2002 VW RIALTA HDRV MOTORHOME FOR SALE-93,000 MILES, $25,000
This RV handles like a small sports van, has more room and floorspace than the Sprinter type
campers, and can get 20 miles per gallon.
The Rialta is a special motorhome built only between 1995 and 2005 by Winnebago using the cab-
engine of a Volkswagen Eurovan (1995-2003). Behind this great Volkswagen drive-train, Winnebago
built an expanded and carefully designed living space with everything one might need for months on
the road. Its interior is far more spacious than the Volkswagen designed Eurovan, Sprinter, or Transit
conversions due to the added width in the living quarters. This allows a comfortable sideways bed, a
wider aisle, and deeper cabinets. At the same time it drives like a small van and gets up to 20mpg on
Volkswagens famous 201 HP, VR6, 2.8L, 24 valve gas engine-many VW mechanics say this is VWs
best engine. The Rialta is one of the best camper vans ever made for a wide variety of reasons-
drivability, spaciousness, durability, features, comfort, gas economy, price, and wide options for plug in
or boon-docking (12V, 120V or Gas). Its popularity has created big enthusiastic owners groups that
provide wonderful help and support. The design tradeoff for this great gas millage, low tree clearance,
and maneuverability is the interior head clearance. At the entry foyer there is a dropped floor and at the
cooktop there is a skylight, so in both areas the head clearance is 6-2. The rest of the ceiling is 5-10
so this van may not be ideal for some taller campers. I am 5-11 and have been very comfortable with
the headroom. There are a number of Rialtas with over 200K miles on them that are still going strong-
great engineering from Volkswagen and Winnebgo. Rialtas are also really cute.
This particular Volkswagen Rialta is in near-perfect mechanical shape having spent most of its life in
the south, under a roof and away from winter road salt or the coast. It has been well loved and carefully
maintained with a nice interior and good exterior for its age. It has never been in an accident. The
original transmission was replaced at 35K miles with an added air cooler. Since the rebuild of the
transmission, its temperature has been carefully monitored in real time using a scan gauge (included)
and the transmission fluid and filter have been changed every 15K miles. This 2002 HD model comes
with an awning, a built-in propane tank for the refrigerator, gas furnace, and 3 burner gas stovetop, an
upgraded electric microwave/convection oven, expandable bathroom with toilet, sink, medicine
cabinet, and shower, exterior shower, large 3-way refrigerator/freezer (gas, AC, DC), bed for two (80
x 50) that folds up into fully windowed dining booth, skylight over sink, ceiling vent fan/vent,
stainless kitchen sink with goose-neck faucet (new), full louvered vent windows at both ends of bed
(can be left open in rain), a, Toshiba flat screen TV, power-boosted antennae, DVD player, 5 gal.
marine 2-way HW heater -with 120v electric and free hot water by extracting heat from the engine, 30
Amp 120V shoreline system with added upgrade of a Progressive digital control center for protection
and monitoring, and a 12V system with Converter, small Inverter, two size 27 cabin batteries, outlets
for 12V and 120v, front captains chairs that turn around for more cabin seating, a built-in Onan
generator in good shape with 260 hrs with a fuel pump cut-off switch upgrade for clearing fuel for
reliable winterization, upgraded 13,500 BTU high efficiency Coleman Mach IV cabin air conditioner,
lots of cabinets and a new upgraded Alpine Bluetooth radio. We have also added a back up camera, a
scan gauge for accurate monitoring of engine functions like engine and transmission temps, an
upgraded mechanical oil-pressure gauge, a transmission fluid level dip stick, bed sheet retainers, and
loads of extra modifications and many other helpful improvements (see list in photos).
Like all 23 year old RVs there are currently a few small non-critical issues sway bar rubber bushings
are worn (can be noisy on bumps but completely safe and easily replaced), Front engine AC control
flaps need new foam seals (engine AC still works but not optimum), electronic ignition of stovetop not
lighting all burners (lighter or sparker works fine as substitute).
Because we recently moved from Texas to Kentucky and no longer need to escape the Summer heat,
these days we rarely use our Rialta. In addition driving has become more difficult because of age and
eyesight. Having logged over 50K miles of wonderful and very comfortable journeys around America
and Canada, she (Elsie Bee) never once stranded us or broke down. We will be looking for a simple
cash transaction or wire transfer-no cashiers checks.
RECENT REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE
This Spring-New power steering vacuum hose
Within 2,000 miles-New cab/engine battery, New Mass Air Sensor, New Fuel filter, New Sink faucet
and added cut off valves,
Within 5,000 miles-New Water pump, belt tensioner pulley, rebuilt 150A Bosch alternator, (rebuilt by
Texas Alternators and Starters in Austin, Texas-Highly recommended), and new engine hood lifters.
Within 12,000 milesNew generator fuel pump, engine air and fuel filters, changed trans fluid and
filter, new cabin water pump, new outdoor shower valve, new propane fill gasket.
Within 18,000 miles. New Coleman High efficiency (9-10 amps) 13,500 cabin AC (starts and runs
easily on generator), a pair of new size 27 coach batteries, new air springs, new cabin air filter, new
brake pads, undercarriage treated with Rustolium as preventative.
Within 30K miles. Upgraded transmission cooler bypass, New shocks all around. Plus constant regular
maintenance like wiper blades, oil changes (synthetic-never over 6K between changes), tranny fluid
and filter (every 15K), run generator regularly (has about 260 hours