About to Purchase MW 22M

[JonathanH]

Hi,

We have been looking for a 24' MH and think we have settled on a 2018 Minnie Winnie 22M. We are pretty sold on the Winnebago brand based on research and looking at many MHs of different manufacturers. We currently have a 2016 travel trailer that we bought from private party early last year, it has been a good trailer but we have come to realize that we'd prefer not towing. Oops.

I believe that we will still have warranty on the chassis and engine (9,000 miles on this 22M). I have talked to the owner several times on the phone and based on our conversations he seems very straightforward and honest. We have arranged to go look at the MH on Saturday morning. I plan to drive the unit on the freeway to see how it rides (basically empty though), and I plan to check all systems starting from the front and working to the back on the interior and the same on the exterior. I'm also bringing coveralls and a flashlight to crawl under the entire rig and look for excessive rust, evidence of fluid leakage, etc - like you might do on a truck or car, but since I have never actually crawled under an RV
I'm not really sure what to expect. I'm also slightly confused because I'm not clear on whether these are built on F350 or F450 chassises and what the advantage or disadvantage of either chassis would be other than towing capacity and possibly fuel consumption.

If anyone has ideas to help, I'd be grateful to hear them!

Thanks!

Jonathan

[Eagle5]

We ordered the heavier E-450 tonnage on our 22M to assure we have ample payload to spare when towing. The only differences between an E-350 and a E-450 are about 250 pounds of additional frame thickness and springs, stiffer shocks, a wider rear track (75.4" to 77.7"), and the ring gear is increased from 10½" to 10¾" diameter. The gear ratio remains the same, at 4.56:1. The 305 hp V-10 is a great engine, and the double-overdrive 6-speed automatic keeps the engine at about 2,100 rpm at 60 mph; just perfect! Your mileage will be about the same with either the E-350 or the E-450.

[JonathanH]

Thanks for the clarification. I didn't realize you could order these on either frame. I am pretty sure that this one is on the F350 frame, but that doesn't sound like it will be a deal breaker for us. We may occasionally tow an aluminum horse trailer locally, but it's weight loaded is under 4000lbs. Otherwise, we would likely have a bike rack on the hitch.

Thanks!

[blifsey]

We have the 22M on the E350 chassis and love it. Prior MH was a 32ft class C on E450. As already mention, very similar chassis but 450 does have GVWR advantage. We tow a 3000lb boat and not issues.

Also note these are the E series van chassis and not F series truck chassis.

[Phil G.]

Originally Posted by Eagle5

We ordered the heavier E-450 tonnage on our 22M to assure we have ample payload to spare when towing. The only differences between an E-350 and a E-450 are about 250 pounds of additional frame thickness and springs, stiffer shocks, a wider rear track (75.4" to 77.7"), and the ring gear is increased from 10½" to 10¾" diameter. The gear ratio remains the same, at 4.56:1. The 305 hp V-10 is a great engine, and the double-overdrive 6-speed automatic keeps the engine at about 2,100 rpm at 60 mph; just perfect! Your mileage will be about the same with either the E-350 or the E-450.

How did you learn that both the E350 and E450 have the same 4.56:1 rear differential ratio?

From 2005 up to a few years ago when the 5-Speed transmission was what was used in both models, the E350 had a 4.12:1 differential ratio and the E450 had a 4.56:1 differential ratio.

Do you have a link for the differential ratio specs on the newer E350/E450 chassis with the 6-speed tranny?

[JonathanH]

Well our search continues, seller backed out. Maybe we’ll be able to negotiate a new 22M, really like that model.

[JonathanH]

Trying to understand the difference between the Outlook and the Minnie Winnie. The Outlook 22E and 22M look very similar with a few exceptions - notably the dinette. Does anyone know of any other major differences?

Thanks!

[Eagle5]

Originally Posted by Phil G.

How did you learn that both the E350 and E450 have the same 4.56:1 rear differential ratio?

From 2005 up to a few years ago when the 5-Speed transmission was what was used in both models, the E350 had a 4.12:1 differential ratio and the E450 had a 4.56:1 differential ratio.

Do you have a link for the differential ratio specs on the newer E350/E450 chassis with the 6-speed tranny?

Hi Phil,
I found out from Winnebago Sales Manager Heidie (855-863-1364) that both the E-350 and the E-450 have the same 4.56:1 gear ratio. I also test-drove an E-350, and it turns the same engine speed as my E-450, so they are the same gear ratio.

Hi Jonathan,
Regarding the Outlook, it has many differences, such as a shower curtain, no glass-top for the stove, the smaller "classic" dinette (as you mentioned), and a membrane roof. Also, you cannot order an Outlook with an E-450 frame, should that be what you decide you really want.

The E-350 has a payload capacity of 1,280 pounds, whereas the E-450 has a payload of a little over 4,000 pounds. If I were to tow my boat, here is how I calculate my payload:
360 Lb = Two People
105 Lb = One Dog
384 Lb = 45 Gallons of fresh water
300 Lb = Tongue weight of boat trailer
..50 Lb = Food
200 Lb = Gear
100 Lb = Tools
1,499 Lb = Total Payload.

[mcfflyer]

Hey Jonathan, I'm happy to hear you're looking at a MW 22M. I bought a 2018 model that I recently gave my impressions on here:


http://www.winnieowners.com/forums/f...2m-354823.html


It's a great machine and we love camping in it. I hope you find what you're looking for, but strongly suggest against the Outlook. Many of the things that drew me to the MW 22M are missing from the Outlook.


Good luck!

[vern]

WE are looking for a 25ft or smaler Class C Minni Winni 10 years old or older. Please let us know if someone has one for sale

Vern

[vern]

35K

[Eagle5]

We have entered an awkward phase in the pricing of the 22M. A year ago, many of us were taking advantage of the double-discount from both Ford and Winnebago to get a 22M for somewhere in the $60K to $74K region. This year, I'm seeing zero used ones, while Roy Robinson is selling new 22Ms for about $114K, albeit those do have the $9,570 full body paint option.

The 22Ms which are available now do have the V-10 with the 6-speed automatic. When Ford and Winnebago start rolling-out the V-8 with the 10-speed automatic, we might see some fantastic clearance sales on the old V-10 & 6-speeds then.

[TATANKA01]

Originally Posted by JonathanH

Hi,

We have been looking for a 24' MH and think we have settled on a 2018 Minnie Winnie 22M. We are pretty sold on the Winnebago brand based on research and looking at many MHs of different manufacturers. We currently have a 2016 travel trailer that we bought from private party early last year, it has been a good trailer but we have come to realize that we'd prefer not towing. Oops.

I believe that we will still have warranty on the chassis and engine (9,000 miles on this 22M). I have talked to the owner several times on the phone and based on our conversations he seems very straightforward and honest. We have arranged to go look at the MH on Saturday morning. I plan to drive the unit on the freeway to see how it rides (basically empty though), and I plan to check all systems starting from the front and working to the back on the interior and the same on the exterior. I'm also bringing coveralls and a flashlight to crawl under the entire rig and look for excessive rust, evidence of fluid leakage, etc - like you might do on a truck or car, but since I have never actually crawled under an RV
I'm not really sure what to expect. I'm also slightly confused because I'm not clear on whether these are built on F350 or F450 chassises and what the advantage or disadvantage of either chassis would be other than towing capacity and possibly fuel consumption.

If anyone has ideas to help, I'd be grateful to hear them!

Thanks!

Jonathan

Jonathon,
We purchased a brand new 2019 22M in June 2019 for $60k out the door with all the options now standard on the $114K new model. I shopped on the RV trader and negotiated prices over the phone/internet until I found a dealer who would sell a new one at my price. I had to fly 800 miles for $235 to get it and a 2 day drive home but it was surely worth it for the savings. Look online and you will still see 2019's at close to that price. Robert

[AtleeH]

Originally Posted by JonathanH

Trying to understand the difference between the Outlook and the Minnie Winnie. The Outlook 22E and 22M look very similar with a few exceptions - notably the dinette. Does anyone know of any other major differences?

Thanks!

I believe another major difference is the front cap on the overhang on the the MW 22M. The cap covers the seams along the front edge.

The Outlook has exposed seams.