Community Forums

rrtribble · 05-18-2018, 07:48 AM

Finally made the move to purchase our new/to us DP: '07 Itaska Meridian 34H. Pick up next week. We are excited and looking forward to traveling down the road.

Request any Meridian 34H owners contact me with any information about their coach, mods they made and problems they encountered that I need to be aware of.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all those on 1rv2 for their timely information provided that helped me make this decision.

Thanks - Richard

Pepper2 · 05-18-2018, 07:50 AM

Congratulations!!!

FIRE UP · 05-18-2018, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrtribble

Finally made the move to purchase our new/to us DP: '07 Itaska Meridian 34H. Pick up next week. We are excited and looking forward to traveling down the road.

Request any Meridian 34H owners contact me with any information about their coach, mods they made and problems they encountered that I need to be aware of.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all those on 1rv2 for their timely information provided that helped me make this decision.

Thanks - Richard

Richard,
Well, you're acquiring a nice coach. We really like that length. Ours is an '04 Itasca Horizon 36GD with the C-7 330HP CAT. We might some day, back down to a 34Y. Anyway, I could direct you to lots of areas of inspection and investigation but, just for starters, I'd do a real thorough inspection of the roof-to-gutter seam for adhesion and sealing. That area is of primary concern for most of us with Winnes and Itascas. Also, do a thorough investigation of as many of the "Glue" attachment points for both the front & rear grills, all the headlight, fog light and other points of glue attaching for solidarity and stability. Winne and Itasca glued all that stuff on to the back side of both the front and rear caps.

And some of it has tendency to break loose and or fall off every now and then. There's more but, that will get you started on checking out your new coach. Good luck.
Scott

rrtribble · 05-19-2018, 08:40 AM

Thx Fire Up,
Shebbona RV is doing a complete review of all systems, engine, and coach and correcting everything. In addition I purchased a 1 year bumper to bumper service warranty because anything, new or used will have problems and since this is my first DP I know I will experience a learning curve, hopefully only a small one.
Looking forward to hitting the road with wife for a couple of short trips to get used to everything.
Wife wants me to call them daily for status but I told her they said a week so we'll let them do their work.
Decided to dolly tow '17 Buick Enclave. Considered a car hauler but went with the dolly for now because of limited storage space. Just sold our ranch so living in town (yuk) but necessary.
Safe travels.

FIRE UP · 05-19-2018, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrtribble

Thx Fire Up,
Shebbona RV is doing a complete review of all systems, engine, and coach and correcting everything. In addition I purchased a 1 year bumper to bumper service warranty because anything, new or used will have problems and since this is my first DP I know I will experience a learning curve, hopefully only a small one.
Looking forward to hitting the road with wife for a couple of short trips to get used to everything.
Wife wants me to call them daily for status but I told her they said a week so we'll let them do their work.
Decided to dolly tow '17 Buick Enclave. Considered a car hauler but went with the dolly for now because of limited storage space. Just sold our ranch so living in town (yuk) but necessary.
Safe travels.

You are more than welcome Sir.
I have done way more than I care to admit pertaining to maintenance, repairs, alterations, modifications, adjustments, and learning about our coach since we bought it about 7 years ago. Your new coach is very, very similar to ours. So, if you have any questions pertaining to just about anything, surely PM me and I'd be glad to help. And, you state you're getting a form of a warranty with it, correct?
Well, just for your own protection, do read that warranty brochure, cover to cover and even the FINE PRINT. While there are SOME good stories on here about aftermarket warranties actually living up to their expectations, there are plenty more stories on how they wormed out of coverage of an incident do to "fine print" which, when not read or followed in an incident, can lead to lots of heartache. Good luck and do ask if any questions arise.
Scott

DryCreek · 05-19-2018, 08:46 PM

I think that the Winnebago/Itasca 34' model is what we will be looking for next. It is on the very top end (34') of what we want in length, but it should fit our needs. I also like that before 2012 or so you will be DEF free!

Did they make a 32' entry level DP in the Meridian line?

Algonquin · 05-19-2018, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DryCreek

I think that the Winnebago/Itasca 34' model is what we will be looking for next. It is on the very top end (34') of what we want in length, but it should fit our needs. I also like that before 2012 or so you will be DEF free!

Did they make a 32' entry level DP in the Meridian line?

Our 2011 Meridian has DEF. I understand that DEF was mandatory after 2010. I don't think they made an entry level Meridian shorter than ours (34Y model but actual length of 35').

**TonyDi** · 05-19-2018, 09:45 PM

Congratulations and best of luck with your new Meridian.

CaptBill · 05-20-2018, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Algonquin

Our 2011 Meridian has DEF. I understand that DEF was mandatory after 2010. I don't think they made an entry level Meridian shorter than ours (34Y model but actual length of 35').

Just as a FYI, DEF applied to engines built in 2010 or after; not the model-year of the vehicle. Cummins knew this, and increased production of their engines, and stockpiled them, in the year or so before the switch.

So an RV (or any vehicle; truck, tractor, etc.) being produced in, say, 2010, 2011, 2012.... using pre-2010 manuf engines were not required to use the DEF system. Just thought you might like to know.

46490 · 05-20-2018, 09:24 AM

We have a 2014 34B Itasca Meridian - and we love it. As a word of caution verify which model of transmission you have. Ours is a Allison 2500 and is the limiting factor for the weight of a toad. Wish we had a 3000 series and I could tow more weight.

DryCreek · 05-20-2018, 07:56 PM

That is why I was thinking that before the MY2012 you could get a DEF-free Cummins. That was the year that the ISB in Dodge (OK, Ram) trucks ended up with DEF.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Algonquin

Our 2011 Meridian has DEF. I understand that DEF was mandatory after 2010. I don't think they made an entry level Meridian shorter than ours (34Y model but actual length of 35').

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptBill

Just as a FYI, DEF applied to engines built in 2010 or after; not the model-year of the vehicle. Cummins knew this, and increased production of their engines, and stockpiled them, in the year or so before the switch.

So an RV (or any vehicle; truck, tractor, etc.) being produced in, say, 2010, 2011, 2012.... using pre-2010 manuf engines were not required to use the DEF system. Just thought you might like to know.