Purchasing a motorhome or recreational vehicle is one of the best investments that a camping enthusiast can make. In addition to providing you with huge storage for your luggage, the user will also get access to numerous features on the vehicle.
This includes having a place to sleep in as well as a kitchen and bathroom. Though, the number of features that you get is highly dependent on the model of vehicle you are going to purchase.
Several companies are manufacturing some of the best motorhomes. However, the one that stands out among most of these brands is Winnebago Travato.
They have a number of models to choose from, but Travato is on the top of the list. This fuel-efficient vehicle has appealed to a large number of people, thanks to its streamlined design and extraordinary capacity.
While Winnebago Travato might be great, some problems and complaints can be found with it. This article concerns the major issues associated with the Travato as well as fixes that you can use.
Winnebago Travato Problems
1. Exterior Issues
It is easy to spot problems with exteriors. There are several exterior issues associated with Winnebago Travato. They may include water damage from rain or snow, chipped paint, etc. However, some of them are not apparent to you unless you are driving the RV or getting it checked.
For example, one can have no idea about the rusting wheel wells, but they can be easily detected under inspection in a showroom. Careless maintenance can give rise to red flags like rust spots and shoddy workmanship.
2. Interior Issues
An RV’s interior can encounter a number of issues. The seat cushions can get torn out with time. There can be stubborn stains on the carpet. Look for the mildew on the countertops as well. The walls and cabinets can fall victim to the dings and dents.
These issues can get so destructive that you will have to find replacement parts for your RV at the local flea markets. However, you don’t have to spend much on replacing broke cabinet handles or painting the minor wall dings.
3. Telescope Wheel Kills Engine
Issues with the steering wheels are the most underrated ones on the list. Winnebago Travato, just like the rest of the vehicles, is not free of these problems. Whenever the vehicle is to be started, users often face difficulty while telescoping the wheel because it turns off the engine.
The vehicle is unable to start if your telescope is all the way out. It turns off the engine. Therefore, you have to telescope the wheel in, lock it and then start the vehicle.
4. Generator Too Loud
One of the best things about having Winnebago Travato is that it is quite a small motorhome. Additionally, when you consider all the features it comes with, the vehicle is top-notch.
Furthermore, you will notice that the drive for this motorhome is also quite comfortable. However, one of the most common issues that people run into due to this vehicle’s compact size is hearing the generator. There is no use in spending money on the luxurious RV if you cannot cancel out the noise from the generator.
When you turn on the generator, the noise is quite minimal. Although, with time, the generator starts to get louder and louder.
While some users might simply ignore this, people who use their generators at night might find it hard to sleep with all the noise. In this regard, there are two things that you can do. One of them is to replace the device with a new one.
Multiple portable generators are compact and have low noise. Installing these in your vehicle will ensure that you no longer have to go through this problem.
However, not everyone can purchase a new generator just because of the noise problem. This option is not quite feasible. Therefore, you can move on to the second option.
Installing a muffler on your generator will cancel out most of the noise being generated by it. There are pre-made models that you can purchase online. Alternatively, you can even create your customized one.
This is quite simple, and only a few types of equipment should be required. If you are interested, then you can look out for videos that can help you with the process.
5. Seals Coming Off
Another common issue that many people have complained about is the seals on their Winnebago Travato coming off. Taking this in mind, you must keep a check on the condition of the seals in your vehicle.
If these start to come off, then it is recommended that you try fitting them back in. This is because the water coming in contact with your vehicle will start accessing the RV if it’s without the seals. It can lead to potential damage to the flooring and interior of your motorhome.
However, no matter how much you look out for these, the seals will eventually come off. In this case, the user has to completely remove the older ones and install the new seals.
Make sure you have replaced the seals not just from the roof but also from the windows . The best way to deal with this problem is to use waterproof seals that can last a long time.
6. Comfort And Safety Issues
These problems are observed on a frequent basis in RVs. Too much noise can cause fatigue and disturbance. If the engine is improperly tuned, it can affect the working mechanism of other systems too.
7. Electrical Issues
If you want to ride your Winnebago Travato for years, look out for electrical issues too. Faulty wiring and worn-out connectors can lead to short circuits and fire.
The primary power source in a Travato is a lead-acid battery which is known to fail and cause issues every now and then. Sometimes, you face difficulty while giving a start to your car. This is due to the failure of the electrical system. Another sign is the appearance of unusual gauges on your dashboard.
Before you decide to spend money on finding the replacement for components, run a test on your battery and check the power level. Make sure it’s not low. In order to do so, switch off the lights and accessories for half an hour and restart your vehicle. It has been observed that a full charge is a perfect solution for intermittent issues.
8. Volta Would Not Power Down
The manual shows that it takes almost 2 minutes for the Volta to completely shut down. But practically, the systems don’t power off even after you press the power button down. The light stays on for a long time. You need to turn the engine off to shut it down.
9. Limited Space
Although Winnebago Travato is a comfortable vehicle, it can accommodate a few people. Motorhomes like Travato often have a downside like this, and resultantly one cannot find room for storing the camping gear. The vehicle has to provide storage for your bed as well as all the other furniture in it as well.
This is why many users complain about storage space issues. It might lead to them choosing a larger RV. Unfortunately, that’s not an option for everyone. Therefore, there are other ways to solve this problem.
One of the ways to deal with this issue is to cram your stuff into tight spaces. However, if you don’t like thrusting your luggage into the limited drawers, then one recommendation is to purchase a few storage accessories.
There are multiple of these available online as well as in stores that you can purchase. Installing these in your vehicle will ensure that you can store much more luggage in your vehicle than before.
You can get more space by putting plywood over cabinets. No matter what measure you take to extend your storage space, make sure that you maintain the appearance of the RV inside. You can leave some things behind if you don’t need them direly.
10. Engine Problems
The failure of engines in Winnebago Travato is not something shocking. Inadequate cooling and broken water pumps can badly affect the operation of engines in an RV. Other causes include fuel troubles and timing chain problems.
Although you can find plenty of solutions online, it is very unlikely to resolve the engine problems yourself. Therefore, contact a certified mechanic and get help.
11. Winter Driving Concerns
It can get really dangerous to take a ride on Winnebago Travato in winter, especially if you are without any preparation. Obviously, it’s not easy to take effective brakes on roads covered with snow. Most of the RVs fall prey to skidding resulting from the air compressors.
There is no doubt in the fact that the lighting of RVs is not as bright as cars. Their blind spots are also larger than other vehicles. Therefore, it is not advised to take out RVs in inclement weather. Even if you do so, you better equip your vehicle with chains and adequate lighting.
It goes without saying that all the passengers must wear their seat belts to keep themselves safe from any head or neck injuries.
Seals coming off means water damage and mold. Mold means terrible smell and wood rot. I can’t believe this. It has no slide where a lot of leaking occurs. Now I must worry about unhealthy mold growing and I hate the smell of it!