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Jpcoleman · 06-13-2016, 07:08 PM

Hi All!

My wife and I just bought our first RV and so far it has been great. we bought a 2016 Winnebago Suncruiser 38Q. Our shakedown cruise took us from MS to Denver, then over the divide on I70 to Vegas and then back home. It was a learning experience in many ways. I grew up in a family of 7 that used a starcraft pop up trailer. So, while the camping is not "new", the digs are certainly better. My wife is new to the entire experience. Loves it so far.

The things I have learned so far:
1. It is very hard to find a dealer on the road that will actually help. Had a shower leak in the wall the first night and could not find anyone to look at it. Of course we were told just how awesome it was to buy from a national chain because we could always get help, as well as Winnebago, because any certified dealer could help. Well, not so much. Good thing I am handy.

2. If you are not handy with many things, owning an RV could potentially be frustrating!

3. Build quality is not as exacting as I had hoped, but after reading several forum entries, my bus is not too bad.

4. irv2 has great help and suggestions.

5. NOTHING should be on the counter while in motion.

6. If the fridge can find a way to open in motion, it will. No lock came with the bus, so a quick trip to Lowe's for a trunk latch for the top of the doors, and voila!

7. Do not store your favorite coffee mug up high.

I have had to reprogram thermostat already and consider a choke filter for said thermostat. Learned what 110 degrees in Vegas with minimal water in the black tank can do (Ewww!). Many other stupid human tricks. Look forward to being a useful entity on this site!!

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vsheetz · 06-13-2016, 07:14 PM

Welcome! While you encountered some trials and tribulations, still sounds like a great trip.

Agree that this forum is usually the first and best resource for dealing with problems. A huge amount of tribal knowledge and so many willing to share.

LarrytheBear · 06-13-2016, 07:17 PM

Welcome to the forum!
That was quite a shakedown cruise...
Sounds like you didn't do to badly...
and now you get to find a new favorite coffee mug!

Jpcoleman · 06-13-2016, 08:23 PM

I indeed did get a new favorite coffee mug. It seems many owners have trials and tribulations when dealing with dealer networks. The other bugs I had to address include plugging in the upper marker light on the upper part of the driver's side front cap (literally unplugged), Replace large LCD monitor that had just been replaced by dealer at time of pickup. The monitor was cracked and over the week we were waiting to pick it up, they did not get a monitor until the last minute. They then broke some mounting studs (Don't know how), and epoxied the monitor to the dash. Not kidding. We were on the way home in Texarkana and the monitor died. Too much impact from road I think. Dealer had already been unable to help with SD card with RandMcNally GPS and I have discovered that Riverpark in Elkhart, IN is a class act. They first helped by sending a new SD card when the dealer simply did not know how to proceed (took me awhile to find the manufacturer which was found through RandMcNally, who also was unable to fix their bad SD card). When I got home, the dealer told me they would have to look at the monitor, call winnebago, turn in a circle three times while patting their belly, .... So I called Riverpark again. They overnighted a new monitor to me, I improved the mount by minimally enlarging the mounting holes and installing rubber grommets before replacing the monitor, and all is good again. Also had a small leak over the front driver's window from the roof somewhere. I found a gap in the caulk along the front cap and sealed it with self leveling sealant and I think I got it. The bolts under the passenger side window backed out, so if they do it again, locktite will be used. Definitely more problems than I was expecting from a brand new coach, bu we are finally getting there.