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Old 08-29-2017, 04:50 PM   #1
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Comments re Phaeton 40IH

Hello,
Looking at new coaches and the 40ih floorplan is about as perfect as we could hope for w/o going to a longer coach. Looking for comments regarding build quality, A/C performance in hot weather, how the Powerglide chassis performs, likes-dislikes overall w/the coach.
We were looking at Newmar and Entegra since owner's feel they're better insulated but haven't ruled out the Tiffin brand.
Don
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Old 08-29-2017, 05:01 PM   #2
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We have a 2013 40 QBH Phaeton and LOVE it. The 3 A/C units cover high heat environments and then a spare in milder environments. The bath and a half and the washer/drier units are sure winners. Now with the larger shower in the 40IH, it is a keeper. The ride and drive are wonderful. Tiffin warranty+ should be the deal breaker.
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Old 08-29-2017, 05:06 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Don and Kim View Post
Hello,

Looking at new coaches and the 40ih floorplan is about as perfect as we could hope for w/o going to a longer coach. Looking for comments regarding build quality, A/C performance in hot weather, how the Powerglide chassis performs, likes-dislikes overall w/the coach.

We were looking at Newmar and Entegra since owner's feel they're better insulated but haven't ruled out the Tiffin brand.

Don


I have a 2010 40 QTH and love it. Just finished my longest trip, 6k from Vegas to New Hampshire and back (August), with no real issues. Ride is good, love the space, and more comforts than home. A/C works well, not perfect in 105 degree temps, but there are the work arounds. Start it EARLY when still in the high 80s and keep set to ON, not auto. Might use more electricity/generator fuel but much more comfortable. Build quality is good but you do chase squeaks all the time. My guess is that with the bouncing around things just work loose and lubrication is an ongoing chore. I'm of the opinion every coach has its minor squeaks. I have my weekly "tighten and lube" list which keeps annoying noises to a minimum. If I could only get the two dogs to understand the turnpike toll both operators are not burglars a lot of noise would go away. One wants to drive too.
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Old 08-29-2017, 07:27 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Don and Kim View Post
Hello,
Looking at new coaches and the 40ih floorplan is about as perfect as we could hope for w/o going to a longer coach. Looking for comments regarding build quality, A/C performance in hot weather, how the Powerglide chassis performs, likes-dislikes overall w/the coach.
We were looking at Newmar and Entegra since owner's feel they're better insulated but haven't ruled out the Tiffin brand.
Don
This is copied from a post on TRVN about five weeks ago with updates for our current status.

We took delivery of our new 40IH almost four months ago and have driven it for about 4300 miles so. We are currently into week four of a two month trip. The quality of the ride with the Powerglide chassis is outstanding compared to our Allegro RED on a Freightliner chassis. The independent front suspension is a vast improvement over the solid front axle both in ride quality and wind handling. I don't have to fight the steering as much with this one as the RED and it takes the bumps a lot smoother. Granted, it's not the same ride as a Prevost chassis with a tag axle, but it is an improvement over the Freightliner. The wheel cut is greater than the Freightliner since I can make a U-turn at an intersection that I could never make with the RED without backing up.

The 380hp ISL engine with the higher torque is also a big improvement over our 340hp RED. Going over the same routes we had traveled in the previous coach the ISL takes most of the hills without ever downshifting out of 6th gear. The RED would have to drop to 5th and sometimes 4th on the same hills. Fuel mileage is about what I expected, about 7.8mpg for now which will probably improve as it gets more broken in.

The three AC's work great and most of the time we only need two. We have been in 100+ degree weather on this trip with no problem keeping cool.

The storage bays are HUGE on the IH. When we were in Red Bay watching this one being built, I measured it compared to a Phaeton on a Freightliner chassis. The height of the bays from the floor to the chassis rails is 7-1/2" taller than the FL. The coach is 5" taller overall than the Freightliner Phaetons at 13'2", so be aware of that if clearance is an issue.

The new smart slides being used on all of the 40' Phaetons are a nice feature. In addition to a smooth, no frame look they are basically one piece of fiberglass with no seams to leak. Both front slides are hydraulic which work very smoothly and quiet compared to the DS gear motor slide in our RED. The bedroom slides are still Schwintek, but they seem to be the higher gear ratio motors because they move slower than our previous ones.

The flat floor all the way from front to the rear closet is great and when the slides are out it really gives an open feel. It may be the closest thing that Tiffin has to a full wall slide. On the passenger side, there is only about one foot between the front and bedroom slides making it open up all the way from the passenger seat to the rear closet. The master bathroom is huge, and the half bath is small but serviceable. The half bath has a lot more storage space than then half bath in our 38QRA RED.

Having the living area totally separate from the kitchen/dining area is a really workable layout. The 55" TV in a lift on the side is a nice feature since the main seating faces the TV directly. We special ordered ours with the fireplace/recliner below the TV and the double theater seating on the other side. There is no couch or bed in the front as we don't need that feature.

The HDMI splitter system they are installing in all of the new coaches is a vast improvement over the previous one. The new ones are powered directly from the 12v supply so they don't have to have the problematic converters. In addition, they produce practically no heat so there shouldn't be an issue like the past system.

One design flaw I have seen is the oil dipstick and filler tube in the rear. The Powerglide seems to have a wider radiator than the Freightliner causing the dipstick and filler tube to be moved to the right behind the rear cap. They can be accessed, but it's a pain to get to. They are using the same rear cap on all of the Phaetons and the Powerglide ones need a slightly different design, or the dipstick and filler tube need to be relocated. I contacted Tiffin and they have already introduced a design change, moving the power steering reservoir to the right of the dipstick. They will be sending a modified mounting bracket to me when we return home. New coaches should have the redesigned bracket.

We have only had a small handful of minor issues with it so far and nothing we can't live with until after we return from our trip.

About the only dislike I have are the windows. I love the way they look with the flush exterior, but they can be temperamental about opening/closing. The latches use a plastic pull to unlock and we have already broken two. The screens are not removable, except for the emergency escape window. Other than that, some things are different from our previous Allegro RED, but we are getting used to the changes.

That's all I can think of so far, but if you have an specific questions drop me a PM.
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2017 Phaeton 40IH XSH Maroon Coral - Power Glide Chassis with IFS
Previous '15 Tiffin Allegro RED 38QRA and '06 Itasca Sunrise 35A
'16 Jeep JKU Wrangler Sahara or '08 Honda Goldwing
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Old 08-29-2017, 08:43 PM   #5
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Great write up, Dan. Very informative.
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Old 08-30-2017, 05:55 AM   #6
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Thanks for the comments so far, especially your detailed report Dan on your new 40ih. The height may be a problem, will need to measure our overhead door.
Don
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Old 09-17-2017, 08:35 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lt Dan View Post
This is copied from a post on TRVN about five weeks ago with updates for our current status.

We took delivery of our new 40IH almost four months ago and have driven it for about 4300 miles so. We are currently into week four of a two month trip. The quality of the ride with the Powerglide chassis is outstanding compared to our Allegro RED on a Freightliner chassis. The independent front suspension is a vast improvement over the solid front axle both in ride quality and wind handling. I don't have to fight the steering as much with this one as the RED and it takes the bumps a lot smoother. Granted, it's not the same ride as a Prevost chassis with a tag axle, but it is an improvement over the Freightliner. The wheel cut is greater than the Freightliner since I can make a U-turn at an intersection that I could never make with the RED without backing up.

The 380hp ISL engine with the higher torque is also a big improvement over our 340hp RED. Going over the same routes we had traveled in the previous coach the ISL takes most of the hills without ever downshifting out of 6th gear. The RED would have to drop to 5th and sometimes 4th on the same hills. Fuel mileage is about what I expected, about 7.8mpg for now which will probably improve as it gets more broken in.

The three AC's work great and most of the time we only need two. We have been in 100+ degree weather on this trip with no problem keeping cool.

The storage bays are HUGE on the IH. When we were in Red Bay watching this one being built, I measured it compared to a Phaeton on a Freightliner chassis. The height of the bays from the floor to the chassis rails is 7-1/2" taller than the FL. The coach is 5" taller overall than the Freightliner Phaetons at 13'2", so be aware of that if clearance is an issue.

The new smart slides being used on all of the 40' Phaetons are a nice feature. In addition to a smooth, no frame look they are basically one piece of fiberglass with no seams to leak. Both front slides are hydraulic which work very smoothly and quiet compared to the DS gear motor slide in our RED. The bedroom slides are still Schwintek, but they seem to be the higher gear ratio motors because they move slower than our previous ones.

The flat floor all the way from front to the rear closet is great and when the slides are out it really gives an open feel. It may be the closest thing that Tiffin has to a full wall slide. On the passenger side, there is only about one foot between the front and bedroom slides making it open up all the way from the passenger seat to the rear closet. The master bathroom is huge, and the half bath is small but serviceable. The half bath has a lot more storage space than then half bath in our 38QRA RED.

Having the living area totally separate from the kitchen/dining area is a really workable layout. The 55" TV in a lift on the side is a nice feature since the main seating faces the TV directly. We special ordered ours with the fireplace/recliner below the TV and the double theater seating on the other side. There is no couch or bed in the front as we don't need that feature.

The HDMI splitter system they are installing in all of the new coaches is a vast improvement over the previous one. The new ones are powered directly from the 12v supply so they don't have to have the problematic converters. In addition, they produce practically no heat so there shouldn't be an issue like the past system.

One design flaw I have seen is the oil dipstick and filler tube in the rear. The Powerglide seems to have a wider radiator than the Freightliner causing the dipstick and filler tube to be moved to the right behind the rear cap. They can be accessed, but it's a pain to get to. They are using the same rear cap on all of the Phaetons and the Powerglide ones need a slightly different design, or the dipstick and filler tube need to be relocated. I contacted Tiffin and they have already introduced a design change, moving the power steering reservoir to the right of the dipstick. They will be sending a modified mounting bracket to me when we return home. New coaches should have the redesigned bracket.

We have only had a small handful of minor issues with it so far and nothing we can't live with until after we return from our trip.

About the only dislike I have are the windows. I love the way they look with the flush exterior, but they can be temperamental about opening/closing. The latches use a plastic pull to unlock and we have already broken two. The screens are not removable, except for the emergency escape window. Other than that, some things are different from our previous Allegro RED, but we are getting used to the changes.

That's all I can think of so far, but if you have an specific questions drop me a PM.


We have our 40ih on order and going to red bay to watch it being built.
We ordered it with the dishwasher and now think it will be more of a problem than the extra storage
Don't carry enough dishes, silverware and glasses to ever fill it up
Did you get the dishwasher? What do you think of it? Even though not being built till October were It told it's too late to eliminate
Joanne
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Old 09-17-2017, 10:44 AM   #8
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Originally Posted by Joanned View Post
We have our 40ih on order and going to red bay to watch it being built.
We ordered it with the dishwasher and now think it will be more of a problem than the extra storage
Don't carry enough dishes, silverware and glasses to ever fill it up
Did you get the dishwasher? What do you think of it? Even though not being built till October were It told it's too late to eliminate
Joanne


Dishwasher usually turns into storage for your Tupperware[emoji16]
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Old 09-17-2017, 06:44 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Joanned View Post
We have our 40ih on order and going to red bay to watch it being built.
We ordered it with the dishwasher and now think it will be more of a problem than the extra storage
Don't carry enough dishes, silverware and glasses to ever fill it up
Did you get the dishwasher? What do you think of it? Even though not being built till October were It told it's too late to eliminate
Joanne
You lose the pull out trash can and two pull out storage drawers with the dishwasher. We opted to not have one installed. As I told the salesman, we already have a dishwasher but she does get a bit cranky sometimes!

Contact your dealer, or call sales at Tiffin and ask them about eliminating it. They would probably need to know as soon as possible since it will make a difference in the kitchen cabinet. We made changes to ours right up to the time the build started (added heated floors), then changed color scheme and added two compartment trays while we were in bay watching it being built.
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2017 Phaeton 40IH XSH Maroon Coral - Power Glide Chassis with IFS
Previous '15 Tiffin Allegro RED 38QRA and '06 Itasca Sunrise 35A
'16 Jeep JKU Wrangler Sahara or '08 Honda Goldwing
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Old 09-24-2017, 08:09 AM   #10
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Regarding the comment about windows being temperamental, I just stated using 3 in One RV Care Window and Track Dry Lube (Got it at the RV section at Walmart) on all the window tracks and polishing the windows with Plexus (don't spray that stuff in the tracks). That made a huge difference! Make sure the tracks are clean before you spray the lube.
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Old 09-25-2017, 06:13 AM   #11
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Phaeton 40ih

Thank you again for response and info
Hoping to stay in touch while we both enjoy our new coaches
We'll take our shake out trip for several weeks like you're doing and hoping not to find too many fixes and only small ones - what have you found so far??

I've heard that going to red bay may also be helpful to find small items to fix at the time it's being built - what did you find at red bay that might help us?
Joanne and jim
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