2013 Meridian-Pros and cons

railrider1 · 04-13-2013, 07:16 PM

We are looking at a new 2013 Meridian to replace our 2006 Suncruiser. Does anyone have any pros or cons for the 40u model with the Cummins 8.3L engine. What kind of milage should I expect with this coach. We full time and are looking for something with more storage and a little nicer interior. We really like our present coach but would like to upgrade. Thanks for any help.

rream · 04-14-2013, 10:49 AM

As you probably know the Meridian is the exact same MH as the Winnebago Journey which we have. Just a little difference in the fit and finish. With my 360 HP cummins pulling a small Honda I get a consitant 9-10. I have 11,000 on mine and am very happy.

motohomer · 04-14-2013, 11:30 AM

Our 40U averages almost 7.5 MPG but I have been setting the cruise between 68 & 72. If I stuck around 60 it would surely break into the 8's.

As for the coach itself, it has an excellent layout & plenty of storage. Supposedly later build 2013 40U's have a 21,000 lb rear axle, be sure you get one with it. Our 2012 is a bit overweight (20K axle). The 13 have the tanks & water heater moved around, so that may help, but I would still insist on the 21K rear - 35,320 GVWR.
Reference: http://giantrvonline.com/sales/pdf/W...209.24.12).pdf
- there is probably a newer sheet out, but i dont have it.
Finally, We love our 40U but if you can swing/get a deal on the 42E, or a used 2012 Tour, go for it.

SAWTELLE · 04-14-2013, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by railrider1

We are looking at a new 2013 Meridian to replace our 2006 Suncruiser. Does anyone have any pros or cons for the 40u model with the Cummins 8.3L engine. What kind of milage should I expect with this coach. We full time and are looking for something with more storage and a little nicer interior. We really like our present coach but would like to upgrade. Thanks for any help.

We just picked up our 2013 Meridian 40u and have only had a few days in it but love the comfortable floor plan and DH really likes the storage! Our former coach was. 2013 Meridian 34b and we averaged 9.5 towing a Jeep Patriot, so hoping for 8-9 with this coach. I think you will really enjoy the coach if you decide to purchase it.

dsbike · 04-14-2013, 11:56 AM

We have the 42e. We were very interested in the 40u, then we started to compare all 4 models. The Itasca or the Journey. We could have been happy with either make. But we decided the 42 had a few more benifits. Our local dealer had the Journey 40 u/2012 or the Journey 42e/2013. They were making the same deal percentage wise on both. In the end it made more sense to go 42e/2013 for us. In my opinion there is a bigger advantage with bedroom clothing options in the 40u, but we liked the bathroom setup better in the 42e. Not just for the extra 1/2 bath, but we weren't sold on the split bath in the 40u.

I now have 2400 miles and I am not towing anything. My last trip which was split into 2 long trips of 170 miles plus a week at the dealership getting a few post delivery and pre delivery items taken care of where I know the genny had run a total of 10 hours combined me/dealer. I averaged 8.9 MPG. I am at 36,600 lbs gvw full fuel, 1/3 fresh water, empty grey & black tanks.

Outbumn · 04-14-2013, 12:00 PM

We did the same 2 years ago. Traded our 06 38J Suncruiser for a 2011 Journey 40U. We tow a fiat 500 normally running between 60-62 and get 6.5-7.5 mpg.

Pro's: Livingroom floorplan, King size bed, basement storage, drivability, residential refrigerator.

Con's: small split bathroom with small sinks, miss the double pane windows, concerned about the tile floor holding up.

waylntat2 · 07-29-2013, 04:24 PM

WE just got our 2013 40 U, drove from Roanoke Va ., to Gatlinburg Tenn .. a very nice coach.. lots of storage.. a lot easyer to park than the Revolution 42N that burned to the ground.I am still getting the bugs out.. look at the underside ours has rust in the undercarage.. camping world is working to remove and recoat.. we got about 8 mpg ,, we used the gen a lot during the run so millage was hard to sum up..the split bathroom shower is also a little small to adjust to.. ,, but not a deal breaker.. the air cond,, works great it was in the 90's and the wife said I was freezing her out.. it had 1066 ,, now has about 1600 miles so not broke in yet ..

fla tom · 07-29-2013, 05:57 PM

We loved our2011 meridian 40u (except not being able to close toilet door) we towed a GMC 2500 got 7.8 mpg @70mph. If not for the bathroom we would still have it we loveour 2013 qd bathrooms and all

Popcorn Man · 07-29-2013, 07:01 PM

We have the 2012 40U and love it. Mileage is between 8 & 9. Storage is great. We are not full-time if we were we would not get the W/D and use that space for more storage. Split washrooms could be larger but not a deal breaker. My wife loves the floorplan.

mjeffrey · 07-29-2013, 07:17 PM

We have a 2011 Journey 40u and are fulltimers. We DO have the washer & dryer and are okay on space. There is so much room in the basement that we just rotate the off-season clothes into a big bin down below. Split bathroom is not an issue for us, though a slightly bigger sink in the bathrooms would be useful (which I believe the newer years have). That said, my wife is okay with the smaller sink because she gets more counter space.

dengraham · 07-29-2013, 07:25 PM

Outbumn,
I didn' know Winnebago installed single pane windows in any Journey or Meridian?? Was that an option?? I'm really surprised?? The only negative I ever heard about the 40U was the fan was in the shower side and not the toilet side...... if you know what I mean......
>> Dennis

mjeffrey · 07-29-2013, 07:35 PM

Funny about that bathroom fan. We also thought it had been placed in the wrong bathroom, but after living in it fulltime for a year we now see the logic. Fan is great for sucking out the humidity after a hot shower... And a bad idea in a room with a toilet as it sucks up odors from the black tank if it is on when you flush. We either open the window or use a small squirt of Fabreeze ;-)

jerichorick · 08-02-2013, 05:17 PM

We just traded a '05 Vectra FD for this '11 Meridian 40U. A agree with most of the above posts. I don't know when the single pane windows started but the insulation in the roof is much better since basement air is gone. The new windows allow for a brighter daytime interior which we like. We often complained about the darkness of the '05. Haven't had the coach long enough to vouch for the heating but the AC works great. To the cons I agree and the pros win hands down!

motohomer · 08-02-2013, 08:03 PM

On my 2012, only the sliding drivers side window is single pane. All others are double. Also updating to led lights makes it even brighter inside.

dengraham · 08-02-2013, 08:43 PM

I agree with motohomer. On mine they did drop the "tinted glass" and installed the clear glass which I really like because the tinted was just too dark all the time. You still have the day shads so people cannot see in or to prevent the sun from bothering you.

jerichorick · 08-03-2013, 05:31 AM

motorhome, did you update to led's or did the factory build? I have been trying to find replacements at a reasonable cost per lumen but I have not been very successful. The led subject is a great subject to pursue here in the forum.

motohomer · 08-03-2013, 12:51 PM

Rick, Ours came halogen, we ended up retro-fitting the new 2014 led's (supplied by ITC - http://www.itc-rv.com/product/4.75-r...overhead-light-). It comes as a whole fixture, glass & can, with the led integrated into the can, so its a bit of work to replace them - not for the timid. But the cost was actually a bit less (at gnr w/wit discount) than just led replacement "bulbs".
The light isnt necasarily brighter, but it is a lot 'cleaner' and looks more light sunlight than candlelight.
All we need to do now is find someone to take 31 halogen fixtures off our hands...

David and Fran · 08-04-2013, 05:15 AM

Sawtell, just curious as to why you went from the 34B to a larger one. Was it space or floorplan?

jerichorick · 08-04-2013, 08:24 AM

Thanks Bill. The link didn't work but I did get to the website. Getting rid of the halogens must give extended life to the batteries when dry camping and definitely reduces the heat factor. I had so much heat damage on the '05 from them and other incandescent bulbs.

Are you intending a yard sale? 31 fixtures???!!! LOL

jerichorick · 08-04-2013, 02:59 PM

Has anyone experienced excessive water remaining on the, in my case, drivers side front slide roof after a rain? My topper seems to act as a funnel and the rainwater runs from it onto the slide roof. We are camped and this morning a bit of a breeze came up. Water poured off the roof! It was coming through the topper cover over the window and the screen and sill got wet. I set the coach off level until the water stopped pouring like a river and then releveled. When we closed for moving last week I thought I had all of the water off the slides but the floor still got wet when I started to drive.