winnebago intent 26m

[macvette]

Originally Posted by BROAD ST

Getting ready to sign papers on out Winnebago Intent 26 M,who has one?What do u like? dislke? this is our first motorhome

The wife and I bought our 30 foot intent in June and we love it. If you notice a lot of new RV are moving to residential fridge. One suggestion book a weekend trip and have paper pencil and make a list of stuff the need to be fixed. It’s happens to all new motor homes. Don’t stress about it. Make an appointment at the place you bought it to get everything fixed. Again don’t stress. You will learn the ticks as you go it’s part of the fun. Like water filters and batteries. Enjoy and congrats on the motor home.

[moonie]

If you are buying a "NEW" Winnebago you need to do two things: 1. Fatten your wallet for unexpected repairs and 2. Pray a lot.
Outside that, just except a large amount of frustration and a big let down with your expectations of any quality what-so-ever.
Been there done that....Ouch!
Moonie

[charlescho]

Originally Posted by YGoHom

What's the CHF? Cheap Handling Fix
What's it cost? Free! Just a couple hours of your time

Read all about it here...
Cheap Handling Fix - iRV2 Forums

The Cliff notes are this, your motor home sways in the wind or around corners? Of course it does. If you slide under the RV and look at the front and rear sway bars, you'll find an extra hole at each end. Simply unbolt the lower link from the existing location and move it to the empty hole.
This pretty much removes all the roll and sway and should have come from Ford this way. This is common among all Ford F53 chassis.

Went out on our first trip with our 26m last week. I realized the handling could be better.

Whenever semis would pass by, the mh felt like it was getting pushed! For example, if a semi passed me from the left, the mh would get pushed out to the right. Is that what the CHF would address?

Also, if I turned around for 1 SECOND to see what the kids were doing, the mh would be veering off the lane. Would that be something the CHF would take care of, or would a steering stabilizer fix that.

I'm aware of the CHF and steering stabilizer mods, but just not sure what each exactly does. Any help clearing up this confusion would help!

[YGoHom]

Welcome to the 26m Club!

The CHF and/or heavy duty sway bars will “help” with side to side rocking or sway of the suspension. Imagine driving and only the right side wheels go over a speed bump...the RV will rock A LOT side to side. If all wheels go over a speed bump, there’s no rocking.
The CHF or fatter diameter sway bars reduce the rocking, and the roll when cornering, but don’t effect the feel of the suspension negatively.
BUT, it should be noted that some, myself included, have found the CHF on the front to be more harsh riding. When doing CHF it reduces the amount of flex available in the sway bar links, therefore reducing the amount of down travel available. This has been argued on IRV2. This is also the reason that if you raise the front with the jacks to level the RV the front will come off the ground sooner than if no CHF was performed.
The fix to the CHF fix is to make the front links longer. This will reduce the effectiveness of the CHF but still be better than nothing, plus not be so harsh.



Steering stabilizer will “help” with the constant struggle with the steering wheel and to keep a straight line a little easier. It will “resist” the grooves in the road trying to pull you off the highway.

You already have a front track bar, adding a rear will help keep the rear end planted in a straight line when a truck passes by. Without it a truck begins to pass and the wind will push the rear of the RV to the side and begins the term “the tail wagging the dog”.

A professional alignment by a TRUCK shop or who specializes in RV’s should be your STARTING POINT. Toe is critical and must be TOE IN to help prevent the wander when taking your eyes off the road for a second. I had mine checked twice and was told it was in tolerance. First time I didn’t question it. The second time I did, which is what led me to a Specialist.
My toe was “out” but in tolerance. They adjusted it IN so the tires are always going straight. When it’s out, every little bump in the road will send you off in the direction that the steering is pointing because the wheels are fighting each other trying to pull you off the road.
Toe In could have a negative effect on tire wear, but MOST RV’s get new tires because they’re old and cracked, not because of wear.
In my opinion, it’s worth the trade off. I wanted to burn mine to the ground before I got it dialed in. Obviously that wasn’t an option, so I had to suck it up and do everything I could to make it safe to drive.

I have a fat aftermarket front bar, added a fat sway bar to the rear - which still utilizes the stock bar, but the new one goes behind the axle - doubled up, a rear trac bar, and a steering stabilizer.

Moving as much weight from the rear will yield a huge, FREE improvement.
Don’t drive with a full tank of gas AND a full tank of fresh water. All that weight lifts the front off the ground and makes the steering feel loose and hard to control. Get as much weight over the front axle as possible to make it feel planted and in control. If it feels “floaty” your front is too light.

Read the thread “All INTENTS and Purposes”. It’s long, but has the most useful information that you’ll find on the internet for the Intent.


Good luck!

-Robb

[K9AEG]

Broad St... Is this a 2020 26M, or a used one on a dealer lot? Winnebago for 2020 doesn't show they offer the 26M.

[Wyatt]

Congratulations on your soon to be experience.

This is my repost to another budding RV owner:

Let’s face it, most of these rigs could use some enhanced stabilizers. We rented enough to learn that when we bought our first “second home” for business, that was the FIRST thing we did. These rigs handle poorly, well, the Ford F53’s do out of the gate, can’t speak for others. I suppose more expensive diesel pushers might not have that issue.

Steering stabilizers, front and rear anti-sway bars and automatic adjustable (Koni) shocks were installed by me the same weekend I drove it home.

Expect that, at the least, and you’ll be much more happy.
Then, you’ll want to change out the mattress, and shower head. Both abominable IMHO.

Most of the rest of the mods, were just to make the box a home. It’s been a fun ride...

[K9AEG]

Originally Posted by K9AEG

Broad St... Is this a 2020 26M, or a used one on a dealer lot? Winnebago for 2020 doesn't show they offer the 26M.

Originally Posted by Ret.LEO

Now add in to the mix that the V- 10 will be going the way of the dinosaur. That will add a whole new mix of possible changes (good and bad) when they switch to the V-8 7.0 liter probably in 2020.
When the time comes when we buy our new Class C I am considering bringing a independent rv inspector before we sign the final check.

Winnebago has a lot of good features which I like but Jayco Greyhawks with the J-Ride Plus which is standard, already has the additional chassis improvements to improve ride and handling.

Picking out our first new Class C is more work than when we did a total reno. on our stick built.
Decisions, decisions, decisions

Looked at the Jaco Alante J-ride on the class A. I only see F&R stabilizer bar improvements and aftermarket shocks. Ford already on the F53 uses good shocks. F&R stabilizer can be improved upon which I did. The coach does not impress me as the 26x is almost 29' long. No wardrobe space, no computer passenger station, top bunk is optional, Small 19.5 tires, and no Smart propane system. Outside entertainment center is just is a TV. No sink or refrig. List price is $126k. No thank you.

My impression, is that Jayco could do better. J-ride just isn't the whole story from what I see. I also added the front Sumo springs. Helped greatly along with the heavier duty stabilizer's.

[Wyatt]

I fell into the same trap. This is a post from December of 2018. Broad street has since bought, and contributed to this forum. My bad...

[Gjanis]

Our orientation didn't show us much. Questions asked. Couldn't be answered. So. I uncourage you to ask even the dumbest question. ..we got our intent. Last oct.. 2019. And still finding things we don't know how to use.

[COCamper]

Hi. I know this is a bit late, but would you have the instructions on adding that USB hookup? I can't find that anywhere. (Mine wasn't included either). Also, do you, or anyone know of the headlight halos intermittently not working, or not at all? No fuse is specifically designated for that, as far as I can tell. Thanks.

[Wyatt]

Not sure what you’re asking. USB connections?

Halo lights? You mean the LED lights that surround the headlight assembly?

[COCamper]

Hello,

Yes, the "optional" USB connectors available for the radio. Mine didn't come with it, and there doesn't seem to be any forward-facing port to plug in to. The Winnebago USB plugs into the rear of the radio somewhere. Wondered how you did it.

As for the "Halos", yes those are the LEDs that surround the headlights with the rocker switch on the driver left armrest. Mine is intermittent at best. My apologies if you weren't the person that added that.

Thanks

[Wyatt]

Originally Posted by COCamper

Hello,

Yes, the "optional" USB connectors available for the radio. Mine didn't come with it, and there doesn't seem to be any forward-facing port to plug in to. The Winnebago USB plugs into the rear of the radio somewhere. Wondered how you did it.

As for the "Halos", yes those are the LEDs that surround the headlights with the rocker switch on the driver left armrest. Mine is intermittent at best. My apologies if you weren't the person that added that.

Thanks

I did upgrade my radio to a pioneer DMH 4660 that has a USB cord it comes with that comes out of the back to a USB a to c connector.

LEDs around the headlights, I have never had any problem with mine. But if I did, I would grab a VM meter and find out why…

[creativepart]

Folks, please note, this is a 5-year old thread started in 2018.

Rather than ask questions of members that last posted in 2018, it’s always best to start a brand new thread. That way your questions can be seen and responded to by current members.

When making a new thread about your question or problem be sure to start at the beginning and fully state your issue and what you are looking for. That way everyone in the forum can try and help you with your questions.