Upgrade coach year

[Allante300]

Thinking about updating from 2002 38fdds to 2006 but reading the problems with the Vansco and Hydro Hot is it worth it. Must be some Alpine owners that are having a minum of problems. I have owned this coach for 12 years and is my 2nd alpine. Thanks Jack

[DrDaveMA]

Originally Posted by Allante300

Thinking about updating from 2002 38fdds to 2006 but reading the problems with the Vansco and Hydro Hot is it worth it. Must be some Alpine owners that are having a minum of problems. I have owned this coach for 12 years and is my 2nd alpine. Thanks Jack

Jack, I am the original purchaser on our 2005. I have both a Hydro Hot and the Vansco. First the Vansco, while I have seen a posting or 2 about failures, the majority of issues are resolved by rebooting (power down for 10 seconds then power back up). I have never done this once, but maybe that is because I disconnect the batteries whenever I store the coach for more than a couple of weeks. On the Hydro Hot, change the filters, the nozzle and watch the fluid levels. After having HH for 10+ years, I will never have another coach without it.

Bottom line, I would not worry about them, a 2006 is a solid choice. What I would not do is purchase a 2010 or later due to the DEF.

[Old Scout]

IMHO--2002/2003 were some of the most "stable/mature" models built by WRV. Having said that, most 2004 and newer owners have managed to overcome most of the "issues" related with the newer coaches. If you want to "upgrade" to a newer Alpine, dont think I would worry about the challenges of Vansco, Hydrohot, EGRs, steering brackets, radiators, adjustable brake pedals, etc........

[Allante300]

Yes old scout I have read most of the posts about all the mentioned problems including dead coach. All these problems make me very nervous. Is it better to upgrade. I like the hydro hot idea but it started in 2005.

[Old Scout]

Although new RV salesmen will tell you that while Alpines were great in their time, they have become quite outdated. Actually, we have always liked the overall looks of the Alpine, and saw the fact that WRV kept the same basic look inside and out from 2000 to 2007, perhaps 2008s and 09s too, as an advantage to owners. We have 155K miles on our 03 and expect to run it until it quits or we do, which ever comes first. We [I] have often pondered the strategy for buying and trading depreciating assets--with the miles and age of our coach--think we have missed any "sweet-spots". We enjoy looking at all the shiny new objects on the RV lot--but think our old and reliable 03 still looks pretty good--to us anyway.....

[DrDaveMA]

And we have the advantage of having "debugged" our buggies and know when something does not sound/feel/look right. Some of us even know how to fix them. When we decide we want something new, we upgrade our coaches. Last year while snow birding in Alabama we decided we really wanted a better floor (the engineer/designer that thought carpet was a good idea should be shot) and a work station. We removed the coach and installed this.


It fits our needs. The point is we have "upgraded" our coach without throwing out everything we love and understand about the coach. I can not count the times we have told people the coach is a 2005, they don't believe it. Take care of your friend and she will serve you well!