Community Forums

gcope63 · 03-25-2025, 07:47 AM

Hi Everyone!
I am new to this forum but already am finding a lot of good stuff to read about!

We are looking at a 2005 Winnebago Adventurer 35A with the 8.1/Allision and was wondering what you can tell me about this models issues or anything I should be looking for?
I have had travel trailers and Truck Bed Campers but this is my first motorhome so we are pretty excited!
Forgot to add, it has around 28k miles

Thanks!

Gary

l1v3fr33ord1 · 03-25-2025, 08:08 AM

Gary-

Most coaches have "class problems," that is, problems for a range of model years and models. In the case of the 2000-2008 Winnebago coaches, the frequently-reported class problems are:

1) Leaky windshield (poor design)
2) Leaky roof joint (some would say poor design)
3) Failure of clearcoat, followed by paint failure, on full-body-painted coaches

Repairs to these problems can be expensive. Here is a link to a Google search of iRV2 posts with the terms "Winnebago," "windshield" and "leak" in them.

Don't let these "class" problems keep you from buying a 2005 Adventurer. They were fairly well-made, according to reports from owners. The 2005 Adventurer brochure is here.

Others have covered, or will cover, the mechanical and systems items particular to these coaches. I note that the "residential," "basement" air-conditioner used in these units have a bunch of happy owners- as long as the A/C is inspected and maintained well.

One of the best parts about Winnebago coaches of that era is that Winnebago maintains a lot of helpful online information for them. Drill down from this "Owner Resources" link for examples.

d23haynes57 · 03-25-2025, 08:15 AM

The low mileage is not always a good thing. It spent much of its time unused and possible neglected. Age in many cases is worse than miles. Ask for records on brake service, inspections and fluid changes, brake hoses, caliper replacement etc. Engine hoses and belts. Tires of course. all fluids including rear axle and power steering.
If it spent a lot of time unused, as you put it to use some failures will pop up. The AC units and furnace(s). Refrigerator. Check that all these things are working. Keep in mind you are looking at a 26-year vehicle and house.

gcope63 · 03-25-2025, 08:22 AM

Thanks!
I have been surprised with all of the information available online on the Winnebago website! I think this is a good sign as to the support from Winnebago on their products!
I am a little concerned for the low mileage. The RV is on a consignment lot so have had a chance to talk to the owners yet and find out why. Could have been just a lot of short trips but it is a question I will ask.

Duner · 03-26-2025, 08:47 AM

Welcome Gary!
Are you buying it from the original owner? If yes, that's a big plus if you think they're being truthful. If the owner tells you something that doesn't agree with what you learn on this forum, then you'll have to take everything with a good dose of doubt.

If it's had multiple owners, then everything is on the table and you should consider a lower offer. If it's a dealer, then consider he is adding on $10-20K to what he paid, and there's little or no guarantee from the dealer.

You should tell us the asking price and what price range you have found in your search for this coach. Is it close by your home or is it hundreds or thousands of miles away? What town & state is it sitting at now?

My 2004 Chieftain is very similar to this 05 Adventure and most the systems are exactly the same .... HWH slide/jacks, Coleman Mach basement, furnace, hot water heater, etc. I've had my coach for 21 years so I could write a book about all the things that I love, that can go wrong, preventative maintenance, and big ticket/expensive things to look out for.
There are many threads on this Winnie forum with guys asking the very same question as yours. That search will take many hours of your time but will payoff big time in $$ savings and much, much, much less frustration later because you didn't know xyz.

Give us more info and we can help you a lot more.

Good luck,
Bill

gcope63 · 03-26-2025, 12:38 PM

Its not the original owner but I do not know how many it has had over the 20 yrs. We are looking at it on a consignment lot so they have their markup.
The asking price is $47900 but could probably get it a little lower.
From what I have seen its probably priced pretty comparable, especially considering the lower miles.
I have been reading through as many of the threads as I can and do have some things to check..

Thanks!

Gary

d23haynes57 · 03-26-2025, 12:57 PM

For that price I would probably not be looking for a 21-year-old gasser. But that is me. I'm a bit of a Deisel nut. There may be some room for negotiation. I would suggest a bit more shopping including extended test drives and demonstrations of all the equipment and capabilities. Know what you need and want and where this type of rig fits in.

Duner · 03-26-2025, 01:36 PM

Seems like a pretty high price to me. Compared to the one below, your paying about $20,000 more for a Workhorse chassis over the Ford. I put 48,000 miles on a 1999 Chieftain on a Ford chassis before I bought the '04 I have now. I love the ride, handling and power of the Workhorse. But my '04 is 1" short of 40 ft with 20" extended frame (268" wheelbase) and that makes a huge difference in handling. I pulled a 5000 enclosed trailer with both and had banks headers on both and the power is adequate and no overheating problems. The picture looks like 22" tires and that's good. Of course this 2006 Adventurer with 35k miles could have some other serious defects.

2006 Winnebago ADVENTURER 35A
Auburn, CA - 343 miles away
Dealer's website
$26,700

daveinaz58 · 03-28-2025, 11:14 PM

I think these old units are built better than newer ones so if you can find one with low miles and good maintenance history I wouldn't be afraid of getting it. That said, the price mentioned seems quite high. I'd expect more in the mid 30k area

d23haynes57 · 03-29-2025, 12:15 AM

For a little bit more maybe consider something like this.

https://www.premierrvservices.com/20...2/#prettyPhoto

Unplanned Tourist · 03-29-2025, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gcope63

Hi Everyone!
I am new to this forum but already am finding a lot of good stuff to read about!

We are looking at a 2005 Winnebago Adventurer 35A with the 8.1/Allision and was wondering what you can tell me about this models issues or anything I should be looking for?
I have had travel trailers and Truck Bed Campers but this is my first motorhome so we are pretty excited!
Forgot to add, it has around 28k miles

Thanks!

Gary

We have a 2008 Adventurer 38J that has around 145,000 km now, and it's been great. It did have the bad slide hoses, but I changed them to better quality ones. Watch for signs of leakage at the ends because the crimping wasn't done properly.

Another thing to check is the brake recall. Make sure it's been done if it has the W22 chassis. If it's got the W24 chassis, that's a plus.

If you add a couple more degrees of castor to the front axle, it'll drive much nicer also.

Keep an eye on the exhaust manifolds. They have a habit of leaking gaskets. Be sure to use a torque wrench and tighten the mounting bolts to speck, but not over. I just put a set of Banks headers on ours, so no more problems. And better power to boot!

I've had to change out the bearings in the idler and tensioner for the serpentine belt at around 100,000 km or so also, but not a big deal. I simply pressed out the old bearings and pressed new ones into the old pulleys.

I'm sure others will have even more thoughts, but if it's been properly maintained, but just used for short trips, you'll have many good times ahead.

d23haynes57 · 03-29-2025, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unplanned Tourist

We have a 2008 Adventurer 38J that has around 145,000 km now, and it's been great. It did have the bad slide hoses, but I changed them to better quality ones. Watch for signs of leakage at the ends because the crimping wasn't done properly.

Another thing to check is the brake recall. Make sure it's been done if it has the W22 chassis. If it's got the W24 chassis, that's a plus.

If you add a couple more degrees of castor to the front axle, it'll drive much nicer also.

Keep an eye on the exhaust manifolds. They have a habit of leaking gaskets. Be sure to use a torque wrench and tighten the mounting bolts to speck, but not over. I just put a set of Banks headers on ours, so no more problems. And better power to boot!

I've had to change out the bearings in the idler and tensioner for the serpentine belt at around 100,000 km or so also, but not a big deal. I simply pressed out the old bearings and pressed new ones into the old pulleys.

I'm sure others will have even more thoughts, but if it's been properly maintained, but just used for short trips, you'll have many good times ahead.

For us Americans 100,000 Kilometers is about 64,000 miles.

David 70 · 03-29-2025, 09:48 AM

I bought a 2005 38J about a year ago for $27,000. It was a second owner and had been reposed from the original owner. The fridge was a problem, so I replaced it with a 12-volt dual compressor cooling unit. That is not just a problem unique to Winnebago though. Three triple slide is nice for the extra room. This unit is on the W22 chassis where mine is on a W24. The W22's had a brake recall and if it was done there will be a sticker on the radiator support. There used to be a way to find out for sure, but that site has been shut down since Navistar was sold out. I don't know if it is still possible to get the recall done anywhere. I was looking at some that hadn't been done before I got this one and wondered after 20+ years if it mattered, if they lasted that long. One of the major things other than that is the AAPB parking brake. If this one has a foot pedal for the parking brake, then you don't have that which is a big plus. I think that is what it will have. Others on here will have more info on that.

Mainer1 · 04-01-2025, 04:10 PM

I have a 35u 2005 suncruiser on the w32 chassis with the 8.1 and allison. Bought it new in 2005. Has been great but here is the list of larger issues: remived and resealed windshields, replaced basement at at 16 years, right side exhaust manifold, replced two hwh levelers, had roof resealed. Overall love the coach and have put 88000 miles on it. Price should be in the mid 30's.