would appreciate feedback from Rialta owners

[want-a-rialta]

I do not yet have my Rialta, but I think I want one. I have heard from several people who have them, and understand there is a certain year when they began experiencing problems which eventually led to to end of their manufacture.



I am interested in knowing what the best years are for reliability, whether you are happy with the purchase you made, and if you would do it again. If not, I would like to know why not. I welcome and appreciate any and all information to help me make a decision on whether to proceed with a purchase.



Any little tidbits you can share as to what mechanical issues one can expect would be very helpful. I have never owned an RV before, and this is all new to me.



Thanks so much!


want-a-rialta

[D0N]

I know that in 1997 the Rialta no longer came with the bulletproof 2.5L 5 cylinder VW engine. In 1997 they started putting the VW VR6 v6 engine in the RV to get more power. I can't speak to the V6's reliability but I know the earlier 2.5L 5 cylinder is a great engine! Only the 1995 and 1996 models had the 2.5L engine.



Also, I know some people say that a Rialta that is not equipped with an onboard generator is less valuable. I say PHOOEY!


What I have found is that most Rialta owners absolutely HATE HATE HATE the onan and generac onboard generators that came with their Rialtas. Onboard generators are loud, smelly (exhaust fumes) and vibrate when running. Many owners actually remove their onboard generators permanently and use the cubby for storage space or for housing a portable generator.


My Rialta did not come with the onboard generator option. I bought a small portable 1000 watt Honda generator and use it to power everything except for the roof A/C... which I never use anyway! A small portable genrator is a better option in my opinion, because they are more efficient (using less gas), they are very quiet (52dB at full output), they don't emit a lot of exhaust fumes and you can place them 100 feet away from your RV (when boon-docking)! At 52dB and 100ft away, you will barely hear it running, you won't smell any fumes and it won't vibrate your Rialta!



So, did you end up buying a Rialta yet?



I'd been searching for a while and found out quickly that the Rialtas are very expensive but they are worth it!

[lkoplen]

D0N said:

I know that in 1997 the Rialta no longer came with the bulletproof 2.5L 5 cylinder VW engine. In 1997 they started putting the VW VR6 v6 engine in the RV to get more power. I can't speak to the V6's reliability but I know the earlier 2.5L 5 cylinder is a great engine! Only the 1995 and 1996 models had the 2.5L engine.



Also, I know some people say that a Rialta that is not equipped with an onboard generator is less valuable. I say PHOOEY!


What I have found is that most Rialta owners absolutely HATE HATE HATE the onan and generac onboard generators that came with their Rialtas. Onboard generators are loud, smelly (exhaust fumes) and vibrate when running. Many owners actually remove their onboard generators permanently and use the cubby for storage space or for housing a portable generator.


My Rialta did not come with the onboard generator option. I bought a small portable 1000 watt Honda generator and use it to power everything except for the roof A/C... which I never use anyway! A small portable genrator is a better option in my opinion, because they are more efficient (using less gas), they are very quiet (52dB at full output), they don't emit a lot of exhaust fumes and you can place them 100 feet away from your RV (when boon-docking)! At 52dB and 100ft away, you will barely hear it running, you won't smell any fumes and it won't vibrate your Rialta!



So, did you end up buying a Rialta yet?



I'd been searching for a while and found out quickly that the Rialtas are very expensive but they are worth it!

[lkoplen]

D0N said:

I know that in 1997 the Rialta no longer came with the bulletproof 2.5L 5 cylinder VW engine. In 1997 they started putting the VW VR6 v6 engine in the RV to get more power. I can't speak to the V6's reliability but I know the earlier 2.5L 5 cylinder is a great engine! Only the 1995 and 1996 models had the 2.5L engine.



Also, I know some people say that a Rialta that is not equipped with an onboard generator is less valuable. I say PHOOEY!


What I have found is that most Rialta owners absolutely HATE HATE HATE the onan and generac onboard generators that came with their Rialtas. Onboard generators are loud, smelly (exhaust fumes) and vibrate when running. Many owners actually remove their onboard generators permanently and use the cubby for storage space or for housing a portable generator.


My Rialta did not come with the onboard generator option. I bought a small portable 1000 watt Honda generator and use it to power everything except for the roof A/C... which I never use anyway! A small portable genrator is a better option in my opinion, because they are more efficient (using less gas), they are very quiet (52dB at full output), they don't emit a lot of exhaust fumes and you can place them 100 feet away from your RV (when boon-docking)! At 52dB and 100ft away, you will barely hear it running, you won't smell any fumes and it won't vibrate your Rialta!



So, did you end up buying a Rialta yet?



I'd been searching for a while and found out quickly that the Rialtas are very expensive but they are worth it!





Don:


I assume by your reply to "Want a Rialta", that you have some experience with the older 2.5 ltr engines. I also am interested in buying a Rialta, but am a little concerned about the power for both the 2.5 and the 2.8 (140 & 201 HP). We do a fair amount of traveling in the mountains and have to climb long hills. We recently returned to Seattle Wa from a trip to the Black Hills of So. Dakota, and needless to say went over several mountain passes. So the question for us is how will the Rialta handle the hills? Will we find ourselves crawling along at 30-40 MPH for the five or ten miles it takes to go over the Cascades, Bitter Roots, Rockies, etc.? Please also see my post in the Forum-Winnebago Rialta Community-Info for prospective Rialta owners.


Thanks


Lenny