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10-11-2020, 11:17 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Damon Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Clovis NM
Posts: 4,389
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A friends search
Hi;
We have a friend that is looking around for a small RV, and a 1997 Rialta has caught her eye. She wants me to look at it for her, but I know nothing about B RV's and the VW platform at all. What to look for, and what to look out for? Is the VW platform a good one? I'm a bit leery of the "German engineering" idea.
Thanks.
__________________
2006 Damon Daybreak 3276 35'with 5 Star Tuner. 3 200 Amp Lithium batteries and 2000 watt PSW inverter/charger. 2013 Elantra on a Master Tow dolly.
Retired USAF
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10-11-2020, 08:58 PM
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#2
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Community Moderator
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
Posts: 31,546
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Just like buying a used car and taking it to a mechanic for an evaluation. I would fine a certified RV inspector and have them come out and evaluate it. They are not that expensive and then she will know what she's getting into.
__________________
Tony & Ruth........... FMCA#F416727
2016 London Aire 4519, Freightliner chassis, Cummins ISX, 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, Blue Ox Avail with AF1. TST 507 TPMS
No amount of money can buy you an extra second of time.
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10-12-2020, 04:05 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,131
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A significant challenge with the Rialta is finding a mechanic willing to work on the powertrain and chassis. Many, many moons ago we looked at them briefly and were warned that VW dealers generally will not work on them.
__________________
2017 LTV Unity U24CB
2003 Foretravel U320
1999 Lazy Daze 30IB
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10-12-2020, 06:21 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Damon Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Clovis NM
Posts: 4,389
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spuds
A significant challenge with the Rialta is finding a mechanic willing to work on the powertrain and chassis. Many, many moons ago we looked at them briefly and were warned that VW dealers generally will not work on them.
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thanks. That's more the info I'm looking for. I'd hate for our friend to purchase, and then get stuck.
__________________
2006 Damon Daybreak 3276 35'with 5 Star Tuner. 3 200 Amp Lithium batteries and 2000 watt PSW inverter/charger. 2013 Elantra on a Master Tow dolly.
Retired USAF
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10-13-2020, 08:25 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,797
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If the friend really likes the Rialta, I suggest following up on this information by actual contact with a few VW dealers service managers. Mechanically the Rialta is essentially a VW van. Of course, it is an "orphan" with the challenges that brings but maybe Winnebago dealers will still be inclined to provide service for the RV part.
Quote:
Originally Posted by spuds
A significant challenge with the Rialta is finding a mechanic willing to work on the powertrain and chassis. Many, many moons ago we looked at them briefly and were warned that VW dealers generally will not work on them.
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__________________
George Schweikle Lexington, KY
2005 Safari (Monaco)Trek 28RB2, Workhorse W20, 8.1, Allison 1000 5 spd, UltraPower engine & tranny, Track bars & sway bars, KONI FSD, FMCA 190830, Safari Int'l. chapter. 1999 Safari Trek 2830, 1995 Safari Trek 2430, 1983 Winnebago Chieftain, 1976 Midas Mini
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10-15-2020, 09:06 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Damon Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Clovis NM
Posts: 4,389
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Quote:
Originally Posted by George Schweikle
If the friend really likes the Rialta, I suggest following up on this information by actual contact with a few VW dealers service managers. Mechanically the Rialta is essentially a VW van. Of course, it is an "orphan" with the challenges that brings but maybe Winnebago dealers will still be inclined to provide service for the RV part.
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Yep. We went and looked at it, and I pointed to her all the water damage, and the lack of maintenance, and the shoddy 'fixes'. Thankfully, she passed on it.
__________________
2006 Damon Daybreak 3276 35'with 5 Star Tuner. 3 200 Amp Lithium batteries and 2000 watt PSW inverter/charger. 2013 Elantra on a Master Tow dolly.
Retired USAF
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10-20-2020, 12:40 PM
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#7
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Registered User
Forest River Owners Club RV Trip Wizard
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Tampa, Florida
Posts: 1,663
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HarryStone
Hi;
We have a friend that is looking around for a small RV, and a 1997 Rialta has caught her eye. She wants me to look at it for her, but I know nothing about B RV's and the VW platform at all. What to look for, and what to look out for? Is the VW platform a good one? I'm a bit leery of the "German engineering" idea.
Thanks.
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This YouTube video may be helpful in showing how things should work like the tables, A/C, roof area for leaks, body & Water damage inside and out. This video may help you.
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10-20-2020, 01:06 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Clovis, CA, USA
Posts: 13,149
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I've told my three daughters if they ever buy a VW they are out of the will.
__________________
2004 Monaco La Palma 36DBD, W22, 8.1, 7.1 MPG
2000 LEXUS RX300 FWD 22MPG 4020 LBS
Criticism is easier than Craftsmanship
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10-20-2020, 11:30 PM
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,812
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Owned a Volkswagon Rabbit.
Years ago I bout a volkswagon Rabbit new. It was a lemon as they changed to fuel injectors. At 17.,000 miles I had to have the engine seals replaced. I had stacks of repair receits. It would break down weekly. Finaly had a recall for the engine seal replacement. Dealer tried to get out of paying even though i had a receit. Broke down in the middle of the road with 80.00 thousand miles. Sold it to my mechanic for $150.00. He had to pull the engine twice for a cracked block. I vowed to never buy a VW car again. I have held upe bargain.
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10-21-2020, 07:29 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 196
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Congratulations, she did well. I looked for a Rialta for a year back when they were reasonably priced. During that year I seen one given away do to ECU issues. A couple going on a long term trip around the US, had a transmission issue and told to come back in 4 months to pick it up.
Also people who had not had them very long were selling them, of course great units that they hated to part with but illness forced the sale. That translates to they were sick of the issues with it.
Of course only my opinion and worth what you are paying for it!
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