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Winnebago Vista LX 27n - Buying Questions

Sudokilldash9
Explorer
Explorer
Hopefully this is the right forum for this.

I am a first time RV buyer and I think I am about to pull the trigger on a Winnebago Vista LX 27n. The purchase of my first motorhome is a few years in the making. I have done a lot of research and reading and narrowed it down to a few class A and class C models about two years ago. I narrowed it down to class A motorhomes this year and the 27n in the last few months. I am now finally on the cusp of buying. At this point I have a few last questions:

1. Are there any tips in general for things to look at when buying a new class A motorhome? Is it worth hiring a mechanic to come along to inspect it?

Keep in mind I know next to nothing about RVs outside of the research I have done and the test drives/walk through I have done. I am pretty handy so I understand how things work and can see if there are issues in plain view but are there things I should be inspecting that a person not familiar with daily life in an RV should be looking at before buying?

2. Related to the first question, is there anything specific to this make/model I should be aware of going in?

3. After all of my research, I am pretty convinced this is the right make/model for me. Of course there are horror stories with any line of RVs but assuming they are outliers, is there any overall thing I am missing thinking this is a great first time buy?

I plan to buy new but if the right one comes up, these questions could be applicable to either a new or used motorhome.

Thank you for any help or guidance you can give.
13 REPLIES 13

Mile_High
Explorer
Explorer
I think lostscout resurrected a thread almost a year old. I'm sure whatever trigger was going to be pulled got pulled ๐Ÿ™‚
2013 Winnebago Itasca Meridian 42E
2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara Towed

ncrowley
Explorer II
Explorer II
Make sure you can pull the vehicle you want to pull. Even though they have a 5K hitch, they cannot pull 5K. Subtract the GVWR from the GCWR and that will tell you how much you can pull.

Make sure you can live with the sleeping arrangements. Some folks, like myself, do not like beds you cannot walk around.
Nancy
Newmar Northern Star

lostscout
Explorer
Explorer
I have a 2014 that I bought new. My advise is don't.

usersmanual
Explorer
Explorer
Sudokilldash9 wrote:
crasster wrote:
Definitely watch out for the slide problem. Slides are a huge part of the coach and it would probably bother you a lot with failure.


Is there a way to watch out for the problem?


hes just guessing, he does not know .best reaserch and find out what slides were actually used and look up any recall issues and talk to people that know slides. just do a little DD before buying

Finally_Time
Explorer
Explorer
I have a 2013 Vista 27N that I bought new. I like the very large amount of interior closet space and storage. It has the biggest kitchen counter I have seen in a coach this size, the pantry is huge. Good amount of basement storage too. I did get the upgraded dinette so the cushions are very comfortable. I have a small ottoman that I use for the front seats (the built-in passenger side footrest doesnโ€™t do much.) I have had only a few problems and they were fixed quickly under warranty. A wood joint in the โ€œboxโ€ supporting one dinette cushion opened up, fixed with wood glue and an โ€œLโ€ bracket. The fresh water tank would siphon down to 1/3 when driving, the overflow was routed up then down forming an upside down P trap. There was a wet spot under the vanity sink from a loose faucet connection. Thatโ€™s all in 3-1/2 years and 17,000 miles. The only thing I donโ€™t like is the silly small hole in the bottom of the compartment for the sewer hose; canโ€™tโ€™ get the hose through with the fittings attached.

I have added a hard-wired Progressive whole-house Surge Protector, upgraded the vent fans in the kitchen and bedroom to multi-speed remote controlled Fantastic Fans with rain sensors, added a Maxxair vent cover over the bathroom vent, and replaced the single stage converter with a 4-stage one.

This is a short coach with a short wheelbase so it did not handle very well with the stock suspension set-up. I replaced the factory anti-sway bars with heavier Roadmaster ones, added a rear track bar. I also replaced the factory shocks with Monroe RV Magnums to smooth out the rough roads. Handles very well now.

So far no problems with the slideouts, but I will admit I cross my fingers every time I push the buttons.
'17 Tiffin Breeze 31BR, '13 Honda CR-V
Ready Brute Elite Tow Bar & Brake System

Mile_High
Explorer
Explorer
Sudokilldash9 wrote:
Mile High wrote:
The slide issue is with Schwintek by Lippert. Many many MHs and 5th wheels and even trailers have them. They have trouble with the heavy slides and haven't proven out well. In 2016/17 Winnebago went to a different system.


Has the failure rate been decreased with the change in 2016 or is it too soon to tell?
I haven't heard any feedback yet, so not really sure. Its still a gear driven track, but different design altogether. You can spot it by a rail with teeth that faces in sets about 1" off the side of the slide, whereas the Schwintek is a track attached to the side of the slide facing out.
2013 Winnebago Itasca Meridian 42E
2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara Towed

Sudokilldash9
Explorer
Explorer
crasster wrote:
Definitely watch out for the slide problem. Slides are a huge part of the coach and it would probably bother you a lot with failure.


Is there a way to watch out for the problem?

Sudokilldash9
Explorer
Explorer
Mile High wrote:
The slide issue is with Schwintek by Lippert. Many many MHs and 5th wheels and even trailers have them. They have trouble with the heavy slides and haven't proven out well. In 2016/17 Winnebago went to a different system.


Has the failure rate been decreased with the change in 2016 or is it too soon to tell?

crasster
Explorer II
Explorer II
Definitely watch out for the slide problem. Slides are a huge part of the coach and it would probably bother you a lot with failure.
4 whopping cylinders on Toyota RV's. Talk about great getting good MPG. Also I have a very light foot on the pedal. I followed some MPG advice on Livingpress.com and I now get 22 MPG! Not bad for a home on wheels.

Mile_High
Explorer
Explorer
The slide issue is with Schwintek by Lippert. Many many MHs and 5th wheels and even trailers have them. They have trouble with the heavy slides and haven't proven out well. In 2016/17 Winnebago went to a different system.
2013 Winnebago Itasca Meridian 42E
2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara Towed

Sudokilldash9
Explorer
Explorer
RVMike wrote:
We have a 2015 Many problems taken care of in the warranty period. They do have a bad reputation on the slides. Do your home work and decide. We are just 2 and a small dog. Except for the slide problems it is a great MH with plenty of storage.


Can you give an example of a slide problem? Do they leak, stop working altogether, etc?

RVMike
Explorer
Explorer
We have a 2015 Many problems taken care of in the warranty period. They do have a bad reputation on the slides. Do your home work and decide. We are just 2 and a small dog. Except for the slide problems it is a great MH with plenty of storage.

lhenry8113
Explorer
Explorer
I am not a Class A or C owner but have owned 5th wheels for 10 plus years. Our current 5'vr has about 35,000 miles on it. In answer to your questions-tires are a major priority and generally overlooked until there is a problem From my experience new campers or ones sold by dealers have cheap China "Bombs" on them. Get a good set of tires and you will never regret it. Lars
2017 Chev/CLass C Forest River Forester 2251 SLE



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