Community Forums

djdobbins1 · 11-14-2012, 08:45 PM

We are looking for our first motorhome and found a 2002 Alpine FDDS. I don't know much about Alpine coaches. How do they drive? Any big issues to look out for? Are they well insulated? Anything to look for on this coach with 80K miles?Any other useful information?

daveshan · 11-14-2012, 09:06 PM

We have had our '99 36' SDS for a year now, it's well insulated, rides and handles like a dream and we are very happy with the overall quality. These coaches have hydraulic brakes so have them checked out by a knowledgeable mechanic, in fact with any brand coach it's a good idea to get a thorough inspection, maintenance records are a huge plus IMO also.

When we were looking folks on this forum called Alpines the "BMW of motorhomes" and after putting quite a few miles on our I well agree. We went class A due to my wife's back issues so she could stretch and move around while traveling. The ride is so good she can do an 8 hour day traveling vs an hour or at best 2 in our truck or any of the other vehicles.

Jeff and Cheryl · 11-14-2012, 09:53 PM

Other advantages of the Alpine Coach over some other brands include larger holding tanks, side radiator, and larger engine. I have 103,000 miles on my rig and no major issues. Maintainance is no more of and issue on an Alpine than any other DP. You will want any and all info regarding maintainance on the coach. If possible, talk to the previous owner(s) they can tell you how the coach performed and when/what maintainance was done.

Gary Arnold · 11-15-2012, 08:50 AM

Hi Dan,
I won't be here when you and your wife come to look at our coach. Sounds like you and Gary will be doing the guy thing, looking at the engine and the battery bay etc. Sorry I won't be here to show your wife the interior and the special features. Make sure Gary points out the custom cabinets under the bed, the custom headboard, the space under the setee, the extended cutting board, the custom end table, the custom file cabinet.
Good luck in your search. We love Alpines...can't wait to get our "new" 2006.
Renee Perrault (Gary's wife)

gjstacy · 11-15-2012, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Arnold

Hi Dan,
I won't be here when you and your wife come to look at our coach. Sounds like you and Gary will be doing the guy thing, looking at the engine and the battery bay etc. Sorry I won't be here to show your wife the interior and the special features. Make sure Gary points out the custom cabinets under the bed, the custom headboard, the space under the setee, the extended cutting board, the custom end table, the custom file cabinet.
Good luck in your search. We love Alpines...can't wait to get our "new" 2006.
Renee Perrault (Gary's wife)

Hey Renee...didn't know you two were buying a new Alpine! How cool is that!

Dan, we are currently driving around in our 4th Alpine...just to give you an idea of how much we love Alpines! And, if you are looking at Gary & Renee's current rig, I don't see how you could go wrong.

EngineerMike · 11-15-2012, 10:30 AM

You will have a hard time finding a nicer rig than Gary & Renee's after Gary got done upgrading so many things. He does a truly polished job, no average homeowner hack jobs there!

Gary Arnold · 11-15-2012, 11:20 AM

Thanks Mike & Gail....We thought when we bought our 2002 it was our forever coach....then the Shannon's put their coach on the market....We're excited to get theirs (thanks Miramar Rally....didn't go planning on buying a coach...t shirt maybe but not a coach!!) and of course, we wouldn't consider owning anything other than an alpine too!! See you at Quartzsite. R & G