Our first MH, 1996 Vectra Grand Tour DP

[Vectraguy]

We were shopping around for over a year and came close to a few American Dreams but landed on a Vectra diesel. I have always liked how Winnebago built coaches of this era and considering that it's a shorter coach than the American Dream by several feet & has a smaller motor (12 valve cummins) we feel we can get it into tighter spaces and I would think it should do a bit better on fuel also. Being about 10k cheaper than the Dreams did not hurt either. Solid surface counter tops, porcelain stool, giant shower, huge hall closet with drawers, fiberglass roof, central air and Alcoa wheels kinda made it a slam dunk for us.

It needs some work but it's nothing we can't handle in short order.

We expect to be out n about by next weekend!

[denlock]

Congrats on the new to you motorhome!

[Medico]

Congrats on the new MH. Enjoy!

[Freebird1958]

Originally Posted by Vectraguy

We were shopping around for over a year and came close to a few American Dreams but landed on a Vectra diesel. I have always liked how Winnebago built coaches of this era and considering that it's a shorter coach than the American Dream by several feet & has a smaller motor (12 valve cummins) we feel we can get it into tighter spaces and I would think it should do a bit better on fuel also. Being about 10k cheaper than the Dreams did not hurt either. Solid surface counter tops, porcelain stool, giant shower, huge hall closet with drawers, fiberglass roof, central air and Alcoa wheels kinda made it a slam dunk for us.

It needs some work but it's nothing we can't handle in short order.

We expect to be out n about by next weekend!

Attachment 93896

Congrats, on your purchase. You will really like this coach it was the top of the line when built. It is solid and great chassis under it. Enjoy!!!

[Steve Ownby]

Originally Posted by Vectraguy

We were shopping around for over a year and came close to a few American Dreams but landed on a Vectra diesel. I have always liked how Winnebago built coaches of this era and considering that it's a shorter coach than the American Dream by several feet & has a smaller motor (12 valve cummins) we feel we can get it into tighter spaces and I would think it should do a bit better on fuel also. Being about 10k cheaper than the Dreams did not hurt either. Solid surface counter tops, porcelain stool, giant shower, huge hall closet with drawers, fiberglass roof, central air and Alcoa wheels kinda made it a slam dunk for us.

It needs some work but it's nothing we can't handle in short order.

We expect to be out n about by next weekend!

Attachment 93896

Congratulations on the Vectra. We owned the '97 Vectra GT and loved the coach. We went full time in '07 and sold the Vectra in favor of a 40' 3 slide coach. It was the right decision for us but if we hadn't needed the extra space for full timing we would most likely still have the Vectra. Very well built coach. Also has double pane windows.

The down sides are the rear radiator which is a bear to keep clean. You might extend the road draft tube to get the vapors away from the flow into the radiator. Also the handling can be just a little loose. After market sway bars, new shocks, steering stabilizer of some type, all could help.

Pull samples of both engine oil & transmission fluid and have analyzed. Then you'll know where you are.

Good luck & safe travels.


Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

[Vectraguy]

Thanks Steve,
We had oil service done when we brought it home so we did not analyze any oils, the trans was services 20k ago and that oil still looks new, that 3060-6 is a beast and played a larger part in my buying decision. The coach drives just like they did back in the day, no handling issues that I have experienced so I will live into it and see what develops. I actually sold Winnebagos back when these things were new, in fact the very first diesel that I sold was a Vectra GT that was just like this one and I think that's why I like it so much. I came close on a Luxor but the coach had been modified by the owner and I really wanted an unmolested coach. The only thing I can find on this one that's not stock is a power cord coiled up behind the exterior entertainment system. I found a manual for a big inverter that is not in the coach, so I am guessing the cord is left over from that.

[Steve Ownby]

Originally Posted by Vectraguy

Thanks Steve,
We had oil service done when we brought it home so we did not analyze any oils, the trans was services 20k ago and that oil still looks new, that 3060-6 is a beast and played a larger part in my buying decision. The coach drives just like they did back in the day, no handling issues that I have experienced so I will live into it and see what develops. I actually sold Winnebagos back when these things were new, in fact the very first diesel that I sold was a Vectra GT that was just like this one and I think that's why I like it so much. I came close on a Luxor but the coach had been modified by the owner and I really wanted an unmolested coach. The only thing I can find on this one that's not stock is a power cord coiled up behind the exterior entertainment system. I found a manual for a big inverter that is not in the coach, so I am guessing the cord is left over from that.

On the Allison, be aware that Allison recommends fluid/filter change at 12 months with Dexron III. Unless the previous owner switched out to TES295 (Transynd) type fluid which can go 36 months on filters and 48 months on fluid. Allison also recommends sample testing as appropriate for scheduling fluid change. I use JG Lube Services for testing. The owner is Tom Johnson who wrote the current fluid specs for Allison before he retired. He authored a thread here on the Allison forum and answers Allison questions and will give you advise based on your fluid test results.


Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

[goreds2]

Looks great - I like the awning on the side window.

[Vectraguy]

Yeah, I read up on that dexron issue when I started shopping around, it seems the product itself has changed. I a fortunate to have family in the commercial trucking business that runs the big brother to the md3060 and have a lot of exposure to the trans service intervals etc. The trans had a fluid service at 80k, I may still get the oil looked at by the local Alison shop here in Indy.

I know a guy that has a fleet of over 75 dump trucks with the big brother HD version, he refuses to do any trans service and somehow his fleet is ready for a vehicle change after several years and he has had no shifting issues at all, I was kinda surprised about that.

[Steve Ownby]

Originally Posted by Vectraguy

Yeah, I read up on that dexron issue when I started shopping around, it seems the product itself has changed. I a fortunate to have family in the commercial trucking business that runs the big brother to the md3060 and have a lot of exposure to the trans service intervals etc. The trans had a fluid service at 80k, I may still get the oil looked at by the local Alison shop here in Indy.

I know a guy that has a fleet of over 75 dump trucks with the big brother HD version, he refuses to do any trans service and somehow his fleet is ready for a vehicle change after several years and he has had no shifting issues at all, I was kinda surprised about that.

The biggest issue with Dex III is that GM pulled the license and the fluid manufactures are on their own. They just product a generic fluid. If you continue to use a non synthetic, ask for TES389 fluid. That's Allison's spec for a Dex III equal.

I was just up in your "neck of the woods" a couple of weeks ago. We went to a Holiday a rambler sponsored rally up in Goshen and we overnighted at the Casino in Anderson. Nice place to dry camp.


Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

[Chiefbvfd]

Congrats.....

[Jon Mopar]

Gongrats!! those 12 valve 5.9 Cummins were the best. Not necessarily speed demons, but tough engines none the less

[Vectraguy]

Thanks, we are diggin the mpg so far, I hit an honest 11.2 on the route from Indy to Panama City beach, ran home a bit faster (70-75) with more genny time and hit 10.5. When we get time I am going to have the pump timing changed for a bump in HP and it should give me another mpg or so.