Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Spring 2018 Get Together Tech Session




We were blessed by having a Winnebago Representative come to our Spring 2018 Get Together.  There were lots of questions and answers from both sides.  This was looked at as a dialog.  Lots of back and forth so the users could pass on things they were seeing and things they would like to see.  Winnebago took many questions and ideas back to Forrest City to see how to address the suggestions.concerns.   

There are no commitments on a couple of things but I am glad to see that Winnebago takes our input seriously.  Most companies don't.


Q: How many Fuses are on the road ?
A: 800 Winnebago Fuses are on the road out of roughly 1300 built.  The mix is roughly 55% 23As and 45% 23Ts.  Not selling as fast as they want but not too bad either.

Q: How about having the Transit stereo connect to the house audio?
A: Stereo not able to have 2 outputs 

Q:  How about a slide for the batteries?
A:  The lack of a slide for the batteries is all about weight.  Not Gross Vehicle Weight but something called "Curb Weight". This is a weight and balance requirement from Ford.  There is also a balance issue on how much weight is on the front vs rear Axel.

Q:  When is the next model year Fuse coming out?
A: Winnebago is looking at June for next model year.  Most of the things they are looking at doing are to save weight.

Q: Can something be done to overcome the noise and placement of the generator?
A: - Ross Fisher @ Onan is working with Winnebago on improvements to the generator.  A new generator circuit breaker that won’t trip on a new design generator is about a year to 18 months out.  There is a possibility of adding an energy management system to the Fuse like they do to the Class Bs.  This would prevent too much load at any time to happen.

Q: Issues with vibration of generator:
A: New Fuses have new rubber mounts .   The exhaust in some cases was hitting the mount.  Basically the hole for the exhaust through the mount was too small or not aligned perfectly. The rubber isolaters are available on new units coming in June and can be retrofitted to older units.

Q: Most common failure of the generator:
A: There is a cummins service bulletin that ground wire comes loose and burning out the ignition coil

Q: How about an exit window in the rear on the 23T?
A: Exit window is not on rear of the T because of the bike rack option would block it

Q: Wheel simulators coming off.  The caps coming loose.
A: Taking the question back to the factory

Q: How about steel extensions for the tires?
A: Took question back to the factory

Q: How about the special tires required by the Fuse?
A: Took question back to the factory

Q: Why no spare tire?
A: No spare tire. - spare went away when A could not have it.  There was not enough room underneath.  There is a space on the T underneath that could possible hold a spare.   Winnebago marketing did not want the two units to be different spare vs non spare.

Q:  Would the group like TPMS standard/ What TPMS would the group like to have.  
A: Various.  Several would like Ford factory TPMS

Q:  How about an accordion door for the bathroom on the 23T
A: NO.  Was done in several units before and feedback was super negative.

Q:  What about drawers and latches:
A:  Moving to 10lbs latches on everything in the Fuse.  Could go to a positive latching solution if problems are big

Q: Batteries and the lack of a sliding tray.
A:. Maybe Winnebago will move to using AGM batteries.  Problem is with the expense.  Winnebago is also looking a lithium option (straight replacement for the existing batteries, not a whole motorhome inverter setup like the Travato L models)

Q:  Do people use the Flex Bed in the 23A
A: Only about 20% of the people present use the Flexbed.  

Q: How about a smaller/lighter table
A: Size needed for the flexbed but latest table is much lighter in weight.
A: One of the most wide spread mods is people building smaller tables.

Q: On the 23A the hole for the front table can not be used with the slide in
A: Looking at fixing this with a second table socket.

Q:  How about changing the mount so the TV can be viewed from the right or left?
A: Swinging TV mount in 23A in June

Q: How about Fuse branded gear?
A: Taking suggestion back to marketing

Q: How about an over cab bed in the Fuse. (Winnebago asked question)
A: Not many people who were here would be interested.  Maybe others.

Q: What about 5000lbs hitch on oldest Fuses 
A: Winnebago had to to beef up frame to make a 5000lbs hitch work on later Fuses.  Winnebago does not weld things to the Frame and only blots on stuff.

Q: Could Winnebago move the engine exhaust 
A: This is a Ford thing.  Winnebago leaves the Ford stuff to Ford on the cutaway chassis

Q: What about a 3rd break light?
A: Not a requirement  but added to list

Q: Some people are getting water in their exterior lights:
A: Yes -  Winnebago is looking into the issues.

Q:  Something causing glow in tail lights when off
A: Taking this back to the factory with them

Q: How about cup holders on 23a sofa
A: Will take this back to the factory

Q: Seating improvements in A and T

Q: License plate light and holder are problematic.  Tag does not fit right.
A: License plate light fixes in production now

Q:  Lots of questions on quieting down and improving cooling on the Air Conditioner 
A: Possible change  to an Air Command air conditioner.  This is out of Australia.  Also possible upgrade to 15,000 BTU.  Both of these can retrofitted by the owner.  FitRV has video doing this on a Travato.

Q:  We don't need 3 burners on the T stove/cooktop
A: Looking into cooking improvements.  Possible a 1 lp/1 induction cooktop like on larger Winnebago motorhomes.   (Winnebago was very interested in how people were cooking/using the kitchen in their Fuses)

Q: How about a drop leaf on the 23T table
A: Taking back as suggestion

Q: How about an induction burner to avoid the heat of an LP burner
A: 1 LP and 1 Induction  maybe

Q: Heat issues - for folks in hot environments heat intrusion is an issue. Skylight in shower and heat coming in from the front cap seem to be biggest culprits.
A:  Looking into front cap heat issue.

Q: Can T table detach easily from the wall
A:  No

Q: Improving Clearance: and ride?
A: Sumosprings - Supersprings - 2 inches - Winnebago recommends - easy install - better ride- Some formal testing required before Winnebago will do it as an option.  Clearance has improved in general since the 2017  Fuses were released

Q: How about a Curtain for the front to block as opposed to hard covers one over the windows
A: Should be in future Fuses.  Can be retrofitted since it will be a hook and eye setup.

Q: Lithium battery option?
A: Probably will offer one from Lithionics.  Costly.

Q:  How about building on the longer wheelbase Transit
A: Winnebago has explored this.  Places lots of weight on front axel - Not interested - 60/40 balance today and needs to stay that way

Q: What about wind noise from around door ?
A: Developed a hinge screw cap assembly that fixes this for the Lippart door.   Complaints about them coming unpainted.  Some people are still having issues.  Winnebago thought the problems are only on A but members has issues on Ts as well.  

Q; Has Paseo been taken out of production
A: Yes.  Production suspended on Paseo.