Looking For Information from Maxum Users

[RVNeophytes2]

The market is so soft right now that those of us with higher mileage coaches simply need to stay with our rigs, rather than sell or trade. Buyers prefer to buy a barely-driven used rigs and fight rust, rot and a un-ending litany of small failures, than buy steadily-used ones with higher miles and exemplary maintenance. Consequently, dealers seize the opportunity to use mileage as a bargaining tool.

Now that portfolios have turned south again, the RV market could be in for another rocky spell. We could see more of the 2009-2010 phenom of dealers' auctions dumping surplus inventory onto the market at 60 cents on the wholesale dollar. Used RV values lead the plunge as dealers remain desperate to sell new inventory closer to MSRP than wholesale. Just a bad time to make a change.

Besides, our 2005 Fleetwood Excursion is tweaked to perfection, riding on new Konis and not giving us a lick of trouble (knock on wood).

So, we're looking at a 2013 or 2014 purchase of a 2011 or 2012 model, one with DW's coveted mid-cabin TV that isn't obscured by slides underway, no view of the shower when walking aft, ample walkway space with the slides in, swing-out basement doors, pass-thru storage and AquaHot.

Yesterday, we visited with Rick Wike at CW in Myrtle Beach while on vacation, and he sang praises to the 2011 Itasca Ellipse, on its Maxum chassis. Rick is convinced the Maxum will take the industry by storm, makes a compelling case. He too thinks Winnebago has turned the corner, and is putting out a product that can run with the big dogs.

Rick further says that getting work done on the new Maxum should be cheaper than doing the same job on a Roadmaster or DynoMax. He suggests that the ride control engineering of the Maxum pushes it above the Roadmaster for smoothness.

I like the quality and fit of newer Winnies, and their new AC will surely make them a better choice. We're a little worried about front frame rust, but will be storing the rig indoors in Texas.

DW and I would like to hear from Maxum owners as they accumulate road miles. Share with us all your experiences with reliability and comfort as your odometers inch past 20K miles, if you would.

Maxum owners who put miles on your rigs, what do you think?

[Jim13]

we have a 97 Beaver and the frame has minor rust, but nothing that you need to worry about. The fuel tank has more rust then the frame. We bought this used 2 yrs ago and live in florida. The coach has around 85000 miles on it.