2002 Roadtrek 200 popular issues.

[Don10]

I am considering purchasing a 2002 Roadtrek 200 Popular. I have read that there are leaking issues with the rear window, rear tail lights and the air conditioner. Can anyone pass on their experience and solutions.

[Edj]

Reviving this"thread" I'm also very interested in a 200 popular of any year 2002 on. Not sure when they were discontinued. Would appreciate anyone's experience with these. Thanks

[WJones]

The 200 appeared in the 1997-1998 Roadtrek brochure and was built until 2003. We were looking for a 190 RT but when we saw the 200, our decision was made.
Before the 2000 model year, there were only Versatile models, and in 1998 they mostly have the smaller windows. During the 2000 model year, the Popular appeared, which was the model we wanted. We bought a unit that didn't have the third seat, so that gave us even more storage space.
We didn't have issues with the leaking rear window, and only had water come in through the A/C when it was quite a bit nose-down and the A/C couldn't drain. There was also a small crack in the plastic pan below the A/C, which we fixed. I would think most other RTs would have had similar issues in the same circumstances.
Among the advantages of a 200:
- Much much more storage space
- Most of it is fiberglass ... read: fewer components to rust.
- Built on a robust cab and chassis frame
- Wider than the 170 or 190
- You can access rear storage without opening the rear doors (access from the side).
- The side door gives you easier access than van doors.

William
2000C200P
Sherbrooke, Quebec

[Edj]

Good to hear you are pleased with the 200. We are going to be taking off for months at a time so we will need the extra storage. I will be looking for a 2003 built on a Chevy van.

What is your rig built on and what kind of mileage are you getting?

Thx

[WJones]

All 200's were built on Chevrolet chassis. Up to the 2002 model year, the standard engine was the 5.7L Vortec. The last year, 2003, it was the 6.0L engine on the newer chassis.

So ours (2000 model year on a 1999 chassis) has the 5.7L engine. We've put 42,285 miles on it in the 4 years we've had it and averaged 13.34 mi/gal from day one to today. That includes both city and highway, but more highway than city of course. I believe the 6.0L engine in the 2003 get slightly better mileage.

William

[Edj]

Thanks William. Looks like our target find will be a 2003 200 built on the 2003 chassis. We have been in a 210, I think it was a 2010 or 11, and it seemed larger than we would need, but we are novices and really won't know for sure until we start traveling. The 200 should better match our budget and I'll be bringing along a tent for when we need space.

If anyone has any further Wisdom about what to look for in the hunt for a 200 or 210 please chome in. We will also consider a190 but from what I'm reading on this forum it will probably serve us better to get something larger for our planned extended travel.

[bcosbo]

my rear window is leaking in are 1998 popular 200. try everything i could think of need help

[BBQ]

Originally Posted by bcosbo

my rear window is leaking in are 1998 popular 200. try everything i could think of need help

Please specify which "rear" window.
The one on the back?
or the side window in the rear?

Please describe the window, and how it is leaking.

Got pix?

[bcosbo]

on the back

[bcosbo]

it leaks from some where it fill one tray and overflows to the next and the on to the bed.

[BBQ]

Originally Posted by bcosbo

it leaks from some where it fill one tray and overflows to the next and the on to the bed.

Do you think the leak is in the window? or might be the door frame?

[SteveJ]

I used a few applications of Captain Tolle's (sp?) a few years ago and it's still not leaking. I have a 2000 200 Versatile.

On TDY near Montrose Co.