CamperDaveinPA
Morgantown, PA
Full Member
Joined: 01/18/2003
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
 Offline
|
We are looking at two different models a 2012 Itasca sunova 36v and a fleetwood bounder 35k floor plan in both works for us, but it seems the the bounder has a few decent extras that the Itasca don't like a washer and dryer combo and a in motion satellite. The itasca is pre wired though. Right now the two units are about $10k apart with the bounder being the lesser. I am trying to justify the extra 10k with fewer options for possibly a better quality built RV. What do you guys think. Thanks in advance
Dave and Noreen and Litlle Hannah
2012 Itasca Sunova 36v
2004 Chevy Tahoe
2004 Harley Road King Classic
2006 Chevy Avalanche
2007 Honda Accord 6 cyl
Life, Lovin' It!!!!
|
rk911
Wheaton IL
Senior Member
Joined: 05/30/2004
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
we have an 35' 2000 Itasca Suncruiser 35U on the ford V10 chassis and love it. and Winnebago's customer service has been outstanding. we had an issue with the fiberglass about a year after the warranty expired but winnebago replaced both fiberglass sidewalls, nose to tail, at zero cost to us. our dealer played a key role in that as well.
we used to want a combo washer/dryer but from the research i've done on those units we now think that they're more trouble than they're worth. small loads and long wash and drying times mean more frequent loads. and i've been toying with the idea of adding a sat. to our MH. virtually everyone i've talked to who has an in-motion sat dish has advised me not to get one. suggest you google 'spendide washer problems' and 'in motion satellite dish' and see what comes up.
good luck and enjoy whichever way you decide to go.
73,
rich, n9dko
www.bananaboatbytes.com
I know a guy who's addicted to brake fulid. He says he can stop anytime.
_________________________________
2000 Itasca Suncruiser 35U
'46 Willys CJ2A
'03 Jeep Wrangler TJ
'10 Jeep Liberty KK
|
docj
Fulltime--Home is where we park it
Senior Member
Joined: 07/13/2010
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
The Splendide washer/dryer combo is a good unit and the newer ones are significantly improved over those of several years ago. They are designed to wash smaller loads and IMHO most of the comments about their poor performance come from people who continue to stuff them full without reading the instructions. They are made in versions with and without a dryer vent; the vented one will dry clothes faster, but our new unvented one is nearly as fast as a vented model. Contrary to what you may read, the unvented model does NOT vent the moist air into the coach, but an explanation of how it works is too long for this post.
As for in-motion satellite dishes, I don't believe any of them can receive HD (definitely not with DirecTV) and if there is a reason to watch TV while we travel we can watch stuff on the DVR, but we rarely watch TV on the road.
Sandie & Joel
2000 40' Beaver Patriot Thunder Princeton--425 HP/1550 ft-lbs CAT C-12
2009 Chevy Malibu LTZ with ReadyBrute tow bar/braking system
Official WiFiRanger Ambassador WFRAMB303
Follow our adventures on Facebook at Weiss Travels
|
CamperDaveinPA
Morgantown, PA
Full Member
Joined: 01/18/2003
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
Thanks..... Good point on the dvr
|
crasster
Dallas
Senior Member
Joined: 07/06/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
We often use my parents Class A bounder, which they never use because they are too scared to drive it, but they still want it in case something happens to their house or power (??) Anwyay, its an O.K. coach.
The Itasca series is going to be more solidly built and nicer in most cases from what I have seen. The bounder isn't cheap or junky, but just "mediocre". I think you'll get more years out of the Itasca.
The washer/dryer thing IN MY OPINION, does not matter. I grew up washing and wringing clothes out in a sink at home, and line drying. Super easy to do. We do it on longer trips with our children.
The 10K difference though could be the deciding factor. 10 grand is a lot of money. Don't know your financial situation of course, but consider how many trips and fun could be had on that extra 10 grand.
Since you are THINKING, which is the most important part, you'll make the right decision, so don't sweat it. 
4 whopping cylinders on Toyota RV's. Talk about great getting good MPG. Also I have a very light foot on the pedal. I followed some MPG advice on Livingpress.com and I now get 22 MPG! Not bad for a home on wheels.
|
|
|
charlysmom&dad
illinois
Senior Member
Joined: 02/28/2009
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
We have a 2009 Bounder 35H we enjoy very much. The 2items you mention: we have
a washer dryer combo we use a lot. We have had no trouble with it. We use it way more than I thought we would.
We don't have an in-motion, we have a rooftop dome that came with the mh. We never seem to be able to get all the satellites because of trees. We finally bought a portable (dish tailgater, we have Dish) that works without a problem. If I had to do it over again, I would not get the dome, just the portable.
2009 Fleetwood Bounder 35H
|
bdpreece
Woodburn Oregon
Senior Member
Joined: 05/27/2004
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
We have been Bounder owners in the past and feel for the money they can't be beat. They are what I would consider the utility vehicle of the industry. You get all the options at a price that is almost impossible to beat. They still look nice but are not flashy like some of the higher end coaches. As far as the washer/dryer my wife would not be without one. Sure you can only do small loads but we just throw in a load or two a day and let it do it's thing. I would be more concerned on finding a dealer with a good reputation for standing behind what he sells.
Brian, Loretta & Daisy (Golden Retriever)
2008 Holiday Rambler Endeavor PDQ40
2008 Ford Explorer toad
|
driveby
Vancouver BC Canada
Senior Member
Joined: 01/07/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
I think the Bounder is a good coach but when we looked (circa 2007) the devil was in the details. Winnie seems to do things just a tick better. Wiring is straighter, plumbing tied down cleaner. Little things like the MotorAid heat and hot water. Cleaner finish on the parts you can't see without climbing under drawers,couches, under the actual coach. Basically the Itasca we own vs the Bounder we looked at was cleaner in finish. It didn't look as slapped together. Now, Bounder owners here are a very happy crowd in general so I don't want to say they are junk. Just the one we looked at was not as well assembled as the one we ultimately bought. So, look at the details on both very carefully. Features like sat and washer are add ons or "sizzle" I look for good quality steak 
And yes I would buy another Itasca should I ever need to. Their support and documentation from Winnie directly, several dealers/service sites I've dealt with have always been good.
2008 Itasca Sunova 35J Class A
1997 TJ Sahara, hard and soft tops and AC
Held together via Roadmaster Falcon 2 tow bar and stopped by US Gear Unified Brake system.
|
hallock5
Texas
Senior Member
Joined: 01/30/2012
View Profile
Offline
|
$10k in savings for a fairly well-reviewed unit equates to 300 nights of RV park fees, 2500 gals of gas or a whole bunch of repair/mod money...just the way I look at things...
2008 Jayco Eagle Superlite 28.5RLS
2002 Ford 4x4 SuperCab 7.3 (Jr International) Diesel
Sad to say, time to sell to a good home.
|
deandec
Northern CA
Senior Member
Joined: 09/26/2001
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
Still using our 17 yr old Splendide W/D and 10 yr old in motion dome.
The two are worth about $2,500 if you ever decide to add them to your Itasca option.
If you will be short term owners of your selection and then move up to something else, the better trade or sale will be the Itasca in my opinion.
Either one would be a good long term decision.
Dean
95 CC Magna, Jeep GC
 (Custom) (Custom).jpg)
|
|
|
