Tiffin purchasing Alpine Coach?

[H&L]

I just had an RV dealer tell me that Tiffin is in the process of finalizing purchase of Alpine Coach. Has anyone heard that or can confirm either way?

[Rick Coleman]

What's left to buy?

[powerboatr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Coleman What's left to buy?

a building

[bigfish]

Not likely, about the only thing of value left would be property rights to the Peak chassis if that would be available but Tiffin already has Peak Chassis 1.02 with their Powerglide chassis.
If the defunct (but modern) WRV service center facility were available cheap enough then that might be of some interest, would give Tiffin a West Coast service center that would enhance their chances to increase market share in the West.
BTF
05 40FDQS

[takepride]

Bob Tiffin says I have a "very nice coach". That makes him a nice man, in my book.

He was peddling coaches at the California RV Show. They had a great presence, sans Zephyr. The Peak-like chassis on display looked familiar and well built.

[DocUSAF]

takepride, you are exactly correct...Mr. Tiffin is one of the nicest down to earth RV company owner/builder that I've ever met....I had the luxury of spending a few days RVing next to him at one of the larger RV shows at Pomona, CA... I would/will gladly put my faith, dollars and safety in his company for my next coach...He goes that extry mile, and his IFS chassis rides like smooth glass. Sorry didn't mean to highjack...just agree on your post for Mr. Tiffin.

[Jim&MaryJo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Coleman What's left to buy?

Could there be desireable elements of the chassis/coach design subject to intellectual property rights?

Plus the bonus of the best owners group in the industry, since the Safari Trek

[takepride]

Since the designer of the Peak Chassis now works for Tiffin, I suppose he'll just improve on his original design (what patents? Who'll sue? Self-suing sounds like masochism). It was truly a work of art (can that be said of a chassis?). I really liked the raceways for the wiring that run front to rear, uninterrupted. Of course the Huck bolts are standard. The pre-primed and painted frame will certainly be a long-term benefit, but I do prefer the white of the Peak.

[Jim&MaryJo]

If the design (or elements of the design) was patented, it was likely "work for hire" and belongs to the employer.
If the patent contains unique claims, improving upon them could be infringement; engineering around a claim is another matter.
If someone owns this intellectual property, it could be sold, or enforced...albeit at significant cost and time

Lotta "ifs" I know...

But, did a quick patent search for Gary Jones as an Inventor, nothing.

I thought I heard the storage slide design was patented?

[EngineerMike]

"Whats left to buy?"

Smart Beds.

[Audrey & John]

We were at Red Bay a couple of months ago and got a good look at the bare (no house) Powerglide chassis in a couple of different lengths including the shortest ~36 ft. We were disappointed about a couple of things: there wasn't nearly as much basement storage space as in the equivalent Alpine 36ft; and the wheelwells didn't have steel walls like the Peak chassis, but were pretty much open.

But overall it was a very nice chassis with some really neat stuff done in the rear engine compartment for accessibility, and a nice huge radiator like the late model Alpine coaches.

Audrey

[EngineerMike]

Audrey- did you happen to notice how they handled mounting of the steering gear to the frame? I'm assuming the method is improved from late model Alpines, but haven't seen the solution yet.

[Dave Fernandez]

Hello Mike:

I saw the Tiffin Chassis at the Pomona RV Show. They completely changed the position of the steering gear box. Let me see if I can explain how they did this.

First the chassis is an independent front suspension using a double wish bone “A” arms. The steering box is located at the center of the front suspension on its side with the pitman arm on the bottom connected to the tie rods using a bell crank.

The steering shaft from the steering wheel goes down to a 90° gear box located directly under the steering shaft. A second drive shaft (About 3’ long) runs from the 90° gear box to the steering box in the center of the front suspension.

I hope my explanation make sense. I did not have a camera or I would have taken pictures.

[Audrey & John]

Thanks for posting Dave. Neither John nor i remembered about the steering box.

Audrey