Advice Needed on 2005 Journey 39F

dcellisesq · 04-22-2006, 04:54 PM

We currently have a totally trouble free 2003 Adventurer 33V. The dealer has a new 2005 Journey 39F which looks appealing. I would appreciate any experience you might have had.

It seems that the 39F model is not included in the 2006 lineup. Anyone know why?

What about the exterior storage? The specs state that the 39F has 79 cu ft but the 39K has 141 cu ft. Can this be true?

Are there any significant changes in the 2006 Journey models from the 2005 ones.

Thank you for any information, experience or advice you might be able to lend. What should I know before buying this coach? Thanks.

dcellisesq · 04-22-2006, 04:54 PM

We currently have a totally trouble free 2003 Adventurer 33V. The dealer has a new 2005 Journey 39F which looks appealing. I would appreciate any experience you might have had.

It seems that the 39F model is not included in the 2006 lineup. Anyone know why?

What about the exterior storage? The specs state that the 39F has 79 cu ft but the 39K has 141 cu ft. Can this be true?

Are there any significant changes in the 2006 Journey models from the 2005 ones.

Thank you for any information, experience or advice you might be able to lend. What should I know before buying this coach? Thanks.

CHIPPYSGT · 04-23-2006, 03:15 AM

Go to the Winnie website and you can pull up all the specs and floorplans.

I think one visible difference might be the one piece windshield, I'm not sure.

Doug

3huskies · 04-23-2006, 11:51 AM

dcellisesq ,

Just make sure that the chassis was built after 4/1/2005. That's when the rear axle was upgraded to 19,000 lbs from 17,500 lbs. The 17,500 axle gives the coach a low CCC.

I would guess Winnie discontinued that model because the new Tour/Ellipse has it. Just guessing.
It is a nice floor plan though.

vicsryd · 05-13-2006, 09:41 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by 3huskies:
Just make sure that the chassis was built after 4/1/2005. That's when the rear axle was upgraded to 19,000 lbs from 17,500 lbs. The 17,500 axle gives the coach a low CCC. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Where did you get your infomration regading the Journey/Meridian rear axle being upgraded to 19,000lbs?

Freightliner starts their model year on April 1st so I compared the '05 specs to the '06 specs at Freightliner-Winnebago Chassis Specs. The rear axle GAWR is listed as 17,500lbs for both years. The only difference in specs I could find is an increase in wheel cut from 50 to 55 degress.

ScottW · 05-14-2006, 03:45 AM

dcellisesq,

I just purchased a 2005 39F. Here is about all I can tell you so far:
It appears the 39F floor plan was moved up to the Tour model for 2006. I didn't consider the Tour because it is too tall for the building I store my Journey in.
Yes the rear axle was upgraded. If you go to the Winnebago Website and under products/Winnebago find the "Previous Model Year Information", then go to 2005 and Journey, on the specification page you will see a foot note for the rear axle. It states it was changed to 19,000lbs April 13, 2005 and newer. Unfortunately I have the older axle.
You are correct on the exterior storage. I assume because of this floor plan they had to eliminate any kind of pass through storage.
However, all and all we really like the layout of the 39F.
The biggest problem I have experienced so far deals with the dash warning lights. See "flashing and cycling around the display warning lights" under the Freightliner Forum.
Hope that helps, and let me know what you decide.

Scott W.

rebelsbeach · 05-14-2006, 04:33 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by CHIPPYSGT:
Go to the Winnie website and you can pull up all the specs and floorplans.

I think one visible difference might be the one piece windshield, I'm not sure.

Doug </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

One piece windshield in a Journey?

vicsryd · 05-14-2006, 07:43 PM

I get it now, only the 39 foot, 262 inch wheelbase Journey/Meridian chassis in '06 has 19,000lbs rear axle. The 32, 34, and 36 are still 17,500lbs. On Freightliner's website the 39 foot chassis with 19,000 lbs is listed as belonging to the Tour not the Journey.

For what it's worth, my 34H rear gets to 17,000lbs pretty quickly especially with the washer/dryer option installed. Ironically, the front axle has plenty of excess capacity (2000+ lbs) but almost no way to take advantage of it in terms of usable storage space.