Community Forums

Canuck5 · 09-25-2012, 08:42 PM

We are entering the Motorhome market for the first time. I am torn between the 2008 Allstar with the loft because of the layout and Comfortdrive vs the 2009 Canyon Star Gas Motor with the toy hauler that we would convert to a bedroom. Any thoughts?

CBQ · 09-25-2012, 10:07 PM

Allstar will have more hauling capacity and be better for long distances. I have a 2012 Canyon Star, and it works well for me, but I am hauling toys with it.

Will you be using the RV in cold weather? The garage is sealed off from the rest of the RV. The AC and heat in the garage come only from the unit in there, not the rest of the coach. If you are hooked up in a campground all the time, that might not matter. If you are boondocking or dry camping you will need to run the generator to get electric heat in the garage.

Canuck5 · 09-26-2012, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBQ

Allstar will have more hauling capacity and be better for long distances. I have a 2012 Canyon Star, and it works well for me, but I am hauling toys with it.

Will you be using the RV in cold weather? The garage is sealed off from the rest of the RV. The AC and heat in the garage come only from the unit in there, not the rest of the coach. If you are hooked up in a campground all the time, that might not matter. If you are boondocking or dry camping you will need to run the generator to get electric heat in the garage.

Thanks for the reply! Doesn't the heat and AC in the unit also depend on the generator running? Will the generator power the heat and AC in the toy hauler and unit all at the same time?

"007" · 09-27-2012, 12:12 AM

The heat would run off the 12V needed for the control unit plus LP gas or Hydro-Hot furnace dependant on option with coach.
Yes you need the Gen for AC/Heat pump or shore power.

Dav5942 · 09-27-2012, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canuck5

Thanks for the reply! Doesn't the heat and AC in the unit also depend on the generator running? Will the generator power the heat and AC in the toy hauler and unit all at the same time?

The PowerTech Jenny on our AllStar(4153 Toyhuauler) will run all three ACs. Tested an Onan when we bought ours it would not run all three.

CBQ · 10-08-2012, 10:54 AM

The base CanyonStar 3920 has 2 AC units and a 12v propane furnance, along with dash AC/heat.

The two base AC units can be upgraded to combined AC/heat pumps to give you the option of electric heat instead of propane. (I am often not in campgrounds, so I didn't get this.)

There is an optional bedroom heater than uses engine heat. (Didn't get this either.)

The garage doesn't come with AC or heat in the base unit, but there is an optional AC/heat strip unit that you can add in the garage. This includes a load shedding energy management system to drop out the garage AC/heat, bedroom AC, and electric water heater if needed. (Got this.)

The base Canyonstar has a 5Kv generator. There is an optional 7Kv upgrade available. If you want to run all three with AC/heating units at the same time you will need the 7Kva generator. (Got this. I have gotten all three AC units to run with the 7Kv generator, but would recommend using the water heater and refrigerator in propone mode to free up power for the AC units.)

joelyn5 · 10-10-2012, 12:30 PM

Canyonstar vs Allstar. Hmmm. Doesn't the Allstar have a diesel engine and air bag suspension? If so, it would ride better than the Canyonstar---but the diesel will take more maintenance. And if my memory is correct, the Allstar's engine is about midway between the front and rear axles so access is through removable panels inside the coach. That could be a maintenance nightmare.

Deek · 10-23-2012, 06:58 PM

The Comfort Steering, IMO, is really big deal.

It would definitely be a significant factor in my decision if you find that all other things between the two equal out.

Deek

Dav5942 · 10-24-2012, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joelyn5

Canyonstar vs Allstar. Hmmm. And if my memory is correct, the Allstar's engine is about midway between the front and rear axles so access is through removable panels inside the coach. That could be a maintenance nightmare.

Not a problem, have had Cummins mechanics say it is the easiest engine to work on they have ever seen in a motorhome!! In addition no noise whatsoever from the mid-engine with easy outside access for normal maintenance items.

That being said, just removed my turbo and in process of rebuilding it after only 80,000 miles.

michelb · 10-24-2012, 08:00 AM

My first thought was that there's quite a difference between the coaches. One's low end gasser and the other is mid-end diesel. Not sure what kind of prices you are seeing but the AllStar is probably worth at least 50% if not double the CanyonStar even if it's a year older.

If you are considering building a room in the toy hauler, there was also an AllStar ToyHauler and an AllStar 'Imagination Room' floorplan (that one is probably ducted with the rest of the unit and will probably save you the heating / cooling issues of the ToyHaulers), you might also be able to convert other floorplans (I've imagined that the reverse floorplans with added ceiling dropdown bunks in the front might work very well with a family but I haven't actually seen one in person so see how feasible that would be).

I've also read that the mid-engine is easier to work on than DPs but one consideration with the loft model is that it has very limited outside storage; much less than a typical DP however I'm not sure how it compares to the CanyonStar (I suspect the CS has more too).