rthartin
Smithtown, NY
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Joined: 07/27/2004
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Looking at a 29 ft 2008 Winnebago Sightseer. Seems to have storage and floor plan that meet our needs.
Are there any "must have options"? We currently have a class C.
What is the reliability and quality of this model? Any problems that we should be aware of?
Local dealer has gone bankrupt and nearest dealer is 2 hour drive. So reliability is a real issue.
Are there other 29 ft vendors we should consider?
What about buying in Montana to avoid taxes? Will a local dealer still provide reasonable service?
Thanks to all who take time to share their knowledge.
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RicJones
So. Cal.
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Joined: 10/29/2007
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I have a '06 29' Sightseer and we really like it. The only problem that I've had has been with drawer latches breaking. I don't think you can go wrong with a Winnebago. My $.02
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BlueMaxOhio
North Olmsted, Ohio
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Joined: 06/14/2005
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Have an 07 Sightseer 29R which I bought at the beginning of the model year. Have had it for 3 seasons now. It is on the newer Ford F53 chassis. I get about 8.5 mpg if I don't put my foot into it. Handling can be a bit squirlly on the road, but if you are pulling a toad, she handles very nice.
I ordered the side vision cameras. Would not do without them. Also had the "Vetrolite" exterior. No delamination possibilities then. Only real problems I had was with the convection microwave and the front grill.
The microwave squeaked and rattled. Took it to the dealer, and he reattached on of the brackets. That stopped it for a few miles. I then made sure the unit was firmly attached to the cabinet. No more squeaks or rattles. 
The front grill fell off into the engine compartment on the way home from a camping trip one day. I used bungie cords to hold it in place, took it back to the dealer and had them glue it back in place. It came out again. Seem the glue Winnebago uses to attach aluminum to fiberglass just won't hold so I went to a marine supply store, purchased some 3M glue, and re-attached the grill myself. Oh, I also purchased some aluminum rod and physically attached the grill to the support bracket for the air cleaner on the F-53 chassis. The grill is in place to stay. 
Other than that, I like the unit. A lot of rv friends have admired it, and a couple want to purchase it from me if and when I ever sell it. LOL.
The F53 chassis has lots of power, and does a nice job.
If you look at the Winnebago site, they are coming out with a new 31E floor plan, similar to the 29R. One main exception is the enclosed bath. Kind of like that plan. Depends on what you are looking for.
Good luck.
DAN 
2007 Winnebago Sightseer 29R
2005 Jeep Liberty Toad
Rallies & Gatherings Attended: I LOST COUNT!! 
Learn about us at: OHIORALLY.COM
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viajante
Sacramento, CA, USA
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Joined: 05/06/2004
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We're on our 2nd Winnebago product (2008 Itasca). Our 1st MH was a 27' class C Minnie Winnie. Our experience over these last 5 years is to go for the best - which as you can see in our estimation - still is Winnebago for quality. Our daughter and son purchased the 31' Sightseer with bunks and only has one wish - that they had gone with full body paint! Good luck and see ya on the road!
Dave & Brenda
Angus & Shadow, Faithful Compatriots
2008 Itasca Sunrise 35L
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YC 1
Yuba City Calif.
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Joined: 01/11/2005
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We have the 30B 8.1 workhorse chassis and love it. It handles extremely well but the width took a few miles to get used to. Nice wide track. The 30B is basically the same model, the rear does not slide because they just stretched the coach a tad.
I would like to have dual pane windows.
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Bumpyroad
Virginia
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Joined: 12/01/2005
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the Winnie has a fiberglass roof. those other vendors probably don't.
if you buy in MT won't you be registering it in NY and have to pay anyway? states are looking into this type of "fraud" so be careful.
bumpy
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deerhntr
Kutztown,PA
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Joined: 08/17/2007
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rthartin wrote:
Are there other 29 ft vendors we should consider?
I have a 2008 Newmar Baystar 2901. You may want to take a look at that model. It does not have a split bathroom, but we like the floorplan. 2 slides, lots of storage, f53 chassis. Reasonable entry level Class A, and well built. Good luck!
Russ
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dippers
Lethbridge, Alberta Canada
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Joined: 11/04/2006
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We had the sightseer on our short list as well as the newmar, We ending up going with the Monaco Safari Simba 30SFS on the new ford F53 chassis.-actually 31 feet long with the full wall slide-really opens it up. Have only used it on a couple of weekends will be going on a 2 week trip in Sept. So far so good, I did notice for 2009 that Newmar is going to the full wall slide also.
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Bumpyroad
Virginia
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dippers wrote:We had the sightseer on our short list as well as the newmar, We ending up going with the Monaco Safari Simba 30SFS on the new ford F53 chassis.-actually 31 feet long with the full wall slide-really opens it up. Have only used it on a couple of weekends will be going on a 2 week trip in Sept. So far so good, I did notice for 2009 that Newmar is going to the full wall slide also.
I do like the floor plan of that 30SFS.
bumpy
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J-Rooster
Port Orchard, Wa. U.S.A.
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Joined: 11/14/2004
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Regina, Winnebago makes a really dependable product. And I'm not saying that because I own one! They have been making coaches for over 50 years and there still in business and that speaks for itself. Keep doing your homework studying motorhomes on the net and asking questions like you did in this post. When your ready to purchase you'll feel better, because your better informed! Good Luck, John
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