Community Forums

daydream37 · 02-19-2019, 08:14 AM

We are seriously looking at a Itasca 35f. I currently own 2003 Winnebago Sightseer 30b and have had good luck with it. We like the Winnebago brand.

We have also been enthusiastic supporters of IRV2 forums. Is there anything that I should know about a 35f? (I realize that it is an "entry level" mid-size coach and doesn't have all the bells and whistles.) Does handle any better or worse than other gas motorhomes? Are there any maintenance issues specific to this coach? Any other positive or negative comments would be appreciated.

Tom-NC · 02-19-2019, 12:36 PM

Hi, What model is that and you should not have any problems.

I have an Adventuer 35P and it handles well with no modifications to it. The Ford is a little noisier when you get on it than the Workhorse but it pulls just fine and gas economy is the same as any other motorhome whether it be a gas or diesel, 7.5 - 8 mpg.

Get it an enjoy it.

daydream37 · 02-19-2019, 02:58 PM

(OP) The model is the one with a bath and half bath. One at midline and a full bath in rear. Very much like the various "35K" models made by other manufacturers.

daydream37 · 02-19-2019, 05:59 PM

The only thing I am really concerned about is the Schwintek Slide system. I know the 13 an 14 year systems were not good. I wonder if they were fixed for the 15s. The slides may be a deal breaker. Any of you Sunstar/Vista 35F people have any thoughts on this?

Eric n Karen · 02-20-2019, 08:06 AM

We had a 2015 Sightseer 36V which had Schwintek slides. They are very prone to failure, and I would not recommend purchasing any coach that has Schwintek slides. If they are Power Gear, they should be ok.

creativepart · 02-20-2019, 08:19 AM

A 2015 will still have the 5-speed transmission. Not a deal breaker but 2016’s (at least those built later in the model year) should have 6-speeds. This change is a massive improvement over the 5-speed.

You can tell a 5-speed from a 6-speed easily by looking at the PRNDL on the dash. If it’s PRND3 it’s a 5-speed, PRND4 is a 6-speed. But the F53 chassis didn’t change to 6-speeds until 2016.

And yes the Schwintec slides on 2014-2015 have a bad reputation for a reason.

Dave1956 · 02-20-2019, 04:32 PM

We have the next model down Itasca 33, and have been very happy. We had one problem with the schwintech slide but that was repaired by our Goodsam warranty and beefed up by the technician by adding an extra roller under the center point of the large slideout. This mod helps the big slide out wall not flex, which seems to have been our problem. I will add that both winnabego factory repair and Schwintek were very helpful in getting me where I needed to be for the best repair. They were very good at explaining everything and making sure I knew what needed to be done. Schwintek talked me through some diagnosis to help make sure what the problem was before going to a shop.

Slides will always be a love hate issue for us...

Aside from that no problems at all. We have the 2015 Ford v10 5 speed and are completely satisifed, even pulling our jeep GC. My partner has the model you are exploring and is equally pleased. We like our dining and seating better than his and find ours a bit more usable on the road. We also will stop in national parks so a few less feet can make a difference. I should add that ours has the Banks power system on the engine so that probably helps a bit on hills and wind.

Due to our National Park camping we are considering a down size. If you are at all interested in the 33c, email me. That said, I wouldn't hesitate to get the Itasca product.

daydream37 · 02-21-2019, 06:43 AM

(OP) Thanks for the responses. Our current motorhome has the Ford V10 with a 5 speed. I have no problem with this combination.

My RV repair guy said I should not be worried about the Schwinntec slide. He said they were a problem but they have improved over time. He said it wouldn't be a dealbreaker for him.

bandit2026 · 02-21-2019, 04:55 PM

I have a 2014 and have no slide problems and that's with 45k miles. There are videos on u tube that show how to lube and what to use. The trouble with the slides was the full wall slide with all the appliances in it. With the 2 you have no problem. Do the CHF and add a trac bar then let the water wheel roll.

daydream37 · 02-22-2019, 05:26 AM

(OP) Thanks that makes me feel better. I go to see it in person today and negotiate a final price

jrpend · 02-25-2019, 01:20 PM

We have a 37F and love it. Bought it in 2015 and have been full time ever since. We still think we got the right one.

Engine can be a bit loud - particularly going up steep grade - but that is the nature of a gasser. Pulling our Smart Car Toad we get between 6 and * mpg.

SchwinTeks can be an issue - My whole wall slide failed once - before Winne had the power gear retro-fit - so it got replaced with SchwinTeks - have had no furthur issues. As one of the RV techs told me fully 1/2 of the schwinTeks out there have not had issues

. If they fail again, I'm booking a run to Junction City or Forest City for the power gear retro.

There were some quality issues with our rig - I would pay particular attention to the plumbing - gray and black and plumbing leaks. I've had to redo the PEX fittings in couple of places - fortunately accessible. I am currently dealing with a case where the black tank vent came out of the tank.

That being said - I think that is pretty much industry standard - I was listening to a guy bitch about quality in his Tiffin the other day.

Digger29 · 02-25-2019, 02:54 PM

We bought a new 35F in the early spring of 15. We loved the floor plan with the L couch and bath and half and the amount of underneath storage. I hated driving it because it was all over the road. I did everything I could tips wise from here and the other Winnie forum. Me and my son added a rear trak bar and Koni shocks and I messed with tire pressures and while those mods definitely helped with the body roll it still wandered all over the road. The coach was definitely affected by the wind and passing tractor trailers and those uneven parts of the highway. The V10 always seemed to be searching for the right gear. It struggled pulling my 24' aluminum trailer. The V10 was so loud that it made it difficult to hold a convo with my wife especially when pulling the trailer. We kept it until the fall of 15 and traded it in for a 15 Itasca Solei 36G DP. The Solei pulled the trailer like it wasn't there and went straight as arrow down the road. It wasn't affected by wind or tractor trailers passing us. It was a pleasure to drive. It was super quiet and got 3-5MPG more the 35F did. I hate to be so negative because we loved the 35F when we got where we going but hated the drive there. My wife wouldn't even leave the passenger seat until we got where we were going. With the Solei she's waking around and cooking stuff for us while we travel. I'm can drive it with one finger if I wanted to instead to the two handed white knuckle drive of the 35F. We just sold the Solei and bought an almost new 14 Meridian 42E. Just my humble opinion so please take it for what's worth.

waterman480 · 02-25-2019, 06:30 PM

IMHO, Winnebago should have bumped up the chassis rating. It is great for my 30a, but marginal for the 35f. Schwintek slides - it is only a matter of time. Currently I have to deal with my big slide closing at the top, but not the bottom. It is about a two hour fix, if you know what you are doing and have the space, helper, and know how to do it. If you have to go to a dealer

. It is not a question of if, but more a question of when.

daydream37 · 02-26-2019, 06:56 AM

(OP) The coach was at Camping World being worked on when I called for a viewing. I was told that it was getting checked out and an oil change. Finally I was able to see the unit a few days ago. It was in very nice condition as advertised. There were some issues but all fairly minor.

I told the owner about my concerns about the Schwintek slide system and asked him if he had any problems with it. He said that while it was at Camping World they had detected that one of the slide motors was making noise and they replaced them both. Alarms went off in my little brain. I looked in the compartment where the controller was and the cover was off, screws strewn about and the controller lying on the floor of the compartment not screwed in place. (typical CW workmanship)

We took the coach to a parking lot and ran the slide in and out. It creaked and groaned and what I assumed were rollers squealed loudly as we brought the slide in. Also, while in, the slide did not fit well and while driving it clunked and banged over bumps. Perhaps this is the case with large slides but, not wanting to buy problems, I decided to walk away.

I really liked the interior layout of the 35F. During the test drive it felt a bit unwieldy with the tail wagging the dog. The engine noise was quite tolerable compared to my 30b. All in all, I felt the coach was a nice unit for the price but more trouble and too large for my liking.

Thanks everyone for your input. It was very instructive and valuable information. I love this forum!