In our 2 year process of researching RV's we considered both motorhomes and fifth wheels for our needs. Now, we are helping Jo's sister and her husband with researching motorhomes. In our case, we primarily looked at Tiffin Phaetons with a little interest in some of the Tiffin Allegros. We learned quite a bit about those models, but we never really looked at motorhomes overall.
So, we are requesting a bit of information from the motorhome owners out there if there are particular features or systems on one brand or model that are different from other brands or models.
While the wife was undergoing a stress test and ultrasound yesterday, I drove to a couple of dealerships in the immediate area to see what might be available for our relatives. One that I saw was a 2009 Monaco Diplomat. Now, I didn't really have time to ask a lot of questions, so I was primarily looking at the overal condition of the RV while I was looking.
Trying to stay below the $150,000 to $200,000 range, are there any brands/models that really stand out from the crowd?
Are there any brands/models that we should avoid like the plague?
Since the economy took its downturn, a number of dealers have either dropped some brands/models or have gotten completely out of the "new" motorhome market. While we are perfectly willing to drive a couple hundred miles to look at motorhomes, if there are some to avoid, we'd hate to spend the time and money to go see brands/models that weren't worth looking at.
Any ideas, things to look for, things to avoid, etc. that any of you motorhome owners can help us with would be greatly appreciated.
As a side note, I didn't have my camera with me yesterday and I wish I had. One dealer had this really big, black motorhome. The salesman told us that the interior was remodeled to look like a pirate ship. I may have to slip back by and try to see the interior of that one. If I do, and if it is really strange/cool or whatever, I may post pictures on my Photobucket account.
Stay tuned.
Terry
The Bear II said
01:07 PM Nov 12, 2010
We had looked at Motorhomes several years ago and liked the Revolution and Intruder models. Don't remember the manufacturer, probably fleetwood.
A friend had an Intruder and liked it but sold it after a couple of years and went with a 5th wheel.
Another friend had a Monaco Diplomat about 8 years ago and had nothing but problems with it. I see a lot of them on the road, so they all can't be bad.
If I was to buy now, I would seriously consider a Tiffin. I see very few negative reviews.
For a lower cost MH a friend has a Hurricane, they like it and I really liked the layout. Although I did recently see a negative review where someone was having problems with theirs.
-- Edited by The Bear II on Friday 12th of November 2010 01:08:13 PM
jb said
04:29 PM Nov 12, 2010
Hey Terry:
I can't resist a reply because I shop for motohomes the way most women shop for clothes :) We want to move up to a DP in the next couple of years so we look a lot.
Our impression from talking to sales people, owners and researching online is that the HR/Monaco product is good-- for the price
However, Tiffin, Winnebago and Newmar are consistently viewed as top notch brands.
We love the Winnebago Journey Express. 35ft and has option of king bed, a larger fridge, and a big TV. The only improvments we want over our suncruiser :)
The best thing about the Winnebago is the rest easy sofa. Super comfortable both as a sofa and a bed. We have friends with a very expensive newmar essex and they still miss the rest easy from their first rig.
Terry and Jo said
07:56 PM Nov 12, 2010
Based on the informaton that we had gathered when looking at motorhomes, we kind of came to the same conclusion about what may be good ones. What we saw of the Winnebago and Newmar models, we liked. Then we test drove two different Tiffin Phaetons, one a 40' and the other a 42'. We really liked those, but the costs were just a bit too much for Jo and I, in spite of liking them.
One oddity that we have to deal with will be with Jo's sister, Roxie. She has retired as a teacher and principal from the public school systems and has been a private music teacher. All of her public school teaching has been in music. One thing that will be ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED in a motorhome choice will be room for a electronic keyboard with full sized 88 key keyboard.
While she may be willing to get rid of all her GREAT stuff, the musical keyboard is a must to take along, even if some part of the MH has to be modified.
OH, THIS IS GONNA BE FUN!!!!!
Actually, they are a couple that we are extremely close with. Back in 2002, we took a two week vacation to Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Idaho, Utah and back to Oklahoma with them. Then in 2005, we took two weeks on a cruise and land tour to Alaska with them and Jo's cousin and his wife out of Idaho. We always enjoy being with them, in spite of the fact that they ALWAYS pick on me. (Hmm. I wonder why?)
Thanks for the replies folks, you are giving me just the information that I was looking for.
Terry
NorCal Dan said
09:55 PM Nov 12, 2010
I have no complaints with my Monaco Diplomat, it has been a very good rig with very few problems. I have no experience with other brands so I can't help there, but if you have any questions about the Diplomat I will do my best to help.
You can shop online at my dealer, DeMartini RV in Grass Valley California. They post retail prices the rigs, email them for the real price for any coach your serious about. I was there last summer and they still had a few new rigs in stock.
ahoweth said
08:56 AM Nov 13, 2010
There is one brand or manufacturer out there that makes an excellent motor coach too and that is the American Coach. They are manufactured in Decatur Indiana and is a Fleetwood company. They have a line up of coaches, the Revolution, the Tradition, the Eagle and the Heritage. These are all DP's.
-- Edited by ahoweth on Saturday 13th of November 2010 08:57:50 AM
JimPeoria said
07:18 PM Jan 2, 2011
You would be hard pressed to find a better quality motor home for less money than a Winnebago. The new Tour for 2011 floor plan looks very liveable. We have a 2005 Vectra also by Winnebago and love it. It drives better than any of the cars I have ever driven and as far as creature comforts it is hard to find anything as well made for the price. Allegro Bus is right up there as is the top Newmar coaches. I have heard of lots of problems with Monaco but now that they are owned by Navistar maybe that will change. The marriage between the Freightliner Custom Chassis and the Winnebago's is darn near perfect. I have heard that the Spartan Chassis in the Tiffen coaches is very good also. You can get a coach that costs a lot more than a Winnebago but you won't find very many that have any more comfort or utility. Vectra's in the 2004 and 2005 years are selling now for around $150,000 with low miles and use. They have 400 HP Cummins engines and 6 speed automatic transmissions that are flawless. You really don't want a Cat engine if you can help it unless you don't mind cleaning soot and feeling the vibration. By the way the difference between a Cat and a Cummins engine is about $10,000 for same horsepower with the Cummins being the more expensive of the two. But you get what you pay for.
In our 2 year process of researching RV's we considered both motorhomes and fifth wheels for our needs. Now, we are helping Jo's sister and her husband with researching motorhomes. In our case, we primarily looked at Tiffin Phaetons with a little interest in some of the Tiffin Allegros. We learned quite a bit about those models, but we never really looked at motorhomes overall.
So, we are requesting a bit of information from the motorhome owners out there if there are particular features or systems on one brand or model that are different from other brands or models.
While the wife was undergoing a stress test and ultrasound yesterday, I drove to a couple of dealerships in the immediate area to see what might be available for our relatives. One that I saw was a 2009 Monaco Diplomat. Now, I didn't really have time to ask a lot of questions, so I was primarily looking at the overal condition of the RV while I was looking.
Trying to stay below the $150,000 to $200,000 range, are there any brands/models that really stand out from the crowd?
Are there any brands/models that we should avoid like the plague?
Since the economy took its downturn, a number of dealers have either dropped some brands/models or have gotten completely out of the "new" motorhome market. While we are perfectly willing to drive a couple hundred miles to look at motorhomes, if there are some to avoid, we'd hate to spend the time and money to go see brands/models that weren't worth looking at.
Any ideas, things to look for, things to avoid, etc. that any of you motorhome owners can help us with would be greatly appreciated.
As a side note, I didn't have my camera with me yesterday and I wish I had. One dealer had this really big, black motorhome. The salesman told us that the interior was remodeled to look like a pirate ship. I may have to slip back by and try to see the interior of that one. If I do, and if it is really strange/cool or whatever, I may post pictures on my Photobucket account.
Stay tuned.
Terry
A friend had an Intruder and liked it but sold it after a couple of years and went with a 5th wheel.
Another friend had a Monaco Diplomat about 8 years ago and had nothing but problems with it. I see a lot of them on the road, so they all can't be bad.
If I was to buy now, I would seriously consider a Tiffin. I see very few negative reviews.
For a lower cost MH a friend has a Hurricane, they like it and I really liked the layout. Although I did recently see a negative review where someone was having problems with theirs.
-- Edited by The Bear II on Friday 12th of November 2010 01:08:13 PM
Hey Terry:
I can't resist a reply because I shop for motohomes the way most women shop for clothes :) We want to move up to a DP in the next couple of years so we look a lot.
Our impression from talking to sales people, owners and researching online is that the HR/Monaco product is good-- for the price
However, Tiffin, Winnebago and Newmar are consistently viewed as top notch brands.
We love the Winnebago Journey Express. 35ft and has option of king bed, a larger fridge, and a big TV. The only improvments we want over our suncruiser :)
The best thing about the Winnebago is the rest easy sofa. Super comfortable both as a sofa and a bed. We have friends with a very expensive newmar essex and they still miss the rest easy from their first rig.
Based on the informaton that we had gathered when looking at motorhomes, we kind of came to the same conclusion about what may be good ones. What we saw of the Winnebago and Newmar models, we liked. Then we test drove two different Tiffin Phaetons, one a 40' and the other a 42'. We really liked those, but the costs were just a bit too much for Jo and I, in spite of liking them.
One oddity that we have to deal with will be with Jo's sister, Roxie. She has retired as a teacher and principal from the public school systems and has been a private music teacher. All of her public school teaching has been in music. One thing that will be ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED in a motorhome choice will be room for a electronic keyboard with full sized 88 key keyboard.
While she may be willing to get rid of all her GREAT stuff, the musical keyboard is a must to take along, even if some part of the MH has to be modified.
OH, THIS IS GONNA BE FUN!!!!!
Actually, they are a couple that we are extremely close with. Back in 2002, we took a two week vacation to Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Idaho, Utah and back to Oklahoma with them. Then in 2005, we took two weeks on a cruise and land tour to Alaska with them and Jo's cousin and his wife out of Idaho. We always enjoy being with them, in spite of the fact that they ALWAYS pick on me. (Hmm. I wonder why?)
Thanks for the replies folks, you are giving me just the information that I was looking for.
Terry
-- Edited by ahoweth on Saturday 13th of November 2010 08:57:50 AM