I love you
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.
I have also been trying to plan a trip back to PPL in Houston (a three hour drive from here), so that I can test drive the Journey they have in stock.
Yesterday, during my regular search, I found that the nearby used RV dealer that I like, Roman Holiday Motorhomes, now has a 2001 Winnebago Journey! They even have the floorplan that I want with the two front sofas.
So, I am going to try to get down there this week to test drive her.
Come get me
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A few things that I wonder about:
- The price is high at $63K (It is one year newer and has some extras, but is $16K higher than the list price of the one at PPL.)
- This one is a DL series. What is the difference?
- It has a 330hp Cat diesel engine that some have told me I’d have trouble getting serviced and/or repaired. The PPL Winnebago Journey has a 275hp Cummins. How big of a deal is that?
- Does it make sense that the one at PPL is listed as 30amp and the one at Roman Holiday is listed as 50amp?
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Here is a link to the 2001 Winnebago Journey at Roman Holiday
Here is a link to the 2000 Winnebago Journey at PPL in Houston
I’ve sent an email to them to see if I can schedule a test drive. They are closed on Sundays and Mondays, so hopefully I will be test driving my first diesel pusher on Tuesday!
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Countup: 20 days of no drinking!
Countdown: 137 days until I move into my RV!
20 Comments
They are both beautiful. The engine issue is definitely something to check out before you decide. I’ve heard of others having a problem getting their engines serviced with certain brands.
Morning Jennifer….the difference between 50amp and 30amp service is the amount of electricity the coach needs for you to operate its systems when “plugged in”….systems meaning A/C, heaters, fridge, lighting, etc. I’m surprised a late model Class A RV would only have 30amp service (the PPL one). The postive with the 30amp service is that would open up many more options….I have 50amp, so am always looking for parks that offer 50amp…..not all do….on this winter trip we just finished, 50amp (you really get 100amps, as each “leg” on the plug provides 50amps of power) was very desireable as I preferred to use the electric heaters….I have four, and each draws around 10amps….to run all four I need more than 30amps…I can hookup to 30amp with an adapter, which most 50amp coaches come with, but that means I would have to use gas furnaces to heat….they work fine, and are efficient, but are a little noisier at night. In the summer if I am using both roof A/C’s I can get by on 30amp, but can’t run much more, so I prefer 50amp. What I am saying is the 30amp coach may make more sense for you….it requires less power to operate its systems.
I’ll have to check on the engines….my son has a 2006 Fleetwood and it has a CAT, but I’m not sure which model. He has not had any trouble getting it serviced, but I’ll find out which one he has.
Obviously, with 2 slides the 2001 will be heavier than the 2000 with 1 slide.
I don’t know anything about the mechanical stuff. You have good support for that here, thankfully. I am amazed at how much more room there appears to be with the kitchen sliding out on the 2001. And the added room in the bedroom the slide provides is nice, too. That being said, I could live in either one! Very nice. Good luck!
First on the engines, both surely are good. I assume the Cat gets less MPG since it is larger.
But you can climb hills faster. I don’t need to climb hills faster. It is up to you.
On the question of price, I wouldn’t pay the $16k for the newer one.
On the question of AMPS, 50 amps are required for the extras such as washer/dryer even if not installed but optional on that MH. Both amprages are adequate for the units as built. I have a 50 amp 5th, and I usually plug into the 30 amps, since I dont have the W/D combo and I run the A/C just fine on 30 amps. Everyone carries convertor plugs to be able to plug in which ever outlets are available.
The first question to answer is for you to pick the floor plan that you like best, the other questions fall into place after the floor plan.
Now back to you. Have you found the Escapees.com down in Livingston. They are a great group and have a ton of resources. The folks that post on their forum are kinder and gentler than over at RV.Net The also have classes and campgrounds (one there in Livingston) that you might look into for your check out and further education after going full time.
Also post your questions on the two units you are looking at on RV.net you will get expert answers.
James
Jennifer, there is a big mark-up on new and used motorhomes. Go to http://www.iRV2.com and http://www.RV.net to great RV forums. Make sure the tires are under 5 years old, if older then 5 years have them put new tires on at their cost.
Good luck and have fun. Bill
Gasp! Choke! She..she’s…gone…over…to…the Dark Side!
Here are the important differences I can spot between the two…
2000 – Propane Generator, 30 amp, smaller fridge
2001 – Diesel gen, 50 amp, larger fridge
Diesel generator will be louder, but you will rarely have to refill propane, which is nice. Propane is quieter, but keep in mind that the fridge, furnace and water heater will probably all be using propane when you’re not parked at a campsite with electricity. If you’re burning propane to run your generator, you’ll run out faster. It’s easier to find diesel than propane.
30 vs 50 amp. They both have good and bad points… your unit probably it as “smart” as our Newmar, which means that it won’t run stuff unless it detects that it’s safe to do so. 30 amp is sufficient for a unit that size, but it probably means it has a smaller air conditioner, furnace and microwave. 50 amp simply means it can use more power, so the appliances are probably “beefier”. The problem is that you probably can’t use any adaptors to get a 30 amp campground socket to work with your 50 amp RV. You can “combine” a 30 amp and a 20 amp with an adaptor (I’ll post about that soon on our site), which most campgrounds have, but they tend to frown on that. The 30 amp is much more flexible… it’ll run off 30 amp right off the bat. Or, you can use an adaptor to run from a 50 amp socket… a different adaptor can be used to run off a 15 or 20 amp socket (this is what you’re used to having around your house).
But… if you use a lower amperage socket, you run the risk of blowing something… the breaker, the socket, or the wiring. Campgrounds get real unhappy about that and you are generally liable for fixing it. In short, 30 amp is more flexible, but you will sometimes have to manage your power consumption (even when plugged into a 30 amp socket). 50 amp is probably less flexible, but you can pretty much run anything you want and not worry about it.
It really sounds like I need to do an “RV Electrical” post soon, eh?
Oh, I forgot… there really isn’t much difference in finding places that can work on Cummins or Cat. They’re both really common and you should be able to find either with no troubles.
Jen, don’t get confused by some post. Ask your question on RV.net and get the pro’s answer.
The supply line into the unit was engineered to meet the needs (demand) by adding the amps of all appliances included in the unit, and providing a correctly sized pipe. You don’t need to worry about needing 50 amps and having only 30 available on the 30 amp unit.
If an adequate supply is not available some items will just have to be turned off ie you may not be able to run the a/c and the washer/dryer at the same time. I doubt you will face this situation.
This is a non-issue.
Rest assured that the A.C unit is sized to cool the unit down and is not beefier on a 50 amp unit over a 30 amp unit. The additional amps are for some other use. Like I said, a washer and dryer combo unit for example.
As far as the generator is concerned, I like having the gen run off of the main fuel tank. I doubt you will do much boondocking but if you do either unit will do fine.
The guys over at RV.net just love to answer questions by the ladies. Just post your questions and they will fall all over themselves to help.
Love
James
The 2001 probably has the CAT C7 engine, which is the one my son has. His is programmed for 300 hspr, but they go all the way up to 350 hspr. These CATS can be serviced wherever CATS are serviced.
More than likely the 2000 with the propane generator has a larger than normal propane tank to make up for the higher usage. I would check to find out how many gallons the propane tank is rated for. A lot of times propane is cheaper than diesel. For instance, on our just completed trip we paid 2.29/gallon for propane and up to $2.85/gallon for diesel. I don’t know that propane is hard to find….we have found wherever we have travelled…the only issue can be the price. Propane gensets are, indeed, quieter.
OK – so I know nada about the “mechanical” aspects of RV’s (especially Class A’s). But the 2001 Winne at Roman Holiday has WAY more class and appeal to it than the 2000 at PPL. Remember this is the place you are going to call home! I was drooling over the pictures of the 2001 Winne…its simply beautiful!! Of course it’s important to find out all the technical crap….but I really hope you end up with the 2001. Its very cozy and luxurious looking! I’m excited for you to test drive and find out all of the facts so that you can make your decision! Best wishes! I know someone in the RVing community will be able to help you figure this all out.
Hey Jennifer…..the engine is actually a 3126E, but same size (7.2 liter) as the C7, which is what I believe is in it. You should have non problem getting service…these are very common engines.
There is a 2003 Winnebago Journey on crankyape.com with 2 slide currently at $40,000 (they auction off repossesed RV’s)…it’s closing today at 5pm, and is, ironically, located in Texas. Anyway, my point is you can probably get them (Roman Holiday) to come down a little. Here is the one I’m talking about:
http://www.crankyape.com/default.asp?pg=DispSingleItem&ItemNumber=17002
CrankyApe is a great place to find RV’s at a good price!
The right one will come along for you when you are ready…..
I agree with James, as the question on the Rv.net forum, there are some great folk out there that either have one, or had one.
Opinions will vary.
I like class c, so Im not a good one to comment
Have you found the Escapees.com down in Livingston. They are a great group and have a ton of resources.
I second this… I would want to know about getting service done on a pusher. Would it be easier and cheaper if it was a class C. See Seneca Class that uses a Kodiak chassis and is quite large.
God, Thanks to ALL of you! That is an incredible wealth of information.
I did go post the question on RV.net and also got a lot to think about from them:
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/23480887.cfm
Again, thanks!
Jennifer,
Have you ever driven a large Class A Rig or been on a trip with one? Did you consider any of the smaller Motor Homes, Class C, B or a Pick-up truck with a bed camper or a Travel Trailer. I’d like to know why you want a Class A. IMHO it would be the last Rig I’d take on an ‘adventure’ trip to Arctic Circle. Drop me an email and I’ll reply with my cell number. I’d like to talk you through considering some other choices and most importantly how you envision using using your RV. The ‘use’ generally defines the type of Rig.
FYI, I’ve been RVing for 30 years in many types of RV’s and have been to the Yukon, etc.
Here’s a link to our new custom Touring Couch that I designed. This Rig is definitely not one you’d be interested in for your Full Time travels
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/23041426.cfm
This comment is a follow up on my earlier comments.
I read your post and the answers on RV.net and agree.
The Allison is well respected transmission and the consensus is to get the 2001. The price is too high and you should get them to come down.
Do not fall in love with either the dealer or the unit, both can be replaced by a new one. Do not think that if you give your hard earned money to them that they will do something nice for you later, ie. service!
Do not think you are friends, be hard hearted, it is your money, they will not get mad at you for a lower offer and if they don’t take it walk away.
Again post on RV.net a questions about dealing with this dealer. You will get experts to advise you on how to get the price you want. Be firm. Stand tall, it is your money! Don’t give it away!
Gee and just to think a few weeks ago you were just a sweet young thing talking about going to the North Pole to visit Santa, and here you are almost educated in the art of buying a big ole ass kicking motor home.
Continued Good Luck and With
Love,
James
Hi Jennifer,
Like some of the other ladies who have commented, I don’t know squat about the mechanical stuff, but what a wealth of knowledge you’re getting from all these guys who do!
Two observations, though, I did make and feel qualified to comment on. One is, if you’re going to live in it, two slides would be way better than one. The other is, both Ron (my husband) and I felt that $63K is too much money for a rig that old. I’d keep looking until you’re very sure you’re getting the best deal for your money.
Best wishes,
Mary Ann
For your specific floorplan desires, check out this link and see how inexpensively you can create a 2-sofa salon – check out the U-shape too. OK it’s a little cash but you can do a little customization to make it your own and be HAPPY
http://www.rvandvansurplus.com/bargain_furniture.asp?Vehicletype=RV&Items=DineSet#
I really thought you’d be living in a car or something remotely like a car, have you looked at B+s?. :p
We had 50A with an adapter so we could plug into 30A – which is what a lot of older (cheaper) rv lots have. But if they can fit that beast in a spot, I’m sure they’ll have 50A. We only had to reset the breaker once but I think we had everythig in the rig on at the time and the microwave was just too much for her to handle – went outside and flipped the breaker back on, turned off the bedroom & bathroom lights and we were back in bidness.
It was setup for a washer/dryer but since the damn thing only washed 3 t-shirts at a time**, we figured we didn’t really need it (one more thing to break).
**ok not 3, maybe 5 at tops ;p
Duncan used to work on CATs but said both of those engines are about the same for maintenance cost but make sure to keep an eye on it (levels maintained, etc)! He said he didn’t know much about MPG without knowing the style or size of the engines. If you’re not planning on doing the work yourself – check to see how many CAT mechanic shops VS. Cummins Mechanic Shops are on your way. Cat seems to be pretty prominent around here (FL). If the RV dealership you’re broken down at doesn’t have the parts there, they’re gonna call the CAT or CUMMINS shop – more shops, more parts, less wait. Does that make sense? :/
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