2002 Winnebago Adventurer 32V-good deal?

[allison8648]

Hello all, I am new to the forum and new to RVing in general, but am excited about getting started! We found a 2002 Winnebago Adventurer 32V and are in the process of financing, paperwork, etc. It’s not too late to back out, so I figured I’d get some “expert” opinions on price before I signed the deal!

It was listed for $47,900, and we negotiated to $37,900 which includes them completing a small punch list of some minor details, and doing the “RV school” they provide where they go over everything with us. It’s got 23,000 miles and is in super condition. I think it has standard everything from what I saw on the brochure. It’s the F53 chassis and the Ford V-10. We loved the layout, and have really liked Winnebago’s over the Coachman’s, Fleetwood’s etc we have looked at over the past few weeks. We need something under 33’, so it’s the perfect size, and with the 2 slides seems roomy enough for our family of 3. I’ve done the NADA and I am confortable with the deal we’ve worked out, but just would like some opinions here please! It’s also a one-owner rig and they know the owners well and say they are pretty meticulous.

Also, the only thing we found significantly wrong with the unit is there was a small leak over the shower which I’ve read on here is common? It’s been fixed and there is not damage on the roof, and the new skylight looks great, and we went a day it was pouring and had been raining for days, and no signs of moisture. Should I be making this a bigger issue? My other half is quite handy and he feels the fix job looks good. The dash A/C isn’t blowing cold air, either, but they are fixing that before we take delivery. The RV school day is to set the whole thing up, learn how everything works, and make sure everything works, so obviously if everything isn’t up to par, we won’t take it.

Any suggestions welcome, we are excited, but want to make sure we are getting a decent deal. Thank you for any opinions you are willing to share about the price and this model.

[Clifftall]

Welcome to the forum. Sounds like you've done your homework. I had an 01 35u Chieftain on a Ford Chassis that took me to 49 States and all 10 Canadian Provinces without incidence. Hope you enjoy yours.
Cliff

[charlie 62]

Might I mention the Ford "cheap handling" fix. If it has not been done I would get it completed.

[allison8648]

Thanks Charlie, will search the forum on that now, or if you have a link could you point me in the right direction?

[Springer45]

Bought the same coach with 24K miles on a Workjorse chasis last March fo 32.5K including tas and one year warranty. This is a floorplan you either love or hate so they can tend to sit in inventory for a while. Have 5K on mine in the last year and love it. Have had the usual (it seems) things go wrong during the year but all in all a very solid, well built coach that has not given me any mechanical issues.

[Okiedoke]

We recently bought a 2003 Itasca 32v which is similar to yours. We also got the "RV School Day" and part of our agreement was that everything was to be working when picked up. So we downloaded a checklist here for going through during "school". Very helpful. We also reviewed the manual before the schooling. Find yours here.

[Sammie]

TIRES are something you should not overlook. I understand that the coach may have low mileage but if the tires are as old as the coach, they may need replacing. You said that the deal is not done until the paperwork is signed so I would take a close look at the tire condition before you sign on the dotted line.

Sammie

[frederick w]

TO Charilie 62

What is the "cheap handleing trick for a Ford 53 chassis?

Thanks in advance.

[CJ7ole]

Cheap handling fix: http://www.irv2.com/forums/f23/cheap...fix-72335.html

In short, you move the sway bar links to the hole closer to the sway bar so it gets more leverage and in effect beefs up your sway bar.

And as you may see I have the exact coach you are considering. I paid $50k 5 years ago so I think you are Ok with the price. As stated check the date code on the tires, anything over 5-7 years is suspect. Make sure the slides extend and retract properly and the leveling jacks do the same. Not uncommon for the leveling jacks to stick when retracting. Verify that the gas furnace works properly and the basement air/heat pump is working, also the genny, water heater (on elec and gas), fridge (on gas and elec) and the water pump. If you can talk them into changing the spark plugs, it would certainly be worth it as stuck V-10 spark plugs are an expensive fix. I am keeping my fingers crossed on mine (I am at 60K miles now).

Am leaving August 1 for a 10K trip out west for 60 days with it. They are a nice coach, but the newer ones with full body paint sure are tempting...

[allison8648]

Thanks for the tips and advice! Going to RV school next week to go over all the details on it and fingers crossed everything is to our satisfaction!

[Hikerdogs]

We had a 2001 32V and a friend of ours had a 2002 on the same chassis . The only difference between 2001 and 2002 is the newer one has a bedroom slide. The slide gives you much more room when it's out, but far less when it's in. We both put over 100,000 miles on the odometer with very few problems.

As for the "cheap handling fix" it may or may not work on your coach. Our 2001 didn't have the second set of holes for the sway bar bushings. I think Ford got front axles from different vendors. Some had the extra set of holes and others didn't. The same is true of the grease zerks on the drive shaft universal joints. Ours had them while other people with the exact same year and model coach didn't.

Be sure to check the shock absorbers and flush the brake system. Ours shocks were junk within 22,000 miles. We put on a set of Bilsteins and they lasted another 80,000+ miles. Ford recommends flushing the brake fluid every 2 years. The brake fluid is hygroscopic (attracts moisture). When the fluid becomes "saturated" (more than 4% water) the brakes can fade when used hard. The fluid was originally almost clear. As it gets older it will turn an amber or brownish color. When it really gets bad it looks like brown mud.

[frankdamp]

We have an '02 Georgetown 32-footer on the F53 chassis. we bought it 2 years ago, at 12,000 miles and 48 hours on the generator, for $37K. It was a local, private sale from the original owners.

I think, 2 years later and 5000 more miles, I'd be lucky to get much over $30K for it. The two things I'd take good looks at are the tires and the fridge (I guess that's really 7 things, counting the tires individually). Ours had the originals from the 2001 chassis build date. Six new ones (Toyo) at Les Schwab for about $2300.

On the fridge, open the outside cover and look for any signs of a yellow powdery substance around the base of the flue. That's sulphur, and a symptom of a failing cooling unit. Ours died just before a trip. we went on the trip anyway, but got fed up of pulling into grocery stores every day for ice. we had it replaced for $1800.

This is not an inexpensive lifestyle!

[John Hilley]

I would check the outside wall by the showed for any signs of delamination. Water may have gotten on there from the sky light leak.

[Dammitsass]

Sammie is right on the tires. to replace all 6 would be $2000-$4000. there is a date code on the side, i believe it reads- dot then some numbers. the last four numbers are the week of the year and the the year . 0113 would be first week of 2013 as the production date. they reccomend replacing them if they are over eight years.we have a 01 winnie adventurer 37' and love it. happy rving.

[lthomas203]

Tires, Tires, Tires! Shocks! seals around all windows! Check coach heater blower. Batteries ( house ) Watch all jacks go up and down. look for any wet spots under unit. Look at it as if your kid's were spending 40 k on it.

We purchased ours in 12/12 and love it.

[allison8648]

So if the original tires are on it, should we pass? Renegotiate? I just remember them looking ok, but didn't check the code. We've put a $1,000 non refundable deposit on it :-/

[John Hilley]

Since you have a non refundable deposit worth almost half the cost of tires I would go ahead with it. I would see if they would at least go half on the tires.

[allison8648]

Thanks again folks! We are to pick it up and do the school this Wed, and I am so nervous about it all! I hope everything works right, as I'm not taking it if it doesn't! I keep thinking a 2002 model sounds "old", but we actually liked it better than some newer models. Hoping that by going with a decent brand, even though it's an older model it will serve us well for a few years!

[John Hilley]

I agree we with you on your assessment of older models. I think they reached a peak in 2004.

[allison8648]

John, do you mean you think quality went down around 04'? It's interesting that I liked the 2002 over several 2005 and even a 2007 model since I've always had new cars for personal vehicles. I thought I was too "prissy" for an older model-Haha!