Community Forums

JohnLori · 09-15-2011, 10:17 PM

Saw this coach on a lot in Winchester Bay, Oregon last weekend. Looks a little different than any other Alpine I've seen. Anybody know anything about this model? Dealer info said it's a 2006.

The front profile is different, there is a gas door on the exterior, different headlights, different generator door, two exterior steps, rear radiator, big swing open engine doors in the rear, no stylized "AC" paint on rear cap.

Is it a fake?

Renipladlo · 09-16-2011, 12:29 AM

No, I believe you are looking at an avalanche model reintroduced in the last years of WRV's life. I know they had 07's and 08 models. Looks interesting, but they were less tricked out, don't know if they ever ironed out the bugs in them, oh they would not have as we had bugs too!!!.

Jeff and Cheryl · 09-16-2011, 03:06 PM

John,
The first 3 digits of the VIN would tell you if it is an Alpine. If they are the same as yours, it is. That said, I do not recall ever hearing about an Alpine from '06 that was built like the MH in the pictures.

Algoma · 09-16-2011, 04:02 PM

There is a brochure for the '05 Avalanche on the tech. docs. website.

takepride · 09-16-2011, 10:45 PM

Yes, that is the dreaded Avalanche. I ran into one at Thousand Trails Idyllwild last September. WRV was forced to buy nearly all of them back for quality control issues.

Note it is also missing the Solar Cool film on the windows.

Nice that JohnLori was able to snap a few pictures for posterity. They are a rare bird, indeed.

Old Scout · 09-17-2011, 07:28 AM

My mother always said: "If you cant say something nice about ....."

takepride · 09-17-2011, 01:55 PM

I say: They're better looking than most of the coaches on the road.

It's too bad WRV couldn't carry QC into that level of coach. They have lots of the great things the Alpine Coach has, but for some reason they had problems right off the line.

However, like any coach, when the bugs are all worked out folks are happy with them. Unfortunately, WRV wasn't able to work the bugs out of most of them.

I kinda like the front end, even if it's sorta Fleetwood-ish.

EngineerMike · 09-20-2011, 03:27 PM

I'm pretty sure its not an 06, probably an 05 and maybe even an 04 (not that a dealer would get that correct, of course), but definitely an Avalanche. Air brakes, not hydraulic. It'll have dual Actia air gauges, is Vansco equipped and IIRC has air leveling instead of hydraulic (but that last may be a brain fart).

Doug & Debbie · 09-22-2011, 09:39 AM

We just went by and saw this coach yesterday. The show appears to be over but a few of the coaches are still here in Winchester Bay. The Alpine now has a rather large oil spill in front of the DS front tire. Also the PS slide out does not fully retract. Might be a hard unit to sell. Doug

takepride · 09-22-2011, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug & Debbie

We just went by and saw this coach yesterday.... Doug

Did you happen to catch the last five numbers of the VIN for the Alpine Register?

Doug & Debbie · 09-22-2011, 12:19 PM

The VIN is 75517 and it does have the Vansco unit.

takepride · 09-22-2011, 01:40 PM

D&D:

Thanks for helping with the VIN. It looks like a 40'er. Do you agree?

I now have only five Avalanches registered. The first is in '04 and the last is this '06.

WeBrzn2 · 09-22-2011, 02:34 PM

Having owned an 04 Avalanche for 3 years, I can say it is definately an Avalanche and not a 2004. They did indeed have Vansco, but the jacks and slide mechanisms were Power Gear, air brakes, 350 Cummins, side opening bay doors, all were 40 footers with 3 slides. Also, yes, they had some serious QC issues as well as design issues. On mine, the front jacks had to be relocated, the LP tank had to be relocated, the slide toppers had to be replaced with a different design, the slide seal wipers had to be replaced with a different style, the mechanism for the bedroom slide had to be redesigned/beefed up and the roof had to be sealed (they forgot at the factory). As a result of all the water intrusion, the cabinets in the entire front of the coach including galley were replaced with solid wood (original was veneer). The coach did drive like my current Apex but the comparison is a 3 series vs. a 7 series BMW.