Looking for one of those classic "eyebrow" Winnebagos

[Julien Bertrand]

Hi everyone,

So this it, I finally signed up on an RV forum. I decided to go forward and start to be serious about getting one of those 1960s-1970s era Winnebago's. I just love the look of them and I'm tired of being a tire kicker. I tried to search online for one of them but there is not a single one available in Canada at this time that I can find. All website talk about how great the new units are but there is not much information about vintage units. I am looking for a small unit, maximum 24 ft (between 17 and 22 would be a lot closer to what i'm looking for). I have experience fixing boats, (diesel engine, electrical, plumbing, fiberglass) and mobile home (working with wood, re-coating the roof, replacing windows, floor, etc.) so I don't mind putting my hands towork in my future Winnie. We are a couple, no children as of now and I go down in Florida with the rest of the family once a year since... at least 1990. I would like to drive the 22 hours drive in one of those unit with some friends (2x adults and a kid) who usually tag along for that trip and take my time visiting the East Coast and stopping where we want, and the amount of time we want instead of rushing to get to Florida, be extremely tired and scrap the first few days of our vacations just trying to recover from the long trip.

So couple of questions:

- Any idea how much it will cost for a basic running model?

- Where's my best bet to get one?

- Anyone have experience importing such a vehicle in Canada?

- What are the dealbreaker in these units, as in what should I be running away from no matter the price?

- Do they have cruise control? If not can it be installed?

On a side note, I work for a boating equipment distributor. Modern boat and RVs share a lot of parts like 12/120v fridges, toilets, water heaters, fresh and black water tank, propane ovens and electrical equipment. I can get employee discount on these parts.

[postman]

I have a Itasca not an eyebrow, in Texas. As far as price expectations, I have seen them as high as $40K (not known if that was sane or not.)  Heard tell of another sold for the cost of a $30 tow. You'll need to research and study floor plans.

My advice is 4 1/2 adults in a 17 foot is going to be tight. And one common complaint is power. I chose a Dodge 440-3.

I might be asking your advice on a wiper motor...

[Julien Bertrand]

I understand what you are telling me about the F-17's size for 4 1/2 adults, but if it gets to be the only model available (which is not the case right now, as I literally have seen none in my  area), I'll jump on it. I only saw them in picture and videos (like this one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5S2IcPl9Jo) and I really like the dinette in the back and the field of view it gives, almost like a SUV.

Unfortunately, I cannot test drive them to see if power is an issue on where I will go. What I can say is that the wrost condition it will probably be is running down the Adirondack Northway (I-87) from Québec to Albany. I have a small 14' long 4x4 SUV that has a Gross Vehicle Weight of 2075 kg (about 4575 lbs) with 170 HP gas engine and 6 speed automatic transmission that does that trip without issues. I have no idea how it can compare, especially since some horses probably escaped from a 1967-1971 engine with a vintage 3 speed automatic.

As for the other models, It seems that they had a D-18, D-19, D-20, D-21, D-22 and D-24 that would fit the bill although I would prefer to stay smaller spectrum.

[postman]

Ok then start searching "Bunk House floor plan."  I saw a pull down bunk the partslist labeled special order. I guess your case fits due diligence and custom, good luck. 

[Daniel Long]

I had a Dodge Tioga Class C with the 360 in it and 3 spd Torqueflight. That thing moved and it weighed more than my Allego does! I think a lot of the winnies had Dodge drive-trains in them with the 360 or 440-3. you can get an old RV going pretty quick with either of those. The challenge is MPG or KPL and keeping them up at highway cruising speed with the rear end ratios most have. Trying to keep up at 3000 rpm on those older engines isn't really a fun idea to stay at 65 or so.....

[postman]

Daniel found a weight ticket 8795. Think I read limit was 14,001  

[Daniel Long]

Postman,

My '77 title showed about 9650 for weight and my '87 Allero is just under 9000. The tioga actually had a steel tube frame on it! The Allegro is all aluminum body.

[Daniel Long]

https://fingerlakes.craigslist.org/rvs/d/78-winabago-brave/64842299...

not affiliated but near me. I could look at it. I texted the guy just now.

[postman]

I WANT THOSE MIRRORS! lol

[Julien Bertrand]

Thank you. If you can, let me know the result.

[Julien Bertrand]

I took a close look and made some research. It cannot be a Winnebago Brave 1978 as the Brave lost the eyebrow in 1978 to get the look it had in the 1980s. Upon closer inspection, it seems it is a Chieftain (written on the side of the MO) and the size of 22ft doesn't appear to match any Chieftain models of 1978. Also the D-22 model never had that paint pattern as it was built before 1974. The mirrors were changed in 1977 for a different model. My best guess is that it is a 22'11" 1976 Winnebago D-23 Chieftain.

[postman]

Julien,

Unless its been removed... There should be a "Fargo-DeSoto" tag attached to the driver side wall inside the engine compartment via the front access. My guess is it will start with M40. That is the chassis VIN which is all so stamped on the frame above the passenger side suspension.

[Lakota Wolf]

One draw back with a small rig is being crammed like sardines, all is well and good driving down the road, but sleep time is always fun (said no one ever) crawling over each other to use bathroom. The average comfortable space each person needs so they are NOT packed like sardines is 6 to 8 foot area. Nothing ruins a vacation having nethers dragged across you for a bathroom run. Just saying.