Community Forums

nascamp · 06-12-2023, 01:23 PM

Can't find much information about the Vectra, any good, some are priced low, don't know why? I know they have roof issues

**Petro** · 06-12-2023, 08:13 PM

My last MH was a 2005 Itasca Horizon which is a sister to the Winnebago Vectra. I purchased it used on 2011 and sold it in 2018. I had no major issues during those 7 years. The roof problems are generally the result of poor roof maintenance. WGO recommends you check your roof seams yearly which I did and had no roof issues.

My wife and I really enjoyed our Horizon. We owned 3 Winnebago RVs & we were very happy with all 3.

Good luck with your search for the right coach for your use.

Don

2004Horizon · 06-13-2023, 06:25 PM

The Winnebago "Vectra" typically comes with a slightly lower grade interior and some other miscellaneous differences vs. the Itasca "Horizon."

The ISC-350 is a very good engine, after you install a FASS or Airdog fuel pump.

Love the basement AC; after you do a tune-up and seal any duct cracks.

Buy it and then upgrade to a residential refrigerator. It's a solid coach.

All older RVs are priced low if the owner does not know how to work on them and has a list of "to do" items they never paid for along the way. Their loss, your gain.

I'm not a fan of the 2005 CAPS-II, HPFR, but every coach will have something that is not perfect. Doesn't matter how old. It matters if it was well kept!

jerichorick · 06-21-2023, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nascamp

Can't find much information about the Vectra, any good, some are priced low, don't know why? I know they have roof issues

I had a '05 FD. Poor interior storage. I had many problems with it: Slide ram rail failure, basement box hangers break, steering box leaking, automotive A/C pump failure, de-lamination of the side and many more problems I just can't remember. Beautiful looking rig but too expensive to keep on the road.

Love this Meridian. Like all RV's it has its issues but it keeps us on the road.
Happy hunting.
Rick
PS: https://www.winnebago.com/Files/Imag...Vectra-bro.pdf

FIRE UP · 06-21-2023, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nascamp

Can't find much information about the Vectra, any good, some are priced low, don't know why? I know they have roof issues

You "know" they have roof issues. How do you know, because some lazy person who didn't do recommended roof cove maintenance on the periodic basis told you? In the 2004 through about the 2007 or so era, the Winnebago Vectra and the Itasca Horizon were the top of the line for Winne and Itasca. They were assembled on the same assembly line. The second model down was the Winne Journey and the Itasca Meridian. Contrary to some statements, there was and is plenty of QUALITY interior storage in both the Vectra and the Horizon. Both of those interiors were done with REAL WOOD vs lower ranking coaches that had faux wood cabinet faces and even some doors.

The roof on just about every single Winne and Itasca (at least class A units) are all the same roof. It's a sheet of fiberglass held in place with both end caps and the side roof coves via sealant/adhesive. Yes, there's some that have had some problems. But again, those of us that know these coaches KNOW that those problems were caused 99.9999999% of the time from POOR ROOF COVE MAINTENANCE!!!!!!!!!!! That roof cove maintenance is not for the faint of heart. It's laborious. But it's needed for the continued security of that roof sheet. If it's done in a timely manner and properly, you will have ZERO ROOF ISSUES, PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We have an '04 Itasca Horizon 36GD with the CAT C-7 330HP and we're presently on a trip in and around Yellowstone and surrounding states. We just turned 108,000 miles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This C-7 CAT has been an OUTSTANDING ENGINE! The GVWR of this coach is 27,910 lbs. I'm running down the road at close to 31,000 lbs. Been doing it for 11 years now. We're presently towing our '11 GMC Sierra 1500 Extended Cab 4x4 which tips the scales at 5,300 lbs. And, in the back of that truck is a Rampage lift/carrier that is hauling our '18 Honda Goldwing Tour Airbag DCT which, is right close to 840 lbs.

This coach, while not without some seriously in depth maintenance and repairs in its life with us, has taken us all around the US without a problem, more than once.

I tell you all this because Winne and Itasca DID build a great coach then. I cannot confirm the quality or dependability of ones they're building today. But, the interior quality and attributes are highly done. Every coach is gonna develop issues at some time in life. If you're using it and not letting it sit like 50% of owners do, it's gonna break, it's gonna get worn out, it's gonna develop wear and tear, IT'S A GIVEN!!!!!!!!!!! Live with it and fix what's needed. If you can't find parts, improvise, adapt and overcome, as Clint Eastwood would say in Heartbreak Ridge!!!!!!!
Scott

sandpsycho · 09-18-2023, 03:35 PM

I'll start with saying I own a Vectra and I'm just going to tell it like it is.

The need for roof maintenance is a result of a poor design. You shouldn't have to inspect and reseal a roof every year if it was designed correctly. Other issues are rusted front window frames. Winnebago builds the frames and let's them sit outside to rust. So in 15 or so years people think the windshield leaked and rusted but it's the other way around. Many issues are industry wide like foggy windows, frameless windows ( the ones that crank out) that separate. The 4 door Nevercold you'll want to replace. The cheap plastic fittings on all the PEX plumbing lines. Then there are the sides and jacks made by HWH. One of the worst companies to get parts or work done. I'm still waiting on a call back for a part I wanted to order back in October of 2022. I also am sick of driving to the factory every 2 years. Also the Attwood water heater is no longer available and there is nothing that with fill the space of the original. Then there is the flaking clear coat. A testament to age and the poor quality paints today's vehicles recieve. You can thank the EPA for the need to redo a $30,000 paint job every 20-25 years. Just to name some issues.

All that said I love the floor plan and am over all happy with the chassis. Also no matter what motorhome you buy it's going to be a rolling pile of junk. So buy one you like and be ready to work on it a lot and if your not handy pay a lot to have the never ending issues fixed.

jerichorick · 09-19-2023, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandpsycho

I'll start with saying I own a Vectra and I'm just going to tell it like it is.

The need for roof maintenance is a result of a poor design. You shouldn't have to inspect and reseal a roof every year if it was designed correctly. Other issues are rusted front window frames. Winnebago builds the frames and let's them sit outside to rust. So in 15 or so years people think the windshield leaked and rusted but it's the other way around. Many issues are industry wide like foggy windows, frameless windows ( the ones that crank out) that separate. The 4 door Nevercold you'll want to replace. The cheap plastic fittings on all the PEX plumbing lines. Then there are the sides and jacks made by HWH. One of the worst companies to get parts or work done. I'm still waiting on a call back for a part I wanted to order back in October of 2022. I also am sick of driving to the factory every 2 years. Also the Attwood water heater is no longer available and there is nothing that with fill the space of the original. Then there is the flaking clear coat. A testament to age and the poor quality paints today's vehicles recieve. You can thank the EPA for the need to redo a $30,000 paint job every 20-25 years. Just to name some issues.

All that said I love the floor plan and am over all happy with the chassis. Also no matter what motorhome you buy it's going to be a rolling pile of junk. So buy one you like and be ready to work on it a lot and if your not handy pay a lot to have the never ending issues fixed.

Most of what you say is true. For HWH parts and service try Stuarts: HWH Replacement Parts - Stuart's Services Much better than the factory.
Going to Gaffney, SC to the Freightliner factory service center is a good idea. They can take care of all your chassis needs and do it well.
See if you can find a water heater that fits on Amazon and then try to find a better price.

sandpsycho · 09-25-2023, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerichorick

Most of what you say is true. For HWH parts and service try Stuarts: HWH Replacement Parts - Stuart's Services Much better than the factory.
Going to Gaffney, SC to the Freightliner factory service center is a good idea. They can take care of all your chassis needs and do it well.
See if you can find a water heater that fits on Amazon and then try to find a better price.

Thanks for the lead on HWH parts. Next spring I am replacing all the bushings and wear pads on the slide HWH hasn't worked on.
For my chassis needs I take it to Colton Truck Terminal Garage in Colton CA. They do great work and never try to up sell. I'm in Idaho and I take it there every year before I bring it home for the summer.
Hopefully may water doesn't corrode like my friends did. If it does I might try and fabricate a new one. For now I have every component to fix any other issue I could have.