They are all good rigs. Even being a Newmar owner I would tend to go for Tiffin right now since Bob Tiffin still runs the company and the build quality hasn't changed. Newmar's more hands on owner died and they cut their warranty, their build quality is not as high as before. They still make a good product, but I think the edge is now with Tiffin. If you are a long ways from Red Bay, Alabama and need service from your local dealer than go with Newmar. Tiffin owners are all happy to go the factory, but often not happy with dealer service. Newmar has been trying really hard to have good dealer service in addition to the factory. There are some areas with spotty dealer service, but Newmar is good about sending you somewhere that will be competant to handle the problem if you call them.

We're fifthwheelers so I can't personally answer your questions, but check out the website www.seeya-downtheroad.com.  Norm and Linda Payne are on their second Dutch Star and Norm has quite a bit of information about making their decision in the website.  This maybe of some help to you.  Good luck on your decision.

Janenne;

Both Spartan and Freightliner make a quality product.  They do drive a little different.  Having driven many coaches in the last 10 years, not all are created equal even by the same manufacturer.  Some have been tight (few rattles and bumps) and some have been noisy even coaches of the same model made by the same manufacturer.  Sometimes the cone of tolereances on individual parts comes together to make a unit of superior fit and finish, sometimes they come together to make a unit of, shall I say, less fit and finish.  Manufacturers attempt to limit this possibility but sometimes it happens inspite of all their quality controls and quality assurance and it happens to all of them from the top to the bottom.

Good luck with your pruchase, whatever it might be.

Janenne,
     Congratulations on doing things right by doing your research prior to making the purchase.  So many folks just visit a dealer and impulse purchase and then forever regret it.
     The advise from Darrell and Judy in a previous post to visit Norm and Linda Payne's web site is excellent advise.  The work that Norm and Linda put in to their research prior to their purchase for both of their Dutch Stars is well documented on their site.  What speaks volume's is that after living full-time for 5 years in their first DS they traded for and bought another DS.
     With the risk of this post getting a little long, I must tell you that after what you are about to read, we made the right decision when we purchased a 2006 Dutch Star (Newmar).
     We researched for a couple of years in preparation for going full-time. Purchased the DS, sold our sticks and bricks in July, moved in to the DS and stayed in the Wisconsin area while finishing up with our jobs.  A week or two prior to our leaving for the warmth of the SW my wife was diagnosed with Breast Cancer.  Our medical HMO being in Wisconsin has required us to stay right here throughout the winter so we could go through the 8 months required for treatments.  We have now gone through what has been a rather severe winter here in Wisconsin with Temperature extremes (minus 10 for days on end), and not once have we been disappointed with our DS.  We have been snug as a bug.  We will be visiting the factory in April to get some very minor attention to a few things we would like addressed under Warranty.  Our list is so minor as to not warrant mention.
     In my opinion your hubby is correct in wanting the Spartan chassis.  After my research this was probably the most important consideration for me.  I can speak with some authority on chassis as I spent many years as an over the road truck driver and experienced many.
     Continue with your research and in the end you will be confident in your decision whatever it may be.

George

After visiting 32 dealerships and visiting 10 states, we decided on Tiffin. We bought a 2 year old Allegro Bus and couldn't be happier after 14 months as full-timers. The customer service record of Bob Tiffin is unmatched. When we have run into a problem we have called the service department and they always give us some good advice. Good luck on what ever you decide!

In the past few years I've seen more positive references to the Tiffin Phaeton over any other motorhome. It must be a good product with great floorplans.

If you have the opportunity take an 8 or 10 airbag Roadmaster chassis for a test drive in a Monaco or Holiday Rambler model. I'd love to hear how it compares with the Spartan chassis.

rwarner22 wrote:

---

After visiting 32 dealerships and visiting 10 states, we decided on Tiffin. We bought a 2 year old Allegro Bus and couldn't be happier after 14 months as full-timers. The customer service record of Bob Tiffin is unmatched. When we have run into a problem we have called the service department and they always give us some good advice.

Good luck on what ever you decide!

---

We're looking at Tiffin as a front-runner, but probably not until 2012.  Are you happy with your decision to get the 40' Bus vs. the 42' or 43' bus with the tag axle?  Any limitations with campgrounds & your 40' bus?  Tiffin is coming out with a 28' & 30' DP, but these may too small to full-time in.

 

I actually don't think you can go wrong with either the Phaeton or Newmar. Those were my two final choices......I chose the Phaeton mainly because Bob Tiffin stands firmly behind his products and Red Bay, AL is more accessible to the areas I usually prefer to travel (south=warm). My Phaeton is built on the Freightliner chassic. We were just in Gaffney, SC where they are built. A very impressive tour of the Freightliner factory!

We've had no problems with our 40' MH. The 42'+ has the tag axle which some say gives you a much more stable ride. I've never driven/rode in one so I can document that. Give one a drive!

Good Luck on you decision......you can't go wrong!

-- Edited by Weaverworks on Saturday 21st of August 2010 04:02:44 PM

Paul,

Thanks so much.  I know that Tiffin is now adding their "powerglide" chassis to all their future models (except the Zephyr-Spartan chassis still) so I don't know how this play out in the future for quality with their own chassis on all these rigs.  We live in Tucson and, since we haven't decided whether to full-time vs. part-time w/stix 'n brix, Red Bay would be a long haul for service.  We do have a dealership here in Tucson which sells/services Tiffins, so we're hoping we would get the same quality service.

-- Edited by Jake62 on Saturday 21st of August 2010 04:57:27 PM

We test drove a 42' before we bought the 40' Allegro Bus last year. The 42' may be a more stable ride but we couldn't really tell the difference. Plus you loose a little bit a storage in the 42' model because of the tag axel. We are very glad we went with the 40' model and love it. We were at La Mesa RV in Tucson in February and were very satisfied with their service. Good luck on your choice!

Anyway you want to buy fast since you want a 2009 or older diesel engine. 2010 and later engines will require a urea tank, cost many thousands more, take up more space for the engine and weigh more. Some companies are using the next engine size down to reduce the weight and cost. Some are putting tags on 40' rigs to deal with the extra weight.

We're looking to purchase a motorhome and want to avoid the new urea requirements. It's not that we're opposed to decreasing emissions, we just don't think the added expense and inconvenience of this solution is a good tradeoff for the minimal emissions reduction. FYI, you can still get 2010 and 2011 models without the urea engines. Many manufacturers were able to purchase engines and still have them in stock to build. However, never count on the salesman to understand this issue. Educate yourself and carefully check out each unit you look at. We're fortunate that my brother is a diesel mechanic so we just run everything by him. For what it's worth, his recommendation is to stick with a DP that has a 2000 or 2001 engine. Rationale being that they are more fuel efficient and much less expensive to repair and maintain. Of course we like floorplans and amenities that seem to come on coaches after 2007. Trying to sort out the right balance for ourselves.

Thanks for your replies. La Mesa is the dealership I was talking about and they seem very reputable. They highly recommend Tiffin or Winnebago, both of which have outstanding warranty service. They steered me away from Fleetwood (even though they sell fleetwood), but again, I never know if the salesperson at the dealership is simply trying to sell product they're trying to get rid of vs. what's the truth. And yes, while at La Mesa, they also told me about the 2010-2011 emission changes and definitely encouraged me purchasing a coach 2009 or older. That's what I enjoy about this & similiar forums ... most aren't giving their opinions/facts based on monetary reward!

-- Edited by Jake62 on Saturday 21st of August 2010 09:23:13 PM

well i am in the same path as you and have narrowed my choices to winnebago, newmar and tiffin as well... best of luck in your decision and keep us informed...

-- Edited by heyduke on Monday 23rd of August 2010 05:27:28 AM