Winnebago Industries and the dynamic duo of Dana Philp and Steve Schriver, SR have a lot in common. Each has sold a great many motorhomes over the years and each has earned the lifelong friendship of legions of customers in
the process. Here’s what happened when our favorite pair of RV die hards met up with their old friend Winnebago and took the 2010 Journey Express 34Y Class A diesel motorhome out for a spin.

Steve ‘Pops’ Schriver, Sr.
10+ years RV sales experience
Former PGA Golf Pro
Former US Marine
Avid fisherman
Proud father

Dana Philp
24+ years RV sales experience
Owner of a Monaco Dynasty
Avid cook
Black belt in RV fun


LIVING ROOM
Steve and Dana enter the living room. Steve’s eyes widen with love at first sight.

STEVE: Well, like most men, all I need is a chair and a TV, and we’ve got that right here.

DP: The passenger side RestEasy couch reclines and the 40” TV pops up out of the dinette table/buffet on the driver side and stores away when you’re not using it, so you’ve got extra surface area. You’ve also got surround sound speakers built into the ceiling.

STEVE: That’s awesome. You can sit at any angle you want and it’s really comfortable to watch TV.

DP: The dinette also doubles up as a computer station. Many people are looking for a comfortable place to plop down their laptop in an RV.

STEVE: A 34’ coach with a full wall-slide and all the extra space it gives you when you park, is gonna be perfect. In addition to the full wall-slide, we have 2 opposing slides. When they’re opened up, it makes you feel like you’re in a small condominium.

DP: The overall amount of storage throughout the coach is amazing.

STEVE: They’ve increased the height of the slide for 2010 on the inside so they can add larger cabinets. Now the girls don’t have to say they don’t have anywhere to put stuff.

DP: We’ve got a place to put you, Pops. On the 39’ floor plan we can sleep 8 people if we option in the bunk.

STEVE: My RV can do cocktails for 8, dinner for 4...but it only sleeps 2.

DP: And the RestEasy sofa converts to a comfy bed for when your wife makes you sleep on the couch.

GALLEY
Dana assumes the position of master chef in the Journey Express’s galley.

DP: This galley has a lot of space. Lots of storage and pantry space, too. It’s everything I’d want in a 40-45 footer. I especially like the deep sink, which is big enough to hold my seafood boil pot.

STEVE: You’re making my mouth water.

DP: Last time I did a seafood boil in the coach, it boiled over. I notice we have sealed burners here. If you’re a great cook, you’re always going to spill. But this is easy to clean up and keep sanitary.

STEVE: So you’re saying that you’re a great cook?

DP: I can tear it up in the kitchen.

STEVE: I don’t know about the cookin’, but I can do a lot of eatin’. How come you never have me over anymore?

DP: ‘Cuz you can tear it up in the bathroom and clog my black water tank.

STEVE: One time...and they never let you forget it.

BEDROOM
The pair makes their way into the master bedroom.

DP: We’ve seen 36’ coaches from other manufacturers that are popular, but they only have a queen bed.

STEVE: This coach has a king bed, and it’s 2 feet shorter.

DP: Lots of storage in the bedroom, too! The wardrobe stretches clear across the rear wall.

STEVE: It’s also got a space for an optional washer dryer, one of the few 34 footers that does have that.

DP: You especially need a washer and dryer, Pops.

STEVE: Not if you don’t invite me to dinner, since I won’t spill anything on me.

DP: Having your own washer dryer is great, that way you don’t have to wait in line at the campground or get up at oh-dark-thirty to be first in line.

COCKPIT
Steve assumes the helm. Dana sits in the passenger seat.

STEVE: I guess we better wear our seat belts, if we’re going to be demonstrating.

DP: I’m excited to see how this 340 horsepower is going to do in a 34 footer. We might have us a little rocket here.

STEVE: Well, I’m gonna give it a test. These things are made to run, so we’re gonna run ‘em.

DP: This Cummins engine is an ISB. It’s 6.7 liter.

STEVE: The ISB’s got a great reputation. It gets phenomenal fuel mileage, and you just can’t wear ‘em out.

DP: We’ve got a 10,000 pound tow capacity, so if you are coming down from a larger coach, you can keep the same tow vehicle.

STEVE: Absolutely. It’s handles great, too. Here we are on a little two lane country road, and keeping this thing straight is a piece of cake.

HIGHWAY
The Journey Express merges onto the highway and easily gets up to speed with the flowing traffic.

STEVE: Look at this! The rear view monitor will switch to the optional side view when you hit your turn signal. So if you want to change lanes, you hit your turn signal and the monitor shows you the whole lane with your side cameras. I can see the whole highway.

DP: And the monitor is a full color Sony.

STEVE: How long have you been in this business, Dana?

DP: 26 years. It’s mind boggling how far our industry has come.


STEVE: Well, this is my third week and I’m still shocked. It gets more amazing every day. I think I’m getting like 65 miles to the gallon right now.

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DP: I think you’re looking at the speedometer, Pops.

STEVE: You’re right.

DP: Sitting here in the co-pilot’s seat, it feels like a nice, smooth ride. What’s amazing is that I don’t feel the coach porpoising. That’s something that happens a lot with shorter coaches. The coach feels like it’s bopping up and down like a porpoise jumping in and out of the water. This ride is smooth even though we have a shorter wheel base.


STEVE: Well, the RV industry is doing a good job of listening to their customers and giving them what they want. If you’re going to spend your money and live in a home on wheels, you should be happy doing it.

DP: Well this coach makes me feel like Winnebago is listening. I love the fans above the cockpit. Those would be great when I get one of my power surges.

STEVE: They were called hot flashes in my day, but you kids have a new name for everything.

To learn more about the Winnebago Journey Express, click here