CGAZ Paul said:
Hello and welcome! I am a recent buyer of a used 1999 HD Rialta. Mine had two previous owners. It was well cared for and very pristine but I had troubles with things that they never used. Most components are the same used in many RV's and usually trouble free. My owners rarely turned anything on. The generator was the most neglected, the shower was never used (it has a power operated pump to drain it). I run all systems properly and now that the bugs are out of it all is fine. Mechanically, regarding the Volkswagen VR6, I have been amazed at its design and performance. I had a few things go wrong and a few Check Engine lights but since I've owned it, ALL work has been done by Volkswagen and it is doing great. I think the biggest mistake people make is having work done at regular garages. Seems to be where I find people having the most trouble with their rigs. As for quality, quiet, design, AND comfort; you can't beat it. I feel like I am in a private jet or (I joke with people) a Rolls-Royce of RV's. I just love it and though it is small compared to most RV's it suits me just fine. Don't let the small shower fool you. Just try it (read manual carefully on this) and hopefully you will be pleased as I was. The conveniences of the motoraid water heater (heats the water from the engine heat) and the motoraid rear heater (also heats the coach from the engine heat) make it a carefree pleasure to use. I live in Arizona so the roof air struggles to keep it cool but if I need a quick cool, I turn on the overhead AC that runs from the dash. Just that alone keeps the coach super cool even in this heat. The Rialta has the best dash AC I have ever used. 117 degrees outside and it is crisp and cool inside. All in all I think you will enjoy a Rialta and going from your Westfalia to a Rialta will feel like a lot of space. I chose the HD model because it had optimum facilities for cooking and seating people. The HD is the only model with the larger fridge that has a seperate freezer compartment. Also, the only one with an optional lower propane fired oven (this was an option) along with the overhead microwave. It also has a 3-burner stove where the other models have two. Something to know too is that the shower and lavatory sink water do NOT drain to the gray tank like all other RV's. They drain to the larger black tank affording you better shower capacities. When I bought the rig I thought the shower went to the gray and wasn't sure if I could even fit one shower in. The gray tank is small but all that feeds it is the kitchen sink, so it is adequate. The Rialta engineers knew their stuff. Anyhow, I could go on and on but it is obvious that I have a high regard for these machines! All the best and write us all what you finally come up with!
Paul
Paul, your posts are so informative. We are recently new owners of 2002 and taking it out tomorrow for our 1st camping trip. We winter in Arizona and live in Ontario Canada and purchased this unit to make a vacation of driving down and back and taking couple of weeks either way. I will continue to read your posts and learn from them! Cheers!
