3 Motor Homes to choose from HELP!

[ScottyBye]

I am currently in the market and looking for a new to me MH.
Here is what I am looking at so far.
If you guys could comment and give me an idea (in your opinion) on what the best deal, or bang for my buck is. Thanks!

2003 - 34ft Windsong by Forestriver. Purchased new Aug 2004. Two slides, Chevy workhorse chassis, Allison 5spd auto tranny, 8.1 Vortec engine, onan 5500 genset, 4 hyd leveling jacks, heated tanks, 22.5" tires, 2 a/c w/heat strips. day/night blinds, rear camera w/monitor, dvd/vcr, 2 tvs, dinette, tub/shower, queen bed, swivel rocker/recliner, also a solar panel on roof.
42,000 kms / 26,000 miles
$40,000 canadian dollars / $31,600 US Dollars







2004
Damon Daybreak Model 3270
Ford Triton V-10
Workhorse Chassis
Well maintained. Renovated interior. No carpet. Laminate flooring. AC.. Hydraulic leveling Jacks .. Power awning. . Trailer brake and hitch. 114k. Ford V10. 5500 generator. . New slide motor and room seal. Newer tires and brakes
115,000 kms / 72,000 miles
$25,000 Canadian Dollars / $20,000 US Dollars




2006 Georgie Boy Pursuit
32’ Class A
2 slides
Ford Chassis Triton V10 362hp
Onan marquis gold 5500w 50amp generator
Hydraulic leveling jacks
Dual water heater – propane and electric
Dual ducted air conditioner
Walk around bed and pull out couch
65,000 kms / 40,000 miles
$40,000 Canadian Dollars / $31,600 US Dollars

[Mike and Cha]

That's a hard one without seeing them in person. The only one I wouldn't go with is the Damon. My first choice would be the Windsong, as I have heard good things about them and it has the 22.5 tires which most likely means it is on a heavier chassis. It appears to be in great condition, has full body paint(?), and has a lot of options. Also I think back in those years the Workhorse Chassis was preferred over the Ford. I would see if you can find out what the original msrps were when they were new, and what things were standard and what were options. That may tell you a little about the manufacturer at the time. Good luck

[Arch Hoagland]

I'd go for the Windsong. I have the same Workhorse 8.1 and Allison transmission. I have put 80,000 miles on it since new.

Make sure the Actia dash gauge LCD display is working. That's the display that tells you what gear you are in, etc. There is a brake recall that needs to be checked and the transmission fluid needs to be changed.

I suggest new plugs and wires along with cleaning the MAF sensor.

[Wbonsell]

Lower mileage, Workhorse with Allison tranny, and 22.5 wheels seals the deal for me on the Windsong!

[tmw188]

Nothing hard about this decision at all. The Windsong. Workhorse with miss Allison. Much nicer and looks like full body paint. That size unit is probably the w-22 chassis. Check on any open recalls on it and down load a inspection checklist available here on the forum. Price seams good too.


iPad using iRV2 - RV Forum

[ScottyBye]

So I went and had a look at the 2003 WindSong today. It's a 340 model by the way.

The good....
W-22 chassis
All appliances work
Slides and all interior components work.
Motor sounds good.
Main awning ok
Tranny I don't know because I never got to test drive.

The bad...
Ran the engine at idle for about 10 mins. Then it started to sputter like it wanted to stall. In the digital dash it said REDUCED ENGINE POWER. Immediately shut it off and waited a minute. Then started and ran fine for the next 25 mins. The seller seemed surprised and concerned as he said nothing like that has ever happened before. Scared me as a possible buyer.
Unit had oven and microwave not a convection oven like I've been used too.
Both awnings over slides are severely weather worn. Looked dried out and would need replacing.
Clear coat over the mocha style body paint is starting to peel. Mostly in the rear of the unit around the exterior rear lights. And bumper cover. This unit has spent 7 summers in Phoenix AZ. Is this normal wear for that area with the heat. ??
One front tire has a pretty good crack/gouge that I would need to replace.

Also any other windsong owners notice that the entrance door to the back bedroom is really narrow. ??

Thoughts & Comments are welcome.

[ScottyBye]

Yes
This unit has full body paint and W-22 chassis

[l1v3fr33ord1]

ScottyBye-

Here's a link to a Google search for iRV2 posts with the phrase "Reduced Engine Power" in them. By some of the posts, the causes can range from small to not-so-small.

[Pexring]

I'd also go for the Windsong if the engine checks out good. Also check the tire code for the age. Keep in mind that when looking at a unit that's over 10 years old, I would simply plan to spend about $5K up front doing fixes and updates. Work it into your budget. Tires could take a good chunk of that cost. But for darn sure I'd make sure the motor and tranny were fine.

[tmw188]

Check with a ladder the window seals and climb up on the roof too. Look around the inside bottom over the dash for windshield leaks and all the windows for that matter with any you look at. It's not new so be realistic you can always offer less. If it's been for sale awhile others had the same concerns. Was it a dealer or private seller. Those slide toppers may have been out a long time but again it's not new.

[LarrytheBear]

Originally Posted by Wbonsell

Lower mileage, Workhorse with Allison tranny, and 22.5 wheels seals the deal for me on the Windsong!

X2... If the engine checks out and test drive is good.

[vsheetz]

Exactly as comment above, budget $5k for repairs and bringing services up to date. Check tire dates and bear in mind you have no idea how well they have been maintained. Similar advice for the batteries. Budget to replace tires and batteries if not right away within the near future.

The Windsong is the easy choice from the vantage point here of the forum.

[RodK]

If you are in Alberta, how about the 04 Itasca Sunrise 34D for $39900 in Medicine Hat? It is also on a workhorse chassis.

[Arch Hoagland]

When the engine said Reduced Engine Power did you get a check engine light?

If it has the original plugs and wires then I would suspect those are the cause of the problem.

I had my slide covers replaced at about 6 years.

If the tires are original they MUST be replaced.