Alpine Questions and Help

[Fillitup]

We are retired and own a gas Newmar. We have been happy with the coach and service but are thinking about trading for a used diesel. We drove a 2003 36 ft Alpine the other day and it handled as good and rode as good as any coach I have been in. We may very well stay with Newmar but we are thinking about giving Alpine a look also???

I mean no disrespect, but I am scared of Alpine because of some service and parts problems I have heard about. My Alpine dealer is 4 hours away and the factory is very very far away..As a retired person that can't be saddled with a lot of problems and repair expense, should I look at them? What should I particularly check on the coaches used and for sale?? What are good years and what years or models have problems? Any advice on looking at them used would be appreciated. Thank you...

[Fillitup]

We are retired and own a gas Newmar. We have been happy with the coach and service but are thinking about trading for a used diesel. We drove a 2003 36 ft Alpine the other day and it handled as good and rode as good as any coach I have been in. We may very well stay with Newmar but we are thinking about giving Alpine a look also???

I mean no disrespect, but I am scared of Alpine because of some service and parts problems I have heard about. My Alpine dealer is 4 hours away and the factory is very very far away..As a retired person that can't be saddled with a lot of problems and repair expense, should I look at them? What should I particularly check on the coaches used and for sale?? What are good years and what years or models have problems? Any advice on looking at them used would be appreciated. Thank you...

[Dave Fernandez]

Hello and Welcome Fillitup:

I am a bit biased but I will answer as fair as possible. I have a 2001 38ft Alpine and love it, and if I purchased another MH I would get another Alpine. Yes I had some problems with parts not manufactured by WRV but they were installed by WRV. Most of my problems were not repaired properly by the Dealership (now out of business) and I kept taking it back until I realized they were #$*^@! me and WRV. I found another RV service center that does it right the first time.

Even out of warranty WRV has been very helpful and at times still has repaired or replace items even out of warranty. I have met other MH owners who have had similar problems with MH that were build by other manufactures. I think Alpines once all of the headaches are taken care of you will have very few new headaches, just like other MH manufactures.

Personally you can not beat the ride and handling of an Alpine and Peak Chassis, along the great people you meet in an Alpine. An Alpine that is a few years old, someone else has corrected the problems, and if you want you can get an extended warranty from Good Sam.

[SteveS]

Fillitup,

From what I have read on various bulletin boards and from personal acquaintences, I believe Newmar products are one of the best built motorhomes in their price range. But, they are not without their problems and service issues. Since there are significantly more Newmars built it is easier to find service centers than for Alpines. This is a big plus for most people but I do most (virtually all) of my own work. I have driven diesel Dutchstars and Mountainairs and closely examined the quality of workmanship. I would give them a nod over Alpine in the quality of workmanship. However, once the bugs are out of Alpine (and they should all be out if you get a used one that has been taken care of), you will benefit from Alpine's use of quality materials; workmanship issues have been resolved. So then, it comes down to the ride. That is where there is no comparison. Alpine handles and rides as well as the best...Country Coach, high end Monacos, Fortravel...I cannot say this about Newmar. Not that Newmar handles poorly, I just don't get the same solid feel when driving it as I do with Alpine. So, when you compare them, be sure to compare all aspects and if handling is very important, take a close look at Alpine...do some hard turns and panic stops on both, and if possible get in some cross winds or go on the freeway and let some trucks pass you. Good luck.