Opinions Requested from 2801QS GTS Owners

Duckogram · 01-09-2018, 11:41 PM

Hi Gang,
I’m looking at a new/newer model 2801QS GTS.
Downsizing from a Class A gasser for drivability purposes.
I would appreciate the opinion of current or past owners
of the 2801QS GTS or its sister Sunseeker 2800QS models only.
Looking for opines related to road manners specifically.
Thanks in advance.
Ducky

Tombsy · 01-10-2018, 11:38 PM

I don’t have much to compare it too aside from a couple rentals but I love driving my rig. I haven’t done anything to the ride, just set the tire pressures. In October we drove 5000 km from Calgary to Las Vegas with no issues even with some horrible 100 kph crosswinds for a few hours on the way down. It wasn’t very relaxing but it was still manageable and I wasn’t worried. I drive a lot in the mountains and at higher altitudes and the power is fine but I do have a 5 Star tune in it to help.

AbdRahim · 01-11-2018, 12:37 AM

I have had no problems with handling. I haven't yet done they've star tune. It is a little slow on steep mountain grades, especially if coming from a diesel, but that is not most of my driving and except for trying to reach the campground before closing I am not in a hurry.

charles l · 01-11-2018, 04:51 PM

I feel the coach drives fine. I did some upgrades trying to make it better but it was fine stock. I had a steering stabilizer installed and a proper alignment done. It drove better probably because of a change in the caster settings. I then added a rear track bar. This really helped with strong winds and 18 wheelers passing. I plan to install bigger sway bars and koni shocks in April. Not that anything is wrong. By nature I like to tweak on my cars and stuff. I would say the only real complaint is the wife thinks the kitchen is lacking counter space. I like my 2800 and have no real complaints. I also added a k&n intake and the 5 star tune for the engine management.

To sum it up it drove fine stock. We drove it towing a dolly with a Toyota camry from Virginia to Los Angeles and back last summer over 6500 miles. This included the Rockies and many miles of desert in the heat of summer trouble free. I think you will like the 2800/2801.

oldsmasma · 01-12-2018, 04:58 PM

We have an older Lexington 283GTS which seems to be a cousin. We just love it. We have travelled as far as South Florida (from our home in Northeastern Ontario) and have spent as long as 2 months at a time in it. It suits our purposes perfectly. Prior to the Lexington we had a F250 Super Duty/fifth wheel combo.

Rick. · 01-12-2018, 05:34 PM

I just purchased one the 2018 Forester 2801QS closing tomorrow on it. I'm so excited!

AbdRahim · 01-13-2018, 12:43 AM

Congratulations, Rick.

WKaiser · 01-13-2018, 11:02 AM

We purchased a new Forester 2801qs last year and have been fairly pleased. However, there is a learning curve we had to go through. For example, the air conditioning only works when the thermostat is set on auto. The propane regulator went out. The Big Foot automatic jacks had a glitch and wouldn't work until reset--I learned to take a tool box with me. The jacks have a safety switch that lets you know if the jacks are all the way up. The pin that tells you this became bent and I had to straighten them out with a pair of vise grips. The tires had to be at least at 70 pounds of air pressure to improve handling. I am assuming that buying new will always have a few glitches to iron out. We liked how this motor home drove. It handled better than others we tried. It actually sounds quieter when going 70mph or faster. I don't like to do this however.
We would buy this again.

Tombsy · 01-13-2018, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick.

I just purchased one the 2018 Forester 2801QS closing tomorrow on it. I'm so excited!

Congratulations! Get the dealer to demonstrate how to fill the rear airbags, I had trouble filling them, the stem might need an extension.

ejohnson1144 · 01-13-2018, 02:12 PM

I love my rig just the right size and plenty of room. It drives fine

AbdRahim · 01-13-2018, 04:27 PM

On the airbags, I think it was Napa where I bought the extensions. Removing the washer on the driver side and just using the nut gave me enough length before I bought the extensions. Actually I should find or replace the nut and use the extension on the passenger side. It has worked well this way for so longer I forgot to use the second extension.

Rick. · 01-14-2018, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tombsy

Congratulations! Get the dealer to demonstrate how to fill the rear airbags, I had trouble filling them, the stem might need an extension.

Thank you, I will did the closing yesterday it was 15 degrees out - so I will be doing the walk through in the spring with dealership they are storing it for me.

Duckogram · 01-15-2018, 05:20 AM

Thanks to all for your responses. I appreciate the feedback.

I already have an SCT Tuner so all I need is the 20 Valve program
to address the hill climbing and power issue. The 30 Valve program
is mostly for the 5 speed transmission shift pressure issue. I can get that from
5 Star online. Eazy Peazy

I’m hearing that I will be wanting a few of the basic suspension upgrades. Panhard
bar for sure. Another dent in the wallet but ease of driving is my concern. My DW
needs to fly left seat if we are going to continue to do 10,000 mile Summer Adventures.
The F-53 wore me out.

Congrats to the new 2801 owner.

THANKS AGAIN - Time to shut this thread down.

pcryer · 01-17-2018, 07:45 PM

We have a 2017 2800QS purchased in January of 2017. We love how it handles stock. I drive a F250 daily and the motor home is is probably easier handling than my truck. I have driven it pulling the toad as well and had no issues. If we are pulling the boat I make my husband drive =)

The unit is perfect for just the two of us. If you have more than two on a regular basis it could get crowded pretty quick. However with the front seats swiveled it is great for having people over for a visit.

We have not experienced any problems with putting air in the air bags.

We live in Texas and it gets hot! Even with the upgraded 15BTU ac/heat pump we found we needed more a/c. We opted to have another unit added in the bedroom. I don't think it is offered as an option but we just went to a local shop and put in a non-ducted and wired separate from the motor home wiring so no warranty issues.

Right now the biggest problem we have is that the leveling jack (Big Foot) control panel powers on when the furnace igniter kicks in. This is a known problem and Forest River and/or dealer can not come up with a fix. It would be interesting to see if the 2018 models are still doing this.

AbdRahim · 01-17-2018, 10:25 PM

porter: check out the Big Foot control panel thread. Towards the end is a solution that supposedly works - devised by a dealer.

sgtlm17 · 01-19-2018, 12:52 PM

2016 2801 and it drives great completely stock

Duckogram · 01-25-2018, 09:06 PM

We went to the Ft Myers RV show today. No 2801’s to be found but
they did have a 2800 with all the upgrades we wanted and one
fantastic price. Could not let it go by with over 30% off invoice!
So we signed the paper and wrote the check. Picking it up next week.

LET THE MODS BEGIN Have until mid May to get what I need to get done.

Some good ideas here so I’ll be back.
Thanks again guys. Headed to the Sunseeker forum now.

n-e-d · 01-26-2018, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duckogram

Thanks again guys. Headed to the Sunseeker forum now.

Congrats and welcome to the Sunseeker side

charles l · 01-26-2018, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duckogram

We went to the Ft Myers RV show today. No 2801’s to be found but
they did have a 2800 with all the upgrades we wanted and one
fantastic price. Could not let it go by with over 30% off invoice!
So we signed the paper and wrote the check. Picking it up next week.

LET THE MODS BEGIN Have until mid May to get what I need to get done.

Some good ideas here so I’ll be back.
Thanks again guys. Headed to the Sunseeker forum now.

2800 and 2801 are basically the same unit. The forester comes with more items standard built into the price where the sunseeker you add the options you want and pay for them. It all works out the same so what name do you like better?
Some forester owners may not agree with me but I have seen no proof otherwise.

sgtlm17 · 01-26-2018, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charles l

2800 and 2801 are basically the same unit. The forester comes with more items standard built into the price where the sunseeker you add the options you want and pay for them. It all works out the same so what name do you like better?
Some forester owners may not agree with me but I have seen no proof otherwise.

Your pretty much on the money. Some of the options that you could only get on the Forester are pretty much gone for 2018 like the soft touch ceiling for example.

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