Topic: Considering an '09 Tour 40TD (Read 1232 times)

Boris and Natasha · « **on:** November 05, 2009, 06:20:50 PM »

After having a great time with our '08 Voyage for the last year and a half, we are seriously considering stepping up to an '09 Tour 40TD.

We would love to hear insights and opinions from other 40TD owners. What do you love? Any concerns? What should we be on the look out for?

This will be a big step for us, from gasser to a DP. While it's all a bit intimidating, we're ready to have that engine behind us, ride on air and have a little (OK, a lot) more room. We bought this rig for weekends and vacations and had the opportunity to start our fulltiming adventures earlier than we'd planned. After four months of FTing it's time for us to find our FTing Winnie.

Your advice is welcome!!!

Paul and Mary

John Canfield · « **Reply #1 on:** November 05, 2009, 09:14:32 PM »

We don't have a Tour TD, but we do have an opinion

Since you have lived aboard for a few months, you are qualified to pick the floorplan that works for you. If you are okay with the basement and interior storage, and if it has about 3,000 or more pounds of CCC, you are golden. I have not heard of any particular/unique problems with the Tour or its Itasca sister the Ellipse.

Be aware - with a rear radiator, you will need to have it cleaned periodically (I clean my side radiator every 2-3,000 miles myself, but professional cleaning is best for a rear radiator IMO.)

I think you are on the right track - a pusher with the ISL engine and the compression brake is absolutely first-rate. The Jake is so effective we have never had to use the service brakes or gear down going down a long, severe grade (dry roads - we don't use the Jake on wet roads.) It never ceases to fascinate us how effective the Jake is.

Get that checkbook out

kevin · « **Reply #2 on:** November 05, 2009, 09:40:09 PM »

We have a 06 tourfd, wish it had more seating room for company, other than that, we have found it to have great storage for us. I clean our radiator with a hose, and what I call a fire hose nozel, put it right up against the rad, and use about half pressure, it works great flushing dirt and stuff out.

I am however not impressed with our exhaust brake, we have a cat 350hp with a Pac exhaust brake, it closes down the exhaust coming out of the turbo, it is not a valve brake like on big trucks. I have to gear down, and use service brakes on big hills.

good luck with it if you decide to buy though.

John Canfield · « **Reply #3 on:** November 05, 2009, 10:50:55 PM »

Kevin - the '09 Tour has the ISL and a compression brake. More features keep getting pushed down the model line every year.

Jerry J · « **Reply #4 on:** November 06, 2009, 12:05:37 AM »

Quote from: Boris and Natasha on November 05, 2009, 06:20:50 PM

After having a great time with our '08 Voyage for the last year and a half, we are seriously considering stepping up to an '09 Tour 40TD.

We would love to hear insights and opinions from other 40TD owners. What do you love? Any concerns? What should we be on the look out for?

This will be a big step for us, from gasser to a DP. While it's all a bit intimidating, we're ready to have that engine behind us, ride on air and have a little (OK, a lot) more room. We bought this rig for weekends and vacations and had the opportunity to start our fulltiming adventures earlier than we'd planned. After four months of FTing it's time for us to find our FTing Winnie.
Your advice is welcome!!!
Paul and Mary

We don't have a Tour but an 08 Vectra TD so similar. Like John says, keep the rear radiator clean. I would avoid dirt roads and such as much as possible. Don't worry about going from the gasser to a DP. Read the manuals, ask questions, etc. and after driving for a week or so you will be comfortable with the Tour. We went from a 26' Class C gasser to a 40' Class A diesel. After 3 months in Arizona over the last winter in our class C we decided we also would like to fulltime and started searching for a Class A. Maybe see you at the GNR next year.

Boris and Natasha · « **Reply #5 on:** November 11, 2009, 08:45:24 AM »

Thanks so much for your helpful replies.

We made the trip to the dealer and, as John said, got out our checkbook.

The deal is done. We move in sometime later this week.

We can't wait!

Thanks again!
Mary

RV Roamer · « **Reply #6 on:** November 11, 2009, 09:22:12 AM »

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

John Canfield · « **Reply #7 on:** November 11, 2009, 10:28:48 AM »

Hooray!! Thanks for stimulating the economy!

Jerry J · « **Reply #8 on:** November 11, 2009, 11:50:24 AM »

And another Congratulations!

kevin · « **Reply #9 on:** November 11, 2009, 08:39:19 PM »

take a deep breath, and say "This is a start of a great relationship" and have a blast driving that new coach

Old Snipe · « **Reply #10 on:** November 18, 2009, 08:30:47 PM »

I'm going to miss your new motor home. I drove by it twice a day commuting to and from work. I drooled over it. Nice to see it has a good home. I follow your blog, nice work! Enjoy!

Best Regards!

Boris and Natasha · « **Reply #11 on:** November 19, 2009, 06:33:29 PM »

Thanks so much for your good wishes. We're moved in and on down the road. Busy settling in, but things are very good. We are definitely enjoying the ride!

Paul, we noticed a little drool!

Thanks for keeping an eye on it until we could get there.
It's a small Winnie world! They'll be another beauty to drool over there soon!

Meanwhile, there's a sweet 32H on their used lot!

Thanks again,
Mary and Paul

John Canfield · « **Reply #12 on:** November 19, 2009, 07:15:25 PM »

You guys keep us posted on how it's going!

RVThere · « **Reply #13 on:** November 30, 2009, 10:00:28 PM »

We have a 2007 Tour 40TD that we bought as a leftover in 2008 and love it. Plenty of room when traveling with some overgrown teenagers. The floorplan is great and the ride is terrific.

Good luck!

Longrider15 · « **Reply #14 on:** December 11, 2009, 12:13:02 PM »

Paul and Mary,
Here is another feel good sign about your buying a 09 Tour. I have a 07 Tour FD and periodically I will check many of the websites where private owners and dealers place ads to sell their RVs. I started this more than a year ago out of interest to see how the economy was effecting the resale value of Winnebago products. I was pleasantly surprised to find that there are thousands and thousands of used RVs for sale on the internet, but very few Class A Winnebagos and it's extremely difficult to find a Tour, of any model, listed. I believe this says alot about the Winnebago product but most of all it says that there are a lot of current Winnebago owners out there that are happy campers. Count me in that group. Good luck and travel safe in your new RV.
Tom

kevin · « **Reply #15 on:** December 11, 2009, 12:34:58 PM »

either that, or they just cant afford to get rid of them

maybe paid too much for them and would be upside down just trying to get out from under them? just a thought though.

John Canfield · « **Reply #16 on:** December 11, 2009, 05:41:22 PM »

Hey Tom - welcome!

When we were coach shopping in late 2004, early 2005, I could not find a used Vectra/Horizon in the floor plan and engine I wanted - so we ordered new.

Longrider15 · « **Reply #17 on:** December 11, 2009, 08:12:28 PM »

Kevin,
I haven't been an RVer but for a couple of years and there have been many, many things about RVing and RVers that has amazed me. However, the most amazing has been the overwhelming number of Class A motorhome owners that we have met that paid cash for their motorhome. When I was buying my Tour I asked on several website where one could get the best interest rates when financing your RV. It was like I got disconnected from the internet as I had very few replies. I'm sure there are some out there that are upside down on their loan, but my experience has been that there aren't many.

John,
Thanks for the welcome. I had to come over here as I missed your expert replies over at IRV2.
Merry Christmas to all.
Tom

kevin · « **Reply #18 on:** December 11, 2009, 10:19:29 PM »

I guess if your going full time, and sell your home that it would be easy to afford a new MH. I on the other hand can't.

I was just kinda joking about that being the reason you don't see many Tours on for sale sites, heck I only saw one from ar-florida in the last 2yrs. Yet when I went to forest city, must have been half a dozen Tours, and even the same color too.

We tried to trade ours in at the local dealer on a new one, but they said they didn't want any DP on there lot anymore, said they were too hard to sell. We have...I think the FD floor plan? the three big windows on the pass side, with a dinette(table and chairs) the fridge on the pass side, and the rest is on the d side.. not enough room for sitting around, we liked the new lay out with what I call the Pizza Hut booth in it. anyway have a good one. Kevin

taoshum · « **Reply #19 on:** December 12, 2009, 12:46:22 AM »

Quote from: kevin on December 11, 2009, 10:19:29 PM

I guess if your going full time, and sell your home that it would be easy to afford a new MH. I on the other hand can't.

I was just kinda joking about that being the reason you don't see many Tours on for sale sites, heck I only saw one from ar-florida in the last 2yrs. Yet when I went to forest city, must have been half a dozen Tours, and even the same color too.

We tried to trade ours in at the local dealer on a new one, but they said they didn't want any DP on there lot anymore, said they were too hard to sell. We have...I think the FD floor plan? the three big windows on the pass side, with a dinette(table and chairs) the fridge on the pass side, and the rest is on the d side.. not enough room for sitting around, we liked the new lay out with what I call the Pizza Hut booth in it. anyway have a good one. Kevin

Does this represent a consensus? DP's are hard to sell? Or is it that RV's are hard to sell?

John Canfield · « **Reply #20 on:** December 12, 2009, 09:52:10 AM »

Quote from: Longrider15 on December 11, 2009, 08:12:28 PM

John,
Thanks for the welcome. I had to come over here as I missed your expert replies over at IRV2.
Merry Christmas to all.
Tom

Tom - thanks for the kind remark! We're very glad to have you join us on rvforum.

Maybe RV salesman PancakeBill can provide an expert opinion about the market scenario. Yo Bill...

madrone · « **Reply #21 on:** December 18, 2009, 11:42:28 AM »

Quote from: John Canfield on November 05, 2009, 09:14:32 PM

Be aware - with a rear radiator, you will need to have it cleaned periodically (I clean my side radiator every 2-3,000 miles myself, but professional cleaning is best for a rear radiator IMO.)

Quote

John,

Could you elaborate for a newbie? Professional as in Cummins? Truck radiator shop? Is the rear mounted radiator more difficult to clean because it catches more oil? difficult access?

Steve

John Canfield · « **Reply #22 on:** December 18, 2009, 12:05:47 PM »

Drifting a little off topic here...

Steve - a rear radiator will collect more dirt and grime than a side radiator primarily due I think to the vortex or vacuum created by the coach 'box' moving forward. It is more difficult to clean a rear radiator (in my opinion) based on what I have observed at Freightliner and Cummins dealers and from talking to people.

Many owners clean their rear radiators with good results - a forum search should turn up several discussions.

The other element of the side vs. rear radiator is engine access - generally speaking, side radiator coaches are easier (and consequently less expensive) to service. The trade-off I suppose for the side radiator is initial expense - my side radiator fan is hydraulically operated - there is a hydraulic motor and a hydraulic motor dedicated to the radiator fan.

kevin · « **Reply #23 on:** December 18, 2009, 02:20:51 PM »

John, I guess we measure good results by the temp gauge. I noticed that the temp gauge was alittle high, so I used the garden hose, with a fire hose nosel on it, put it right up against the rad, and hosed it out, from both directions. After that the temp went back to normal position.

I think the main cause of ours was that the exhaust was turned straight down, and when driving into gravel lots, it would stir up the dust, then the fan would suck it into the rad. I turned the exhaust just alittle to the right, about a 45 degree angle, and have not had that problem anymore, but I still have a dust collection problem on the back of the coach though. kevin

Ned · « **Reply #24 on:** December 18, 2009, 03:54:55 PM »

The biggest reason a rear radiator needs more frequent cleaning is because the fan blow out from the engine to the rear. All the road dust is thus blown into the CAC and radiator. A side radiator fan draws air into the engine compartment though the CAC and radiator.

madrone · « **Reply #25 on:** December 18, 2009, 04:52:50 PM »

The replies are much appreciated gentlemen, thanks! Mine runs very cool and the original owner told me he had recently cleaned the radiator and changed coolant but
I do want to stay on top of it. I ran a fleet of big trucks for many years and know the importance of never letting a diesel run hot.

News:

Author Topic: Considering an '09 Tour 40TD (Read 1232 times)