Winnebago Adventurer Gasser

[sloman2001]

We are motorhome "wanna bees" and wish to purchase this year. We have looked for the best floor plan for us and have really wanted a DP. But our favorite floor plan is a gasser that is 39'1" long. We have always been led to believe that once you get that big, you really need a DP. So our concern is power going through the mountains, noise up front, and the life expectancy of the engine.

Does anyone have a big gasser that they have experience with concerning these 3 issues? We are looking at the Winnebago Adventurer 38Q, with a Ford F53 V-10 engine on a 26,000 lb. chassis. I readily admit I know nothing about engines other that what the accelerator pedal does. F53 V-10 means nothing to me.

Since this is really the size rig I am looking for, do I just need to give up what I want in the floor plan and go with a DP. I am confused why Winnebago would put such a large coach on a gasser chassis, but I can learn. Not throwing stones here, trying to learn whether this a big issue or non-issue. Any insights?

For us, this is a 1 time shot, can never replace it. Have saved for this for 40+ years.

Thanks in advance.

Tom

[Clay_L]

As a full timer you need to make sure the coach has enough OCCC/CCC. Most/many full timers find that they need at least 1500 pounds of CCC per adult.
A gasser that long will be heavier than most and may have a low CCC.

To get CCC subtract the weight of water you will carry and the weight of the people you will carry from the OCCC.

[Coyote74]

Mine works fine with 8.1 workhorse and Allison 1000 trans. We have a 38 R in 2004 Adventurer. Towing 2013 equinox 4 wheels on the ground. Most mtns pulled at 45 to 50 in NC and va. 6.5 to 7.5 towing

[CT_WANDERER]

I have a 36' MH on the workhorse frame with a gasser. I pull a Jeep unlimited Wangler with it. I will say the engine does get loud when climbing. But it is doable. As long as I don't let the the RPM drop before I start hill climbing it is fair on the hills. The MPG fully loaded and towing during my trips is about 6.5MPG. We travel about 8,000 miles a year, spend 6 months in TX. for the winter. To me it is more about the layout when stopped. That is where you spend your time the most. I could not justify the extra cost of a diesel MH.

[OhhWell]

sloman2001 wrote:
So our concern is power going through the mountains, noise up front, and the life expectancy of the engine.

Hi Tom. I agree about that Winnie. The 38Q was the best floorplan I have ever seen, especially with a family. There is a Fleetwood bounder with almost the exact floorplan as well but I liked the Winnebago a little better over all. As others have said, it really is 90% about the floorplan.

Your questions:

Going through the mountains : The modern V10 has around 360 hp and that is more than enough to get a 26,000 lbs coach up the hills. The newer 5 speed transmission is a beautifull thing and will downshift automatically for you when you hit the brake in tow mode. There are people with DPs that weigh more than that coach with less HP that make it over the mountains just fine. The engine and fan noise will be noticeable however, not as bad as some may say but you know it's there.

Noise up front : When it's putting out full power, you will definitely hear it. Cruiseing down the highway will never be as quiet as a rear engine diesel or gas but it is NOT bad. Not even in our old bounder.

Life expectancy : The V10 is easily a 200-250k Mile engine with just routine maintenance. The entire chassis should be good for 100,000 with just routine maintenance. Ours has tipped over 100,00 and starts on the first crank and runs strong.

I don't think you would have any regrets in buying that 38q.

[cochise49]

Took delivery on our 38Q on March 1. We actually traded a single slide DP for it. After 2000 miles, my fear that I wouldn't like the torque or the lack of air ride were relaxed. Have driven over some major mountain passes. Similar floor plan in a DP was 100K more. We figured that we would "live" in it more than we would travel in it. Minor issues with a slide and levelers like you might expect with a new rig. Very satisfied. It look alike the 2015 models are almost identical to the 2014. 26000 lb chassis is pretty robust. Somewhat noisy when climbing hills but it doesn't hesitate. Model has many nice features.

[alkillion]

Recently traded in an Adventurer 35U (gas) on a Forza 34T (DP). Both coaches are about the same size, the Forza is about 2k heavier. Both have about the same horsepower. Have pulled the same toad over the same roads. I can tell you I definately prefer the DP. I feel much safer, smoother ride, better brakes in the Forza. In Colorado, its 30 mph at 4000 RPM(gas) vs 45 mph at 2000 RPM(DP). Also 6 mpg (gas) vs 10 mpg (DP).

We live in ours 9 mo/yr so floorplan is important too. Keep looking, maybe you will find both; your floorplan in a DP.

Good Luck

[mtofell1]

I'm in the planning stages of moving up to a class A someday and am in a similar decision process. The thing I'm really learning is that it all comes down to what you are going to tow (if anything) and where you are going to drive.

No towing and hanging out mainly in flat areas and a gasser would be fine. Hooking up a 4-5K# (or more) toad and rolling up the mountain passes you'll probably be disappointed.

Doing only one of those with the gasser would be somewhere in between. As in, no towing in the mountains or towing in the flats would probably be manageable.

Take me with a grain of salt though.... I've never driven a class A a foot but have towed a lot of trailers. I've just been reading A LOT on here of everyone else's experiences and opinions.

[bullydogs1]

That's a great floor plan....I just looked it up...I would have one concern..and that's overhang (distance from rear wheels to rear of coach)...if you hit a steep driveway or a steep campsite, you might hit the rear against the bottom ....I usually stay in a relative's driveway at least once a year and they have a slightly steep driveway...I just clear it, but we watch anyway...this one would not make it with the overhang...I will never forget the steep upgrade at a campground in amish country ( I forget the name...but the campground was right on a residential hilly street)...my gasser bumped the bottom and knocked the spare tire loose due to high curb to street level driveway...if it works for you, then perfect...

[Mr_Mark1]

Tom, I pulled up the Adventurer and looked at the 38Q. I can certainly see the interest in that floor-plan. I have a slow connection at my current location so I was not able to enlarge it but I got the idea of it with the expandable sofa, etc.

I can say the floor-plan of any unit is the selling point. Once parked, the floor-plan is what makes everything work. The V-10 won't be too shabby as it will do what you need it to, getting you to your next location.

Safe travels,
Mark

[et2]

If your within the designed capacity of the MH I wouldn't worry about the gasser if that's the floor plan you like. It'll do what you want it to from point A to B. Don't let anyone tell you different. Their are many decades old still running.

The DP will be more quiet and smoother power plus a exhaust brake which is great. But you'll pay more for it.

Get what makes your happy. You'll be more happy with the floor plan then worrying about weather you should have got a diesel

[Vet_Man]

I have a friend that had a 38ft Winnebago with 100,000 plus miles on it. It is a Work Horse Chassis. He tows a Chevy SUV. Check irv2 web site.

[-Gramps-]

You have to live with the floorplan, its your house, the engine pushes it down the road.

[sloman2001]

Mr. Mark, we will be traveling 6 months out of the year, and stationary the other 6 months. We sold our house and live in our current rig. For us, it is not really the cost as much as it is the interior layout. We prefer new, but could buy used. None of the DPs we have looked at have the layout of the Adventurer 38Q. That is our dilemma. Maybe we are just being too picky. Not sure.

Tom

[phnguyk]

Main thing to keep in mind is the upgrade to the 2006 and up f53 chassis and more importantly the v10 and transmission. Better 3v motor and even better 5 spd torqshift in 2006's and newer.