Buying a 2020 Winnebago Horizon 42Q for Full-Time RVing

[doo music]

Hi, we are new to class A motor homes but my wife and I are planning to purchase 2020 Horizon 42Q in next 60 days. I hear lot of negative stories about this model and lot of good stories.. Does anyone have this model and how do you like it so far? Any major issues? We plan to full time.. Just got our address set up and got our license in SD where I was told the best state to be full time Rvers..

We love look of it and Winnebago is just iconic name in RV..

 

[Eagle5]

Greetings doo music,
Here are the search results for this site using just "42Q"

Search results for query: 42Q

www.winnieowners.com

We also have this general checklist for purchasing an RV:

Picking Up Your New or New To You RV - Must Read!

Whether your RV is new from the factory, or existing stock at a dealership, or even just "new to you" when buying used from a dealer, consigner or private seller you MUST take care of more than picking out an RV and arranging financing. Here then, is a good start on the process and keep in mind...

www.winnieowners.com

Hopefully, the 42Q has a great sound system!

Welcome to the forum.
Eagle5

 

[Morich]

Congrats on trying to avoid mistakes. shopping ahead is often very good.
One way to get a bit of extra info on the new is looking at some of the online info Winnebago does give us. Maybe I can point to some info that may/may not be something to read over in the next few weeks?
Winn home site as a starter to all kinds of other info:

Home - Winnebago

www.winnebago.com

Under the owners tab is a spot to look up owners manuals for lots of things you will want to know once you get it in hand, so perhaps looking over that for good info?
One problem on that when I tried to go direct to the manual? I did not spot a 2020 Horizon?? Not sure what to make of that as I do find links to wiring for that year/model?? A bug somewhere in there!
But you can often get some inside looks at things like plumbing and how to drain, etc. that never hurts to know in advance!
Happy shopping and hope it all works great but I tend to assume there will be lots of things I never thought of---until I REALLY need it!

 

[JackK-WO]

I generally don't like Covid builds since most have suffered from numerous quality deficiencies. But a 2020 model may have had all or most of the bugs corrected. Only a comprehensive maintenance history will tell the full story. Let the buyer know as much as possible but still be wary.

 

[Cookie22]

My wife and I bought one 2 years ago. We love it I have upgraded a lot in in to make it easier to live in. Our next big upgrade are the coach batterie's. Do you any specific questions about this model as this is our forest one as well.

 

[fanrgs]

I generally don't like Covid builds since most have suffered from numerous quality deficiencies. But a 2020 model may have had all or most of the bugs corrected.

We have a 2020 Navion, but it was built in late 2019 before Covid. We bought it used in 2021 and some issues had already been repaired. We have had a few issues, but most have been related to the Sprinter cutaway chassis it was built on. The 2019 Sprinters were a new model, with upgraded transmission, dash intruments/screens, and safety features. Some of those needed "adjustment" and several recalls.

Check your build date, if you can find it!

 

[RV_Lee]

I dont think Winnebago suffered as much as the Indiana RVs during covid. Many Indiana companies were hiring "work today, paid today" people that had no training. They were drilling through wiring harnesses and putting propane lines through the suspension coils - just chaos.

 

[creativepart]

The thing to know about the 2020 Horizon... it was made in Junction City, Oregon at the old Country Coach factory. It was a ground breaking design chosen for "RV of the Year" when if first came out. But unfortunately had a very short run. I've never heard what the actual numbers produced totaled but I've seen estimates of 40 or so units.

This doesn't mean anything bad per say, but it does mean you'll find few other owners out there.

The only complaints I've seen are with the super fine Italian Cabinetry inside the RV. It's pretty much unique and not available for replacement should you need that in the future.

Winnebago did purchase the Italian company that made the cabinets so, "maybe" there's hope there???

Why Oregon? Winnebago purchased the factory and rights to the Country Coach trademark after CC went bankrupt. There was a grand scheme to move all Winnebago DP production there and this was begun with the Horizon. This plan quickly ran into issues and Winnebago took a $50 million loss on the whole idea. They finished production of the 40 or so Horizons that they had purchased parts for and shut the whole thing down. As a result, Winnebago is virtually out of the diesel Class A motorhome market - with only one model remaining, the Forza, which was the only model not planned to be built in Oregon.

Winnebago sold the factory and what else they could to Premier Motor Coach as a classic Country Coach repair and sales outlet.

 

[RV_Lee]

The thing to know about the 2020 Horizon... it was made in Junction City, Oregon at the old Country Coach factory. It was a ground breaking design chosen for "RV of the Year" when if first came out. But unfortunately had a very short run. I've never heard what the actual numbers produced totaled but I've seen estimates of 40 or so units.

This doesn't mean anything bad per say, but it does mean you'll find few other owners out there.

The only complaints I've seen are with the super fine Italian Cabinetry inside the RV. It's pretty much unique and not available for replacement should you need that in the future.

Winnebago did purchase the Italian company that made the cabinets so, "maybe" there's hope there???

Why Oregon? Winnebago purchased the factory and rights to the Country Coach trademark after CC went bankrupt. There was a grand scheme to move all Winnebago DP production there and this was begun with the Horizon. This plan quickly ran into issues and Winnebago took a $50 million loss on the whole idea. They finished production of the 40 or so Horizons that they had purchased parts for and shut the whole thing down. As a result, Winnebago is virtually out of the diesel Class A motorhome market - with only one model remaining, the Forza, which was the only model not planned to be built in Oregon.

Winnebago sold the factory and what else they could to Premier Motor Coach as a classic Country Coach repair and sales outlet.

I believe they were long gone from Oregon by 2020. Plant was vacant and for sale by then, too difficult getting the bare chassis all the way out there. Its why Country coach made their own (previous owner of factory)

 

[creativepart]

Hi, we are new to class A motor homes but my wife and I are planning to purchase 2020 Horizon 42Q in next 60 days.

I happened to see a Facebook Group dedicated to the Horizon in my feed today and thought you may like to check it out:

https://m.facebook.com/groups/593978904463202