Looking at Winnebago DP any advice

[nathaniel]

The 35ft rule that you see posted quite often on this forum is in my opinion a myth. We stay at NP and COAs and have not one time ever had an issue with a 40ft to include a full size truck as a tow

[RG0403]

Thank you for that remark on the park rule issue. It seems that everyone says something different. The gov website states 26 or 27 ft as an average limit but that would make no sense whatsoever. And of course it also says to check with each park individually for specific rules. If anyone else has first hand experience with this subject it would be nice to hear it.

[pasdad1]

Originally Posted by RG0403

Thank you for that remark on the park rule issue. It seems that everyone says something different. The gov website states 26 or 27 ft as an average limit but that would make no sense whatsoever. And of course it also says to check with each park individually for specific rules. If anyone else has first hand experience with this subject it would be nice to hear it.

I read somewhere that the myth might get started by somebody measuring the concrete/gravel pad and thinking the entire rig can’t be larger than that....when in reality only the tires actually need to fit, the rear in most cases can overhang many feet past that no problem.

[UTTransplant]

Originally Posted by nathaniel

The 35ft rule that you see posted quite often on this forum is in my opinion a myth. We stay at NP and COAs and have not one time ever had an issue with a 40ft to include a full size truck as a tow

Many, but not all, national parks have a few sites suitable for big rigs. However because there are fewer sites, they are harder to get. Not impossible, but it requires more planning. We have actually been in parks with a 30’ max, and lots of forest service places are less than that. Actually, no matter what size your rig is, there is some place it won’t fit. Just do your due diligence in finding a campsite, and if not inside the park, there will generally be a spot just outside that will work.

[Roadfrog]

Originally Posted by nathaniel

The 35ft rule that you see posted quite often on this forum is in my opinion a myth. We stay at NP and COAs and have not one time ever had an issue with a 40ft to include a full size truck as a tow

I agree with this. We just completed a 3 week trip from Vancouver BC to San Diego and back, including a diversion east to Mojave and Eastern Oregon. Not once did we have an issue with our 40' DP and TOAD. The only "exclusions" we experienced, were with the age of our moho. On two occassions, our 20 year old coach didn't meet the 10 year and 12 year age limit, despite being a "high end" coach in mint condition.

[RG0403]

Yeah that age rule is another issue. But seems I can’t afford new I’ll deal with that. We have been turned away in the past with our old Winnebago. It isn’t the best looking coach but has a new motor and transmission and I am not afraid to drive it anywhere. We are only upgrading so we can take grandkids with us. We did find a 35’ coach and think it is plenty big enough for us and has the floor plan that best fits our situation. Having inspection and fluid analysis done tomorrow and will go from there.

[WatchMeRV]

Just a caution on some of the Neptunes and Caymans, make sure the rear trailing arms have been replaced. Depends on the year, I believe 2009 and earlier had this issue.

[grldst]

Originally Posted by Roadfrog

I agree with this. We just completed a 3 week trip from Vancouver BC to San Diego and back, including a diversion east to Mojave and Eastern Oregon. Not once did we have an issue with our 40' DP and TOAD. The only "exclusions" we experienced, were with the age of our moho. On two occassions, our 20 year old coach didn't meet the 10 year and 12 year age limit, despite being a "high end" coach in mint condition.

Usually, its the State parks and National parks that will have size restrictions. I don't recall ever coming across a state or national park that has an age restriction.

Its usually the private owned resort/parks that have age restrictions, and they will rarely if ever, have size restrictions.

[Roy1]

Originally Posted by nathaniel

The 35ft rule that you see posted quite often on this forum is in my opinion a myth. We stay at NP and COAs and have not one time ever had an issue with a 40ft to include a full size truck as a tow

What I have found with some of the forest service parks that we go too they put a big rock at the end of the pad so you can’t overhang the pad. If you have a 32 ft Motorhome and crv like we have a 38 ft site is a tough fit as the car needs to be sideways.

[lwasouth]

Only some parts are available from the manufacturer, not from Winnebabo.
Some parts may be adapted from home type units, but remember electrical is 110 volt not 220V

[2cyber71]

The Ultimate Freedoms and Ultimate series from Winnie are a great MH that stood the test of time. Back in the early 2000s they were expensive for a good reason. They last.
I had a 07 Ellipse for 13 great yrs., over 51,000 miles and many nights camping out.
I hope this new Horizon gives me the same service.
Winnie has stood up well against the competition for many years.

[Urban Hermit]

You should be able to buy well under NADA guidelines. As far as Winnebago: quality. While transitioning from gas to diesel, we have both a 1999 Itasca Sunflyer 34 and a Monaco Cayman 36 -- particularly with the solid wood cabinetry in the Itasca, there are aspects of the Itasca I think are better thought out and built than the Cayman. We paid about 70% of NADA for the Itasca. I didn't even consult NADA about the Cayman; instead I researched asking prices for every Cayman 36 and similar coach I could find and made a successful first offer -- rejected and countered. I wanted the rejection to confirm I wasn't putting more money on the table than I had to.