MotorWeek | Retro Review: '83 Winnebago LeSharo

[@HowardDaduk]

Craig Singhouse fully tested the RV by drinking a RC Cola, smoking a cig, and taking a generous dump in the mini toilet

[@luxurreview]

Hey buddy!

[@ventura455]

I just spit my coffee out laughing at that comment!

[@HowardDaduk]

@Marhta Brelje Sounds like a terrific relationship you have there. Best wishes

[@espeescotty]

He then stretched-out like Burt Reynolds on a bearskin rug and ran his fingers through his hair like he was in an 80's Vidal Sassoon commercial.

[@pmvaldez1]

If you want a small RV with a reliable powertrain, find any of the ones built on the Toyota commercial chassis. The Toyota 22RE engine is extremely durable and there's no shortage of spare parts.

[@lab1042]

Durable except for the OEM plastic timing chaing guides that break.

[@samholdsworth420]

@@lab1042 yup, this happened on my 84 yota pickup.... I see multiple of those rv yotas here in Southern California since so many people live in them permanently

[@therealcarlmarti]

The Toyota is easier to service but gets around 15 mpg compared to 20+ for the LeSharo.

[@lab1042]

@@samholdsworth420 My '91 guides broke as well. Just had them replaced with steel ones (along with chain, timing cover and water pump).

[@stoneylonesome4062]

@@lab1042 If you want a reliable Diesel, Swap it with an Isuzu Turbo Diesel or one from a Classic Mercedes

[@noladol]

18-25 mpg and you can live in it? Sign me up, 1983.

[@deadwoodweddings]

Drove my 86 LeSharo 20K last year, taking it across the US in March and back. Love it. Paid for. Gas mileage was 15mpg, down to 11mpg, needs plugs and wires.

[@1BrownElCamino]

+Rick Goeringer If you ever want to sell it, please keep me in mind :)

[@SubaruWRXspdManual]

I love these old unusual motor week reviews.

[@johnavi]

i would live in this van down by the river!

[@erikhertzer8434]

Well woopdee frickin doo!!

[@nicholaswildethethird]

With surplus cheese??

[@elonmust7470]

Would you constantly grab the front & back of your trousers to keep them up?

[@Kgio-2112]

Delaware

[@Ideo7Z]

That happens alot in Seattle. It's called being homeless.

[@stuartbear922]

Never put a glass coffee carafe on a burner stove. Can't you read the warnings? Danger, Will Robinson!

[@ce9345]

The first Front Drive motorhome was the 1973 to 1978 GMC motorhome that used the Oldsmobile Toronado drive train.

[@fernandorocha-dx1wv]

Very nice this trailer, with powertrain GM

[@robneville5728]

Headlight assembly courtesy of Dodge/Plymouth K cars. Wire wheel covers courtesy of Kmart.

[@P00katube]

Rob Neville 😃🤣😂😆😀

[@vado575]

And side markers of a foxbody mustang

[@elonmust7470]

@@vado575 a 4 eye fox that is

[@cambo1200]

How much you wanna bet I can throw a football over them mountains?

[@sam_dah_doggo4370]

cambo1200 napoleon dynamite reference

[@surfnburb89]

grama said she wants you to go home n quit eating all of r steaks

[@isaaclee3793]

If coach put me in 4th quarter we would've been state champs no doubt

[@elonmust7470]

He had a dodge........

[@tonycervz89]

@@isaaclee3793 no doubt in my mind...

[@LrulestheworldM8]

"Ive never seen one of these before, i wonder why?" Motorweek: "Renault" Oh, that explains everything.

[@kolefabian6264]

I dont mean to be off topic but does someone know of a tool to get back into an Instagram account?? I was stupid forgot my login password. I appreciate any tricks you can offer me

[@LrulestheworldM8]

@@kolefabian6264 You're better off without instagram. Trust me. Life is much simpler when you're banned and you cant do anything there.

[@aaronvalentino2629]

@Kole Fabian instablaster ;)

[@smitty18541]

The lush velour captains seats nail it for me. I’d buy that for a dollar

[@TheAssassin111]

Whaaat? No 1/4 mile test? lol

[@syxepop]

+TheAssassin111 , want a CALENDAR to measure THAT?

[@tyupton1719]

Cool seeing you here lol

[@thehighlife1320]

It just hit 58.3 mph. It should hit 60 by the 40th anniversary of this show.

[@sethbope3869]

high life 1320 a Renault won’t run even 5 years without serious repairs.

[@Bluelinechevy82]

TheAssassin650 0-60 in 10 minutes.

[@Kingsoupturbo]

Brilliant!! a 2.2 Turbo diesel and FWD in a Mercedes-Sprinter style RV back in the early 80's, fantastic!!

[@k.r.v.4219]

Kingsoupturbo actually more so like the Ram ProMaster, Fiat Van! With fwd that’s used today be Winnebago and many others. With the proven Pentastar V6 engine! If not for our dreaded epa, we would have the fantastic 4 cyl Fiat Diesel with there 6 speed automated manual tranny! That is recorded to get almost 30 mpg in Europe! But the V6 gas models in America are said to be getting over 20 hyw! With plenty of smooth quiet power.

[@nyaheemjackson242]

I have one Love it

[@therealcarlmarti]

@@k.r.v.4219 they did sell the diesel ones here.

[@WhollyShirt]

I used a naturally-aspirated as a daily driver for one season, averaging 16 mpg exurban driving. A 2-day trip of1,400-miles from Stroudsburg to Dodge Island cruising at 55mph averaged 19 mpg. One non-stop I-95 leg, Virginia to South Carolina run delivered 24 mpg, But G-d help you if you ever need a brake job. Bendix-France wheel cylinders cost $500.

[@collinvinck9594]

haha very interesting

[@justinwiltshire9433]

Mobile meth lab ​@@collinvinck9594

[@TheHelado36]

Front wheel drive and totally underpowered! Good luck on the hills !

[@TheJetJONES]

Well... the LeSharo has European roots It had the same platform as the Renault Trafic

[@allentoyokawa9068]

@@TheJetJONES So French. not a hole continent

[@fernandorocha8459]

@@TheJetJONES Is true, version trailer of Renault Trafic

[@Daniel28021991]

This RV is really cool I love this 80's styling.

[@MrMister1227]

Hello could u send me your profile pic of the Buick badge I been looking for one forever D8

[@PeterGrillett]

+MrMister1227 Try Google!

[@Tbolt1000TForLife]

I'd rather have a 69' or 70' Winnebago 22 footer. In fact, I plan to get one!

[@S1nwar]

you mean BROOOOOOWN?

[@mrequi1]

Well I guess someone has to. I recently got a 90 Lesharo and I think it's one of. The ugliest, tackiest RVs I've ever seen and my parents. We're RV dealers in the 70s-80s.

[@oldtwinsna8347]

still see these on the highways every so often. they're the ones doing 35 in a 65 zone when the grade tilts upwards belching out smoke.

[@safeinmyheart1]

😂

[@Mr_Chris77]

Ah yes. Getting the Die Hard battery serviced. Back when Sears still existed.

[@MrWolfSnack]

Back when getting a battery serviced was a worthwhile venture and they were designed to be serviced.

[@monkeywkeys3916]

JCPENNEY sold batteries with Lifetime Replacement Warranty. Guy on the news still has one. JCP even tried to buy him out.

[@user-ui5bx4pf9v]

My dad worled at sears in the 80s

[@am4793]

How is a car battery serviced? Do they mean replaced?

[@themaritimegirl]

@@am4793 You used to have to check the electrolyte levels in each cell of the battery, and top them off with distilled water if needed.

[@stuartbear922]

Wow! 4 cylinder, diesel, engine driven a/c, how does it maintain 70 mph? Of course, back then the federal speed limit was 55 mph!

[@thechillestofdogs]

From the looks of it, the whole cab is from the modular Renault Trafic or Master, not only the dashboard. Come to think of, it's probably the entire cab/chassis assembly from Renault.

[@Michael_in_Vt]

Bathroom....shit, shower and shave, all at the same time.

[@anonymoususer6683]

Smells like cigarette smoke and mildew!

[@Hot80s]

& old ass

[@jmoney7289]

the mildew definitely

[@chrislemaster2695]

No lane changing and cornering test

[@McRocket]

18-22 mpg? That seems REALLY good to me for a Class B/small Class A(?) RV.

[@l10industries]

+Rico Law It is pretty similar in the gas model.

[@TheDaedalx]

underpowered and undersized motor designed for the 1980's 55mph speed limits. all of the motors wore out ..

[@exxusdrugstore300]

+TheDaedalx Ah, so that's why I haven't heard of them until now, they're all sitting with a hole in the block XD.

[@syxepop]

Soren G, well... Winerbago nowadays makes RVs on the FWD US-spec Ducato chassis, better known here as the Mexican-made Ram ProMaster full-sized van. Those would be the modern equivalents...

[@mrequi1]

​@@exxusdrugstore300just bought a 90 Lesharo with 22k original on it.

[@gregburns5638]

Originally owned a new 1992 "Toyota Tacoma"-based "Itasca Micro Spirit", which I bought as a "leftover" in 1994. It was marked down from $33,000 to $25,000, and was comfortable, ran great on several cross country trips, and got semi-decent gas mileage. Unfortunately, the company I worked for merged, then closed, so I was forced to sell it at somewhat of a lo$$. 😞 The following year I found a 1986 "Winnebago LeSharo" for $3,000, but it desperately needed the entire rack & pinion steering assembly, which was difficult to find and pretty pricey. I spent several days next to the Hudson River at the "United States Military Academy at West Point" graduation week of 2000. My friend's family was suddenly stranded when their ride to Kennedy Airport failed to arrive. So somehow we squeezed 9 people and all their luggage into that poor little "Renault"-powered RV. And then the air conditioning system decided to conk out. With the roof vents and side windows fully opened, we sheltered all the way to "Idlewild", but they all made their flights back to Alaska and Minnesota. WHEW!!! And suddenly, the air conditioning began working again. A friend's swing music band was appearing in Greenwich Village later that night, so I parked on a quiet side street and camped overnight in New York City. AWESOME!👌 Unfortunately, the "LeSharo" would also need to go sooner than expected, but I truly enjoyed owning it... 👍

[@blisterbrain]

That was some fine mime-style acting. I really believed that the roof was closing in on him!

[@petec9686]

The Renault Diesel just wasn't up to the job. Many of these have been converted to mopar V6 transaxles. Would love one of these with a 6 speed TDI drivetrain, but apparently a transverse drivetrain just doesn't fit well.

[@marlonturner226]

18-22 MPG I have a class A 37 footer with a big block ford 460 and I smile at 5 1/2 MPG 🤔😎

[@michaelbianchi22]

The Centauri model... "This is the mobile palace, Vir!" says Londo.

[@theenhancer]

"I've heard these Earth diesel engines are clattery, but this - this, this, this is like - being nibbled to death by, uh - Pah! What are those Earth creatures called? Feathers, long bill, webbed feet, go "quack." "Cats." "Cats! I'm being nibbled to death by cats."

[@michaelbianchi22]

Yes! That is totally accurate! Best show ever!

[@nojunkwork5735]

When I was in high school I parked ours in the back row at the drive-in movie. Way more room than the back seat of my Camaro.

[@lpz3665]

Back in the mid 80s we had time machines made out of Deloreans

[@johnr.4853]

Good luck getting this thing up to 88 miles per hour.😂

[@jeremyanderson1139]

The Itasca version of the Winnebago LeSharo was actually called the Phasar

[@NotBen101]

OMG this guy is like Walter White!!

[@steveespinola7652]

Those seats look so comfortable, you can probably fall asleep in sitting them. LoL 😁

[@mrequi1]

I just bought a 90 Lesharo and believe me. The seats aren't THAT comfortable.

[@MarkMeadows90]

"Do me a favor, will ya please? Will ya do me a kindness?" "Don't slam the f****** door!"

[@landyachtfan79]

NO MORE!!!!!!!

[@illyrian4life]

+mstblue " The winnebago concepts and engineering departments have created a multi-functional bathroom capable of i don't know what the fuck i'm reading"

[@landyachtfan79]

I WONDER WHAT THE F*** THE REAL DIALOGUE IS!!!!!

[@illyrian4life]

+landyachtfan79 GOD DAMN SON OF A BITCH

[@landyachtfan79]

WHAT DO YA MEAN "ONE MORE"?!!! i'M GONNA FALL OFF THE F***IN' THING!!!!!!

[@estebanquito545]

Renault J8S engine, will run forever, ovbiously if well maintained

[@jandresmartinez3391]

Esteban Quito exactly un maquinon como decimos aca en argentina saludos

[@cmoore185]

My parents had one. It was the gas engine. It was such a screamer it would drive you nuts. First, who is going to drive 55mph? Add to that the problems with the steering box and it isn't a bargain at all. They replaced two steering boxes in about 20,000 miles.

[@Infinitrium]

i bet finding repair parts for one of those are a huge headache

[@hyperlogos]

Might not be that bad, if it was a common corporate engine overseas. A lot of euro parts of that vintage are now readily and cheaply available on eBay.

[@DolleHengst]

Infinitrium Hell no. From the looks of it, all the mechanics plus the chassis are shared with the Renault Master van. They built hundreds of thousands of those during the 80's.

[@JackBandicootsBunker]

DolleHengst Actually it was mostly based on the Trafic, rather than the Master.

[@DolleHengst]

Kevin Moondust Well, that's even better because they built even more of those. The sloping front end looks like a Master to me though.

[@JackBandicootsBunker]

DolleHengst Yes, for a moment I also mistook this for a Master, it felt taller, but after seeking for information and looking at the front more closely, I noticed it was rather a Trafic. There are quite some combi-wagon Trafics here in Argentina.

[@acersalman8258]

Beautiful very beautiful good truck I love 💘 it when I see it I feel happy God bless you and protect you from strangers savagery ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@lpz3665]

I had a Chevy Sprint 3 cylinder 5 speed transmission that got 50 miles to the gallon back in the mid-80s amazing our technology nowadays can only get 35 miles to the gallon.

[@oldtwinsna8347]

Mitsubishi mirage can easily do the same and will survive a side impact crash with you walking out of the car vs being dead.

[@josephmitchell3654]

Wow

[@ami2evil]

My grandfather had one in the early 90's, it was the diesel with a manual trans...

[@eltonjohn3236]

Can you imagine trying to get that drivetrain repaired today??

[@adriannyasia]

+elton john good thing is, one can just swap the engine and trany out for a Chrysler 3.5

[@Samspianopage]

+elton john Wouldn't be that difficult would it? Other cars use the same engine/gearbox, Jeep used it and I'd imagine you can still get parts for older Renaults so all you'd need is the workshop manual and some know-how. There are probably specialist mechanics out there in the USA who can service these things, it's a diesel shouldn't need much if well looked after. Of course the gearbox is abit dated you could always swap in a more modern PSA Peugeot/Citroen HDI engine or a Renault diesel if need be.

[@RevengeofGothzilla]

elton john Not really. AMCs used that engine during the 80s.

[@ol6374]

We can get them parts dirt cheap in uk..

[@bison2022]

I've one for sale with the diesel engine. Gets up to 26 mpg. 12500.

[@BigXSmoke1]

wow i would smoke soo much pot in that thing, it would be alot of fun

[@MarkfromNewYork]

I agree

[@NotBen101]

BigXSmoke1 Na Smoke pot inside of it then go outside and look at it you'll be entertained ;). Just don't forget your keys.

[@SubieandFriends]

Squirmin Herman the one eyed German..love that i am the same way.... And i also smoked pot since i was 18 i am now 33. I dont drink alcohol nor do i smoke tabacco, just some good pot and thats it.

[@SubieandFriends]

Theres nothing better then getting home after a long stressful day at work and smoking a nice bowl.

[@jorgeamchz6942]

Interesante no sabia que esta casa rodante estaba fabricada con la plataforma Renault, greetings from Jalisco Mexico.

[@DaveD-w3f]

Im from the uk and think the lesharo is one of the best Well-designed Winnebago motorhomes .if I lived in the US in the 1980s I would definitely would have gone for this

[@lynecloutier3842]

I just buy one like that. Could you please tell me how open the windows

[@brianmcmanus4286]

I'd kill for this.

[@ParadoxdesignsOrg]

I don't think I've ever seen one of these in my entire life. I want one.

[@syxepop]

+paradoxdesigns, most likely you'll see Winnebago do "the modern version" when they may make in the next year or 2 one based on the Cab+Chassis version of today's Ford Transit cargo van with the PowerStroke 3.2L I5 TDi in it. Or you could check the one RV already available in USDM based on FCA's Ram ProMaster (the Fiat Ducato on which is based is already the best-selling RV platform in Europe). This one would have the VM Motori 3.0L I4 TDi on it and the "facemask" seen on a lot of European RV's. Don't worry, with either DEF / Urea emission-control canister systems are already built-in into either TDi-engined large van... Right size for a LeSharo replacement...

[@osvaldovidela6466]

so this rv has some renault trafic parts? and the engine might be also from a renault trafic or a renault fuego gtx 2.2

[@pilorj4444]

Seeing lots of northern americans complaining about this thing being underpowered, and the engines and transmission being unreliable. Was puzzled since the mk1 Renault trafic which this thing was based on is known for being reliable (and its 2 liter Douvrin engines in particular). Turns out that the Winnebago conversion weights more than 2600 kilograms, to 3 tons depending on the version. The original Trafic weighted around 1200 kilograms and was meant to transport at most around one ton of material, so 2200 kilograms in total. LOL. Winnebago just tried to make a 3 tons vehicle out of a small van that never asked that, i don't think that's surprising then that driving this thing foot to the floor you would ruin the engine and transmission. Having little to no local Renault dealerships for cheap parts and of course then, you're fucked. Don't blame Renault, that was Winnebago's terrible choices lol.

[@jdlo56]

why is Ned Flanders living out of a Winnebago?

[@promotedfacepulling2913]

2:52 They got 18mpg because of these glasses, but the LeTrace version had better mileage.

[@lewisveasey1674]

Imagine if this was 4WD that would be awesome.

[@TheJetJONES]

It's French counterpart - the Renault Trafic actually had AWD... 🤔

[@chrislemaster2695]

A Renault emblem on a 75-78 Ford LTD steering wheel

[@nkt1]

Chris Lemaster Looks more like a Renault Master steering wheel without the chrome badge fitted.

[@jonathancisneros7150]

Due to homelessness rising these old rv are rising in value

[@andresolide3400]

Hi and thanks for this informations video I wanted to buy a lesharo 1988 now I no it good vihicul for what am going to do wit it ✌🏾

[@SolamenteVees]

What’s more 80s than saccharine and smoking? 4:05

[@TRAUMATIZE]

You can find one in good condition now for less than 10k

[@97warlock]

The VIXEN was the coolest looking motorhome ever made imo

[@mrequi1]

Looks like crap next to a mid 70s GMC tho

[@mikeylikesit6588]

Perfect for the homeless Californian software engineer. Surprised google hasn’t rebranded this yet.

[@jasoncarpp7742]

While I like the idea of a turbo diesel engine powering a vehicle of this size, 2.2 litres seems rather small I would think either a 2.4 litre or even a 2.8 litre unit.

[@RivieraByBuick]

those were the very thoughts of US automakers in previous years 200 CI is small, let`s put 300, 350, 400, 450, 500.

[@jasoncarpp7742]

400 ci. in an RV of this size sounds rather large and heavy.

[@jasoncarpp7742]

200 ci. sounds more appropriate.

[@man_on_wheelz]

Really had to force that bathroom into place... wonder what else takes more heave-ho than a person would expect?

[@tracy-ro6ic]

Love those old show

[@ralphlouismendoza1977]

no voltmeter and oil gauges?

[@will2993]

This is a nice idea. I only wish they had used a better running gear for these things. Great size and design, but the drivetrain was pretty weak.

[@jandresmartinez3391]

es una renault trafic modificada por winebago tiene un motoraso aguanta muchos kilometros

[@JoesGoldenGarage]

Oh boy talk about engine swap

[@erikrussi5095]

hmm there is one for sale in Sweden, my country. Maybe buy it...

[@braddietzmusic2429]

El-cheapo $5 fake wire wheel covers always turned me off. Surprised anyone at Winnebago thought that looked remotely acceptable. (Probably the same people who later green-lighted Pontiac Aztek...)

[@DrewLSsix]

Brad Dietz. hardly cheap, those were fairly complex and substantial assemblies. not attractive though.

[@wll1500]

Brad Dietz poor man's rich car. a Hallmark of the 70s and 80s

[@DrewLSsix]

wll1500. again, hardly cheap. real wire wheels didnt become passe on factory cars because they are expensive, they are not suited for larger or more powerful cars. so pressed steel or cast aluminum wheels became typical on even the highest end cars and wire style covers were used because buyers still wanted the classic style. Jaguar famously did this exact thing on their top of tue line cars, the straight 6 cars got real wires while the more expensive and up scale V12s got covers...because real wire wheels were to weak for the larger engine! for the price of these covers amd the wheels they went with the manufacturer could easily have went with real wires and saved money.

[@nyaheemjackson242]

Some have rims

[@jeffswanswan8956]

My dad and his friends took one to indy for the races in 87 from NJ . The bike rack broke around mid pa and they dragged it all the way . Some one put whip cream on his hand while asleep and after THAT everyone was afraid to sleep so they slept under the RV . My uncle drove behind in a triumph spitfire .The wheel flew of on the highway and went passed the rv . Good times

[@Rudenbehr]

sounds gay

[@wolfyboy11hitler61]

Did they stop making them?

[@Samspianopage]

What I never understood was. Why the heck didn't Winnie ever put a more powerful Turbodiesel version with a 5-speed manual? Something like a VM Motori or Cummins diesel? I know Renault provided most of the running gear but even Renault I think had bigger diesels on offer at the time in their trucks and cars.

[@jayyoutube8790]

I remember running kilos in this thing..

[@secretsquirrel6718]

My grqnpatents had onw for years and years. I seem to rwmwmber him rebuilding the transmission among other things.

[@dbus1635]

So Pinkman would fit, but Heisenberg would have to hunch over a bit.

[@liverush24]

I could live in it, no problem. Apart from the upholstery pattern.

[@richardunicorn7879]

Beautiful interior seats.

[@rickydavis5541]

I see this one is a 4 wheel drive for winter travel

[@jayseven9966]

18 plus MPGs...not bad at all. Given Diesel TCO.

[@MrDreamcastx]

I would most likely still have a '73-'78 GMC motorhome with a(n) olds 450 V8 from the toranado

[@skylinefever]

MrDreamcastx Those didn't have a 450 CID engine. The early ones had the 455 and near the end of production there was a 403. I am considering a different FWD RV, a Winnebago Rialta, Winnebago Vista, or Itasca Sunstar.

[@mhmrules]

@5:26 Lucky for me, I'm 5' 8".

[@jameslaiola4976]

I know theyre slow movers. But i really love these models

[@markmarshall39]

ive never had a sears diehard battery, so far my auto zone battery, still good after 7 yrs, so its probably about time to get a new one aint it

[@dukegrapewin9440]

Your comment is now almost as old as your battery!

[@landyachtfan79]

I remember that the LeSharo was the first Long-Term Test I ever watched WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY back in the day!!!!!

[@liverush24]

The front end looks like a thinly disguised Renault Traffic.

[@mrsuperfun6492]

It's just like the sprinter van camper of today.

[@ecymbura31]

Crazy to see this thing new, it's probably rotting in a junkayrd right now

[@Mr_Chris77]

"Tony, do me a favor, will you please? Will you? Will you do me a kindness?" -Winnebago Man -

[@carlorocky]

The urban assault vehicle.

[@WorthlessNickores]

It's an 83 Ram ProMaster B- ate or.

[@MountainSalsa]

Thanks a million 👍👍👍

[@goclunker]

I might get one of these. I'll do a Renault Traffic front end swap stat. Fuck that tacky fiber glass BS

[@Alystas]

Ohhh, It's the Renault Traffic ^^

[@landyachtfan79]

"The Winnebago Concepts & Engineering Departments have developed a multi-functional bathroom. Privacy........I don't even know what the f*** I'm reading!!!!!!!"

[@mannymmv]

I dare anybody to try and find one of these POS's still on the road.

[@Hot80s]

setting up those beds singhaus doesn't look amused

[@phatgringo2.0]

I've had dumps bigger than that commode.

[@jameslaiola4976]

I really like these