I am looking at a 2002 winnebago ultimate advantage. I really like the way it is set up and equipped. It has an 8.3 ISC, spartan chassis, diesel onan, basement heat and air. it looks like a pretty decent rig. I wonder if anybody has any experience or opinions with this particular model? Thanks for any and all help.

I have looked at a couple looks to be a good unit...

I don't have any direct experience with this particular RV, but I do spend a fair amount of time on RV message boards. The one thing that I see people complaining about often is the basement AC. I think in normal warm weather it works fine, but it seems that in hotter weather they struggle.

As I said, I don't have any direct experience, and people mainly report their gripes online, so it could be fine.

quote:

Originally posted by head gamez:
I don't have any direct experience with this particular RV, but I do spend a fair amount of time on RV message boards. The one thing that I see people complaining about often is the basement AC. I think in normal warm weather it works fine, but it seems that in hotter weather they struggle.

As I said, I don't have any direct experience, and people mainly report their gripes online, so it could be fine.

Have heard the same thing

I have an '01. Great rig. The basement air is not really an issue if you keep the coils clean and the filters clean. They are simple to work on for a home HVAC guy willing to tackle it. the hardest part is sliding it out of the side to gain access to it. Mine is a 330 CAT with one slide. It's for sale if interested.

I have a 02 journey and the basement air does not keep up well in the heat of summer. Had to replace a compressor in mine so it is not bad to get out. Maybe 30 min. Try to keep as many windows covered and a good sun blocker on the front windshield and don’t let it get behind the heat and it will do ok not great. If it is 100 outside 80 doesn’t feel so bad. Was soon as the sun goes down it will cool off good. Other than that they are great coaches.

I had an Ultimate Freedom that I truly miss. The ac was as good as any in hot weather, but it really shined in cold. Out of all the MHs I've had, it was for sure my favorite, and I have owned some high $ buses.

I had a friend who had one and it drove like crap.. It was independent front suspension(spartan chassis) He almost gave it away to get rid of it since it was so bad.. He call it the Ultimate Disadvantage

That model evolved from what Winnebago formerly called the Luxor. Exact same coach. I have had one forever and would not trade it for anything. The basement a/c works just fine and I have never knocked it off of the roof with a low tree limb. 7500 diesel Gen has around 3500hrs on it, has a 8.3 Cummins and a 6spd Allison trans and I tow a 30ft tri-axel trailer every where with ease. Like everything else, there could be a bad one. I only use it for the race track and it has done the job just fine. Mine is a little rough around the edges but its also pulled me over 100,000mi to a lot of tracks. Just last year I was at Norwalk up North to Gainsville down South

basement AC's aren't worth it , most have to put an extra AC in the coach on teh roof to keep up in anything about 85 degree tem range. I put a brand new one in my discovery and the results didn't change a single thing, still hot. In 100 degree heat couldn't get the coach below 85-86 degrees

Often overlooked issue. The sealing point between the back of the unit and the beginning of the duct work and the duct work going up the back of the coach to the ceiling runs. If they aren't sealed your sucking in warm air. I see 62 degree air at the front ceiling vents on mine on a 90 degree day. Won't cool to 70 degrees but it does get as low as 75 in the heat.

Thanks for all the help. As luck would have it, this thing didn't quite look the same in person as it did in the pictures. Lol. We decided to let them keep it and keep shopping. Unfortunately, I had a wreck with our Fleetwood and totaled it about 3 weeks ago, so I do not have a tow vehicle until we find something. I am looking hard to find the right rig though. Oh.... By the way....... The basement air didn't cool. Lol