2004 Winnebago Sightseer

MAKE: WINNEBAGO SIGHTSEER MODEL: 2004 WFD30B SERIAL NO: [XXX] (WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES) CHASSIS VIN: [XXX](WORKHORSE CUSTOM CHASSIS) DELIVERY DATE: JAN. 24, 2004 (PURCHASED NEW) CURRENT MILEAGE: 14,000 1. GAS TANK LEAK ~RIGHT SIDE OF GAS TANK LEAKING FUEL; NOTICED FUEL POURING FROM REAR OF TANK WHEN FILLING UP AT STATION 2. SAFETY RECALL ~SEAT BELTS (WINNEBAGO ISSUE NOT CORRECTED, WAITING FOR PARTS)3. SWAY BAR ~BOLTS FELL FROM VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING (APRIL 2005) 4. SAFETY RECALL ~INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (APRIL 2005) 5. AIRBAG ~RIGHT FRONT AIRBAG IN SUSPENSION SYSTEM DEFLATED AFTER ONLY 49 DAYS OF USE (AUGUST 2005) 6. DIFFERENTIAL ~DEFECT CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK FROM AXLE TUBE IN REAR-END (AUGUST 2005) 7. SHOCK BRACKET ~MANGLED AND TWISTED, CAUSING SHOCK TO FALL (AUGUST 2005) UNDETERMINED CAUSE; NOT A ROADHAZARD 8. DASH AIR ~BLOWS HOT AIR WHEN SITTING IN TRAFFIC OR AT IDLE; OVERHEATS AND LEAKS ANTIFREEZE REQUIRED NUMEROUS REPAIR ATTEMPTS: FOUR IN 2004 AND THEN AGAIN FOUR IN 2005 TOTAL DAYS IN SHOP FOR THIS DEFECT ALONE: 45 (26 IN 2004 AND 19 IN 2005) WORKHORSE REPS STATED TO ME THAT "CERTAIN MODELS" OF MOTORHOME HAVE "FLAWS IN THE SYSTEM" THAT THE ENGINEERS OF BOTH CORPORATIONS REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE AS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. THEY KNOWINGLY SELL A PRODUCT THAT IS EXPECTED TO FAIL. SINCE MOST OF THEIR CUSTOMERS ARE ELDERLY (RETIRED) AND COMPLACENT, THE COMPANY BANKS ON NOT HEARING FROM THEM. WHEN THEY DO, THE CUSTOMER IS FORCED TO NEGOTIATE REPAIRS. WORKHORSE REPS EXCUSE POOR PERFORMANCE OF SYSTEMS ON THEIR CHASSIS BY STATING THAT IT IS NOT DESIGNED FOR MOTORHOME USE; YET THEY SELL THEIR PRODUCT TO MOTORHOME MANUFACTURERS. THIS IS IRRESPONSIBLE AND COMPROMISES THE SAFETY OF NOT ONLY THEIR CUSTOMERS AND FAMILIES BUT EVERYONE SHARING THE ROAD WITH THEIR VEHICLES. UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM

THERE IS AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF VIBRATION THAT CAUSES THE DASHBOARD TO BOUNCE ENOUGH TO MAKE IT HARD TO READ THE GAUGES. THIS VIBRATION IS FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL AS WELL AS THE FLOOR. THE VIBRATION IS VERY FATIGUING ON OUR HANDS. *AK ALSO THE UNIT HAS A LOT OF BACK AND FORTH SWAY IN TURNS AND PASSING OTHER TRUCKS AND CARS. OUR COMMENTS-LET'S TAKE IT FROM THE TOP. FIRST OF ALL, WE HAVE HEARD MANY OF YOUR COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS OF THE WINNEBAGO SIGHTSEER, SO THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE BEEN DOWN THIS ROAD. THE MOST COMMON COMPLAINT REGARDING THIS MODEL IS POOR HANDLING IN THE WIND AND WE WOULD SUGGEST BOTH SWAY BAR AND SHOCK UPGRADES. THAT WILL TAME SOME OF THE WANDER. YOU ALSO WILL WANT TO GET YOUR COACH WEIGHED TO BE SURE THAT YOU HAVE ENOUGH WEIGHT ON THE FRONT AXLE. REMEMBER, 1/3 OF THE GW ON THE FRONT AXLE, 2/3S ON THE BACK AXLE. OKAY, NOW ONTO THE VIBRATION. BALANCING AND ALIGNMENT DO NO GOOD IF THE WHEELS ARE OUT OF ROUND, AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE FORD CHASSIS, OR ALSO A POSSIBILITY, THE TIRES ARE OUT OF ROUND. SOMEONE NEEDS TO CHECK THE RUN-OUT ON THE TIRES. FOR THE RECORD, WE HAVE DRIVEN THE FORD CHASSIS SEVERAL TIMES IN TYPE AS AND VIBRATION IS NOT NORMALLY PART OF THE MENU. YOUR CD PLAYER IS ALMOST SURELY SKIPPING DUE TO VIBRATION, IF IT IS AS BAD AS YOU DESCRIBE. UNLESS YOUR DEALER IS A CERTIFIED FORD SERVICE CENTER, WE WOULD TRY WORKING WITH A FORD DEALER THAT ROUTINELY DEALS WITH MOTORHOMES. SOME NOISE FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP MAY BE NORMAL. IT DEPENDS ON HOW MUCH. ARE YOU HAVING ANY PROBLEM WITH IT? AGAIN, WHY NOT HAVE FORD CHECK IT RATHER THAN YOU DEALER? AS A FINAL NOTE, YOUR CHASSIS IS WARRANTED BY FORD, WHY DO YOU CARE WHAT YOUR DEALER WANTS? IF THEY CAN'T FIX IT, GET TO SOMEONE THAT CAN!! VIBRATION OF THIS MAGNITUDE MAY BE DANGEROUS. FILE A REPORT WITH THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. THANKS FOR WRITING THE STAFF @ MRO