Vista LX 27N vs Vista 27N (What does LX mean)

[Papa Dave]

I have been interested in Vista 27N models for a while and have found a 2018 Vista LX 27N for sale.
In studying the Winnie brochures for 2018, both Vista and Vista LX models are offered but the 27N is available only as an LX. Is the Vista LX a limited "stripped down" version of the Vista? I notice that the Vista LX was only built from 2016 to 2018. There were Vista 27N versions (not LX) made in 2015 and earlier. Was the quality of the earlier year Vista 27N's better in any way than a 2018 Vista LX 27N? Thanks

 

[Morich]

This is going to be a bit of study to get the exact right answer as there are also two different builds of the 2018 27N LX, one early and another later in the year. That extra build date most likely means there were some changes that made some changes which would be extremely hard to notice.
For shopping purposes, it may help to look at the serial number of the RV.
That should be a label near the driver's seat. Note the serial number, not the VIN number and check the 7th digit of that number. If it is 1 you have an early build or 2 for later in the year.
It's part of the folly of the idea that RV are all the same !

So if the details are important, I suggest going to two different sources for reliable info beyond the "sales" info.
One is that label as it gives far more indepth info on chassis things that may change as well as other details.
To read that label, it will help to have a bit of info on how to read it:
This should take you to the owner's manual for all the products:

Operator Manuals | Winnebago Owner Manuals

Find and view the operator manual here by searching for your specific year and model from our list.

www.winnebago.com

The manual itself can often lead to spotting things we need to know! That rarely read thing can actually tell us a lot!

A second site to consider is the parts listing. It is an interactive things that lets you actually zoom, scroll twist and turn to get a view which can be far better than actually looking at the RV, in some ways. You can "see through walls" for lots of details like where and how the plumbing runs! If you are in cold weather often, this can give you a heads up on where pipes may be run, to better judge how quickly they will become a freeze question!
You can also spot where and how to drain things! Any really awkward things in how the plumbing lines run? Does it use a second pump to drain some extra tank that you might not be aware of by a simple shopping trip?


The build date may also indicate some change in the electronics as that is an area which is changing very quickly. Does it have the same audio systems, same TV, or did they change the equipment used to connect chassis and coach batteries together? Old RV use a solenoid that tends to get burned contacts after long use, while newer may use a solid state BIM (BATTERY ISOLATION MANAGER).
One might be able to head off even looking at some RV, if you find something truly ugly?
But much of the details may only be in something as hard to spot as type of fabric.
To really get the true picture of what you are buying, it may be necessary to look at the printed info that comes with new RV, much like we see in car windows! What options, what feature codes were ordered when new?
One item I might question is how the fabric called "ultra leather is working out now. In the 2015 model era, that was a problem as it tended to peel way too soon. Have they worked out the problems or is it still a factor?
But the part listing can help to spot some difficult questions:

Winnebago Cortona Portal

catalog.winnebagoind.com

We have lots of info online now but it can almost be more than we can handle! Information overload?

Good luck on the search as it can be a trek at times~!

 

[Papa Dave]

Thanks Morich. That's a lot of very useful info.
I do still wonder what the "LX" designation means if anything.

 

[wyocamper-WO]

I've always assumed that it just means they can charge more for it. My 2015 Vista 27N is the same chassis and floorplan as a 2016 Vista LX 27N and an Adventurer 27N. Maybe there are some interior upgrades to warrant the higher price? I have no idea, but we're pretty happy with our 27N.

 

[dougb-WO]

I have a 2019 27N Adventurer. For what its worth it has a lot of add ons that the Vista does not have. Just FYI.

 

[powercat_ras]

I have a 2015 Vista 27N, prior to the LX branding, there were two tiers of Vistas and this was confusing. 27N was always in the higher tier in terms of feature functionality. So Winnebago started branding all the higher tier Vistas as Vista LX to differentiate them from the lower tier Vistas. The lower tier dropped a few features like shore power charging the chassis battery so they could be priced cheaper to satisfy dealer demand for Winnebagos that were about the same MSRP as the Thor motorized RVs. The only major things they added when they introduced the LX branding was that the front got a power shade and a view windw in front of the passenger seat by the floor. Also some minor cosmetic things like nicer backsplash in kitchen and bath. One more thing, I believe full body paint was an option on the 27N and may have become standard on the 27N Vista LX and 27N Adventurer

At some point they started offering 50A shore power and two AC on the roof in the 27N, think it was an option in 27N LX and became standard in the 27N Adventurer. The 27N Adventurer also introduced an additional bedroom window between the wardrobe slide and the back wall of the RV. All that said if you park a 2015 Vista 27N with full body paint next to a 27N Adventurer and compare you will not see hardly any difference either inside or outside.

All the 27N were built with the same construction, cabinetry, countertop materials, tank sizes, floor plans doors, and windows. The different names over the years IMHO were mostly about branding and justifying the ever increasing prices.