Winnebago Vista 30 vs Thor Ace 30.1

[vandave]

Another quick question. I'm in a struggle now because the dealer also has a 3 slide Winnebago Vista for about the same price. Winnebago is a new 2015. Ace is new 2017.. I believe both are on the F53 Ford chassis. 2017 has the new 6 speed transmission. Would you have a preference? Between the two? This is my first Class A and will be my last rv purchase. Thanks for your feed back.

[Effy]

roam1 wrote:
not sure if it was an Ace 30.1 I recently saw but the Ace's at my local dealer leaned severely when slides were extended and levelers were not down.....looked really odd

I am not sure of any gasser with a large slide on one side that this wouldn't happen to. When you deploy a heavy slide why wouldn't it lean? I can rock any gas coach by pushing on it. Hence another reason why they have levelers.

[roam1]

not sure if it was an Ace 30.1 I recently saw but the Ace's at my local dealer leaned severely when slides were extended and levelers were not down.....looked really odd

[Effy]

Pick the one you actually like better. In this price range they are all relatively the same. They both can and have had their respective issues. I have been very happy with Thor and their customer service is outstanding. I don't have any experience with Winnie's customer service so can't comment on it. I never preferred Winnies much frankly, as I don't like the décor and always found them priced a bit higher than the competition in the same marketplace. But that's my opinion.

BTW, there are other brands you can look at in the same size and type. each brand makes an entry level motorhome. I would go with the floorplan you like.

You said something that struck me - this will be your last Class A purchase. Good luck with that. Buying your last RV first is difficult. I bought my last one too, until I bought my most recent one. You don't know what you don't know and that doesn't come until you figure that out.

In your case I would spend less time on brand, and more about the floorplan and features you like and will use.

[Mile_High]

When we went to a motorhome - wife had 2 criteria:

1) access to the bathroom without opening the slide

2) access to the fridge without opening the slide.

(maybe I should tell her if she quit accessing the fridge so much, she wouldn't need to access the bathroom so much - but then I would like to live past tomorrow)

[stvdman]

30T has opposing slides on the front? If so, make sure you get in when they are open. then do the same on the Ace w/o opposing slides, BIG difference IMO.

The only thing I can see the Ace has over the Winny would be the updated transmission. (other than some floorplan amenities that you may or may not like.

[D_E_Bishop]

Sorry, double post.

[D_E_Bishop]

I have never owned a Thor product but we have looked at them and I'm not impressed. My wife really liked the 27.1 when it was introduced, more honestly she liked the "U" shaped dinette. When I showed her the short cuts in construction and then showed her the way Winnie did the same thing, she agreed that there is a great difference in the two.

Now several years later, the Thor rigs have some of the features Winnies have and look much better that three or four years ago. I would still put the quality of my Adventurer up against the Thor. But then again I still think that the 30.1 is an entry level MoHo where the Adventurer is definitely in a higher class.

Still, the floor plan of the 30T may not work as well for you as the 30.1.

[zman-az]

If any have schwintech slides I would look elsewhere.

[Goldencrazy]

I loved my 30T. It lived large for the size. Only one AC but I never needed more and was in some hot places. If needed a second could be added. Plenty of power. I love the six speed I have now but not needed.

[vjstangelo]

If the Winnebago has 2 AC units, I would go with that motorhome.

[the_silverback]

X whatever for the Winnebago.

[imgoin4it]

I too would go for the Winnebago, but understand the 10 year warranty. It does not cover the fiberglass coming out from the side if it has not been maintained. I believe if it ever comes out it will be considered as "not maintained". Had three winnebagos and sometimes I was told the roof side seam needed to be checked and "maintained" every 6 months and sometimes every year. Just be an informed buyer.

[pslocum]

rgatijnet1 wrote:
Winnebago does have that strange fiberglass roof edge that if not properly maintained/sealed can cause the roof to peel back, leaving you with a huge repair bill. A search of Winnebago roof issues on this forum should explain the issue.

The key words are if not properly maintained, that means to inspect yearly. I spoke with my dealer about it and it is only an issue if never maintained and more so on older coaches, On the newer ones the roof fits deeper into the edge and carries a 10 year parts and labor warranty. Anyone who has owned this stuff knows that all seams need to be inspected a least on a yearly basis.

I like the 6 speed transmission on our 35 footer but when it comes down to it it's really what floor plan you like best and what you like! What we like really does not matter best of luck with your purchase.

[Community Alumni]

Get the Winnebago.

[wildtoad]

Go with the 30T. Bigger tanks, more storage, better build.