Class A Manufacturer that has gone out of business?

[jeddpearl]

I agree 100%!!

[DryCreek]

Originally Posted by Roadmiester

On the other side, Winnebago is still around, but their models come and go and when they ditch a model it's almost like being an orphan for any special items that were part of that model.

I have found exactly the opposite to be true.
You can go to the Winnebago website and find electrical and plumbing prints for models going back the late 80's. Every item in our Winnebago has a manufacturers part number on it. You can order it from them. That includes interior cabinetry pieces, curtains, wall fixtures and just about everything else too. I was able to download a parts list for my specific unit's serial number and it lists every single item that went into constructing it. Winnebago makes their own tanks. You can order a brand-new fresh/black/grey water tank made specifically for your motor home directly from them. They still have all of the plans.

[NeilV]

Winnebago has been quite good to me too however sometimes you have to bypass the dealers service manager who will many times tell you by rote that parts are not available yet Winnebago has all their custom parts for the body and interior in a CAD/CAM system and can replicate most in fairly short time.

Orphaned manufacturers can leave you without access to body parts that were custom molded for them such as fiberglass end caps and housings however a good fiberglass worker can get past that most times however there will be a higher cost factor involved.

Most metal parts though can be welded, brazed or straightened by a good metal or machine shops however again the price may be quite high.

You may be surprised at how easy it is to braze/weld aluminum with a propane torch using the Aluminum Welding Rod supplied by Harbor Freight which is made by a company in Bradenton Florida and has tensile strength comparable to steel.

Plastic parts can be welded to like new strength though textures can be hard to replicate. I got tired of throwing away plastic parts that don't glue up well and now repair most plastic parts rather than replace them since I purchased a plastic welder.

Many of the issues will not be show stoppers but will add to costs.

My biggest fear would be after an accident that insurance companies may devalue an orphaned coach and more likely total it even after a minor event.

[DryCreek]

Originally Posted by NeilV

Winnebago has been quite good to me too however sometimes you have to bypass the dealers service manager who will many times tell you by rote that parts are not available yet Winnebago has all their custom parts for the body and interior in a CAD/CAM system and can replicate most in fairly short time.

They have a direct customer service e-mail address for parts, or you can call their 800 number. Very easy folks to work with. Dealers? Well, they're a special bunch...….
Bless their hearts (that's Suthrun, if you know the code).

[rcnuts]

We purchased a 93 Holiday Rambler that was in unbelievable condition and super cheap. Only 1 owner before us. However, it sat for many, many years. No leaks but the motor went south on us after a few hundred miles. Naturally there were other issues. We never had any problem at all getting parts or work done. Discounting heavy chassis work I do it all myself. I think the worst was the pressure reducing valve for the brakes- specifically where the lines split to the tag axel. It was bad and was sent someplace that was capable of rebuilding it. That had me nervous but only cost around $200.00. Were very happy with this MH.
Harris