AMERICANRASCAL
Active member
I got to be honest-- I really have liked and admired Winnebago products and have appreciated their technical assistance and customer support. For the most part I have been impressed with their products. I had a 2014 Itasca Sunstar that in the 2 years we owned it NEVER had a significant glitch or hiccup. It was the perfect motorhome!
Today our forward left slide failed for the second time in 6 months on our new 2016 Adventurer 38Q we bought in March. The first time the front ram totally failed. Today the rear ram rack and pinion decided to give up the ghost.
Many issues have come up with this rig - of which I am not bothering to list here-I worked on some myself with guidance from Winnebago and the dealer. But there have been some major problems with this unit. I like maintaining and keeping my rig in good shape and operating well- much like owning a boat. And I don't mind a few glitches here and there with a new rig- its to be expected. But the big ones like slides and engines are out of my capabilities and are a problem-- especially when they keep failing.
Today brought another crushing failure. We've been traveling across the country coast to coast and all has been well after about 10 days of travel. Nothing has failed- until today. And it was a biggy.
Once again the driver's side forward slide broke and broke badly. This time the rear ram failed. All was well with the prep and set up to extend- the rig was properly leveled, all aspects of the movement were pre-cleared to assure no obstructions.
Upon extending the slide to open it up we heard this loud metallic cracking. I initially thought it may have been the same problem as I had experienced on the front ram where the ram broke away from the slide stripping the attachment bolts. Not this time. After crawling around under the rig I immediately saw the failure. About 4 teeth were shattered and missing from the gear on the motor shaft that actuate the rack and pinion assembly.
Besides being disappointed, we're a bit crowded and less comfortable in our "dream RV' for the remaining month of this journey as we can no longer extend the largest slide on the rig. And then come repairs?
I'm worried that this part of this rig was improperly engineered, that the components of the ram assembly or slide are not up to standard, or there was a major installation failure. I want(ed) to keep this rig for many many years, but I am wondering if its just going to be a money pit of repairs after warranty and something I just can't handle as I age .
Stressed and worried.
Today our forward left slide failed for the second time in 6 months on our new 2016 Adventurer 38Q we bought in March. The first time the front ram totally failed. Today the rear ram rack and pinion decided to give up the ghost.
Many issues have come up with this rig - of which I am not bothering to list here-I worked on some myself with guidance from Winnebago and the dealer. But there have been some major problems with this unit. I like maintaining and keeping my rig in good shape and operating well- much like owning a boat. And I don't mind a few glitches here and there with a new rig- its to be expected. But the big ones like slides and engines are out of my capabilities and are a problem-- especially when they keep failing.
Today brought another crushing failure. We've been traveling across the country coast to coast and all has been well after about 10 days of travel. Nothing has failed- until today. And it was a biggy.
Once again the driver's side forward slide broke and broke badly. This time the rear ram failed. All was well with the prep and set up to extend- the rig was properly leveled, all aspects of the movement were pre-cleared to assure no obstructions.
Upon extending the slide to open it up we heard this loud metallic cracking. I initially thought it may have been the same problem as I had experienced on the front ram where the ram broke away from the slide stripping the attachment bolts. Not this time. After crawling around under the rig I immediately saw the failure. About 4 teeth were shattered and missing from the gear on the motor shaft that actuate the rack and pinion assembly.
Besides being disappointed, we're a bit crowded and less comfortable in our "dream RV' for the remaining month of this journey as we can no longer extend the largest slide on the rig. And then come repairs?
I'm worried that this part of this rig was improperly engineered, that the components of the ram assembly or slide are not up to standard, or there was a major installation failure. I want(ed) to keep this rig for many many years, but I am wondering if its just going to be a money pit of repairs after warranty and something I just can't handle as I age .
Stressed and worried.