit. I bought one from Quigley in PA and it was an easy, one-man (me) install on our 2002 chassis. So if that better axle is what you covet in the new chassis, you can get that, and for not much cost or effort. Oh, cheaper than rebuilding your front end if it needs Ball Joints, Bushings, Major Brake Work...
I like Chalets. Built as rentals, they offer less style but more substance than the consumer versions. I'll take that any day.


Yep, exactly, J-D - 2007 E450 chassis. Thanks for the detailed info!

And yep, we're happy with the previous rental. I wonder if that factor is what makes ours feel beefier than the new ones we looked at? Although I doubt they'd put a higher grade cabinetry and hardware in the rental line. I think it is just cutting corners. We are not gentle folks with a 10 year old and two labs, so we figured if they can idiot-proof it enough for rental clientele, it should be able to stand up to us ๐Ÿ˜‰
Cheers!
Kristin
2008 Winnebago Chalet 31C
My camping party: me, DH, DS, and 2 DK9s
Our Blog: www.winnieadventures.blogspot.com

j-d
Explorer II
Explorer II
Kristin, is your 2008 Winnebago built on a 2007 Ford? If so, the biggest change in the actual chassis was the Front Axle Assembly. I call it "Assembly" because as they changed the axle forgings to use a different Sway Bar arrangement, different Ball Joints and changed the Radius Arms, they also upgraded the Brakes. Several companies take all that off of new vehicles to make 4x4's out of them and sell these new parts as an upgrade kit. I bought one from Quigley in PA and it was an easy, one-man (me) install on our 2002 chassis. So if that better axle is what you covet in the new chassis, you can get that, and for not much cost or effort. Oh, cheaper than rebuilding your front end if it needs Ball Joints, Bushings, Major Brake Work...
I like Chalets. Built as rentals, they offer less style but more substance than the consumer versions. I'll take that any day.
If God's Your Co-Pilot Move Over, jd
2003 Jayco Escapade 31A on 2002 Ford E450 V10 4R100 218" WB

JTCHess
Explorer
Explorer
We have a 2008 31C Outlook and really enjoy the floor plan. I think the one thing that turns us off on the new ones is the lack of storage space. They no longer integrate storage in with the slide out and that provides us with a lot of storage. Also it appears they raise the low points on the exterior so the remaining exterior under floor storage compartments are significantly smaller that ours.

The one thing I do like about the new models is the optional aerodynamic front fiberglass cap. Ours is a brick which significantly reduces MPG.
2008 Winnebago 31C Outlook, Chevy Chassis

KristinU
Explorer
Explorer
We really like our 2008 Winnebago Chalet/Access 31C, which is nearly the same floorplan. We looked at the 2014 31K about a month ago and some of our comparisons with our own were as follows.

Pros:
1. better layout of the galley
2. brilliant location for the television
3. better location for freshwater tank filling
4. roof vent in the bedroom area (we dry camp a decent amount, so we see this as a big plus for sleeping without AC)
5. bigger U shaped dinette
6. Lower entry step so no power step to need maintenance (not a big deal, but it seems like a good idea)
7. gas strut on the entry door
8. and of course the newer chassis

Cons:
1. standard tank sensors rather than the Tru Level ones that don't gunk up and give false readings
2. cabinetry didn't feel as beefy and didn't have the little struts that keep them open
3. less drawers and more (cheaper to build) side-swing cabinets
4. less overhead storage above the dinette (but a bigger window...so this one was close to a draw)
5. because of the bigger dinette, the sofa is smaller
6. the bathroom cabinetry is more sparse/less storage
7. no spare tire included (one more thing to buy right away)
8. smaller holding tanks by about 10 gallons (30 vs. 41 on both black and gray)

It just seemed like they cut some corners to make the price point and the feel just wasn't quite as sturdy on the fit and finish in the coach, so we ultimately decided to save our pennies and continue enjoying what we've got and contemplate some mods (cutting into the roof for that vent is a scary thought!) I mean this in no way to say that it isn't good, just felt like they cut a few corners to save a few dollars on the newer one.

Oh, also, make sure the unit you're looking at has a fiberglass roof. They used rubber roof material on a few batches of the 2014 Minnie Winnies...so you can't just assume that since it is a Winnebago that it has a fiberglass roof. One we looked at was rubber, the other was fiberglass. I'm surprised they produced some without fiberglass since that's one of their big signature features.

And I did really like the tan colored one we saw! It looked so nice!

Best of luck!
Cheers!
Kristin
2008 Winnebago Chalet 31C
My camping party: me, DH, DS, and 2 DK9s
Our Blog: www.winnieadventures.blogspot.com

Bobbo
Explorer II
Explorer II
Dearly love our 07 Winnebago Outlook 31C
Bobbo and Lin
2017 F-150 XLT 4x4 SuperCab w/Max Tow Package 3.5l EcoBoost V6
2017 Airstream Flying Cloud 23FB

BarneyS
Explorer III
Explorer III
My son has had two Class C's and two Class A motorhomes. His favorite was the Minnie Winnie Class C. He said it was the best layout and best quality of all his motorhomes. He now has a Travel Trailer and the jury is still out on that one. ๐Ÿ™‚
Barney
2004 Sunnybrook Titan 30FKS TT
Hensley "Arrow" 1400# hitch (Sold)
Not towing now.
Former tow vehicles were 2016 Ram 2500 CTD, 2002 Ford F250, 7.3 PSD, 1997 Ram 2500 5.9 gas engine

triple602
Explorer
Explorer
Love our 2011 31J.