Any info about National Islander MoHos?

[MookieKat]

Hi all, we are looking at a 2003 40' 9402. We were wondering about this brand...if anyone has any experience with them, or heard of anyone else having issues/problems, or if happy with theirs.

I was told that there had been a couple of leaks which have been fixed. I wonder if that means that it has been or/is wet between the layers in the ceiling or in the walls.

Should we pass on anything that has ever leaked?

[gonesouth]

dougrainer wrote:

gonesouth wrote:
There are only two things I know for sure about the National motorhomes...... first it was the first brand to size their chairs for North American bodies...So typically a football player sized guy is comfortable in the pilot or co-pilot's seat. Second, the plant was located in urban California, and they tended to have a lot of problems with unskilled labour. A friend of mine took their brand new Dolphin on it's maiden cruise, only to discover that the plumbing for the shower was only dry-fitted, not glued. The wife was not pleased at having to get out partway through her first onboard shower because water was running out of the basement compartment doors!

From what I've seen, I'd look hard at a National motorhome. They're not as good as Country Coach, Beaver, or top-end Monaco's, but IMHO they're better than Winnebagos, Tiffins, and all but the top-end Newmars. YMMV

You are from NS. HOW do you know what the skill level is/was at National??????? Well. I DO. I (we) sold and service National from 1992 until they went under. They built a great RV, both motorhomes and towables. I had visited the Plant 2 times in the time we sold them. Just because someone you knew had a bad experience, where do come off stating that ALL Nationals then had quality problems??? HOW many times did you visit the Plant?? If you never did, you need to shut up. They were NOT better than Winne. They were NOT better than all the Newmar line of that period(we sold Newmar also). They were even with Tiffin(we sell Tiffin -40 years). They built a great RV. Doug

Doug, I respect your opinion a great deal on many RV matters. However, when you use the word great in my books that implies "better that 90% of the competition" So if Nationals were great who were not as good? What I have found is that most National owners love their motorhome, but most had "failure to finish" defects from the factory (like my friends) which weren't long term problems but annoying at the time. I was trying to say that given the usual caveats about price and floorplan fitting me, I would buy a used National without a second thought. I think we agree on that.

[dougrainer]

gonesouth wrote:
There are only two things I know for sure about the National motorhomes...... first it was the first brand to size their chairs for North American bodies...So typically a football player sized guy is comfortable in the pilot or co-pilot's seat. Second, the plant was located in urban California, and they tended to have a lot of problems with unskilled labour. A friend of mine took their brand new Dolphin on it's maiden cruise, only to discover that the plumbing for the shower was only dry-fitted, not glued. The wife was not pleased at having to get out partway through her first onboard shower because water was running out of the basement compartment doors!

From what I've seen, I'd look hard at a National motorhome. They're not as good as Country Coach, Beaver, or top-end Monaco's, but IMHO they're better than Winnebagos, Tiffins, and all but the top-end Newmars. YMMV

You are from NS. HOW do you know what the skill level is/was at National??????? Well. I DO. I (we) sold and service National from 1992 until they went under. They built a great RV, both motorhomes and towables. I had visited the Plant 2 times in the time we sold them. Just because someone you knew had a bad experience, where do come off stating that ALL Nationals then had quality problems??? HOW many times did you visit the Plant?? If you never did, you need to shut up. They were NOT better than Winne. They were NOT better than all the Newmar line of that period(we sold Newmar also). They were even with Tiffin(we sell Tiffin -40 years). They built a great RV. Doug

[gonesouth]

There are only two things I know for sure about the National motorhomes...... first it was the first brand to size their chairs for North American bodies...So typically a football player sized guy is comfortable in the pilot or co-pilot's seat. Second, the plant was located in urban California, and they tended to have a lot of problems with unskilled labour. A friend of mine took their brand new Dolphin on it's maiden cruise, only to discover that the plumbing for the shower was only dry-fitted, not glued. The wife was not pleased at having to get out partway through her first onboard shower because water was running out of the basement compartment doors!

From what I've seen, I'd look hard at a National motorhome. They're not as good as Country Coach, Beaver, or top-end Monaco's, but IMHO they're better than Winnebagos, Tiffins, and all but the top-end Newmars. YMMV

[Busskipper]

MookieKat wrote:
Hi all, we are looking at a 2003 40' 9402. We were wondering about this brand...if anyone has any experience with them, or heard of anyone else having issues/problems, or if happy with theirs.

I was told that there had been a couple of leaks which have been fixed. I wonder if that means that it has been or/is wet between the layers in the ceiling or in the walls.

Should we pass on anything that has ever leaked?

Did not own this particular unit - but had the 37 Trop-i-Cal gas unit that served us well. I would do as others have sugested and do a really good check on the leaks, and if all is fine go for it.

One more thing to check if it had leaks is the "wood" they had a large amount of particleboard and if it got wet it was "Toast"/shot so look hard at the cabinets to be sure the water did not get into any particleboard.

Over the years we have seen and I have talked with many owners and never heard any negatives on the units, they were "Tanks".

BOL,

[dougrainer]

The only real problem with the National Islander series was its front and rear cap so low to the ground. If you are not careful you will bottom out where regular Diesel's will not. Most Diesel's you can gently go up and down a curb if you need too. If you do the same thing in an Islander, you will damage the front or rear cap bottom. Doug

[Nutinelse2do]

We had a 2003 Tradewinds DP, and never had any problems. A little sorry now that we sold it.

[derouen6]

I am sure you are aware that National is no longer in business.
We owned 2 National MHs. A gasser which we bought new, kept for 2 years. Then a 2004 National Tropi-Cal DP which we ordered and kept for 11 years.
They were both virtually trouble free. They were very well made RVs and had a very good reputation .

We downsized and often regret selling our Tropi-Cal. We personally never had a leak in either coach.

Sherry

[AZAmmochief]

I can't speak specifically about the Islander, but as for the brand, National, pretty great quality. We have a Sea Breeze and very pleased with it. The manufacturer seems to have put quality in its design. If the Islander is a DP, you may want to look at the engine, make sure it's still sound, and if there are any maintenance records, look through them.

[gbopp]

Buy or borrow a moisture meter. Check the walls and ceiling for moisture.
If it was a minor leak and was fixed, it wouldn't worry me. If it's still wet, walk away.
Some will say to walk away from any unit that leaked. I would take it case by case. JMO

Moisture meters are not expensive.