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Old 10-16-2013, 09:46 PM   #1
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Thinking of buying this... your thoughts

Hi ALL

Here's a little background. We are buying our first RV, but have been camping with a pop-up for years all around Europe (We're from Ireland)

We are planning a 4 or 5 month trip around the States, leaving August 2014.

What are your thoughts on this RV. This is the right fit for us storage wise etc..
2004 Winnebago Adventurer 35u, Whitesboro NY - 110800580 - RVTrader.com

Basically, is it worth the money and does anyone know of any known problems etc ??

Thanks
Dave.
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Old 10-16-2013, 10:01 PM   #2
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Three things to go by:
Condition
Condition
Condition
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Old 10-16-2013, 10:12 PM   #3
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It looks good.

You may want to get a VIN record to get an idea of the life cycle since it was first registered.

Also, remember that you may need to buy new tires (due to age, being in the elements (most likely the original tires).

Then, if the generator had been sitting for a few years, it may need some work.

Be sure to check out (or have a qualified RV tech check it out) for leaks, plumbing that may have burst in winter, etc, etc, etc....

There are lists on some iRV2 posts that provide you with things that should be checked as a prospective buyer.

Do your home work before you buy.
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Old 10-17-2013, 12:14 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Publin View Post
Hi ALL

Here's a little background. We are buying our first RV, but have been camping with a pop-up for years all around Europe (We're from Ireland)

We are planning a 4 or 5 month trip around the States, leaving August 2014.

What are your thoughts on this RV. This is the right fit for us storage wise etc..

:welcome:
2004 Winnebago Adventurer 35u, Whitesboro NY - 110800580 - RVTrader.com

Basically, is it worth the money and does anyone know of any known problems etc ??

Thanks
Dave.
hello,

:welcome:
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Old 10-17-2013, 05:04 AM   #5
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One thing to really check with Winnebago's is the frame around the windshield. Just pull the rubber and look to see if the steel frame is rusted. That is the one issue with ALL Winnebago's. Had to have ours repaired at cost of $2600.
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Old 10-17-2013, 05:36 AM   #6
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I have almost the same unit....a 2001 32v.

IF it has a coach heater, be sure the fan works on BOTH Lo & Hi speeds.
The toggle switch will be on the dash with the other toggle switches.

The problem is that the bird cage in the blower assy will move out on the shaft, contact the housing and create an electrical resistance and will blow the fuse.
If only ONE speed works, then there is a resistor in the blower box that needs to be replaced (~ $50.00)

Be SURE the blower works without ANY rubbing sounds....

Also, be sure to check BOTH the front and rear sway bar bushings.
The rear ones are factory rubber and at that mielage are probably disintegrated by now. It is an easy check if you can just get under and take a quick look.
I replaced my rear ones with the more stable poylurethane ones ($50.00 EBay) and it really made a difference in handling.
I can send you my pics, if desired.
The front ones may be OK.
(I assume that you have both front & rear sway bars)
Mine is a Ford Chassis.

New tires, probably.

Check ALL functions. ....on propane and elect, if equipped. Water heater, furnace, AC, thermostat, Power control panel, remote mirrors, etc, etc.
EVERYTHING on All speeds, All functions.
Open all cabinets and look for signs of leaking.

Lastly, have you EVER driven a Class A this big? If not, I can send you a tutorial that I found VERY helpful when I went to a Class A.

Hope your plans go well.
If there are any questions, please advise.
Regards,

Paul
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Old 10-17-2013, 06:42 AM   #7
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The 35U is a great floor plan. One of the best IMHO. I would buy it.

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Old 10-17-2013, 07:42 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Publin View Post
Hi ALL

Here's a little background. We are buying our first RV, but have been camping with a pop-up for years all around Europe (We're from Ireland)

We are planning a 4 or 5 month trip around the States, leaving August 2014.

What are your thoughts on this RV. This is the right fit for us storage wise etc..
2004 Winnebago Adventurer 35u, Whitesboro NY - 110800580 - RVTrader.com

Basically, is it worth the money and does anyone know of any known problems etc ??

Thanks
Dave.
I may not be understanding your plans, but I think you should explore RENTING a nice coach for your planned trip. Why BUY something you won't use until a year from now, and then for only a few months. Ownership expenses and loss when selling may exceed what you'll pay for renting.

OBTW, Welcome to the forum.com...and to America!
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Old 10-17-2013, 08:34 AM   #9
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I think you would be very happy with this model. When are planning on buying? I assume you are only using this one as an example and wouldn't purchase until next year. Are you planning on selling at the end of your trip? As suggested renting may be your best over all option.
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Old 10-17-2013, 08:58 AM   #10
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The front TV is analog not digital (original equipment). If it does not come with a converter box you will have to replace the TV with a new one to get TV reception. Also check the bedroom TV. In the photo of the bed room the TV it appears to be replaced? If the Refrigerator is a Norcold there is a safety recall for a new HTS safety device. Call 1-800-767-9101 or go to www.Norcold.com/Recall for more info. On this unit there are many bells and whistles to check out it will take a while to explorer them all. Plan a couple weeks of testing.
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Old 10-17-2013, 09:06 AM   #11
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Purchase $36,000. This price seems very low!

Rent for 4 months @ $1500 a week X 17 weeks = $25,500.

Rent for 5 months @ $1500 a week X 22 weeks = $33,000.

A much less expensive trip if you buy, then sell after 4 or 5 months.
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Old 10-17-2013, 10:53 AM   #12
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Originally Posted by Tom N View Post
Purchase $36,000. This price seems very low!

Rent for 4 months @ $1500 a week X 17 weeks = $25,500.

Rent for 5 months @ $1500 a week X 22 weeks = $33,000.

A much less expensive trip if you buy, then sell after 4 or 5 months.
I think you might be a tad low on your numbers Tom. Here in the midwest they get 250.00 a day with a 20% non-refundable deposit. Also .25 a day per mile driven............ So on a 5 month rent you would be paying over 37,500.00 just to rent one here.................KJD
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Old 10-17-2013, 11:11 AM   #13
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Camping World is $82/day for a Class A including insurance.

Camping World RV Rental
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Old 10-17-2013, 11:49 AM   #14
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Camping World is $82/day for a Class A including insurance.

Camping World RV Rental
???????? I cannot for the life of me find where it is 82$ and day on that site you linked to John.
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Old 10-17-2013, 11:59 AM   #15
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My 2 cents

Price sounds a little high to me, lots out there. I bought a similar MH, a year ago, 2004 National Seabreeze. Folks can argue all day long about differences, but they are very similar, given that yours appears to have Workhorse Chassis I would value it a little higher. Mine was in great shape, 23,000 miles, 400 hours on generator and 3 year old tires. Bought for MUCH less. Granted private sell but much, much less....

But if sold on it, make sure brake recall was addressed, check DOT codes on tires, check all systems and insist on fresh oil change in coach and generator.

By the way, before I bought owner did oil changes engine and generator, had roof cleaned and sealed, threw in lots of accessories and delivered it 250 miles, and left tank 3/4 full. She insisted on all this!!
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Old 10-17-2013, 12:00 PM   #16
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???????? I cannot for the life of me find where it is 82$ and day on that site you linked to John.
Use Quick Quote and Booking on the left side
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Old 10-17-2013, 01:43 PM   #17
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I think you might be a tad low on your numbers Tom. Here in the midwest they get 250.00 a day with a 20% non-refundable deposit. Also .25 a day per mile driven............ So on a 5 month rent you would be paying over 37,500.00 just to rent one here.................KJD
Yes, my numbers were on the very conservative side. Even with my very conservative numbers, it's easy to see that, financial, he should buy, rather than rent. That was my point.

-Tom
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Old 10-17-2013, 04:07 PM   #18
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Also check the digital part (lower, center) of the Actia instrument cluster. This age WH tends to fail. I just had mine fixed for $139.

Fran
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Old 10-17-2013, 04:29 PM   #19
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That Adventure is a nice MH I came close to buying one .I find the 35ft keeps me busy in a wind .If you are going to do a lot of miles you might consider some thing smaller.
I like the size when we are stopped ,but I think that one of those small five cyl diesels
would be nice for traveling .Just a thought .
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Old 10-17-2013, 06:32 PM   #20
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Thanks everyone for the input and advice.

We're planning on buying it as soon as we find a good one for a good price etc... this is the model that we want. We like the look and the layout as well as the storage. We're going to using for long weekends etc and vacations before the trip

The rental option is out as we're planning on doing about 15k to 20k miles during the trip. and might stay out for longer.

If I can get the VIN number tomorrow and all looks good we're going to see it on Saturday morning. An take it for a test drive !!
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