Itasca Ellipse/Winnebago Tour

[aknavy]

Are these basically the same coach? If not, what are the differences?


How are these coaches - what should I look for if I decide to go this route?

[Electra 225]

They are exactly the same coach except for different paint schemes, and interior decor colors etc.
Same chassis, engine, transmission, etc.
Ours has been a good unit. Stable smooth ride and handling, quiet, insulated well, good bang for buck coach.
The only problematic thing was the first generation Schwintek slide (track) mechanism. The second generation floating track system has corrected the issue for the most part.
What year are you looking at?

[aknavy]

2012 - 2014. They seem to do a lot of little things inside that make them more liveable/usable, at least from what I can see online.



How is the basement storage?


These are rear radiator, correct? How difficult is it to do routine maintenance on them?



Thanks!

Originally Posted by Electra 225

They are exactly the same coach except for different paint schemes, and interior decor colors etc.
Same chassis, engine, transmission, etc.
Ours has been a good unit. Stable smooth ride and handling, quiet, insulated well, good bang for buck coach.
The only problematic thing was the first generation Schwintek slide (track) mechanism. The second generation floating track system has corrected the issue for the most part.
What year are you looking at?

[Gordon Dewald]

We have a 15. Good coach, Had a few problems but not many when you look at the posts for other brands. Drives really nicely. Enough power and tracks well. No issues with wandering. Pull a 14,000 lb trailer and handles it well.

Really livable. We are really comfortable. Well insulated. We took the factory tour and watched them put a wall together. Not sure how a better wall could be built.

We are happy and would buy another one.

[Electra 225]

The '12s still had the Powergear slides. From '13 on Schwintek was used on the bedroom and large living room/kitchen slides like on our QD. During the whole Schwintek ordeal, Schwintek and Powergear merged. I have the floating track replacement on the big curbside slideout, and the bedroom is still original and has not been problematic. The issue was simply too much weight for the fixed track system to handle on the heavy slideouts.
Yes it is rear radiator. I have had no issues with it, and cooling is fine. Routine maintenance is not too bad, just keep up on lube schedules and keep her breathing clean air, etc.
Basement storage is excellent, one of the biggest in the industry at around 200 cubic feet.
If you're set on a side radiator, you have one option in the big Winnebagos.....that's the 45RL. It's a Grand Tour, same Maxum chassis as the others, engine etc etc.....it has Gerard awnings and a few more amenities of course, and you jump to 45ft length.....and a different floorplan. But that's past the 2014 year cut off. Just some extra info there.

[aknavy]

Do they have engine brakes? I don't see that in any of the listings that I've looked at.

[Electra 225]

Yes, it's a two stage engine brake.

[Five2o]

It matters next to nothing where the radiator is mounted...9 years 130k miles on my Ellipse.
Only thing you will need to do that may be easier is swap out the serpentine belt perhaps once...needed the wife to help...no big deal. Nothing else will go wrong with the ISL...change the oil...change the fuel filter...die of old age before any trouble.

[aknavy]

Originally Posted by Five2o

It matters next to nothing where the radiator is mounted...9 years 130k miles on my Ellipse.
Only thing you will need to do that may be easier is swap out the serpentine belt perhaps once...needed the wife to help...no big deal. Nothing else will go wrong with the ISL...change the oil...change the fuel filter...die of old age before any trouble.

Good to know...from alot of the posts here, it would seem that the side radiator is a must have option.


On a slightly different note - is heated floor an option for them?

[Electra 225]

Originally Posted by aknavy

On a slightly different note - is heated floor an option for them?

I don't know of any with heated floors, I could be wrong on the new ones. But I have not heard of it.

[Lv2Roam2]

We’re in year 5 of FTiming in our Ellipse - doing very well. Heated floors are not / were not an available option. We get our annual service done in Gaffney, SC by Freightliner - absolutely great! The WBGO factory and Lichtsinn RV in Forest City, IA does our ‘house’ repair work if needed.

Recommend you check the following on a 2012 - 14 coach:
- Slide out motors / tracks on passenger side slides
- Are A/C compressor fans the ‘D’ models?
- Are aqua-hot (AH) pumps the round (preferred) models versus square (problematic) models? Are all zones working?
- Use the published Freightliner maintenance schedules to see if all required maintenance has been done.
- Have Freightliner check to see if all recalls have been done.
- Check all tires for wear and proper inflation. It’s somewhat normal for the tag tires to have some outer edge scrubbing due to low speed cornering. Look carefully at the steer tires for inside edge wear. We run our steers at 120 - drive and tag at 90.
- Check the rooftop side radius for clear coat peeling. Exposure to elements on the thin curved fiberglas has led to some problems.

Keep the questions coming - there’s a bunch of owners with great experience on these coaches - glad to help!

[bertman]

2012 Ellipse. Wouldn't trade it for anything else out there including the new models! 40,000 miles. Don't worry about rear radiator. Does not restrict any maintenance. Service shops don't have a problem with them.

[aknavy]

I looked at one the other day - I liked the coach, but noted two negatives - limited closet space, and I don't recall a pantry. What do you use for food storage?

[Electra 225]

If it's the QD model, it's next to the fridge. Just about every manufacturer puts it there in the FWS.