Newbie 1994 Flair - Metal or wood framed and MPG?

[wanderso]

Greetings - I'm about to buy a 1994 Fleetwood Flair 26 footer, 1 owner, 18k miles to upgrade my 1991 Toyota Winnebago Warrior V6. A few quick questions that you might know:

1) Are studs in the wall and roof on this rig metal (steel or aluminum) or wood? I can't find any specs on the web or brochures that go that far back. Any areas that can get dry rot? (No leaks noted)

2) What can I expect for mileage out of the 454? 6-8 MPG? I was spoiled with 14MPG on the toyota.

3) What is the towing capacity of these rigs? 3,500 lbs? Hoping to tow a dinghy (car)

4) Does this suspension use airbags in the front even on the 26' rig?

5) How suceptible are these particular rigs to sway?

For those who own a mid-90's Flair - do you like it? Anything that you wish was different?

Anything else that you suggest that I should be aware of with this rig over my Class C that I just sold?

[Chuck 1935]

I had a 1994 Flair that we loved although ours was a 32ft Diesel Pusher. We had ours re striped which made it look up to date. It looked so good that we had offers to buy it while it was still in the shop.
I'm sure you will enjoy it as much as we enjoyed ours.
Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

[ga traveler]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wanderso Greetings - I'm about to buy a 1994 Fleetwood Flair 26 footer, 1 owner, 18k miles to upgrade my 1991 Toyota Winnebago Warrior V6. A few quick questions that you might know: 1) Are studs in the wall and roof on this rig metal (steel or aluminum) or wood? I can't find any specs on the web or brochures that go that far back. Any areas that can get dry rot? (No leaks noted) 2) What can I expect for mileage out of the 454? 6-8 MPG? I was spoiled with 14MPG on the toyota. 3) What is the towing capacity of these rigs? 3,500 lbs? Hoping to tow a dinghy (car) 4) Does this suspension use airbags in the front even on the 26' rig? 5) How suceptible are these particular rigs to sway? For those who own a mid-90's Flair - do you like it? Anything that you wish was different? Anything else that you suggest that I should be aware of with this rig over my Class C that I just sold?

#1
fleetwood used steel studded walls this year.
#2 7 to 9 would be about right with throttle body p32. I would think you would average 8 1/2 If you drive below 65. #3 It has at least a 3500 hitch and maybe 5000# #4 chevy p32 uses a airbag in the coil spring. Make sure you go back with Polyeurethane bag. NOT the rubber chevy bag. #5 I had a 95 31 ft. and did not think it had a sway problem. Of course if a 18 wheeler passes you at 80 mph, you will feel it, but I was never white knuckled over it.

[wanderso]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ga traveler #1 fleetwood used steel studded walls this year. #2 7 to 9 would be about right with throttle body p32. I would think you would average 8 1/2 If you drive below 65. #3 It has at least a 3500 hitch and maybe 5000# #4 chevy p32 uses a airbag in the coil spring. Make sure you go back with Polyeurethane bag. NOT the rubber chevy bag. #5 I had a 95 31 ft. and did not think it had a sway problem. Of course if a 18 wheeler passes you at 80 mph, you will feel it, but I was never white knuckled over it.

Thanks for the replies so far - good to hear that it is steel studs for that year as well. I talked to a guy with a '93 of same length and layout that gets 8-9 MPG over 60 MPH and 11-12 if he drives 50. He's also running synthetic oil. Wind resistance certainly plays a part with driving a brick shaped object down the highway.

For me, this would be a transition from a 1991 Winnebago Warrior (Toyota V6) with 50k miles that I just sold.

1991 Toyota Winnebago Warrior - YouTube

It consistently got around 14 MPG. The V6 had adequate power. We just need a rig with the rear bed layout.

[travel]

bought our Flair in 1994 and drove it until we purchased our Bounder 34'.Had 94000 miles on it when we sold it. Great RV and could park it just about any place. Our mileage was 8+ @ 60 mph. Did hills like they were not there. 454 motor was smooth and drove great. Good Luck and safe traveling.

[wanderso]

Thanks to all that replied on this. I ended up buying a 2001 Jamboree (25 foot Class C) with 18k miles instead. tough decision, but 7 years newer for only $2k more was worth it. This rig has the last year of the 454, but with a bit more horsepower than what was available in 1994.