shaneperch wrote:
What do you all think about a 2000 or newer Winnebago Journey? I am not in the market for one now of course. but see them affordable enough if you go back to 2000-2004 year models. Are Winnebagos well made? Opinions? also can you install a 350 Cummins in it if you wanted to?
shaneperch,
I'll start this response off by saying I've got a buddy that has an '01 36' Journey DL that has the 330HP CAT 3126 in it and, at present, he's touting 130,000 miles, ALL WITH NORMAL MAINTENANCE! As with that kind of mileage, he's had normal wear and tear issues but, nothing that would down play the quality and durability of Winnie's in general. I have other friends who also have Journey's and they too have had great service from those coaches.
Every coach builder will have some sort of issues, now and then. Ours is an '04 Itasca Horizon 36GD with the C-7 330HP CAT and, presently has 62,000 on the clock. For the year of '04, it was the sister ship to the Winnebago Vectra which, at that time, was one step above the Journey. We love this coach and all it has to offer. We've been to the Winnebago factory and, toured the assembly line and other facets of the Company.
I really liked what I saw. Now, as to your inquiry about changing power plants to a Cummins, just wondering. I don't know how many came with CAT engines or Cummins. If one is good enough in the mechanical field, sure you can change to a Cummins if the one you choose has a CAT. But why?
When we were looking for our present coach, I was up on various versions of Cummins and CAT engines in the era we were considering. If I recall, a similar sized engine, say, both a 330HP version, the Cummins version was higher in torque. And if I recall, that was true of Cummins up the line in higher HP versions too. Now, in the smaller versions of Cummins, the torque drops off to lower than a similar HP CATs.
The Journey is a pretty common Winne coach. And like any other model, it comes or, did come in many lengths. One of my buddies has a 32' Journey with either the 300 Cummins or, 275 Cummins, can't remember. I think you'd have a great coach if you were to pick up a Journey. Good luck.
Scott
Scott and Karla SDFD RETIRED2004 Itasca Horizon, 36GD Slate Blue 330 CAT
2011 GMC Sierra 1500 Ext Cab 4x4 Toad
2008 Caliente Red LVL II GL 1800 Goldwing KI60ND