Opinions on Purchasing a 2020 Winnebago Horizon 40A

[jampus]

Purchasing a Winnebago Horizon 40a.
Hi, we are owners of a 2011 Winnebago Journey Express, we have had this for 5 yrs now with just over a year of full time living in it. We love it but the main slide is now broken and the mechanic cannot find a replacement part. So, we are buying a 2020 Winnebago Horizon 40a. We cannot find much about this coach, good or bad. As the purchase is contingent now only on a major flaw I am praying that any shared stories here are positive. Please can owners of this coach respond with some info/advice/remarks on their experiences. Thanks

 

[creativepart]

Hi and welcome.
We have a few owners of the new version of the Hoizon and hopefully someone will chime in with their experiences. But let me give you some background.

The 2020 Horizon was a reintroduction of a discontinued Itasca model of the same name. However, only the name is in common with the older Horizon. There is a bit of a story about the 2020 (new) Horizon.

It starts when the RV manufacturer Country Coach in Junction City, OR went out of business in 2009. Winnebago purchased the name, assets and property of the company for little money. There were rumors that the goal was to revive Country Coach, but that never happened.

Instead Winnebago came up with a plan to move all Diesel Class A manufacturing from Forest City. Iowa to Junction City Oregon. The 2020 Horizon was the first model to be built at the old CC facility with former CC employees.

Long story short… the move failed and the Horizon was the only RV built there before the whole planned move was curtailed and the factory shut down and the property was resold.

Before the closing Winnebago made some number of Horizon Class As. I’ve heard the number was between 20 and 40. But have no real knowledge of how many were built.

The Horizon was a fairly radical departure from previous Winnebago motor homes and won many design awards that first year.

Though they may carry model year designations for more than 2020, I think they were all limited to that year of production.

Be aware that their short run may make finding parts problematic. Especially for the Italian made interior cabinets.

I’m sure many other systems are standard issue Class A diesel pusher parts and not all that uncommon.

Hope this helps.

 

[jampus]

Thank you for the reply and information. Right now the cabinets look to be in very good shape. Not sure how well the facade lasts but other than that it is basically just a way to latch them if that goes out, there's nothing else to them, so not too worried about that. I guess my main concern was that this rig has been on the consignment lot for over a year and not sure why that would be, especially as I couldn't find any info on this make. It made me think that it should be a "no touch" model.
The macerator and aqua hot water system are new to us so learning needed there and the mattress will probably be changed out asap as we had that one in our current RV and it was not comfortable.
so, bar any major problems in the walkthrough it sounds like all else has parts that should be easily found. We have had excellent service through Winnebago before with identifying and ordering parts so hope that continues.
thanks again

 

[creativepart]

The issue with the cabinets is the curves and bending that went into their construction and that high gloss finish. If you have any damage it can be impossible to repair or replace.

The new Horizon was a polarizing design, many loved it. It was awarded RV of the Year that first year. There were many traditionalists that did not like the design... too modern. As a result, sales were slow, glacial actually.

Winnebago built out all the motorhomes they had stockpiled parts for and quickly closed up shop. By then the decision had been made to "cut bait" on the move to Oregon. And, because of the planned move the Iowa factory had already changed the diesel Class A part of the factory into production of different models (I think to make more Sprinter Class Cs) so, there was never an attempt to bring the Horizon production back to Iowa. In fact, for the next 3 years Winnebago simply stopped making all related DP models - the Journey, Tour and Grand Tour. Side note: The Forza Class A diesel was made on a different line and was never discontinued during all of this changeover.

After 3-years Winnebago built a new Factory section and introduced a redesigned Journey but ran into so many issues that it took over a year after it's formal introduction before any started showing up on dealers lots. But then, that too, turned into a big problem and in 2024-2025 the new Journey was discontinued, as well and the few remaining on dealer lots are being sold at cut rate prices and, get this, without a factory warranty.

Today, only the Forza model remains of Winnebago's diesel Class A products

 

[Morich]

If you want to gain some more info than the sales items offer, we can often use the parts catalog to look for things that are hidden away out of sight.

Parts Catalog

It takes a bit of time to get the hang of some of the controls, somewhat like getting a new cell phone?
But it does let you choose specific item like plumbing and then go deep inside the walls and under the floor to look for anything that might be a problem for the way you expect to use the RV.
Perhaps cold is a question? I like to look at things like where the plumbing runs. Is it in the outer walls where it is more prone to freeze? Are there odd bends in the line from the drain handles to the valves, making it more likely they stick? Are there extra pumps to lift waste up and over the rear axle to get it drained? Maybe a look at whether there are heat ducts run through the floor to warm under the floor in the compartments? That can change things a lot if you are in cold areas!
That sort of thing can be easier to spot and almost impossible to see by simply crawling around looking at the RV. Much less effort and far more info to consider?

Not seeing the macerator mentioned? Perhaps check that info?
Not spotting Aqua hot nor a water heater, so there may be some question there OR I am missing seeing what I thought?
I do see motor aid, which may be confused with Aqua hot?

But there may be a tub full of things you might want to cross check after going by to look at things and the interactive parts is just another bit of info!
Good luck on the search! Life and RV are rarely ever perfect!

 

[jampus]

looking at this parts catalog I don't see the Horizon as a choice on the menu. Is it under another name ? 2022 serial number starts with 10P7, none of them have a P letter.

 

[creativepart]

Not seeing the macerator mentioned? P

The Macerator is built into the Toilet. Also, the Adventurer and other Winnebago models have a very similar setup and plumbing for about a decade or more and it's not been an issue. As a former owner of that model I can attest that it was a non-issue on my RV.

 

[RV_Lee]

Horizon production was moved back to Iowa in 2019. It was too difficult to get all the bare chassis shipped to the west coast. Its why County coach made their own. As I understand Winnebago is exiting the class A diesel market to let Newmar (that they own) have more room. I dont agree with it, but its what they are doing. They seem to buy out a manufacturer and then stop making those competing models themselves.

 

[creativepart]

Horizon production was moved back to Iowa in 2019. It was too difficult to get all the bare chassis shipped to the west coast. Its why County coach made their own. As I understand Winnebago is exiting the class A diesel market to let Newmar (that they own) have more room. I dont agree with it, but its what they are doing. They seem to buy out a manufacturer and then stop making those competing models themselves.

Really, i was told that everything for the Horizon was already in Oregon and so those were finished there. But then I don't know if the info I received was correct, that's just what someone told me. I wonder what the yellow placard in the Horizon says about place of manufacture??

I know they've stopped the main diesel pusher line in Iowa, but I checked today and the Forza DP is still in the catalog and not showing "dealer stock only" which is usually what you see when they've stopped making a model. I won't be surprised if it goes away.

Here's a good question - is Newmar building the Freedom Aire themselves or is Winnebago making them with Newmar badging? The Freedom Aire is very much identical to the 2026 Winnebago View 24D with a few changes to graphics and interior materials. If Winnebago is making this Newmar I suppose we could see some Newmar models rebadged as Winnebagos in the future???

 

[Morich]

Ok, good idea on the macerator built into the stool as it will likely solve several problems. Far less chance of a "tower" or drain clogging if the waste meets grinder first before going to the smaller drain size.
Just not one I had considered but was looking for stand alone macerator!
On the water tank point, I found the tank shown but as part of the motor -aid rather than fresh water system. Sometimes how they decide to show things can get a bit weird?

I thought you were considering a 2020? The info I gave above is found in that group. No signs of Horizon after that year!

On what to expect from any production line as we are in such chaos is going to be a trick for years! Likely only the larger groups will manage to hang on. My business friends are of the smaller, under ten people, variety and those who talk are pretty well just dropping out, rather than risk what they have scraped together.

 

[jampus]

I thought you were considering a 2020? The info I gave above is found in that group. No signs of Horizon after that year!

UGH, YES, the 2022 was a Super C we looked at, my mistake. I found the Horizon in the parts catalog, thanks

 

[Morich]

Totally understand.
I use the excuse that the only folks making mistakes are the ones who are trying to get something done!!!
A couple hints if you get into looking around that setup?
If you know or can spot a part on the drawing, click on the big plus sign down in lower left and then on apart you might want to keep centered. this has to be done before scrolling or zooming in too much!
Then if you find a part in the list but have no idea where to find it on the drawing, click the name repeatedly and it will then flash yellow on the drawing, making it easier to spot things when we have no idea what they look like or where they hide.
Sometimes I find a part on the drawing and want to know WHAT it is or "official " name? Click on the part and it pops up on the list!

Basicly, I play with the system way too much!

 

[RV_Lee]

Really, i was told that everything for the Horizon was already in Oregon and so those were finished there. But then I don't know if the info I received was correct, that's just what someone told me. I wonder what the yellow placard in the Horizon says about place of manufacture??

I know they've stopped the main diesel pusher line in Iowa, but I checked today and the Forza DP is still in the catalog and not showing "dealer stock only" which is usually what you see when they've stopped making a model. I won't be surprised if it goes away.

Here's a good question - is Newmar building the Freedom Aire themselves or is Winnebago making them with Newmar badging? The Freedom Aire is very much identical to the 2026 Winnebago View 24D with a few changes to graphics and interior materials. If Winnebago is making this Newmar I suppose we could see some Newmar models rebadged as Winnebagos in the future???

This was July 2020 and they were already long gone

 

[Cookie22]

Purchasing a Winnebago Horizon 40a.
Hi, we are owners of a 2011 Winnebago Journey Express, we have had this for 5 yrs now with just over a year of full time living in it. We love it but the main slide is now broken and the mechanic cannot find a replacement part. So, we are buying a 2020 Winnebago Horizon 40a. We cannot find much about this coach, good or bad. As the purchase is contingent now only on a major flaw I am praying that any shared stories here are positive. Please can owners of this coach respond with some info/advice/remarks on their experiences. Thanks

We have the 2020 42q and we love it because it’s dependable and it’s on a solid frame.

 

[Journey39n]

Sorry to hear about your slide issue with the 2011 Journey Express. We have the 2010 Journey Express 39n. Still going strong after 15+ years of full timing. But the big slide is a little wonky sometimes. It wants to stop with the trailing edge out 1 inch or so every now and then. I extend it back out a few feet, then retract to try to get it closer. With the top slide lock engaged, we drive with it out a bit, so far, no issues. Not happy about it, but it does it perhaps three times in a row, then might go 10 travel days fully retracted. There is a rather detailed process to re-align the motors, I just haven't tried it, as about the time I'm going to do it, the slide works perfectly. Just another quirk to full time RV life.

 

[Jamp]

Does anyone have any ideas on getting a user manual for the 2020 Horizon? I cannot find it on the web site.

 

[SaintsAngels]

Purchasing a Winnebago Horizon 40a.
Hi, we are owners of a 2011 Winnebago Journey Express, we have had this for 5 yrs now with just over a year of full time living in it. We love it but the main slide is now broken and the mechanic cannot find a replacement part. So, we are buying a 2020 Winnebago Horizon 40a. We cannot find much about this coach, good or bad. As the purchase is contingent now only on a major flaw I am praying that any shared stories here are positive. Please can owners of this coach respond with some info/advice/remarks on their experiences. Thanks

We purchased a 2020 Horizon 40A early this year and are very happy with it. We have used it quite a bit this past year. We originally looked at the new Horizon when it came out in 2018 but wasn't right time for us to upgrade but we loved the layout and modern design. It also has so many higher end features & appliances but at a great price point. Then COVID pricing hit and so we just watched the used market for this unit until pricing came down, which they finally did this year. Lots of windows and we like the one, larger bathroom. We feel having 2 bathrooms in an RV is wasted space. We also wanted a late 2019 model or newer to get the 450 HP Cummins. Earlier models are the 400 HP version. You will appreciate the extra power. Drives and handles really nice. Handles hills really well. Like any used RV, we had some things to fix and had a full service done right away. Also resealed everything on outside. The one big thing is there are quite a few micro-cracks on the fiberglass roof around the shower skylight and Winnebago did not honor their 10-year warranty which is very disappointing. We are having FlexArmor applied to the entire roof next month as every RV we've owned have had roof issues and FlexArmor is good value for money but even greater peace of mind. We did have an RV inspector do a detailed inspection so we knew what we were getting into and used the findings in negotiations so I certainly recommend this. The only thing I don't like is the Xcite main screen nav/entertainment unit in the dash. Doesn't have modern apps like CarPlay and is essentially Y2K technology. I only use it for the outside cameras and use my iPhone for navigation, music, etc. Also have an issue with the central HDMI switcher. The audio keeps cutting out regardless of which TV I use and which input I use. I replaced the switcher but that didn't fix it. Not a big deal as all the TVs are smart tvs so I can get all my various apps (DirectTV, YouTube, Amazon, Netflix...) directly via each TV but would've been nice to use my single AppleTV. As for parts, we haven't had an issue. Winnebago has a full 3D model of the unit and you can identify and select individual parts. I then purchase through Lichtsinn RV.

 

[creativepart]

The only thing I don't like is the Xcite main screen nav/entertainment unit in the dash.

Are you aware of the ability to purchase a SD card with a different GPS mapping system for your Xite system? It still won’t give you CarPlay etc, but it does provide up to date maps and it works fairly well..

 

[Jamp]

Can I install Android Auto on the Xite system?

 

[creativepart]

Can I install Android Auto on the Xite system?

No you can’t.