42QRP w/powerglide

[alpinerver]

Will be out of paint shop today. word is that 43QRP on Powerglide will probably be a 09 model.

[alpinerver]

Will be out of paint shop today. word is that 43QRP on Powerglide will probably be a 09 model.

[Joe-K]

Did you end up ordering the 42QRP? I recalled some time ago I read a post that you were thinking of getting a 43.

I've been waiting to see some specs on the longer wheelbase Powerglide. I'd be sticking to Spartan anyway even if it was available for mine, but I'd like to see the components they use for it.

I'm still unsure why Tiffin is getting in to chassis manufacturing. I know some of the lower volume manufactures have done it successfully, but with the broad range of products that Tiffin makes, I'm just not sure it makes sense for them, but as long as they are able to control the process and put in place the support network for service if required it should be successful.

The whole vertical integration concept of manufacturing makes sense in some areas, but in today's manufacturing world, specialization is the name of the game. There's such a fine line in the manufacturing world in making the buy vs. build decision.

[Cruzer]

I wondered about that too. But, in a conversation with Bob Tiffin it looks like they are committed to it.

The initial thing that got the ball rolling was the way Ferightliner was (actually, was not) handling their customers. The Freightliner XC with side radiator and Cummins 400 ISL had a very marginal cooling system. There were plenty of overheating issues and Tiffin wasn't too happy with the way they were not being corrected. Bob likes the idea of being totally responsible for his product and not having to rely on another manufacturer's warranty ethics, so they laid the plans for their own chassis. It took a few years to get things going but they had the guy who designed Alpine's Peak chassis do it and they are looking for a no compromises chassis with the best of everything in it. During the design and ramp up process, they took on Spartan as a chassis supplier so you could have either the Spartan or FL on the Allegro Bus. Technically, the Spartan cured all of the previous issues but the ball was rolling and they decided to keep it going. They've put together an extensive service network of Freighliner dealers, Cummins Coach Care dealers, and a ton of others so warranty service should be available virtually any where. Plus, with Tiffin's reputation for standing behind things it should be a good situation for a buyer to be in. I know that Bob was looking forward to doing away with the "not my problem" finger pointing between coach builderand chassis manufacturer. In the past he ate plenty of bills that should have been the chassis builder's responsibility in the interest of customer satisfaction so as long as he's paying for the warranty wanyway, he might as well build it the way he wants.

Normally, I'd say that it's not feasible. But, given the fact that Bod Tiffin tends to get things done correctly anyway, if anyone can do it - he can.

Still, I'm very happy with my Spartan.

[Joe-K]

I wonder what the long term strategy will regarding chassis in the future with Tiffin. Will they continue to offer 3 chassis choices or will the long term plan be to eliminate FL and Spartan and just offer their own? Considering they've put considerable R&D into the chassis, financially, they'd be better off to just offer their own chassis. The profit that Spartan or FL are making off each chassis sale would be better off staying within Tiffin.

I didn't know they were going to use FL for their service. That should give a bit of comfort to owners that there is an existing network. I hope I don't jinx myself , but I've never gone to a service location and only once went back to a dealer but with buying this rig, one factor is that there is a Spartan garage less then 10 miles from home.

[Cruzer]

I think they'll do what it takes to sell coaches. If nobody wants the Powerglide, it'll die and disappear. Frankly, I don't think that'll happen. But, if "everyone" wants a Powerglide, then why offer 3 chassis when two aren't selling.

When Spartan was first offered as an option to Freightliner on the Allegro Bus, a few checks on the assembly line found that 80% of the A Bus units were being built on Spartan. Even when you factor the Freightliner-only Phaeton into the picture Spartan still took over 1/2 of the diesel pusher chassis in it's first year of being offered. If the Powerglide and Spartan take the lion's share I think you see Freightliner dropped.

Powerglide will be slow to start because it's new and competing against Spartan, who has a long established reputation. Eventually it'll grab hold. Whether or not it becomes an exclusive will depend on what the buyers are buying.

[Oldrtrcr]

Joe-K, where is the Spartan dealer in your area? I live a little north of you and this would be a little something to tuck away for later. Thanks.

[Joe-K]

Hi Bill,

Welcome aboard the forums. Since you're around the area you'll have to watch the North Central region as a bunch of us often camp together and we've always got room for more around a campfire.

Blue Bird Bus sales in Valencia is a authorized Spartan service center. If you're familiar with Route 8, Blue Bird is just South of the route 8/route 228 intersection. Basically about 10 miles South of Butler.

Blue Bird Bus Sales
1365 Pittsburg Road
Valencia , PA 16059
Phone: (724) 898-7222

[george henry]

oldrtrcr , welcome to iRV2.com I notice your first post.

[Oldrtrcr]

Thanks everyone for the welcome. Yeah, I've been lurking for awhile.

DW and I have been thinking about getting back into the camping lifestyle for quite some time now. In prior lifes, DW camped with her parents when growing up. I, on the other hand, spend alot of years in the family auto business and at one point in the mid 70's actually sold Midas class C's for a living. Well, thought we would get back in as there are many places we would like to go and are almost completely disillusioned with air travel. Spent some time in the various forums, attended Hershey show in '07 and have visited several dealers. Finally, a well informed individual from one of the forums told us of a used coach with very few miles at one of the reputable dealers that might fit our needs. We went, looked and bought a 2007 Tiffin Phaeton QSH. Only one problem! It's still at the dealer's 800 miles away till sometime in April when we can go get it. And that is really startin' to get to me!!!!

Now that you all have TMI, I'll say thanks again to all the folks that run the forums for the outstanding jobs you do and we look forward to seeing many of you on the road.

[Cruzer]

Hi Bill, Man, that's gotta be killing you with the coach in Wisconsin and you in PA. Ask John at Kings if he'd like to get out for a while and deliver it.

Otherwise, your Phaeton is on a Freightliner chassis and you are wondering where a Spartan dealer is.

Are we maybe looking ahead to an Allegro Bus on a Spartan already?

[rebelsbeach]

Even with Bob's Tiffin success, my next coach will be on a Spartan chassis.... When I was having all the belt issues with my Essex I received a personal phone call from Ed Dobbs, the VP of Spartan Customer Service and he gave me his cell number.
Now THAT'S service....

My vote for my QRP would be Spartan with the thoughts that they've been doing it a long time and have an excellent reputation.

[Oldrtrcr]

Mark, tough to get anything by you! LOL!! Not a prayer I'd let John deliver that baby to me. I'm driven it home myself. Has to be April 'cause we're planning to leave his place and drive north through the UP before heading home. Would like to not have too big of a snow drift.

Our coach to die for is a 40 Bus QRP. However the budget isn't what it needs to be for that. Love the mid-level tv, the huge glass on the side and the front galley. Maybe in 2 - 3 years someone will have a really nice used one I can trade for. Something like this Phaeton we just bought.

Spartan v. Freightliner. No decision for me. When I was in the auto business, one of my first jobs was pre delivery on the new cars (chrysler/plymouth at the time). It took me a day and a half to make them so everything would work. I don't see them as any better now. And who is it that owns Freightliner? Maybe they will prove me wrong with my Phaeton. Hope so.
But I would also say that I have a real interest in the Powerglide.

[historyljc]

Bill,

Enjoy your Phaeton. My wife told me I could have a 2009 bus, I just can't buy it until 2015.

I have not been happy with FL service centers. I contacted the one in Red Bay to get them to check the play in my steering while I was up there for a few minor "new coach repairs" in 8/06. Never managed, after several phone calls, to get a return call setting an appointment. When we returned home we contacted the local FL service center, Empire Trucks, for an appointment. They checked the front end, said it was "within tolerance" and they really didn't want to work on motorhomes. I had been told by another Tiffin owner that I met in the paint shop in Red Bay to take the coach to Gaffney, SC, to the FL factory service center. I have an appointment there next month after the Rally in Perry, GA. Right now, my wife would not consider another coach, no matter who it is built by, if it is on a Freightliner chassis.
If Bob Tiffin gives the same kind of service on his new chassis that he does on the rest of the coach, I might try one of those down the road. So far I like the comments that I have heard about the Spartan chassis. Only the 42 Phaeton has those and they were not on the market when I bought mine.

Happy traveling,