Community Forums

zemparama · 08-05-2016, 02:54 AM

Hello. We are currently shopping for our first motorhome. If we were to do a Class A gasser, we would probably do one either a 2000 Fleetwood Southwind 36t or a 2002 Bounder 36.

We have looked at and test driven both vehicles and find that we like different things about each of them. For those of you who are seasoned RVers, do you know any reasons why we should avoid either of them? They both look like they are in pretty good shape on the interior and exterior. The Southwind has been used a little more and maintained a little better. The Bounder's owner is a very cute, very old fellow who has owned it for about a year and a half and only has driven it a couple thousand miles. Both vehicles were purchased from dealerships and have only been owned less than 2 years by the current owners.

We kind of like the clean, open feel of the Bounder, but the Southwind has some uniquely nice features also. Our loan officer seems to think the Bounder is a lower quality coach but I'm not sure why.

Help me think about this.

On a separate note:
Has anyone heard of Banks Power System? The Southwind has had it installed.

I'd love any advice/suggestions.

Thanks in advance!
Heather
Prospective Owner...

RV Wizard · 08-05-2016, 03:37 AM

Hello and

We are glad to have you join us here and we look forward to reading of your adventures and experiences. I am sure you will enjoy our website and forums. Good luck, stay safe and keep us posted.

The Southwind is a step up from the standard Fleetwood like the Bounder of that era. The most important thing is that a coach has be well maintained. Buying from a dealer does not make it any better at all. In fact, there may be a reason the owners are wanting to sell only two years in after buying it from a dealer.

scooterbob · 08-05-2016, 06:11 AM

I owned a 2000 35S southwind for about 3 years and loved it. Being it is 16 years old and you don't have service records I would suggest a extended warrantee though.
Like someone said the southwind is a step up from the bounder.

PbdBlue · 08-07-2016, 10:08 PM

The Banks power pack should be headers and exhaust in addition to a larger intake air tube. On that vintage v-10 it provides a very significant performance boost. Had it on my '99 Winnebago F53.

**NLOVNIT** · 08-07-2016, 10:32 PM

As others have said, the SW was the model 1step above the Bounder. It may have more items standard that were options in the Bounder. Although a 2yr newer Bounder may have incorporated some of what was an option in 2000. That's what Fleetwood did: stuff standard in upper level models/options in lower models eventually trickle down to become standards in newer year/lower models. I would go with which ever one has the floorplan you prefer.

In lieu of any service records, have the one of your choice gone over by a reputable RV mechanic. It will be several hundred dollars but money well spent.

If either are on a Workhorse chassis, be sure the brake recall was done. If either have a Dometic or Norcold refrigerator, be sure the recall has been done. Check the date codes of the tires. Anything over 7yo should be replaced.

Good luck.

Lori-