I took our 2002 Winnebago Adventurer in for its annual inspection and maintenance before our usual western bird hunting trips commence. I noticed that there was blistering on the outside walls over and below the driver’s side front window and passenger side front window and I asked them to check that along with a few other very minor items (this MH has been good for us).
I was told: There is no leak. This is a defect in manufacturing of the walls that came from a particular supplier (Crane Products?) which Winnebago used for about one year in the ‘02/’03 timeframe. The walls were made with moisture trapped in them and the cycles of heat and freezing to which they are subjected in northern climes resulted in this blistering. Once osmotic blistering starts, it can’t be stopped and will eventually lead to a complete breakdown of the fiberglass. The only “fix” is to replace both entire sidewalls in the motorhome, which will cost about $15K and take 6+ months to achieve. ACK! Neither Winnebago nor the supplier will do anything about this. ACK again!!
They know I have been looking at a 2008 39’ Journey DP. Their advice (surprise, surprise) is that I trade the Adventurer (at a greatly reduced value, of course) on the Journey.
Can any of this be true? Thoughts? Comments? Suggestions?
2008 Winnebago Journey 39z DP
2004 Jeep Liberty toad
I know it's not any help, however ALFA SeeYa owners were fighting with the factory and Crane for over a year and got nowhere. The ALFA's seem to have a much larger blister problem, and covers several model years.
Fred
Fred and Bonnie
Frankie, Sun Yao Ting, & Seline (Cats)
2005 Dolphin LX 6375
2006 Saturn VUE
As I've Matured... I've learned that artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.
Interesting, we are shopping for a new unit, and Winnebago was near the top of our list, after reading your post, I am not sympathetic to hear that there is no goodwill coming from Winnebago on a known to them structural defect.
As the dealer is willfully suggesting to take a hit on the trade for another Winnebago product, I think not, who knows what gremlins lurks in the structure of the newer unit.
If that's the way Winnebago dumps their clients, they are definitely not on my list.
I don't care if the warrantee is up, this is something that in one day has just devalued your rig by about 15 thousand dollars.
I know that there will be alot of Winnebago opinions following my post, but who knows what lurks below their wall structures in the near and distant future. IMHO
Eugene & Stella Theriault,
1999 Endeavour 34CG/V-10 (No Slides)
2005 Honda Element. Blue Ox Aladin.
FMCA 318247
At the very least, it sounds like were given a straight answer - something those Alfa owners might have appreciated in the earlier years of the problems.
I'd consult a boat fiberglass specialist - and do more research on the topic. Blisters below the windows may not indicate failure in the entire panel (like the description seems to imply). Boat fiberglass specialists have been dealing with blisters for many years, and repairs are not uncommon. The fiberglass manufacturing processes for boats and those panels differ, but you may find some help there.
Contact Winnebago directly. They will likely warranty the sidewall replacement. There is an extensive discussion thread about this very problem on the iRV2 "Winnebago Owners" forum. Several manufacturers have pending litigation against Crane regarding this very issue.
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