It has been three years since we spent a lot of time in a recreational vehicle. This 2014 Winnebago Sightseer 33C dual rear-wheel motor home is providing a great way to get us back into the RV lifestyle groove.
Several of staff have used it for “research and testing”, also known as summer vacations, and all report that this 35-footer with double front slide outs makes a great starter Class A unit. It’s large enough for a family of 4 or 5, yet not too cumbersome for novice drivers.
The Ford F53 rear drive chassis with 362-horsepower 6.2-liter V10 proved adequate for hilly terrains. But you still might want to join truckers who build up speed on the downhill legs. On one 1100 mile outing we recorded 6.8 miles per gallon of regular.
Like most big RVs these days, side-view cameras are triggered by the turn signals and they’re a huge help.
This Class A uses larger medium-duty truck wheels and tires, so it responds more like a big rig than a dually pickup. With its heavier duty chassis the Sightseer has a downright cushy ride. There were squeaks from the slide outs, but the Sightseer’s stiff body structure did a great job of taming flex and shimmy over bumps.
The Sightseer was also put to use as a production HQ for our upcoming New Car Preview 2014 special. Four very hot and humid days at the proving grounds of the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety in Charlottesville, Virginia really tested the Winnie’s a/c system. The twin rooftop units ran constantly but always kept us cool. The wide opening exterior cargo bins were put to good use for both work and person needs.
We’ve seen a lot of summer sights with our Winnie Sightseer, and this high quality motor home helps us understand why Americans are so passionate about RVing.
Specifications
- Engine: 6.2-liter V10
- Horsepower: 362
Long Term Updates
There are a lot of comings and goings on our lot.
Going out is our 2014 Winnebago Sightseer 33C Class-A motor home. It proved a great choice for both long distance family vacations and as a location HQ. Twin pull outs and lot of options make it downright luxurious for five, while the rear drive Ford truck chassis was reasonably fuel efficient at 7 miles per gallon. But, Class-A is not the only popular RV type around by far.
In coming is this Class-C Winnebago Minnie Winnie Premium RV. Built on a Ford F-450 Van Chassis, at nearly 33 feet, it’s only two feet shorter than the Sightseer. But, it’s outfitted for a family of eight, and thus ideal for long weekend outings where practicality, and a much lower purchase price, take precedent. We’ll let you know how the tradeoffs fair in just a few weeks.
