First coach: 2011 Tour or 2013 Journey

[clink182]

Hello all,

We are finally about to hit the road and have an interesting choice of RVs to pick from. We are looking at either:

2011 Winnie Tour 40CD or
2013 Winnie Journey 42E

The big differences that I can see other than the floor plan is the length 40 vs 42 (the 42 being a Tag axle) and the model trim (I think the Tour is supposed to be the high end model from Winnebago, though I don't know if that means higher end interior or more complex chassis or something else?).

Both have a 400HP Cummins.

The price is about $10K - $15K more for the Journey.

Any reason that I should pick one over the other?

I've read rumblings that the 40CD might be close to max weight without hardly anything in it (hence why post 2011 Tours all had tax axles) but I can't find specific facts on that other than:

GCWR: 44,320
GVWR: 34,320

I'd appreciate any and all opinions when you all have time. Thanks in advance!

-clink

[eheading]

Just be careful about the slides. Make sure that the Tour does not have the Schwintek slides. We have a friend who has a 2014 Tour which has them. They have had numerous problems with those slides also.

As an aside, we have a number of friends with Thor and Winnebago motorhomes with the Schwintek slides. They have all had numerous problems with them.

Ed Headington

[Mile_High]

clink182 wrote:
Thanks for all of the great posts here folks - great info and a big help. So we're leading toward the Tour at this point, mainly because the Journey was sold 😄

In Tampa (and perhaps other places as well) used DPs are flying off of the lots.

In any case, we did a walkthrough of the Tour today and really liked the fit and finish, as well as all of the useful storage. We did like the L-shaped couch and TV position of the Journey, but its gone now so oh well. We still love the tour.

You don't have to give up that L shaped couch and TV position - there are plenty of the 42QD Tours out there.

[Fla_Tom1]

We had a 2011 meridian it was great very few problems(except for dealer issues) but the toilet room was to tight for those over 6'2"(could not sit on toilet with the door closed) because of our experience with the "quality" of this coach we bought a 2013 Elipse. We had many problems with the 2013 slides , trim , ac ...... Short story winnebago built better units imo before they ramped up production. I wish we had kept our 2011.

[clink182]

Thanks for all of the great posts here folks - great info and a big help. So we're leading toward the Tour at this point, mainly because the Journey was sold 😄

In Tampa (and perhaps other places as well) used DPs are flying off of the lots.

In any case, we did a walkthrough of the Tour today and really liked the fit and finish, as well as all of the useful storage. We did like the L-shaped couch and TV position of the Journey, but its gone now so oh well. We still love the tour.

I was able to get some pics of the weight info for anyone else that might be interested. The CCC of the coach is 2980 lbs - which is the combined weight of passengers and cargo. So I think we should be good. I know this would be much higher on a Tag but this number would not include the towed vehicle, only the hitch. Water would take up 749lbs.

I have no idea how much other regular cargo takes up but does this all sound doable?

[RckyMtnVia]

You are correct on the Lippert/Schwintek slides. On another Winnebago forum they have done a poll and 57% of people with Schwintek slides have problems. We love our Winnebago, but I would not buy one with Schwintek slides, particularly with large slides. Floor plan should also be a consideration in your purchase.

[Mile_High]

clink182 wrote:
Hello all and thanks so much for the replies! I really appreciate your help!

I think you have all been spot on. One big difference I did find was that the tour has the Powerglide slides whereas the Journey has the Lippert slides which have had a bunch of issues.

I really like the Tag on the Journey but the Tour might win out.

Does anyone know any more info on the rumor that the 40CD might be nearly overloaded right out of the factory? That would be a big deal for us.

I know that 2011 was the last Tour that Winnie that wasn't a tag axel - possibly for that reason.

We have been looking at the Tour/Ellipse in-depth, and you are right, the slides were hydraulic until 2014, when they went to Schwintek electric and the trouble began. The 2016 is now a modified version of the Schwintek and the rail is separate from the side of the slide so water doesn't run over it and freeze to it, causing retract problems. Jury still out on that.

Hadn't heard about the overweight on the CD, but did hear the 42AD (front kitchen) was easily overloaded on the front axle until 2012 when they went to Independant front suspension (IFS). Also 2012, the sides of the slides got painted to match the rest of the graphics, and the bedroom TV and window became smaller and fixed instead of an electric retracting type, to allow for slightly larger wardrobes.

The Tour/Ellipse had the Aquahot 450DE or 450D which also used the Engine cooling system to heat the aquahot going down the road - an awesome feature in my opinion which isn't always campured in comparable brands. The 40CD should have that as well. We found others that only had the 400D (no engine heat), or even the 400P propane. Nothing wrong with the twin LP furnaces either for low maintenance and quick heat either. The Aquahot is better served for those living in them in my opinion, and not necessarily a big benefit for a part-timer.

Happy hunting!

[J-Rooster]

I bought my Winnebago new in 2004 filled everything up and it was 500 lbs overweight. So I never weighted it anymore. I've never had any problems or worried about it and I still own the coach.

[Ed_C]

If you can supply the VIN Winnebago can give you the actual weihgt it left the factory with.

[clink182]

two-niner

I've read on various forums that the 40CD - the model I am considering (non tag) - was nearly fully loaded when leaving the factory, hence after 2011 all non-tag designs were done away with.

In order to find the weight of the coach with cargo, fuel, and water, I assume that I actually have to get it weighed? There is no resource online that will help me find that info...correct?

[two-niner]

Where exactly does the rumor originate from? Seems you are not doing your homework about motorhomes.

The Tour became the top of the line when they went to 42'11" and needed a tag.

Lazydays has many used motorhomes (Seffner) and allow you to walk through freely. Get on over there and see for yourself. Aquahot is a big deal.

[clink182]

Hello all and thanks so much for the replies! I really appreciate your help!

I think you have all been spot on. One big difference I did find was that the tour has the Powerglide slides whereas the Journey has the Lippert slides which have had a bunch of issues.

I really like the Tag on the Journey but the Tour might win out.

Does anyone know any more info on the rumor that the 40CD might be nearly overloaded right out of the factory? That would be a big deal for us.

I know that 2011 was the last Tour that Winnie that wasn't a tag axel - possibly for that reason.

[chevyman2]

The biggest difference between the Tour and the Journey are the accessories. The Journey has furnaces and water heater. The Tour has Aquahot. If you fulltime in the colder climates. There is nothing better than Aquahot for floor and water heat. The Tour also may have a dishwasher. Journey might also, but probably not. The interior trims are different. Basically they are very close in every aspect

[sch911]

There are several other comparable or superior alternatives to Winnebago out there. I recommend you also consider coaches from Monaco, Newmar, and Tiffin before you commit.

[Beverley_Ken]

Here is the link to Winnebago Resources. Follow the links to each model and you can view or download the brochures and specs on each model.

Ken