New Winnebago (Itasca) Sunstar 30T - any advice?

[Cass Sumrall]

We are taking delivery on a new 30T , our first MH, in a couple of weeks. We have been reading the forums & asking a few questions for the last year or so in preperation, but I wonder if there are any Winnebago owners with any advice specific to Winnebagos & particularly this model?

Thanks!
Cass & Lyn

 

[John Canfield]

Congratulation on your almost Winnebago!  There is a good pre-delivery checklist in the forum Library that you should use when you do your delivery inspection.

 

[John Hilley]

I would suggest joing your local WIT club. You probably get a free one year membership with the motor home to the national organization. Going on a campout with the local club will be  having many experienced owners at your beck and call for any questions and hands on how to.

http://www.witclub.com/

You would really get an education if you could attend the GNR in July. This would be a good place to get any warranty work done and a tour of the factory.

 

[DonGee]

Be prepared,document everything you find that should be covered by waranty and notify customer service so they can record it.  Have your serial number available when you do. Even if you think the problem is on the minor side record and document it. Many dealers are great about selling but fall between the cracks when it is time to do work and as an owner of 3 Winnebago Products I have had more than my share of problems.  I have known people who have taken the dealer to small claims court as they kept the motorhome far longer than they should have.  Won their case too.

I too am a big believer in the WIT Club and have made life long friends within our local chapter and rallys and caravans in which I have participated.

Always carry tow service , a since of humor and the expectation of a wonderful lifestyle.

Don G. WIT 70041

 

[DeWat]

Congrats  !!!  In addition to all of the good advise that you have received thus far, if you are fortunate enough to be able to park at your home, you may want to start by camping out a weekend in your driveway.  You will immediately get ideas of what you need, how things will work, and what to expect while have your emergency backup just steps away.

 

[John Canfield]

.. you may want to start by camping out a weekend in your driveway. ..

A most excellent idea!! 

 

[Cass Sumrall]

you may want to start by camping out a weekend in your driveway.  You will immediately get ideas of what you need, how things will work, and what to expect while have your emergency backup just steps away.

Why didn't I think of that? 

Great idea!

We were planning to stay at a campground 15 miles from home before going to a folk festival on the other coast a couple of weeks after getting it. But at least a night or two in the yard/driveway first makes great sense.

 

[John Canfield]

We always spend at least one night in the coach before leaving for a trip (two or three nights when we're leaving for the summer) - there's always something we forgot.

Another tip for you is to stage a cardboard box somewhere in your house and when you think of something that needs to be moved to your rig, put it in the box at that moment - it's easier than making a list.

 

[DonGee]

Rereading your post I had another brain blip.  Planning your trip and getting there is at least half the fun of the destination.  Of course with my DW no matter how much time and effort I put into directions, stop offs, sites to see, camp grounds to stay in she always changed them at the last minute. In as much as she is in a rest home at the present time I can only wish she was here to cause me that distraction.

Don G.,WIT 70041

 

[Cass Sumrall]

Rereading your post I had another brain blip.  Planning your trip and getting there is at least half the fun of the destination.  Of course with my DW no matter how much time and effort I put into directions, stop offs, sites to see, camp grounds to stay in she always changed them at the last minute. In as much as she is in a rest home at the present time I can only wish she was here to cause me that distraction.

Don G.,WIT 70041

Yes, I have always found in life generally, its not the goal but getting there that brings the most pleasure - I hope & expect motorhoming will be the same. I hope your DW will be able to rejoin you in the journey.

 

[Cass Sumrall]

We always spend at least one night in the coach before leaving for a trip (two or three nights when we're leaving for the summer) - there's always something we forgot.

Another tip for you is to stage a cardboard box somewhere in your house and when you think of something that needs to be moved to your rig, put it in the box at that moment - it's easier than making a list.

We thought of that, but that "cardboard box" has already expanded into half a small room - it will be interesting to see when we get the MH how much of that stuff will really fit in it! 

 

[John Canfield]

We thought of that, but that "cardboard box" has already expanded into half a small room - it will be interesting to see when we get the MH how much of that stuff will really fit in it!

You will quickly fill it up!

We have duplicated as much stuff as possible on the coach so we don't have to keep hauling clothes, toiletries, kitchen utensils, dishes, drinking glasses, etc. back and forth.  Once you get it loaded up, then the cardboard box idea will be practical for all the the little items like eyeglasses, cell phone chargers, meds and so forth.

Once you get it loaded up with everything you are likely to take on an extended trip, find a truck scale and weigh with the black/gray tank empty and with maybe 10-20 gallons of fresh water and a full tank of fuel and propane (how to weigh guide.)  Ideally you can make a rally somewhere where they are doing four-corner weighing with portable scales. 

If your rear (or drive) axle is loaded to let's say 90% of capacity, then the front (or steer) axle should also be loaded to 90% of maximum capacity.  If not, then you need to shift loads around as much as possible to even out the loading percentages and weigh again.

Once you get your axle weights you can then adjust the tire pressures accordingly.  Getting your rig weighed is a critical step in having an optimum handling and safe RV.

 

[Cass Sumrall]

Just saw it for the first time yesterday. It arrived at the dealer's location ahead of schedule & unexpectedly.

We spent a couple of hours in it deciding whether to accept it with a different interior package than we ordered. After a couple of hours going over it we decided to accept it rather than wait another month for another with the interior we though we wanted. We were offered the opportunity to drive it for a while which we gladly accepted since neither of us has ever driven a MH before (it went well!) & we found it very easy to drive. I am really impressed with the fit & finish on this MH & so far, everything seems to work properly & it has not yet gone through the dealer's inspection & service & clean-up before our formal inspection & review of it with the dealer later this week. We hope to have it home for a dry run overnight stay in our side yard by next weekend.

After spending a couple of hours with it we went through a number of other high-end Class A's on their currently very crowded lot just to re-affirm our decision on this model & we were very pleased to find nothing we liked as well for any price. I really think Winnebago is doing it right, at least with this model.