Community Forums

signet63 · 12-21-2016, 04:56 PM

I just upgraded from a tent trailer to a 2000 Winnebago Ultimate Advantage. This is my first motor coach. I am really excited. I brought it home Saturday. We are in the process of getting it ready for Christmas in California with Family. I plan on parking in front of my sisters house for the Holiday.

I am new to this forum and the RV experience. I am also new to Diesel engines. Here is what I know about my coach now. All the appliances seem to be working at this time. The only things that are not working on this beast are a few lights inside and the step cover does not work. I am looking forward to fixing these problems as I do like to tinker with things. I want to take the coach into a shop to have it checked out, would you recommend a RV dealership or I am thinking of taking it to a Diesel repair facility instead.

Does anybody use Biodiesel in there rig? Just wondering if there are any problems with it.

Thanks,

Bill Miller
2000 Winnebago Ultimate Advantage

depchief · 12-21-2016, 05:11 PM

for the step cover make sure the unit is getting air to the motor. This located on the fire wall left(passenger) side of the generator. Then lubricate the slide rails by reaching under the step cover. Work it in and out a few times and it should be fine.
I have used bio in the coach and did not notice any issues, Flying J has a bio blend. I always us a diesel treatment on the advise of the Cummin's service writer. Power Service products available at most auto stores and Walmart and Tractor Supply

jmzumer · 12-21-2016, 05:27 PM

Welcome. Congrats on the new rig. Sounds like a nice one. What part of CA will you be visiting? We're in the central portion of CA in the Modesto area. Wave if you pass through here and happy travels to you.

**TonyDi** · 12-21-2016, 08:21 PM

Glad to have you here in the forum with us.

Congratulation on your new rig. I wish you many happy miles with it. Any good certified RV tech should be able to go over your entire rig and give you some pointers and suggestions on things that need to be addressed.

Happy Trails!!!

rvethereyet · 12-21-2016, 10:14 PM

welcome to the circus siggy

Eyephoto · 12-21-2016, 11:25 PM

Good to met another Ultimate owner. Check out taking the Camp Freightliner class. and joining FMCA if nothing more than the Michelin tire program. Tire pressure monitor, four corner weigh, date of the tires. Why? The class- for better knowledge, tire date- dealer said 2yo- they weren't. Front right blow out, Good Sams roadside assistance helped. Bought complete set w/o FMCA deal- didn't know about it.

MSHappyCampers · 12-22-2016, 08:18 AM

Hi Bill!

Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

Congrats on the new rig! Keep her between the ditches!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

Merry Christmas!

becks · 12-22-2016, 10:50 AM

Welcome folks, the Ultimate Advantage was a nice coach from Winnebago. But a question for Eyephoto, I thought the Ultimate line was built on a Spartan Chassis?

rvethereyet · 12-23-2016, 10:24 AM

let us know if it sleeps better than a tent

JaminSamin · 12-23-2016, 04:32 PM

Congrat's on your new UA. The step well cover on our Itasca Horizon didn't work either when we purchased it. It turned out to be the $3.00 switch next to the passenger seat that activates the step.

ScottyBye · 12-24-2016, 08:50 PM

Welcome and Happy Trails. Good Luck with the new rig!

signet63 · 12-27-2016, 02:59 PM

Hello All,

I want to thank everybody for their advice and comments. This is a learning experience. My first trip went fairly smoothly. Driving a 40 foot beast was easier than I originally thought. We left Las Vegas NV for San Bernardino on Christmas Eve 6:00 AM. Morning person and wanted to avoid traffic. My sister stayed the night so we slept in the RV. It was very comfortable. It was not plugged into Shore power and I had all the 12 volt systems going. Fridge, water heater, and heat. I choose to use the Flying J truck stop to dump the tanks for the first time as this was right off the freeway and I really didn't have to go looking for it. On the way down to San Bernardino I broke the sewer hose so I did not dump the load. I did purchase a new hose in San Bernardino for the trip back and it worked flawlessly. Once we got to San Bernardino all was good. I leveled the vehicle and then extended the slider in front of my sister's home for Christmas. I must admit I felt like Eddy in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. That night was when the problems started. I apparently let the house batteries discharge too much. I was unable to get the generator to start and ended up with really no power or heat for two nights. Monday morning The freightliner Chassis started just fine and we drove back to Vegas just fine.

Got home and plugged into a 20 amp service to see if I can get the batteries back charged. This morning I unplugged and it appears that the batteries are charged. I am going to do some testing this weekend with a multimeter because I was expecting the 500 mile or so round trip would have Charged the house batteries up.

Thanks,

Bill Miller

depchief · 12-27-2016, 07:53 PM

Becks;
The original Ultimate's where built on the Freightliner and then they moved to the Spartan. I think the 2001 units had both and 2002 was all Spartan
Hope I am correct.