Allegro RED Test and Review

[Cruzer]

I recently attended the open house at King's Campers in Wausau, WI. While there I met with Bob Tiffin and also did a photo shoot, review, and test drive on a new Allegro RED.

The "RED" is a new venture by TiffinMotorhomes. It's a Rear Engine Diesel (hence the name "RED" ) in the Allegro line, which is normally a front engine entry level coach. The Allegro was a popular seller in both the gasoline (Ford or Workhorse) chassis as well as the FRED (FRont Engine Diesel) chassis. However, there is quite a gap in price between the Allegro FRED and a Phaeton. The Phaeton is America's number one selling diesel pusher (the Allegro Bus moved up to the number two slot this year) and is an awesome coach. While the Phaeton is an awesome value, it's not within everyone's budget.

The new Allegro RED provides a rear engine diesel coach with full air ride suspension and air brakes, and a peppy 340 HP Cummins ISB diesel engine. At a typical sticker price of $185K that puts this coach's end user purchase price into the $140K range.

I've posted complete pictures, specs, and review text on my website at http://www.rvcruzer.com/2009_36QSA.htm for anyone who is interested in reading about this coach. In addition to this 36' model, I've also attached a link inthat review for a floorplan of the soon to be released 38' bunk bed model of the RED.

This unit really is impressive in that it puts a really well featured diesel pusher into a previously unreacheable price range. It received a lot of attention at the open house.

[historyljc]

Mark,
Thanks for your as usual outstanding write up.

[Ed & Karen]

Mark were you able to ask Bob about a shorter version (27'-30') of the RED?

[Cruzer]

Ask me that question again in 90 days.

[paz]

Mark, thanks for the excellent write-up and photos. We saw an Allegro RED at the Tampa RV show, and it was creating quite a stir. Although I would really like to have a Phaeton some day, they are out of our price range. If I were in the market for a new coach today, it would likely be an Allegro RED.

[Ed & Karen]

Well, I have been looking for 2 years so I guess I can wait another 90 days. It is going to drive me crazy though. Thanks Mark.

[becks]

Thanks Mark for the always great info. Although I have my sights set on a Phaeton its nice to have something to fall back on. I do feel it was a very wise decision on Tiffins part to build this coach at this price point.

[Mahlon]

...but NO king-size bed in either one of them. Not even as an option. Why, oh why, do the manufacturers seem to think that we're all designed to Oriental anthropometrics?????

Bob Tiffin, are you listening??? If you start offering king-size beds in your Allegro/Allegro Bay products (think 35' - 38' here) you will have the IMMEDIATE attention of me and my checkbook!!

[paz]

The Allegro RED is written up in the latest issue of "Roughing It Smoothly" magazine. I see they also started offering a 38' floorplan starting April 1.

[Gary RVRoamer]

Nice job, Mark. I've posted links to your site elsewhere too.

[Craig H]

Very good write up Mark and it looksto be a superior coach. Now I know that for many this may seem like a mundane (if you have to ask) type of question, but what sort of MPG could one expect to get on a coach like this?

[Cruzer]

It's a new coach so unfortunately there isn't very much "real world" feedback from owners as of yet. However, it will be between your typical 8 MPG diesel pusher and an 11 MPG FRED. Bob Tiffin told me that 9 MPG was always a safe bet but that they had reports of up to 10.5 MPG. What conditions those were under, nobody knows so you wouldn't want to count on anything like that. I have no problem believing 9 MPG though. The ISB has always been a fairly conservative engine as far as fuel economy goes. The times I've seen them "not" get good mileage was when they didn't have enough gears or were pushing too much weight. These were alaso the 5.9 liter ISBs. The RED has a 6.7 liter ISB with more torque than the previous 5.0 liter version, a six speed Allison, and is not overly weighed down. It drives quite snappily with minimal throttle which means the engine isn't working that hard - which is always a huge factor in fuel economy.

[Cruzer]

I've just gotten a copy of the 4/15/09 Allegro RED price list, which also shows the 38QBA bunk bed model. I've posted it on my website at http://www.rvcruzer.com/pricing.htm if anyone is interested.