I have done a pathological amount of research, but feel like I am honing in on what I’d like to buy!
I am really attached to the 2000-ish Winnebago Journey, so hope I can get something like this or very close.
What I like:
- Diesel Pusher
- 36 feet
- Has that Cummins Engine that all the guys have told me I need to get.
- Has that Allison Transmission that all the guys have told me I need to get.
- Has slide outs
- Has the perfect floorplan for me. (Two front couches; I’ll remove one to install my Stairmaster and bookcase.)
- Most have told me that Winnebago makes pretty good quality coaches for their price point.
What is not so good:
- I’ve heard (from Clarke) that the 275 hp might be underpowered.
- More than one person said this has a 4 or 5 speed transmission. Does that mean underpowered, again?
- It has a propane generator, which I’ve heard can be a pain if you boondock. (But I will probably almost always be camping in an RV park.)
I have seen enough of these for sale to feel reasonably confident that I could find one when I am able to purchase. There is one on Ebay with a “Buy it Now” for $45,000 and one at PPL listed for $47,000. (I have to wait for my house to sell before I can buy.)
Oh, and I like that it’s called Journey.
I think I’ll just tell everyone that I bought it because I liked the name.
36 Comments
Jen –
Hi again.
Can you email me? I’d like to ask you a few questions on blogging, if that’s ok. I can’t seem to find a ‘contact me’ link – is there one?
As for your rig of choice – NICE! Have you spent some time just sitting in it and visualizing? Stand in the shower and pretend you are taking a real shower? Pretend you are cooking a meal and open/close things as if you were really doing it?
Kari
She is a beauty. I don’t think I can give you any sound advice on which coach to buy. I have three and I don’t want to give up any.
When I get to Texas, I will go with you and drive with you..uh maybe.. and see what you are imagining.
While we share similar traits and some daily behaviors?, we have very different lifestyles, interests and talents.
You know my net worth, income and challenges and look what I am driving. ha ha.
You’ve done the research and what ever you buy you will enjoy so much. You will make it your home and lab.
It’s your first coach. It’s not a lifetime commitment.
I love love love that you are doing this and I know know know we are going to experience some incredible moments discovering this lifestyle.
Joey is absolutely right. It is not a lifetime commitment. Almost all full timers who has done it a long time 10+ years told us that you will go through a couple of floor plans and models along the course, even types (5th Wheeler, Class A, TT, etc.) before you find what really works for you. You won’t know till you really live in it full time and use it. And as years go by, your needs might change and would like something that satisfies your need for that point in time.
We have a 5th wheel so we can’t help too much on this, but on RV.net’s forum section (you might already know this) have lots of long time full timers who lived/live in one of these models you are looking for and can share with you how they feel about it and if there are some other issues or advantages that they can share with you.
For us, we thought we wanted a Class A, I was all about Class A. Until we were camping in Moab in our Honda Element and talking to a full timer about wanting to become full timer ourselves…
He explained why he switched from Class A to 5th Wheel after full timing for about 8 years… Class A means you have to maintain two engines if you tow another car with you and if your Class A needs serviced, that means you are going to spend money staying in the hotel and not have all the stuff you need with you. Plus the expense of servicing both Class A and the towed vehicle.
Since Class A has an engine and needs regular shop visits, I did a 180 and now all for 5th Wheel. It will take some serious convincing for me to ever want a Class A. The only upgrade we would want is when this one is completely old and beat up, we will upgrade to a 5th wheel toy hauler.
Again, it all comes down to what you need and how you will use the living space for. We have lots of sports equipment and storage space in this rig and we love the back guest room with the bathroom closer to the back so guests won’t disturb us when they stay. Jeremy’s dad and his best friend sometimes comes and stay with us for a week here and there when they can make the trip to wherever we happen to be.
When no one is visiting, that back gust room becomes storage for us too.
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/listings/forum/22.cfm
Good luck girl!
JacQ
Mornin’ Jennifer….I have a propane generator, and I love it. If, and when you find yourself in cold nether regions you will find the propane genset starts more easily than a diesel, and, in my opinion, is a little quieter. Just be sure they have included a larger than normal propane tank to accomodate the extra propane usage.
I also have a Stairmaster (4000 PT – gym grade). Used to belong to a gym, but I realized after some time had passed that the stuff I used there I could buy myself, and use at home, thereby saving about 25 minutes a day drive time, so I bought the Stairmaster on Ebay, and the other stuff, and now save the gym membership, the drive time, and gas. I do a lot of mountain biking and found that the work I do on the Stairmaster transfers directly to the riding I do. I’m working out how to take it on the road, too.
There are pros and cons for everyone for either having a 5th wheel or a Class A/C – find what is right for you (nothing like setting up a 5th wheel in the rain! -been there done that, never again- this one is pretty. I like your choices so far, you seem to have good taste.
Buy what is right for you, the cummins motor is pretty powerful from what I have read.
Im sticking to the Class C, but only because there are two of us travelling and although I love my son, I don’t want to have to sleep with him every night
If my circumstances were more similar to yours, the Class A would be my choice all the way.
I like the security of being able to drive in, park, turn off the lights and sleep. Or on longer drives where the local walmart is the snooze place for the night, you still have no need to get out of the RV unless you want to shop.
Class A’s are nice units.
Go for it!!
The name fits!
I read lot’s of blogs, but I have’t made comments on any of them, Yours is different, and then holy cow, you took off like a rocket yesterday.
Ok! back to today. I think Winnie’s are good units, but I don’t have personal experience with them.
Horse power.
Gets you up hills faster, but you don’t need to go up fast if you are enjoying the view.
Toad.
Yes, it will be better to have a small car along to drive. The MH dosen’t to sightseeing well, but neither does a big old truck. So either way you go you will need a toad, and you can’t pull one behind the 5th. Besides that MH will not know your toad is back there.
Repair and maintenance.
Diesel’s cost more but provide many, many more miles over gas and about 30% more energy than gas so your MPG’s will be greatly better than gas. Virtually all RV repair facilities allow camping on their lot while your unit is worked on.
RV.Net
Yep!It is the place to find the experts, and you know that already.
About you being crazy!
You have handled so many adversities in your life, you should feel that you can do anything, for goodness sake, you have a master’s and thought about getting a PHD? You are a great writer, you are going on an adventure that would overwhelm lesser folks, and you have doubts? Most of us would feel like winners if we accomplished a lots less. Most of get by on a whole less. Most of us think we are just great just the way we are and we are a whole lot less.
Including me.
James
Toad?…..in 45 years of RV’ing i never towed……..called a cab…… when necessary used my scooter (Zuma) for the short wine and milk trips…..the hastle (for me) of a car just wasn’t worth it…..but, we were not fulltimers….once i had a 325cummins on a 38 ft which was just enough and i spent most driving time in the mountains….
Nice ride. My (older) next door neighbors have that same RV…they travel ALL of the time..and pull a Saturn Vue with ease….and of course, it has those prerequisite “slides”…!
I like the idea of a motorbike tho…along with a good bicycle…then the “toad” is unnecessary.
Hope the house sells quickly!
Hopefully the market is fairly good in Austin, considering it’s still on the Top list of best places to live….well, except for Savannah of course! Hehheh!
Joey and Jacq are so right; it’s your first coach, not a ‘lifetime commitment.’ I started out with a Class A (Seabreeze by National R.V.), and after a year and a half, swapped it straight across for a new 5th wheel trailer that had more interior standing room plus a slideout in the living room. Now that we’re in a mobile home, we have a little, used Class B motorhome that we use for travel. I wouldn’t be without an R.V., but my choices have varied over time. By the way, you’re very smart to buy a used rig and thus shave thousands off the price!
The Winnebago Journey is beautiful. I cannot give you any further information than that as I have never owned one. We have a 5th wheel and LOVE LOVE it! But, as everyone else on here is telling you – you really have to find the RV that suits your lifestyle. We have FOUR slide outs – they make a world of a difference for living space!
Best of luck to you on the sale of you house and finding the perfect RV!
Dear Kari, I just sent you a note. I have to warn you, though, I know very, very little about the technical aspects of blogging. (I just signed up for this through Yahoo.) Thanks for the guidance on the RV!
Dear Joey, I am glad you like that one. Maybe you should sell all three and upgrade? ; )
Dear JacQ, There is nothing more valuable to me than feedback from people like you who are out on the road fulltime, so I appreciate it! I really looked at the 5th wheel option, for many of the benefits you outlined, but, like Karyn mentions, I think as a solo traveler, I like the benefit of not having to get out of my RV when I just want to lock the doors and go to sleep…. Probably something I will get over as I become more confident!
Dear Clarke, That is very helpful information on the propane generator, so thank you. I also have the 4000PT gym version and love it! I am no fitness nut, but having that in the house means I will get at least a few good workouts in. (I have to work out as part of trying to stay sane.)
Dear Karyn, I think you are making the right choice with the class C. It seems like everyone with kids loves that overhead cab. It is almost like a second bedroom and your little boy will probably love having his own private space, as well.
Dear James, You are too kind! I appreciate you commenting on my blog. It means so much to me that people take the time to read what I write and leave me a note. It feels like a gift, truly. Thank you for the helpful information with regard to the RV (oh, and with questions in regard to my sanity. ; )
Dear Fraser, The tow vehicle is something I have gone round and round on. I have very seriously considered the scooter, but am thinking I may want to tow a Jeep for this trip for that last 460 miles up the Dempster to Inuvik… I’ve heard it is pretty rough!
Dear Lady Di, The market hasn’t gone as soft in Central Austin as in the rest of the country, so hopefully I won’t take too big of a hit. Thanks for the note about your neighbors RV. Encouraging…
Dear Mary Ann, Well, you will be the person to ask if I ever want to compare Class A, Class B, fifth wheel, and mobile home! You just have the class C left, right? : ) Thanks for the note.
Dear Angie, Hopefully I will get down to New Braunfels soon to see it in person! Nice to hear from you.
Thanks!
Jennifer
Then I’d rent a Jeep for that part of the trip…..yes, it still is a little rough and it will be on the MoHome too….i don’t gravel it anymore anywhere…so call me a wimp…..(we’ll be following you here,so i don;t have to)…..fraser
Oh oops! Forgot you will be (soon!) in the Alaskan wilds! Guess a BICYCLE , CAB, or MOTORBIKE is, um, just not a great idea! Hehheh! Jeepers, a jeep sounds doable…
If you’d like, I’d be happy to ask my neighbors, who have that same Journey, what their Pros and Cons experiences have been….Hey, give me an excuse to kinda “meet” them…(I am a TERRIBLE, reclusive, neighbor.sigh.)Luckily, I do have a very nosey neighbor who I occasionally check in with, and get all the “goods” on the rest of my neighbors I have never taken the time (risk?) to really meet…including the “Journey folks”…
And yes, I AM in REstate…a BAD personality defect for that career choice!!! LOL!
Hmmm? Wonder how I would do “on the road” and in campgrounds??? ARRGH!
Dear Fraser, I have been looking for auto rentals in Whitehorse, so I may do that. (Do you agree that I should not take my RV on the Dempster?)
Dear Lady Di, Hmmm, you are starting to sound a little reclusive like me… You know, I think there might be an ironic connection between reclusiveness and RVing (and maybe living in our computers with blog friends? ha ha.)
Oh, I’d love it if you’d ask your neighbors!
Thanks to you both,
Jennifer
Hi Jennifer, I drove truck here in Canada for 20 years and have pulled through the Canadian Rockies many times in a fully loaded tractor trailer and 350 hp Diesel engine, mind you I had 15 gears to do it with ..
but I can’t imagine that a 36 ft motor home could be considered under powered with a 275 hp Cummins Diesel engine, not a chance, 4 speed or 5 speed ( possibly slightly better mpg with the 5 speed ) just follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and you should be fine. You see Jennifer many people are fooled by the hp numbers but it is torque that pulls the load and that Cummins engine has tons of it, treat it right with maintenance and good fuel..she should do right by you.. Good luck and enjoy the Journey life is short..
Mark..
Dear Mark,
Thanks for the feedback. With regard to the 4 or 5 speed, I’d just heard people say they didn’t like that on this coach, so didn’t understand why. Is that because of MPG?
I should know all about torque by the end of next semester!
Thanks,
Jennifer
in my mind, jake brakes or pac brakes are more important…..study these too….i would not take my nice new mohome on any gravel, but i’m not you and from what i can sortof get, i would take it all the way to Inuvik (road stops just short)….just for the experience…..then i’d be planning my next trip to tip of Chile….fraser
Dear Jennifer…..I think the problem with the 275 hspr Cummins, at least on the rigs I drove before buying the Newell, was the gearing of the transmission mated with the Cummins. The ones I drove were in the 36′ to 38′ range, and were very sluggish….took a while to get up to 55mph, even on the flat. The Newell has a Detroit 6V92, 350 hspr, 2 stroke turbo diesel mated to a 5 speed Allison transmission which has a lot of torque in the lower rpm ranges and comes up to cruising speed about twice as fast. The best thing you can do is drive several and get a feel for what will work for you. I really don’t know much about the various Allison transmission options available, and their gearing, but you will want one that is geared properly for the type of driving you will be doing. Definitely will want one with a turbo. Others have mentioned Jacobs brakes, engine brake, and transmission retarders. I’ve got the Jacobs, or “Jake” brake, and of the three I prefer it. The transmission retarder tends to send the tranny temps soaring, and the Jake uses the diesel compression to help “brake” the motorhome with no heat issues. Most later model motorhomes use a transmission retarder, or something called an engine brake (different from the Jake brake). You really have to watch temperatures when using these. With the Jake there is no temperature issue.
On the “toad” issue…..we take bicycles with us on the majority of our trips. 95% of the time that is all we need, and we like to do our exploring on bicycles anyway….you tend to see a lot more at 5-10 mph! This works well as long as you are always chasing 70 degrees. If it’s raining, that’s another story. On the rare occasions we need motorized transportation we rent, or call a taxi. We do have a Jeep which we have taken with us, but it was in situatins where that was the purpose of our trip…to do offroading.
Dear Fraser, Well, that set off a Google search for driving to Chile. Not sure if I am that adventurous… at least yet! Thanks for the information about brakes. I am not sure I understand all of that, though.
Dear Clarke, I think you are giving me a lot of good prep work for my auto mechanics course. I’ll take your advice and drive quite a few. I only have experience driving my no-power, 4-cylinder economy car, so it should be an adventure.
Thanks!
Jennifer
Here is a great one (old) but lots of good pictures.
http://www.ibmwr.org/pastevnt/grosjeanalaska/links.html
This one is great, updated frequently with pictures.
http://roadtrip-06.blogspot.com/
This one is new to me, but I am sure you will like it. http://hisgirl2455.blogspot.com/
I have spent hours reading this one, I love it.
http://hisgirl2455.blogspot.com/
That should get you started! I apologize in advance for the sleepless nights ahead reading
its addicting seeing all the fun people are having. I cant wait!
I have more, just let me know.
I have tried a couple times to send you four or five links, but they don’t seem to go through?
I’ve got them! Thanks,
Jennifer
I messed up that last link. Try this. http://suethomas.ca/
Clarke has some great advice and I agree with him 100 % (for whatever that’s worth)
on the other hand, if u did everything according to the book and researched it all out (i like your term patheticaly) you’d never leave your house….so get out there wnd follow your heart and gut…..fraser
Dear Fraser,
Thanks for the feedback. I think I posted about the fact that I sometimes don’t leave my house for days at a time. ; ) But, seriously, you actually have hit on a very key issue for me. I can over-analyze and over-research to death. I think I am making progress, though!
Thanks,
Jennifer
Hi Jennifer,
Just discovered your blog after seeing my blog was getting a lot of hits – coming from your blog! Finally found the link in the ‘comments’ above.
I’m not quite full-time yet, but hope to be by next summer. I’ve been traveling a lot in a truck camper, but have a 5th wheel waiting in the wings.
Everyone has their own preferences, but I prefer to be able to go down bush roads and parallel park (truck camper), and not maintain two engines.
Duramax diesel and allison tranny in my GM pickup.
Welcome to the blog and RV world.
Dear Ivan,
Thanks for saying hello. I can see from your blog that an off road vehicle is necessary for you! Nice trips and nice pictures…
Thanks to Jeff, we are all getting connected. I look forward to following your trips on your blog. We may have a graduating class of full timers up for next summer…
Thanks,
Jennifer
That’s a nice rig, and it’s one we’ve considered should we “upgrade”. Don’t worry about the engine… even a 275 on that will pull it’s weight plus a toad if needed. Yes, you’ll be over in the “truck lane” with the tractor-trailers when you’re going up hill, but that’s pretty much a given with any full size class A. Even a gasser can handle it… my Jeep has a ton of armor and weighs in just under 5000 pounds. My gas class A can pull it with no problem, any diesel should be fine.
Cummings or Cat are both good engines for diesel pushers. The six speed Alison is the “beefy” tranny, but even a three speed Alison will do the job you need it to. You’ll burn a little more gas with a smaller engine and transmission (it’ll won’t be able to stay in the most efficient RPM range because it’ll have to rev higher and won’t be able to shift as much), but it’ll still do the job. Don’t sweat the small stuff… if you find a nice unit and it has a Cummings or CAT engine and an Alison or Fuller (or is it Fulmer?) tranny, that’s about all you need to worry about.
Propane generators are fine and they’re quiet. Plus, it’ll work when you run out of diesel and are stuck on the side of the road!
One of the most important things on a used rig is the tires… a new set of six tires is NOT cheap! As in, “a couple grand” of not cheap. Whatever you end up getting, if it’s a class A, make sure that there are no spider-web looking cracks in the sidewalls (generally caused by age – UV exposure) and that the tread is good and deep. Ignore any “shiny” treatment on the tires, it’s a gel dealers put on to make it look nice and it’ll come off in a few hundred miles… it won’t hide the cracks if you know to look for them.
Finally, manuals for everything are a huge bonus. There are going to be LOTS of switches and buttons that you need to know about and lots of appliances and stuff that seem to have been invented by someone who has issues with common sense. At some point, you’ll have to know how to reset stuff, turn off safety switches, prime things, etc. Without manuals, you’re just guessing.
Dear Jonathan,
That is the most helpful post I’ve ever gotten. I am going to print it out!
Seriously, thanks for taking the time on that.
Jennifer
How cool… I was reading your blog, and I recognized that coach.. I work for PPL and thought it was cool to see the coach on your blog….If you need help with anything give me a ring…713 988 5555 ext 194
Dear David,
I wondered if anyone from PPL knew I was blogging about their coaches! I need to get down there for a test drive, but want to do it when there is not so much traffic!
Thanks,
Jennifer
No most of the people working for PPL do not have RV’s.. I am one of the only one that really truly loves rving, and love my work.. Come on down we will go for a spin..
Dear David,
Sounds good! I will plan on it. I can’t buy until my house sells, which I am listing in January.
One thing….I was so intimidated by the amount of traffic around when I was there last. Is there a good place to test drive?
I might try to make it down there this month.
Thanks,
Jennifer
I think that you’ll know her when you see her. I got shivers down my spine when I saw Miranda for the first time online. I just *knew*.
I’d never buy a rig with a propane generator; too much trouble. Someone is guaranteed to come along and pshaw that. To each their own. But Winnebago is a good product.
I also can’t imagine staying at campgrounds all the time. When I head up north again in the spring, I’ll do like I did this fall and spend 99% of my nights in Walmarts and high rest areas and turnouts. It’s an easy way to slash the budget!
Dear Rae,
That is so interesting to hear you say that about knowing. I love the Journey, but know I can’t buy one yet, so hope so much that I can get one when I can. I am trying to keep my mind open in case not.
Telling me that you (a solo woman rver) stay at Walmarts is the push I need to do it myself. I am going to try a few on the first leg of my trip out of Texas, but wasn’t sure if I’d be comfortable doing that long term.
Thanks!
Jennifer
One Trackback
[...] Being pretty settled on the 2000ish Winnebago Journey, I am constantly searching the online RV sites to learn more about inventory and pricing for that model. [...]