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Old 05-22-2014, 01:54 PM   #1
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Join Date: Sep 2012
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Finally found what floor plan I want

Good Day All,

I need some comments on Alpine Coach motorhomes. After searching for nearly 3 years, I have finally found a coach that checks off all the boxes. 36 foot 2003 Alpine Coach FD, (what does FD stand for?)...are Alpine Coach manufactures still in business. If I buy an older Alpine Coach will parts and service still be available for me, and is 2003 too old to take on the road for 7 to 10 years? I know you all have incredible views and I would like to hear comments or concerns....Thank you.
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Old 05-23-2014, 12:38 AM   #2
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Hello & Welcome Coopersmom;

The FD stands for Front Door. The manufacturer WRV went out of business in 2009.

Since most of the parts and accessories were made by someone else there has been no problem in replacing anything. Many of the Alpine owners have had many things upgraded such as TV's, flooring, refrigerators etc. as the Alpine gets older.

I hope this answers some of your questions.

You can also check out the Alpine Coach Association's web site. An join us at some of the Alpine rallies.
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Old 05-23-2014, 10:02 AM   #3
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Hello Coopers Mom. I am the proud owner of a 2003 Alpine Coach and can highly recommend this year and make coach. Ours is the mid-door model (door on the side, not at the front) and we LOVE the floorplan and layout. Ditto to the things Dave Fernancez said. Plus, the 2003 seems to be the last year that didn't have some of the issues that the later models had with the steering bracket and electronics. We have replaced the cooling unit on our refrigerator (many have gone to the residential type refrigerator, but for our needs, the propane fridge is more desirable), the Xantrex converter (anything electronic can wear out with age), the bedroom TV, the fuel filler hoses (cracked and leaking fuel filler hoses are a fairly common problem with older Alpines), the electric element in the water heater, a leaking HWH hose to the bedroom slide and a few other minor things. We have also done some minor mechanical repairs that need done with age and use. The prior maintenance and overall condition of the coach you purchase will determine whether or not is will be roadworthy and reliable for the next ten years. If you do not have a lot of experience with diesel pusher coaches and/or motorhomes in general, it would be wise for you to have a professional (maybe one each for the mechanics and one for the RV systems and appliance operations) check out the coach prior to purchasing it to be sure of its overall condition. Also, be sure the tires are not more than 5 or 6 years old as that is generally considered the useful life of the tires on these units. As Dave mentioned above, parts are generally available for most everything on an Alpine coach and even body panels, etc can be found from salvage yards, etc. And, there is a world of experience and expertise on these coaches right here on this forum. You definitely won't feel alone or abandoned should you need help with a problem with an Alpine Coach. Hope this info is useful from a 2003 owner. If you have more questions; ASK AWAY!!!
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Old 05-23-2014, 02:35 PM   #4
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We have a bit older coach and have had just the normal wear and tear issues. Have been on the road for about 6 months per year for the last 6 years and expect to do this for another 6 to 8 years. I have complete confidence in the Alpine. Current mileage is 117,000. This includes 2 trips to Alaska BTW.
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Old 05-23-2014, 05:47 PM   #5
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Our coach is now 16 years old and still going strong, so I wouldn't worry about age. If you like it, go for it! We are here to help if things go wrong.
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Old 05-24-2014, 09:49 AM   #6
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Our mid door is for sale, see the ad on Craigslist in Portland, OR. It's a MD=mid door; FD=Front Door, so other abbreviations are:
Numbers equal feet in length; DS=Double Slide; TS=Triple Slide; QS=Quad Slide. Western made it mostly simple to figure out what you were looking for. You can see mostly all the brochures for each year and many technical manuals on the Alpine Coach Associations Website=www.alpinecoachassociation.com - see the technical library section it's all there.
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