Community Forums

Mrchips · 08-26-2013, 05:34 AM

Probably the biased forum, but here goes. Lol

Currently have 05 MADP 4304. Have been tossing around idea of getting a 1.5 bath coach. I am probably ok with what we have but momma came in yesterday and said she really liked the layout of the Allegro Bus 42 QGP.
So here' the question. Is a 2010 Allegro Bus a better build quality than an 05 MADP? LOL. trying to find info to either help her or fend her off. Lol
Personally I would rather have the 07 Essex 4508 we are looking at, just can't quite close the numbers gap.

JohnT · 08-26-2013, 05:56 AM

We looked at AB and the concern was their noted roof rail, wet bay and driverside side front slide issues.

All rigs have issues, just that Tiffin's had these specific issues that were fixed in Red Bay, AL.

Drilldoc · 08-26-2013, 06:47 AM

If you haven't already done so, check out the Tiffin owners forum and see their comments regarding structural and fiberglass issues. When we were comparing brands, prior to purchasing our used Mountain Aire, we spent a few days at Tiffin's RV facility at Red Bay where they have an RV park that can accomodate about 100 coaches. We met lots of satisfied Tiffin owners there so they are doing something right. We chose Newmar over Tiffin based on the structural issues mentioned above.

harleychief · 08-26-2013, 08:12 AM

Mrchips,
From everything I've read they are both good coaches. One thing with any Tiffin that I would consider is how far you are from Red Bay. It seems that people that are happy with the repairs all go to Red Bay (maybe that's why they have 100 RV parking spots). I'm not saying that their dealer network is any better or worse then Newmar's, just that the repairs made warrant factory visits. I've also heard that Bob Tiffin stands behind all his coaches and goes over and above to make things right. That said I'm still hooked on Newmar, go figure.

hellojohnny · 08-26-2013, 11:29 AM

Spend some time reading the posts on the "tiffinnetwork.com" regarding owners of 2012 Buses stuck in Redbay for 6 weeks trying to get their roof replaced or some other major structural deficiency fixed that a dealer cannot fix and you may make up your own mind.

I realize that any brand can have issues but Tiffin stands out with the amount of continuous issues that only the factory in Redbay can fix. Never mind their major structural problems such as roof rails needing replacing, wet bays rotting out etc. I found their general quality controls extremely poor. People seem to keep buying them anyway.

Adam

hellojohnny · 08-26-2013, 11:33 AM

It is: tiffinrvnetwork.com. Sorry I left out the 'rv'. Read the 'Thrill is Gone post' for one example.

Selah · 08-26-2013, 02:46 PM

First find out if the 2010 Busses were subject to the roof rail and wet bay problems. If so, make sure these were fixed at Red Bay. The 2010 is going to have some newer technology. Does it have LED lights? What about heating systems (Aqua Hot, heat pumps, heated floors...) , fridge, cameras, TV systems, dish washer, etc...
Compare these "new things" and add that to your other considerations.
Both coaches are high end stuff, I don't think you can go too wrong either way.

itgeekgal · 09-01-2013, 09:37 AM

The roof rail repairs were/are primarily a preventative fix than a "repair", the wet bay floors were a result of using wood under the wet bay area which subsequently rots. Both were identified by Tiffin who is replacing them for all owners who need it free of charge at locations across the country.

We love our Tiffin, that said are heading to Indiana next spring to tour the Newmar & Entegra plants before we make our decision on our next coach. We love the huge selection of models/floorplans that Newmar offers over Tiffin as well as the Comfort Drive...

Jake62 · 09-01-2013, 03:05 PM

We've done both the Tiffin & Newmar factory tours last year. Plan to do the Entegra tour this fall. I think Newmar & Entegra offer more bang for the buck than Tiffin and are comparably built, but there are a lot of satisfied Tiffin customers, just like Newmar. Entegra has less of a history, but there have been rave reviews.

Mrchips · 09-01-2013, 04:02 PM

It appears to me that Tiffin has somewhat of a Harley Davidson following. I admire everyone and their choices, but I have been all over the internet looking for issues, opinions, ideas...etc and really what I have found is ALOT of Tiffin issues followed by ALOT of Tiffin willing to fix most everything. I have also stumbled onto alot of ex Tiffin owners that are now driving Newmars and Entegras (mostly Newmars for some reason though). The Tiffin following seem to be agrevated with their issues, but extreemely loyal to Bob Tiffin and the Tiffin brand and I respect that. But for me, after reading and asking everywhere I can read and ask, I continually find alot of rotting floors both in the wetbay and the drivers side slide, alot of roof cracking and alot of slide extension and retraction issues on Tiffin. On Newmar I am finding several complaints about water pumps, a few electrical issues and some steps that done extend or retract. I currently drive a Newmar, but I am not a Newmar fanatic. I try and spend my money where I think it is best spent and for me I think Newmar is where my money is best spent. I think Entegra may be giving a run for their money, but there is not enough history yet to see how they will shake out. Further there is no used Entegra offering yet and I can't afford new.
I pretty much have the same attitude about Rving as I do motorcycling. It matter not to me what you drive or ride, so long as you are happy and enjoying the heck out of it.