Making Choices

[Peter_Crowl]

Ok - well - that whole bit about joining up and accessing the brochure section didn't go exactly as planned.  For one thing,  my wife got to looking at them.

Apparently the Eyebrow Winnie is off the table and either an Elandan or Chieftain is on . I really can't say as I disagree all that much. I like the early style but for liveability  the later  - larger - air bag suspended - crowned glass roof - models make more sense.

So what do I need to know about choosing one of the mid to late 80s' models?

How much more difficult is it to live with a 36 vs a 32? Being practical we'd be too cramped in a 24/26.  with all we take and the dogs.

At least it's a Winnie :~)

Peter
Making Choices
in Denver

[Oz]

It may not have gone as planned, but like I said, having resources such as we do are invaluable.  You just avoided making a choice you would have found out wasn't the best.  Your membership donation already paid off.

The Elandans are awesome rigs.  They go up to 39' and are very affordable as well.  Remember though, they are still vintage RVs and do have the same issues as those of the 1970s. With the longer rigs, you'll want to look at the wheel base.  You may notice that the wheel bases on many are short in comparison to the length of the rig.  shorter turning radius but you really have to watch that back end because of how wide it will swing, as well as road dips, particularly when pulling into gas stations.  They're much less maneuverable in town, but very pleasant on the open road. 

Most have a "kneel" mode as well.  When you park, the rig will lower so it's easier to get in and out of.  The amenities on the Winnebagos are surprisingly similar, if not the same, as in the early models, with just a little bit of updating.  If you go as far as 1989, you can look at the top-of-the-line, "Super Chief".  Phil Cox (enigma960080) has one and has been a long time, active member.  He can tell you all about it.
And, unless you are set on a Winnebago, don't confine yourself to a certain brand.  Many layouts of other brands are nicer and better than the Winnebago. 

One caution though, I've known too many people who've had too many problems with the Ford chassis of that era.  More so than with the Chevy chassis, so my personal opinion would be to tend toward the Chevy.

The liveablity of longer is better, but there's also more to maintain and your safety awareness needs to be even more heightened.  You'll also find diesel engine RVs more available in the 80s.

And, there's plenty in between.  Take your time.  There's a world of opportunity for you out there.  Visit
some RV reseller websites.  Here's one we frequent to get interior design ideas, you'll like it:  http://www.rvonline.com/  If you can, go look at some vintage RVs and lake a good look around them.  As questions.  Peek and poke all over.  The ones you like will start to make you warm up to them.  Like a puppy at the pet store.

[Peter_Crowl]

Indeed.

I'm not all that disappointed about the march toward the 90's. We are price sensitive so it'll be a challenge...but then dating is fun..marriage..well... :~)

What draws me to the later Winnebago's is the crowned fiberglass roof. Perhaps I'm being naive about that but the flat roof coaches I've looked at all appear to have been the previous site of a Caulk Fest. Pizza boxes... empty tubes... I exaggerate...but not by much.
Which of the others has a similar roof system?  A question that brings me to...

Support. I've been up up one side of the net and down the other and I'm having a heck of a time finding information on  80's RVs aside from what you've put together here for Winnebago. I cannot find a "Classic Pace Arrow" user group - or any other marque for that matter save for units such as GMC..which are very attractive but not on our list. The existence of this group...is this an evolution of the Vintage RV group on MSN?...make Winnebago attractive.

Chassis...there seems to be no clear winner in the chassis department is there?  They all have their issues.
People tell me to avoid Chevy - the 454's run hot and have exhaust manifold problems. But then they say the same about Dodge.  I wish there was a transmission failure database. It seems to me that the transmission is the weak link in the system - the engines all seem to be about the same when it comes to reliability and fuel useage.
When did Fuel Injection become the norm?

So much to do....so much to learn...but to repeat myself - Dating is Fun :~)

Peter
Hasn't gotten to first base
in Denver

[ClydesdaleKevin]

Although I am a huge Winnebago/Itasca fan, of all the vintage/classic RVs I've seen, two are at the top of my list as far as layout and roominess.  First choice for us if we were to buy another classic would be a mid eighties Holiday Rambler.  They use parts of the Chevy chassis and drivetrain, but for the most part the chassis is custom made aluminum, with a trailing axle for even more load capacity...and they interior and storage layouts are the best we've seen for the years.  Second choice would be any of the Beaver coaches from the 80s.  Great storage, and you'll never find prettier or better made cabinetry or woodwork than on the old Beavers.  Both of these coach brands had lengths up to 38 feet, usually had walk around queen size beds in back, and they just look really really cool...especially the Holiday Ramblers!

As far as room goes with 2 big dogs?  We fulltime it in our 77 Itasca with 2 German Shepherds, a Siberian Husky, and a Himylayan/simese cat who thinks he's a German Shepherd.  Yes we have to clean up doghair a lot...every day, but there is enough room for us. 

And don't shy away from the Chevy P-30 chassis.  In my opinion they are better made and have a better ride than the old Dodge chassis, the 454 is a powerful workhorse, and ours is still running strong with over 110K miles on it.  Yes the manifolds get hot...just heat sheild the heck out of your starter, and make sure you use good well protected spark plug wires with heavy duty boots and you are good to go.

Kev

[fgutie35]

I have a 28ft Winnebago Elandan Sport on the chevy chassis with the 454. I have been working on it for a year now. mostly changing things my way, rather than fixing problems. For a young family of five, I find this coach just the right size (after the changes I made). The only thing that I would say, this coach suffers from, is big storage bays (or at least one big storage bay). There is cabinetry everywhere, but to put the big stuff, I had to re-design the bed frame to maximize storage (still the outside access door to the under-the-bed storage is too narrow). Other than that, the coach is very solid, very easy to work on and has all the amenities you may find on newer coaches. It rides good and is high above the ground (which I like for beach trips, floods and easy access to the under body without jacking up the unit).

[Peter_Crowl]

Well - you might have answered The Big Question.
We've located a very nice 84 32 Elandan in Colorado. It has new tires and a new 3 way Fridge - $6,000.
We've also located  - out of state  - a '90 31 Chieftain. House (110) refrigerator...good but not new tires...Dash Air not working - but with all the underside bays and the Throttle Body Injector system. Same price once the Go Get cost is included.

So - what would you do?

'84 Carburated...'90 TBI.
More Wardrobe storage in the '84...basement storage in the '90\

'84 Springs - '90 Air Bags

84...90

Chieftain has the dinette and a single lounge seat plus the couch. Elandan has the couch and two seats and a center table - but not a separate dinette....but the Chieftain has less wardrobe space.

Oy.....


Peter
Confused
in Denver

[ClydesdaleKevin]

I'd go with the ,90 since we fulltime it...basement storage is awesome for storing and moving big stuff...but then, we also carry a full portable woodshop with us so it makes us bias towards basement storage.

If you are fullltiming it more wardrobe space is a plus, but if you are only camping for a weekend here, and week or two there, how much wardrobe space do you need?

TBI is easier to maintain and troubleshoot than carburated, but if the computer fails then so does the TBI...not an issue though since you can get new and refurbed computers still.

We are going to look at a 35' 1989 Holiday Rambler Imperial this week...If we buy it then our Itasca will be up for sale on the cheap.  I'll offer it here to members first.

Good luck with your search!

Kev

[Peter_Crowl]

Choice made.
We're buying an '84 Elandan that's here in Colorado.

It's a 31...very clean...has new tires - new 3 way fridge - everything works - 55,000 miles.

It's very clean - two owner.
As opposed to the Chieftain it doesn't have a basement - EFI - or Airbags.
EFI and Airbags I can add. The basement....well....Stuff the Toad :~) ?

The Chieftains - 1989-1990  - in our ratcheted up price range - all had significant needs which would have driven the end out price up way over our limit.  Chieftains that were in similar condition were already above our means.
Granted, we could wait for the magic Chieftain to come along - and now that we've  made a decision one probably will - you know how that goes :~)  - but the truth is we want to use and enjoy our coach this yet this year. Rhonda is hankerin'  - and how often do you get to use the word hanker in any form - to go to Sante Fe. That'll be our first long run after a local shakedown weekend.

We're going to pick it up tomorrow .... so there's still time to panic and run.... but I doubt we will.. and that's a 120 mile drive - a mini-shakedown in and of itself :~)

Peter
Lord have mercy
in Denver

[4winds]

 congrats,I think you will be happy with your choice.  All things come to he who waits if he works like&^&* while he waits.  Ed

[Peter_Crowl]

We're off in about an hour to get it  - need to savor this day 'cause when things start going bad it's important to remember how happy you once were  :~)

Peter
in Denver

[fgutie35]

Just remember that on things that old, eventually things will break or give in. Our experience with the Elandan, have been minor things or parts that are made of plastic that finally cracked. So after a trip, with the shaking and bumping, something will come loose or break. Don't get discourage or frustrated, if some of your lights begin to fail. Before taking it to an "specialist", look for the obvious. remove the lens of the non working light, and more often than not, it will have a bad bulb, bad contact, or the bracket supporting the bulb, came loose from the plastic rivet. Also the plastic trim that runs on the sides where the compartments are, tend to finally come loose. Part of it is because the double sided tape gave in, or the screws that hold the hooks rusted out and broke. Like I said nothing you cannot fix. Also on heavy rains, you will notice that water comes it tru the windows. That is because the window design did not included drain holes, so might have to make this your own or put a rag along the botton between the glass and screen to absorb the water. Any ways, up the top of my head, those are the things I remember. If you have any questions, let me know.