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Old 05-28-2007, 12:14 PM   #1
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Stretch, in reading your posting regarding the problems with the Alpine coaches, and like you I am really a true believer in this coach, but as I read the posts on the Monaco, Country Coach and other coach forums I find that you are quite correct in that these other coaches do not continuosly have these major problems nor are they anywhere as repitious. Note the problems with Mac & Sandy 07, Buddy & Beverly 06, and many others. I have issues with my 05, most of all is this horrific brake pedal pressure that I need to stop this coach.
I drove a 2006 Monaco 38' motor coach last week and the braking was absolutely a pleasure. Somewhere Alpine has a major problem with their brakes. I do feel that they need to come up with a response in reference to this issue which is not just mine.
Why has Alpine never issued recalls for their various problems. Hydraulic hoses are certainly a main issue.
I am off the subject for which I apologize but Alpine has got to take care of their existing problems before they can even consider tackling new ones.
Someone had commented that Alpine really does not make any big changes from year to year in appearance. Certainly the smart beds are an incredible plus., but what about some new designs. Colors change but if you compare the last few years coaches they are all identical.
Stretch, I thouroughly agree with you that Alpine has got to get their act together and quickly.
I am truly interested in the coach that Norm is getting shortly. I know he will give an honest and valuable evaluation. The only dis-advantage of his coach is that he is dealing directly with the factory. That is not always a practical issue for all of us.
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Old 05-28-2007, 12:14 PM   #2
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Stretch, in reading your posting regarding the problems with the Alpine coaches, and like you I am really a true believer in this coach, but as I read the posts on the Monaco, Country Coach and other coach forums I find that you are quite correct in that these other coaches do not continuosly have these major problems nor are they anywhere as repitious. Note the problems with Mac & Sandy 07, Buddy & Beverly 06, and many others. I have issues with my 05, most of all is this horrific brake pedal pressure that I need to stop this coach.
I drove a 2006 Monaco 38' motor coach last week and the braking was absolutely a pleasure. Somewhere Alpine has a major problem with their brakes. I do feel that they need to come up with a response in reference to this issue which is not just mine.
Why has Alpine never issued recalls for their various problems. Hydraulic hoses are certainly a main issue.
I am off the subject for which I apologize but Alpine has got to take care of their existing problems before they can even consider tackling new ones.
Someone had commented that Alpine really does not make any big changes from year to year in appearance. Certainly the smart beds are an incredible plus., but what about some new designs. Colors change but if you compare the last few years coaches they are all identical.
Stretch, I thouroughly agree with you that Alpine has got to get their act together and quickly.
I am truly interested in the coach that Norm is getting shortly. I know he will give an honest and valuable evaluation. The only dis-advantage of his coach is that he is dealing directly with the factory. That is not always a practical issue for all of us.
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Old 05-28-2007, 07:07 PM   #3
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As that rental car commercial goes, "Not exactly." I purchased mine from Uhlmann RV in Chehalis,WA at the January Seattle RV show, with a factory delivery. I highly recommend dealing with Uhlmann (Yes, Burk; you too!)

Dale & Dixie Gerstel just underwent a factory delivery as well-- perhaps they can give all of us a detailed report on that approach/experience when they get back to Vegas.

Norm
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Old 05-29-2007, 02:20 AM   #4
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Norm, I did not intend to indicate that a factory pickup was a bad thing, just that it is not as readily available to all of us. Maybe the factory could open a branch on the east coast.
When is the new chariot due for presentation?
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Old 05-29-2007, 09:40 AM   #5
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Right on Ted III.Your responce to Stretch put the responsibilty on the guilty party,WRV.Our 2005 34'has had 3 sets of hydraulic hoses on the rear slide and the brake pedel pressure required for normal stopping is so great you worry about making a emergency stop.If the rumors I hear about an Ohio Alpine owner forcing WRV to buy back his unit because the hydraulic system was not capable of emergency braking and sterring simultaneously.If its true how many of us have the same problem? All these problems and no recalls?
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Old 05-29-2007, 04:22 PM   #6
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Dan & Donna, thanks for your comments and no I have not heard anything about the Ohio episode. We both have the same coach and in reality it should be the lightest of all the Alpines. If ours is tough to stop what do you thing of the bigger ones. In my opinion right know my big issue is stopping this coach and I truly expect WRV to give me a reasonable correction. I have not asked them in the proper manner so I shall do so tomorrow. Thanks for your comments. We need more input from more owners.
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Old 05-29-2007, 06:15 PM   #7
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Just curious Ted, was the Monaco hydraulic or air brakes? For hydraulic brakes, I am quite pleased with ours.

Lyle n Cathy
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Old 05-29-2007, 09:04 PM   #8
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We have a 2003 34 fdds and my brakes feel very responsive. This is one attributes that I really like about the Alpine over other coaches I drove (Winne Journey and Monaco Cayman)because the hydraulic brakes felt more like a car and less like a Semi truck with air brakes.
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Old 06-03-2007, 11:56 AM   #9
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Ted,

Because of the marginal feeling in the brake pedal I wont let my wife drive the coach. Having made a couple of panic stops I can attest to the fact that the brake feel marginal. I was able to stop safely each time but It did not give me a good feeling of security. I have done a bit of research on the subject and found that the very best brakes availble on the market presently are air disc brakes on all wheels. The dont fade like air drum brakes and have great stopping power. I think top of the line coaches have this system.
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Old 06-03-2007, 03:17 PM   #10
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Stretch, when we purchased our coach the WRV rep insisted that the hydraulic brakes were far superior to air. In fact and it is in the literature that you can get air brakes on the Alpine and you get a reduction in cost. That was true in the 05-06 literature. I am not certain about the 07.
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Old 06-03-2007, 06:06 PM   #11
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The air brakes that were offered in the 05-06 literature for a reduced price were drum not disc.
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