We have been dreaming about buying an RV for years. The big '60' now makes this dream a necessity. We are scared to death, but the time has come. We are considering a 2003 Brave, 30'. Too much for a first timer? We are overwhelmed by: registering in Montana, insurance, extended warranties. repairs, etc. Not to mention, the RV is 900 miles away! Should we just suck it up, fly to the RV, and worry about all the small stuff later?
Winnebago Brave
- Thread starter pmt3ks
- Start date
The friendliest place on the web for anyone with an RV or an interest in RVing!
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
geodrake
Moderator Emeritus
First off, Welcome to the friendliest RV forum on the internet. Here you can get answers to questions, read/and/or join ongoing discussions, many of which are RV related, and many are not. We have a fantastic library with lots of relevant info too. Additionally, here you will be able to associate with like minded RVers, and most are willing to share their RV knowledge which has been gained through experience.
There is nothing wrong with a 2003 Brave. Obviously, there could be problems associated with the one you are looking at and therefor it needs to be looked at pretty hard. There is information in our library that will help you with this. If you like, you may be able to find (by posting a request here) a fellow RVer in the area to take a look too. The rest (insurance, etc.) is pretty straight forward.
Glad to have you join us.
There is nothing wrong with a 2003 Brave. Obviously, there could be problems associated with the one you are looking at and therefor it needs to be looked at pretty hard. There is information in our library that will help you with this. If you like, you may be able to find (by posting a request here) a fellow RVer in the area to take a look too. The rest (insurance, etc.) is pretty straight forward.
Glad to have you join us.
John Canfield
Site Team
Good for you - time to stop dreamin' and start lookin' !!!
Is it possible to get an RV mechanic to do a pre-purchase inspection? I would be really reticent to buy a used vehicle sight-unseen without a professional evaluation.
Oh - a great big welcome to rvforum!!
Is it possible to get an RV mechanic to do a pre-purchase inspection? I would be really reticent to buy a used vehicle sight-unseen without a professional evaluation.
Oh - a great big welcome to rvforum!!
D
DeanLinAZ
Guest
pmt3ks:
We owned a 2002 Itasca Sunrise 30W from 2002 until 2006. It is the sister/brother of your potential 2003 Winnebago Brave. These coaches are identical except for some interior trim differences.
We put over 30K miles on our Sunrise. It worked all the time, every time. We did have a Henderson Track Bar installed at the rear which greatly improved the handling when an eighteen wheeler pulled alongside. The only chassis issue we ever had was a blown seal in the chassis air conditioner compressor. Known issues with these coaches are with the disc brake calipers and sometimes with the park position of the tranny.
We towed a Miata for the four years we had the Sunrise and there was never a lack of power issue with the Workhorse engine .
The Brave was available either with a V-10 Ford engine on a Ford chassis or a Workhorse (Chevrolet) engine on a Workhorse chassis. Kind of like chocolate vs. vanilla--both setups are good products. Maybe less problems with the Ford chassis brakes.
Anyway, welcome to the forum. You can learn a lot fast here.
Good hunting,
We owned a 2002 Itasca Sunrise 30W from 2002 until 2006. It is the sister/brother of your potential 2003 Winnebago Brave. These coaches are identical except for some interior trim differences.
We put over 30K miles on our Sunrise. It worked all the time, every time. We did have a Henderson Track Bar installed at the rear which greatly improved the handling when an eighteen wheeler pulled alongside. The only chassis issue we ever had was a blown seal in the chassis air conditioner compressor. Known issues with these coaches are with the disc brake calipers and sometimes with the park position of the tranny.
We towed a Miata for the four years we had the Sunrise and there was never a lack of power issue with the Workhorse engine .
The Brave was available either with a V-10 Ford engine on a Ford chassis or a Workhorse (Chevrolet) engine on a Workhorse chassis. Kind of like chocolate vs. vanilla--both setups are good products. Maybe less problems with the Ford chassis brakes.
Anyway, welcome to the forum. You can learn a lot fast here.
Good hunting,
Wizard46
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 12, 2009
- Posts
- 2,146
We hava an 02 Brave 32V. Love it. Showing a little ware but so am I. Never had any serious problems but I'm always tinkering with something. Leaving for Flagler Beach Fl. Sunday and have a 2 month trip to Wyoming and South Dekota in June. Not worried about anything except me.
RetiredLE
Well-known member
Newbies here with a 2003 Winnebago 34' Brave that we recently purchased. We haven't put enough miles on it yet to give a comprehensive report but so far we have no complaints. The fit and finish are top notch and it gets down the road quite well with the Workhorse chassis.
We did opt to spend the money for an extended warranty. With this much invested, it seemed like a sound choice for us.
Good luck in your quest.
Mike 'n Jan
RALI
We did opt to spend the money for an extended warranty. With this much invested, it seemed like a sound choice for us.
Good luck in your quest.
Mike 'n Jan
RALI
FrontrangeRVer
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 12, 2008
- Posts
- 1,433
What chassis is underneath it?
artmartin
New member
- Joined
- May 13, 2009
- Posts
- 2
We've had our 2003 Brave 32V for a year. We bought it at a dealership two provinces away as there aren't many Class A's available in Saskatchewan (lots of 5th Wheels). We love our new to us Motorhome. We've gone from BC to Toronto and back to Saskatchewan, towing a car most of the way. The Workhorse did an amazing job.
A long time RV'er told us Winnebago's aren't always the fanciest but they're just about the best built.
We did get extended warranty, but have had no problems yet. A good mechanical going over is crucial before purchase.
It took us a two years to decide on a class A and another two years to find one that suited us.
Advice? Once you find one that works for you got for it.
A long time RV'er told us Winnebago's aren't always the fanciest but they're just about the best built.
We did get extended warranty, but have had no problems yet. A good mechanical going over is crucial before purchase.
It took us a two years to decide on a class A and another two years to find one that suited us.
Advice? Once you find one that works for you got for it.
