WINNEBAGO Complaints

WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 WINNEBAGO ON A WORKHORSE CHASSIS THROUGH AUSTIN TEXAS ON A HIGH TRAFFIC EVENING I HAD A BAD OVERHEATING PROBLEM IN THE FRONT BRAKES TO THE POINT THAT BOTH WHEELS WERE SMOKING. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND WAITED HOURS FOR THE BRAKES TO RELEASE SO THAT I COULD PROCEED TO MY DESTINATION. AFTER READING THE BLOGS ON VARIOUS SITES I AM SURE THAT I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM THAT OTHER WORKHORSE CHASSIS OWNERS ARE HAVING. I KNOW THAT I AM LOOKING AT A BIG REPAIR BILL THAT WILL NOT NECESSARILY SOLVE MY PROBLEM... PLEASE LETS GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS SITUATION. I DON'T HAVE A DOLLAR AMOUNT ON REPAIRS YET. THANKS *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 WINNEBAGO ADVENTURER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE BRAKE CALIPERS BEGAN TO STICK WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE CAUSED OTHER BRAKING ISSUES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE HEAT FROM THE BRAKES WAS OVER 1,000 DEGREES. THE REPAIR WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $4,000. THE CONTACT IS CONTEMPLATING ON WHETHER OR NOT TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

THIS RELATES TO THE MALFUNCTION OF THE CRUISE CONTROL ON A 2008 WINNEBAGO ADVENTURER 35A ON A WORKHORSE CHASSIS IN A WAY THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. ON NOVEMBER 30,2008, I WAS TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 10 IN ALABAMA WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 65. AHEAD OF ME IN MY LANE WAS A STOPPED CAR. THERE WAS TRAFFIC IN THE LEFT LANE SO I COULDN'T MOVE OVER. I HIT THE BRAKE AND THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT DISENGAGE. I COULD HEAR THE BRAKES AGAINST THE WHEELS, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW. I PUMPED THE BRAKES AND STILL THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT DISENGAGE. I HIT THE BRAKES HARDER AND THEN THE CRUISE CONTROL RELEASED AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SLOW. BY THEN I WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE STOPPED CAR, AND HAD TO QUICKLY DRIVE ON TO THE SHOULDER AND PASS THE CAR ON THE RIGHT. I BARELY MISSED IT, AND WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 45 MPH WHEN I WENT BY ON THE SHOULDER. IF THERE HAD BEEN INSUFFICIENT SHOULDER I WOULD HAVE REAR-ENDED THE VEHICLE WITH THE MOTOR HOME. THE CRUISE CONTROL IS DISABLED AND WON'T TURN ON. APPARENTLY FORCING IT OFF BY HARD BRAKING MUST HAVE BLOWN A FUSE OR TRIGGERED SOME BACKUP DISENGAGEMENT DEVICE OR SWITCH. I WILL BE TAKING THE MOTOR HOME TO AN AUTHORIZED WORKHORSE SERVICE CENTER TO HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL REPAIRED. *TR

WHILE TRAVELING ON BUSINESS HIGHWAY 17 IN MYRTLE BEACH, SC (LEVEL ROAD) ,WITHIN 20 MINUTES OF LEAVING OUR CAMPSITE A DEFINITE SMELL OF BRAKE LINING WAS PRESET IN THE MOTORHOME. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND INVESTIGATED THE SMELL THAT APPEARED TO BE COMING FROM THE REAR AXLE. I PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE; BACKING AND BREAKING SEVERAL TIMES. I THEN PUT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND ACCELERATED FORWARD AND BRAKING SEVERAL TIMES. FINALLY I PUT MOTORHOME IN DRIVE WITHOUT TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR TO SEE IF IT WOULD ROLL FREELY FORWARD . I ALSO VERIFIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS WORKING PROPERLY. I DID THIS SEVERAL TIME. DURING ALL TESTS THERE WAS NO APPARENT DRAG ON THE BRAKES. IT APPEARED THAT THE PROBLEM CORRECTED ITSELF. I CONTINUED MY DRIVE HOME WITHOUT ANY BRAKE PROBLEMS. THIS IS THE FIRST OCCURRENCE OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT AFTER READING SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA SITE I AM VERY CONCERNED. REVIEWING YOU SITE, I HAD NOT PEDDLE DROP OR ABS LIGHT NOTIFICATION. AT THE TIME OF THE BRAKE DRAG, ALL ELSE APPEARED NORMAL

CONSUMER STATES THAT BOLTS SECURING THE STEERING SHAFT RIGHT ANGLE DRIVE WERE MISSING 2 NUTS THAT SECURE THE DRIVE TO THE CHASSIS FRAME ON 2008 WINNEBAGO ADVENTURER LT. *NJ THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT THE RIGHT ANGLE GEAR BOX WAS MOVED DURING INSTALLATION OF THE COACH ONTO THE CHASSIS BECAUSE MARKS ON THE PAINT OF THE EXTENSION FRAME RAILS INDICATED THAT THE MISSING NUTS WERE IN PLACE AT ONE TIME. *JB

I OWN A 2001 WINNEBAGO ADVENTURER MODEL 35U. IT IS ON A WORKHORSE CHASSIS. IN 2005 ONE OF THE TWO STRAPS SUPPORTING THE 75 GALLON GAS TANK BROKE. IN JULY OF 2008 THE OTHER STRAP BROKE. IN OCTOBER OF 2008 THE FIRST REPLACEMENT STRAP BROKE. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH WORKHORSE AND THE ONLY THING THEY HAVE TO SAY IS "WE HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM". THE TANK IS ALSO FASTENED TO THE FRAME, BUT ALL THREE STRAPS BROKE IN THE SAME SPOT. IT WAS NOT DUE TO RUST. I WOULD GUESS THAT THE STRAPS ARE SUPPORTING SOME OF THE WEIGHT OF THE GAS TANK. I HAVE THE MOST RECENT BROKEN STRAP. ONE END IS GROUND DOWN DUE TO DRAGGING ON THE ROAD. WHEN THE FIRST STRAP BROKE, A MOTORIST FLAGGED ME DOWN TO LET ME KNOW THAT I HAD A SHOWER OF SPARKS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE MOTORHOME. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 WINNEBAGO ADVENTURER. WHENEVER THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKES WOULD OVERHEAT AND BEGIN TO SMOKE. THE RV WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CALIPER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT WOULD OCCASIONALLY SMELL THE BRAKES BURNING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 23,500. UPDATED 11/26/08. *JB

REAR BRAKES FAILED AFTER DRIVING 31 MILES FROM HOME. TOLD IT WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE ON WORKHORSE CHASSIS. REAR BRAKES WERE REPLACED, AND FRONT BRAKES SERVICED. DROVE ANOTHER 30 MILES AND THEN THE FRONT BRAKES FAILED. AM CONCERNED THAT IF I CONTINUE DRIVING THIS UNIT I MAY HAVE FURTHER PROBLEMS. THIS SOUNDS LIKE A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM.

2005 WINNEBAGO VECTRA & FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS DEFECTS: VEHICLE TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL @ 65 MPH AGAINST LOW ANGLE FRONT QUARTER CROSS WINDS. A SUDDEN FRONTAL 30-35 MPH GUST OF WIND @ A 10-15 DEGREE ANGLE OF INCIDENCE CREATES A MOMENTARY AIRSPEED OF 95-100 MPH. THE 440 SQ FT BROAD SURFACE AREA OF THE CHASSIS HAS 250% THE AUTHORITY OF AN 767 RUDDER THAT ALSO HAS A VERY EFFICIENT WING ASPECT RATIO. THIS 32,000 LB RV IS SUBJECT (BY NASA ANALYSIS) TO 10,000- 20,000 LB OF LATERAL FORCE UNDER THESE CONDITIONS, DESTABILIZING THE CHASSIS / COACH WITH A COMPLETE LOSS OF DRIVER CONTROL. ALSO - THE ENGINE BRAKE NECESSARY FOR DOWNHILL CONTROL IS UNRELIABLE. THE CULPRIT IS AN ELECTRICAL JUNCTION BETWEEN FREIGHTLINER & WINNEBAGO WIRING HARNESSES THAT IS UNRELIABLE AND "CANNOT BE FIXED" PER FREIGHTLINER. WHILE DESCENDING STEEP HILLS OR MOUNTAINS, THE 4 DISC BRAKES ARE COMPLETELY INADEQUATE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL WITHOUT THE SUPPLEMENTARY ENGINE BRAKE. I NEARLY LOST MY LIFE IN NEW MEXICO IN 2005 DISCOVERING THIS DEFECT ALSO, BE ADVISED THAT THE REAR MAIN ENGINE COMPARTMENT HAS A MANUAL SWITCH THAT ANYONE CAN ACCESS, RENDERING THE ENGINE UNSTARTABLE. A CRIMINAL CAN ALSO SHUT OFF A RUNNING ENGINE, LEAVING THE OCCUPANTS VULNERABLE TO KIDNAP, ROBBERY AND OR RAPE. NEITHER THE MAIN ENGINE OR THE FRONT GENERATOR ARE LOCKING, RENDERING BOTH MOTORS VULNERABLE TO THEFT, VANDALISM, OR SABOTAGE. IMAGINE IF YOUR CAR COULD BE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC AND THE HOOD & TRUCK ACCESSED AT WILL. COMPLAINED ABOUT ALL ABOVE TO MANUFACTURER BY CERTIFIED MAIL IN 2005, 2006, 2007. THEY REPEATEDLY IGNORE ME, BUT THEY CANT IGNORE YOU. THERE ARE MORE SIGNIFICANT SAFETY DEFECTS THAT THIS SPACE DOES NOT ALLOW. PLEASE RESPOND BY LETTER. *TR

I HAD RECENTLY COMPLETED A 2 WEEK TRIP DRIVING APPROX 1800 MILES. WAS TAKING MY MOTORHOME TO A DEALER TO HAVE A ROCK GUARD INSTALLED WHEN IT STARTED PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND SHIFTING FUNNY. THIS WAS IN TOWN WITH EASY DRIVING. I QUICKLY NOTICED THE SMELL OF OVERHEATED BRAKES AND IMMEDIATELY, AS SOON AS IT WAS SAFE, PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO CHECK. I CARRY AN INFRARED THERMOMETER AND TOOK THE TEMPS OF ALL 4 WHEEL'S DISC BRAKES. THE FRONT RIGHT (PASSENGER) BRAKE WAS READING OVER 400 DEGREES AND THE 3 OTHERS WERE READING IN APPROXIMATELY THE 125 DEGREE RANGE. I SAT FOR A WHILE AND LET IT COOL AND AS I WAS ONLY ABOUT 2 MILES OR SO FROM THE DEALER, I THEN PROCEEDED, AFTER DETERMINING THE BRAKE DIDN'T SEEM TO BE LOCKED ON THAT WHEEL ANY LONGER, TO THE DEALERS LOT. THEY DO NOT HANDLE BRAKE FAILURES AND SINCE IT WAS LATE ON A FRIDAY AFTERNOON, I LEFT IT THERE OVER THE WEEKEND. THERE IS A VERY GOOD HEAVY TRUCK CENTER LESS THAN A HALF MILE FROM THE RV DEALER SO I TOOK IT TO THEM THE FOLLOWING MONDAY. AFTER INSPECTING, TESTING, ETC, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE CALIPER ON THAT WHEEL HAD LOCKED UP BUT AFTER COOLING HAD RELEASED. I HAD CAUGHT IT IN TIME TO AVOID CRACKING THE ROTOR AND CAUSING ADDITIONAL DAMAGE, FORTUNATELY. WE REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE CALIPER AND ABS SENSOR ON THAT WHEEL. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO TAKE A LONG TRIP YET BUT AM VERY APPREHENSIVE ABOUT A RECURRENCE OF THE PROBLEM. I CAN ONLY BE THANKFUL IT HAPPENED AFTER RETURNING FROM A TWO WEEK TRIP AND DIDN'T LEAVE MY FAMILY STRANDED SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES FROM HOME!!! IT APPEARS FROM MY READING AND RESEARCH THAT THE WORKHORSE W22 (2003 CHASSIS) HAS A RECORD OF THIS TYPE OF FAILURE ON A REGULAR BASIS. I HOPE SOMETHING CAN BE DONE TO HELP US WITH A RESOLUTION AND EASE OUR MINDS ABOUT THE RELIABILITY OF AN OTHERWISE FINE PRODUCT. THE SHOP MIGHT HAVE THE OLD CALIPER BUT I DON'T KNOW FOR SURE. I COULD CHECK IF IT WOULD HELP. *TR