Trade for 2008 All Star 4154?

[69RoadRunner]

One regret (I think) I have in getting my motorhome was not getting the All Star 4154 (bunkbeds) instead of the Ventana.

I'm happy with my 2009 Ventana, but there are some features of the 2008 All Star that I've found for sale that really give me the urge to do a trade.

I like the 2 captain's chairs with seatbelts and the table in between.

I like the ISC instead of my ISB.

I like the big booth dinette. Our booth is kind of tight.

I like the mid engine (where is the radiator?).

I like the tall storage area under the bedroom.

I like the upgraded 15k a/c units on the All Star.

Negatives are 36,000 miles on this one compared to less than 9000 miles on mine.

Only 1 slide instead of my 4. However, I spend little awake time in the back of my Ventana to appreciate the 2 rear slides.

Are there seatbelts in the All Star dinette or sofa? I take my wife and 2 kids (4 and 6 years old), but sometimes take the out-laws with me (early 70s, but I don't think that's an issue), too.

So, am I crazy to consider this trade? The wife seems to like the All Star, too. Her primary concern is a little less play area with just 1 slide. I say send 'em outside!

["007"]

You may or may not take a big hit unless you can make the deal with dealer.
Most people seem to like the mid engine wish they weren't discontinued.
Only problem seemed to be electric jacks.
Seat belts can be added.
Heck if your wife is liking, your half way there.
So the ball is in your hands, good luck.

[69RoadRunner]

My Ventana has electric jacks, so that would be a wash.

I put a lot down on my Ventana, so I'm not upside down. I would think the value of the 2 would be pretty close.

[GaryKD]

Floor plan sells the coach. After than most everything is a moot point. Seat belts can be added. Like others, I wish I had purchased an AllStar. The only possible negative is that people traveling in the back of the coach are outside of talking distance of the driver. This could make for a difficult situation.

[69RoadRunner]

Well, the passengers in the 2 extra captains chairs (the kids) would be closer. The people buckled in the dinette (the out-laws) would be a little further away.

So, a classic win-win.

The sofa in the All Star looks narrower than mine, but I wouldn't be sleeping on it.

[GaryKD]

For me, the people sitting in the back can not hear driver comments (alerts). When traveling with the family (way to much) I have a code word for the passengers. If I say (yell) the code word everyone is to stay put and listen for further instruction. This is kind of like the emergency broadcast radio network. I'll then follow up with what it is they need to pay attention to. An example would be no potty breaks for the next 15 minutes. Or heavy traffic ahead (meaning varying speeds) ask before you remove your seatbelt. Once on clear road, I'll remove whatever restriction is in place. If in the back of the coach, one can not hear of understand if there is an environment present that one should stay seat belted.

[69RoadRunner]

Well, the kids would be closer in the All Star. Anyone sitting at the dinette would be further away.

My wife sits in the co-pilot's seat. As the XO, she handles everything behind the driver's seat.

As the stewardess, she makes my sandwich and brings my beverage.

[Dav5942]

May be an ISL like we have. Probably less MPG(we have averaged 7.5 over 50,000 miles) but much more torque. Would not trade our ME for any other coach(except a ME). Radiator is on the side forward! of the rear axle.

[69RoadRunner]

The "family" floorplans for the All Star, like the 4154, got the ISC. The other floorplans got the ISL.

Thanks for the info on the radiator, and I'm glad you're happy!

[katoomer]

What about noise and heat from the motor under the floor?
They say that the mid engine makes for a great handling coach.
Good luck choosing

[Dav5942]

NO noise, No heat! Travel Supreme's ME did have noise problems due to the poor insulation of the passenger side slide. Handling yes far superior to fornt or rear engine! Ease of maintenance and engine repairs much easier than front or rear engine. With the rear engine I can carry up to 2500 lbs. just in the garage(presently have two 550 ATVs stacked, 5 cu. ft. freezer, washer/dryer, 2 bikes, and various cabinets and closets full of stuff along with furnishings for the ATV lift that makes into two full size beds)with a NCC of 7900 lbs..

[jjbsmith]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dav5942 May be an ISL like we have. Probably less MPG(we have averaged 7.5 over 50,000 miles) but much more torque. Would not trade our ME for any other coach(except a ME). Radiator is on the side forward! of the rear axle.

2007 Allstar 3950 bunk model had a 350 hp ISL. Lots of payload. Lots of power. We tow a full sized Chevy Express Van weighing 6000 pounds. Corners very well even with the van.

[69RoadRunner]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjbsmith 2007 Allstar 3950 bunk model had a 350 hp ISL. Lots of payload. Lots of power. We tow a full sized Chevy Express Van weighing 6000 pounds. Corners very well even with the van.

In 2008, the "family" floorplans got the 360 hp ISC and the other floorplans got the 400 hp ISL.

[Robsons]

I thought I'd weigh in with a few thoughts. We have just finished a 6 month trip in a 4154 with our 3 children (10, 8, 7). We absolutely love this layout and think it is the perfect layout for a family with children. The Ventana has many of the features that made us really like the 4154 but not the huge storage area and not the 2 extra captains chairs. The double fridge and wraparound table were key too but the Ventana might have those.

We shopped and debated for at least a year before settling on the 4154. We also looked at a Ventana and at an Allstar 3950. But the 4154 seemed to have the most natural layout for living. We never wished we had a slideout in the bedroom which seems like the only thing you'd be giving up.

If you're interested in buying a lightly used 2009 or if you just want to chat in real time about the layout and such, send me an IM. (We have it for sale now that we're back from our big adventure.)

Dave