New Buyers - with questions

kwarne · 06-01-2010, 10:37 PM

We are new to MH, although have had a 27ft travel trailer for years... We are looking at a 2006 Itasca Suncruiser 38J, with the Vortec 8.1 Workhorse Chassis, and wonder if anyone has any feedback on these model/year, and also things we should especially consider, in your opinion.
Also, we would want to have it checked by someone knowledgeable, so does anyone have a recommendation in the North Dallas, Tx area for someone who could check the MH for us mechanically especially? If so, name/number would be much appreciated!
Thanks... and any advice or pearls of wisdom is appreciated.

DAN L · 06-02-2010, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwarne

We are new to MH, although have had a 27ft travel trailer for years... We are looking at a 2006 Itasca Suncruiser 38J, with the Vortec 8.1 Workhorse Chassis, and wonder if anyone has any feedback on these model/year, and also things we should especially consider, in your opinion.
Also, we would want to have it checked by someone knowledgeable, so does anyone have a recommendation in the North Dallas, Tx area for someone who could check the MH for us mechanically especially? If so, name/number would be much appreciated!
Thanks... and any advice or pearls of wisdom is appreciated.

Which chassis? w-24 is good.

w-20 and w-22 not so good.

w20 and w22 have a brake recall pending.

use the search function to research info on this.

Mattpro · 06-02-2010, 11:26 AM

I have a 2006 adventurer 38T, I think it's the Winnebago verison of what your looking at. It has the W-24 chassis, We have 11,000 miles on it and have had 2 bad Cat converters and a blown engine. What you will need is a cold air intake installed to bring air to the back plugs. If you are buying from a dealer I would make them install this before you buy it.

On the Winnebago end it's a great rig, but I'm still gun shy about the chassis. Also they no longer make the 8.1 engine, we were fortunate that they still had one left in the crate for us as a replacement, they do offer great service though, we had no problem getting the new motor.

2-bone · 06-02-2010, 04:32 PM

Windshield Glass leakage could be a problem do to the way the glass is installed in the frame. My 2004 sustained considerable leakage due to rusting as did others on this forum. I don't know if design has changed.

Outbumn · 06-02-2010, 05:14 PM

We are the happy owners of a 38J. We think this was one of the best floorplans they put out. As for problems, we have been having HWH problems since new and have had 2 plug wires burn.

Cousin Ed · 06-02-2010, 06:28 PM

We just traded in our 2005 37B with 63,000 miles. We had some HWH problems which they fixed and some other little ones. We were vey pleased with the Suncruiser. Before that we had an Adventure 35B for 36K. It was on he Ford chassis and it was good too. This time it's a DP for that advantages not because of any Suncruiser/Adventurer troubles.

kwarne · 06-02-2010, 11:39 PM

Thank you to all of you who have responded... what a help! My sister who is an RV'r has us now looking at some older (9-10yrs) Diesel pushers with 'few' miles (40k)... the more we look, the more we see the million choices out there. I have been reading these forums, and had read about the problem with the HWH problems, so thanks for the reminder. It is a 24 chassis, which I had read was better, but had not heard about the windshield leaking... So... more research to do I think...
Thanks to all!

mickey53usa · 06-04-2010, 03:14 PM

If you are still looking - check with Billy Sims Trailer Town in Lubbock, TX. He took a 99 Adventurer 34V - Diesel, in on trade - has 40K, new furniture, great condition - No financial interest - not a dealer rep, was the former owner of the MH and would like to see it go to a good home. Has not yet been listed on his web site.