Time to upgrade - which Adventurer?

Lee and Susan · 09-17-2003, 12:17 PM

We are thinking it is about time to upgrade to a coach approx. 5 years old. We think we want an Adventurer, or a comparable Itasca. Is there a certain year that significant changes/ improvements were made that we should be aware of when choosing a coach?

1994 Winnebago Brave 30 ft.
1996 Chrysler Minivan
Grass Valley, CA

Lee and Susan · 09-17-2003, 12:17 PM

We are thinking it is about time to upgrade to a coach approx. 5 years old. We think we want an Adventurer, or a comparable Itasca. Is there a certain year that significant changes/ improvements were made that we should be aware of when choosing a coach?

1994 Winnebago Brave 30 ft.
1996 Chrysler Minivan
Grass Valley, CA

CaptBill · 09-17-2003, 03:29 PM

One significant (to many people) is that the 01 Adventurer had only one slide (LR) and in 02 the went to 2 slides (BR & LR). There are other less significant changes too, but that one comes to mind as the biggest. A 5 year old Adventurer may not have had any slide out.

I think the 99's (on a Ford chassis) had the smaller HP V10, then went to 310 HP in 2000 (I think!). I know the 01 had the larger enginem because that's the rig thatI owned up until a few months ago.

Others may have more to add.

CaptBill
Indian River, De
2002 Horizon 36LD

Jammer937 · 09-17-2003, 08:13 PM

My 2000 35U adventurer has 2 slides. The AC units are in the basement starting in 2000.

....Jammer

no18yes · 09-17-2003, 11:11 PM

We have the 2001 Adventurer and love it. It is on the Ford chasis. The wife and I like the lay out of the coach, and could care less about a bedroom slide. We only sleep there. We don't live there. One thing I do not like in the newer Adventurers and that is the under the bed storage. There isn't any! We store a lot of "stuff" under the bed. Good luck in your quest.

01 32V Adventurer with '97 Cavalier w/USGear
If I knew where I was going you'd be following somebody else

CaptBill · 09-18-2003, 04:49 AM

Jammer, I stand corrected. I was thinking abot the 32' Adventurer, not the larger ones. The 32 had one slide in 01 and two beginning in 02. And yes, the underbed storage has been reduced in the bedroom slide models by quite a bit. The basement A/C also takes up a storage compartment, but that's one trade-off I'll gladly accept.

CaptBill
Indian River, De
2002 Horizon 36LD

Lee and Susan · 09-18-2003, 07:49 AM

This is helpful. I hadn't even thought about the change in the air conditioner. We would probably would want the 32'. Although we do want to take a couple long trips in the next few years, most of our trips are a week or so long, with some shorter ones in between.
What about the chasis and engine? Significant changes there?

1994 Winnebago Brave 30 ft.
1996 Chrysler Minivan
Grass Valley, CA

raspears · 09-18-2003, 09:07 AM

The 1999 Adventurer 32T and Brave 32T were the same. No slide, smaller V-10 engine. 2 tons carrying capacity and 137 cubic feet of storage.
I think I have the floorplan that I could mail to you if you are interested. Let me know at [email protected] if you are interested.

R. Spears

2004 Brave 34D

Larryb · 09-18-2003, 11:23 AM

The Winnebago site offers floorplans and specifications for prior year models back to 2000.
Here is the link:
Prior Year Models

2002 Winnebago Adventurer 32V Workhorse
2001 Chevy Tracker

Don-Savannah, GA · 09-18-2003, 05:14 PM

I confirm that the '00 Ford chassis had the 310 HP engine where my '99 has the 275 HP. I have never driven one with the more powerful engine so I can't tell you if the difference is appreciable. I am content with mine.

Don Harris
Savannah, GA
1999 Winnebago Adventurer, 35C, Class A, Ford V10, 20,500 GVWR chassis.
1995 Saturn SW2 Toad, Blue Ox Aventa towing system, SMI Toad brake.

Lee and Susan · 09-18-2003, 06:52 PM

Looking at the website Larry mentioned, it looks like the workhorse came in 2000. How significant is that change? BTW, thanks for that website. R. Spears also sent me floorplans and specifications of the 1999. This is great.
Susan

1994 Winnebago Brave 30 ft.
1996 Chrysler Minivan
Grass Valley, CA

09-18-2003, 07:42 PM

Lee and Susan

You didn't say whether you were going NEW or USED in your move up.
If your going New, Ford just released it's new and improved chassis that will give the WW a run for it's money. The Adventurer or the Suncruiser in a 35U is the top selling coach in the country. From our past experience with a 2001 Adenturer 35U /Ford, it was our first motorhome and an excellent coach. It had so many standard features that it was hard to remember what they are and if we used them. But, dollar for dollar, you won't find a better buy.
If you haven't, test drive both WW & Ford Chassis with the 22.5 tires only. You can't go wrong with the 35U Winnebago/Itasca MotorHome.

Tomcat F15

2003 Journey DL39QD
I still have the 2001 Adventurer in the side of my eye.

Lee and Susan · 09-18-2003, 09:00 PM

No Tomcat, we can't quite swing a new one. We are thinking about a 32' and about 5ish years old. So ... probably a 1999 or a 2000 Adventurer.

1994 Winnebago Brave 30 ft.
1996 Chrysler Minivan
Grass Valley, CA

tmcgeesr · 09-19-2003, 05:46 AM

We have a 2000 Adventurer model 35U. It has 2 slides and we just love the floor plan. Its on a Ford chassis and we are very satisfied with it so far. It does have basement air which limits you storage some but gives you a very clean roof line.

09-19-2003, 11:00 AM

Lee and Suasan,

Going back that far, your chioces really increase. The difference between a 32' and a 35' is not going to be that much different. At the same time, you could even look at the Chieftian, which is a step up from the Adventurer. The field is wide open now, you'll have alot to choose from, although 5ish is holding things tight. Remember, "you get what you pay for". If you try to scrape the barrel dry, you could end up with a lot of crumbs, and I don't think that's your goal.
Put yourself in the sellers shoes, if it truely is a nice coach and it's been well taken care, would you want to be insulted by a jerk who wants to steel your coach? You might face the same thing when get ready to sell your coach.

Remember, as the new coach prices increase, so do the used coaches. In some cases, some of the used coaches are actually worth more, because of lost quality in the mass produced new coach.

Look smartly and be through. If you find something, bring your questions to this forum
before you commit yourself, we'll be more than glad to help you. Good Luck!

Tomcat F15

with an eye open, for a good deal

Lee and Susan · 09-21-2003, 06:08 PM

Well said Tomcat. I am much more concerned about finding a really good, sound coach that has been well taken care of. I want a fair price, but not necessarily a "deal". I would appreciate you all keeping your eyes open for us.
Susan

1994 Winnebago Brave 30 ft.
1996 Chrysler Minivan
Grass Valley, CA

wazone2 · 09-24-2003, 01:43 PM

We have owned a 2000 Adventurer 35U on a 1999 Ford chassis (275 HP) since it was new. A great motorhome, both the Ford and Winnebago components. we tow a Honda CRV and the 275 HP Ford handles the job adequately.

Dog Man · 10-02-2003, 10:39 AM

Tomcat F15...Earilier you mentioned a new Ford chasis..Can you elaborate or tell me where to get more info...ie.would it be possible to order a new Adventurer 33 or 35 with this new Ford chasis...The Workhorse has such a reputation (and price).

clipperbob · 10-03-2003, 01:21 AM

You can download the specs at Winnebago's web site at Winnebago. We are considering a Brave 32V, which can also be ordered with the Ford chassis, althought the wheels on that model are 19.5 in lieu of 22.5. According to the Ford web site, the 22.5's are polished aluminum for 2004 ! Here is a link I found regarding changes in 2004...its a rather large PDF file so you'll need some good download speed....

Ford 2004 Whats New

Bob, Diane, the kid and the dogs
2001 Coachmen Catalina Sport 195 rk
2003 Jeep Rubicon
Baltimore, MD
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Hikerdogs · 11-22-2005, 04:44 AM

We have a 2001 Adventurer and are very happy with it. It's the 32V on the Ford chassis with the larger (310 hp) V10 and a single slide. It has about 40,000 miles on it. Like everything it requires some maintenance but all in all it's been a great coach.
Over the years I've made over 40 "improvements" to the coach from small things like adding a flip out compartment by the galley sink for dish washing accessories (sponges, scrubbies, etc.) to more complex things like adding a GPS satellite dish, and the wiring to use a second remote dish (for times when we camp in the wooded areas).
We've become so used to the bedroom storage it'll be quite a change when we move to a newer multiple slide coach. Some of the best features are the basement AC and heat pump, 50 amp service, and dual pane windows.
One thing I understand is available on some of the newer models is the 110-volt receptacles being active while traveling without having to run the generator. This would be a plus for using the laptop, but isn't an absolute necessity.