Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Four Winds model 34H (Read 787 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Four Winds model 34H

Yahoo Message Number: 1807

I received the inquiry below from  (Steve) concerning the 34H. I knew a couple of you own that model, and he gave his permission for me to post his inquiry on this forum. Feel free to contact him direct to let him know about the Kodiak/Duramax/Four Winds 34H coach.

Denny

Hi Dennis,

I've been reading your posts on rv.net as well as your website over the past several weeks and months and have come to appreciate your research and advocacy for quality and safety issues as opposed to being just a negative vote on Four Winds. I also notice that you still own a Four Winds product,

We have owned small C-class rvs--22 foot Tioga and and most recently a 24 foot Itasca Spirit----- for the last 10 years and are looking to get something with more room. We have 3 boys ages 3 to 7. I have been looking for over a year.and my top two picks were the Forester 3101SS or if my wife wanted more room (she starts feeling cramped up after 3 or 4 days if things get to too cluttered), then the Winnebago Sightseer 35J. Then we looked at the Four Winds 34H with the bunk slide and started liking that. She likes the fact that every boy has a bed and no one is sleeping on the dinette or the couch. I prefer the 8.1L GAS engine instead of the Duramax. We like the fact that the C-class is easier to drive. About a year ago I took a Conquest Kodiak for a test drive and thought it drove great. We realize the following issues and wonder how you would address them in particular to this particular unit (2008 or 2009 Four Winds 34H).

1) Unevern loading on the rear axle. We noticed that the fresh water tank (65 gal) was in the far back corner streetside.
I don't feel real concerned about the CCC. I called a dealer that had this unit on his lot and he gave me the UVW as 16994. Theoretically this leaves 2506 pounds for people, cargo, water, and propane. Is this number misleading because all the weight ends up on the rear axle and none on the front? Compare this to 1605 for the Forester 3101

2) The need for suspension and handling upgrades. I see people talking about stabilizer bars and sway bars etc.
Also read the Gulfstream Conquest literature that talked about "Stabil-Ride Suspension System" Is this standard on all Kodiaks or is this something that Gulfstream is adding on. Any other opinions on Gulfstreams quality would be appreciated, also. We haven't looked at them mostly due to interior furnishing items. My wife is big on stuff like that.

3)..The cutting and stretching of the wheelbase to 239.5 on the Four Winds 34H. Is this a negative thing or just that the customer should be informed of the implications?

4) Any other quality issues? I appreciated your comment about the newer Hurricanes having the storage compartments simply screwed to the luan flooring. I have more confidence in Winnebago quality, but they don't have any floorplans that we like. I've also studied the higher end units with more GVWR, i.e. Jayco Seneca and the new Four Winds 36 footers, but it seems these are only available with the Duramax Diesel, higher price, longer length, more luxury. Prefer to keep it simple. We live in Northern Minnesota, travel 5 to 10 thousand miles a year, mostly dry camping at area lakes and tow a 3500# boat, or going south or west to visit relatives, etc. We don't plan to tow vehicles. I've owned diesels before and know how much it costs to overhaul them plus it would take many years to even the costs of engine vs. fuel. It also seems that Four Winds is discontinuing it's current line-up of floorplans for 2009 in favor of the diesel coaches on the heavier chassis. (36A and 36B)

5) Do you have any contacts that own the Four Winds 34H and have opinions about it.

Any opinions you offer will be valued and I appreciate any time you have to offer, Sincerely, Steve Pinkerton, Bemidji, MN phone # is 218-766-7380

New MapQuest Local shows what's happening at your destination. Dining, Movies, Events, News & more. Try it out!

Re: Four Winds model 34H

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1808
Denny, he should feel free to join this group. I guarantee that he will be admitted. :)

Don


On 7-Oct-08, at 7:11 PM,

Re: Four Winds model 34H

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1809

Don,

I know that! But I forget how he can join :((.... does he go to Yahoo? Maybe you could send him a link or whatever. My mind is starting to dissolve...

Denny

Re: Four Winds model 34H

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1816
Steve,

We have had our Four Winds 34h with the Duramax diesel since March 2007.
I think we are around 7000 miles.

Quote
1) Unevern loading on the rear axle. We noticed that the fresh
water tank

Quote
(65 gal) was in the far back corner streetside.
I don't feel real concerned about the CCC. I called a dealer
that had

Quote
this unit on his lot and he gave me the UVW as 16994. Theoretically
this leaves 2506 pounds for people, cargo, water, and propane. Is this
number misleading because all the weight ends up on the rear axle and none
on the front?

Quote
Compare this to 1605 for the Forester 3101

Weighed at a Cat scale while on our trip last December, I did not weigh
each side. So, we are not very close to the rear axle rating of 13,500.
But, close to the gross of 19,500. There hasn't been any indication
that the weight on the 34h is evenly loaded. The motorhome is level.

Steer Axle 6840
Drive Axle 12400
Total 19240

Trailer Axle 5260
Total Axle 24500

We were towing our Dodge Durango. Our 34H has the Duramax Diesel engine.
This was with full fuel. Almost empty grey and black tanks. About 2/3
water and 1/2 LP gas.

Two adults, 2 children and 1 dog, about 580 lbs.

Other modifications that affect weight.

Replaced 26inch TV with 26inch LCD. And removed the rear 19inch TV.
Added sway bar to the front and track bar to the rear.

Note that the UVW given is without any options. The diesel adds around
300 pounds. We also have the second air conditioner in back and the
15,000 btu unit with heat pump in front.

Quote
2) The need for suspension and handling upgrades. I see people
talking about stabilizer bars and sway bars etc.
Also read the Gulfstream Conquest literature that talked
about "Stabil-Ride Suspension System" Is this standard on all Kodiaks or
is this

Quote
something that Gulfstream is adding on. Any other opinions on
Gulfstreams quality

Quote
would be appreciated, also. We haven't looked at them mostly due to
interior furnishing items. My wife is big on stuff like that.

I have installed the Koni shocks, front and rear tracbars and front
stabilizer bar. Whether these are needed or not is personal preference,
but they do improve the handling. I think even in stock form, it
handled better than some cars I drove in the 80's.

I did the rear tracbar, front stabilizer, and rear tracbar together so
while the improved the handling I can't say which helped the most. Some
people have not seen improvement with the rear tracbar, others have. I
install the front tracbar later and it improved the precision of the
steering alot.

No matter what you do, it is still a 35ft, 19,500 lb. truck and must be
driven accordingly. But, it is fine even on twisty 2 lane mountain
roads. But, in the motorhome I have to follow the speed given in the
curve signs.

Headlights are the other main complaint about the chassis and I have
replace mine and added fog lights.

Quote
3)..The cutting and stretching of the wheelbase to 239.5 on the Four
Winds 34H. Is this a negative thing or just that the customer should be
informed of

Quote
the implications?

I assume it would be better if it came from the factory this way with
the factory warranty, but it doesn't bother me at all. It would be
someones responsibilty at least within the Four Winds warranty period.
I also, don't think that I have heard of any problems with the frame in
any of the forums. I did have to deal with frame problems with our
previous travel trailer.

I think having the longer wheelbase even with it being cut in is much
better than having the standard shorter wheelbase.

Quote
4) Any other quality issues? I've owned diesels before and know
how much it

Quote
costs to overhaul them plus it would take many years to even the
costs of engine

Quote
vs. fuel.

Fortunately, I don't have anywhere near the issues that Denny has had
with his. But, I wouldn't say the quality is great. Even though these
are expensive because of their size and being on the Kodiak chassis,
they are still lower end units. Better wood would help with less
screws being stripped and of course teaching their workers how not to
strip screws. A panel fell off in the read TV compartment and a metal
piece fell of the slide.

The only thing I have taken the motorhome in for was the generator
staarted continously spewing smoke out the exhaust. But, that was a
Cummins thing, not Four Winds. But, I also do the smaller stuff myself
since it is a 90 minute drive to the dealer.

I don't think that you would have to worry about the cost of the diesel
engine to overhaul. I wouldn't think you would get anywhere near that
many miles. We have been getting a little over 9mpg and with the
current difference in cost per gallon of gas you may never make up the
difference in the purchase price. But, I wouldn't not get the diesel.
I think that the 34h was mostly available with the diesel, so with
shopping around you still might find a better deal with the diesel. And
living in the mountains here in New Mexico, having a turbo keeps the
power up better at higher elevations. And power is no problem even
towing the Durango in the mountains.

In the end, we are happy with the Four Winds 34h. The kids love their
bunk beds, but so do we since we don't have to make up and take down
beds every night. They were with me when I was looking for a motorhome
and decided they had to have the bunk beds. And we are using the
motorhome for trips we would have considered just driving our car
before. Thanksgiving in Texas and Christmas in California. And even
using it for what would usually just be a day trip to Albuquerque and
making it a weekend.

Denny, feel free to forward this to Steve if he is not yet a member.
And he can email me directly if he has any further questions.

David Steinman