Community Forums

Paul T · 04-03-2012, 08:00 AM

Do any of you with a 40' Phaeton wish you had opted for the Powerglide Versus Freightliner chassis?

paz · 04-04-2012, 03:51 PM

To my knowledge, the Powerglide chassis in not available on the Phaeton, only on the 40' and 43' Bus. I think it may have been offered on the Phaeton for a short time, but now that Tiffin is building their own chassis for the Breeze, I don't think they can handle the extra production.

Lault · 04-05-2012, 06:09 AM

I see no advantage to the PG. My Freightliner has been flawless and shops every where in the country. You pay $6,000 more for what??

Band Aid 06 · 04-06-2012, 02:46 PM

We have a 2012 40 ft on a Power Glide chassis purchased in Aug so it was available at least until that time.

paz · 04-06-2012, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Band Aid 06

We have a 2012 40 ft on a Power Glide chassis purchased in Aug so it was available at least until that time.

My mistake. I thought I read somewhere it was no longer available, but when I checked the Tiffin web site, the Powerglide chassis is indeed listed as an option for the Phaeton.

To answer the question of the OP, I see a good bit of advantage for the Powerglide as far as weight capacities go. Numbers are for the 36' and 40' models only.
GWVR______FL 32,400____PG 36,000
GAWR front_FL 12,400____PG 14,000
GAWR rear__FL 20,000____PG 22,000
GCWR______FL 42,400____PG 46,000

As full-timers, I would gladly pay an additional $6000 for 3,600 lb extra GVWR that will translate into more CCC.

Paul T · 04-09-2012, 07:46 PM

But, is there a significant difference in the CCC weight for a 40 QBH with Power Glide chassis vs the Freightliner. That's the only number I'm really interested in. Pulling 4000 less with same power plant should provide better performance IMHO.

paz · 04-10-2012, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul T

But, is there a significant difference in the CCC weight for a 40 QBH with Power Glide chassis vs the Freightliner. That's the only number I'm really interested in. Pulling 4000 less with same power plant should provide better performance IMHO.

I can't quote actual numbers, but I'm guessing the PG chassis may weigh a few hundred pounds more than the FL at the most. IMO, you will end up with a significantly higher CCC with the PG.

Cruzer · 04-11-2012, 02:18 PM

The extra CCC is due to the larger capacity axles. Freightliner chooses to use 20K axles because that's the legal limit under the Federal Bridge Law. Tiffin puts a heavier 22K rear axle in but if you load it up you might get turned away on the Ohio/Penn turnpikes where they weigh in-motion before the toll boothes. Other than that, no one checks RV weight. The 14K front axle is a nice upgrade though. The Powerglide is a more upscale chassis than the FL though. A bit better layout as far as service access, accessory mountings, a tad bit higher basement height due to the way the attach the sub-frame weldment to the main frame rails, plus the chassis is huck-bolted.

Lault · 04-11-2012, 05:46 PM

Again I was told at the Tampa show Powerglide is no longer available on the Phaeton.

paz · 04-12-2012, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lault

Again I was told at the Tampa show Powerglide is no longer available on the Phaeton.

That's what i thought I heard, too; but Band Aid 06 says he got one on the 2012 Phaeton he bought in August, and it is still shown as an option on the 40 foot models on the Tiffin web site. However, it is NOT shown on the latest 2012 price list posted on Cruzer's web site, so it must have been discontinued sometime after August, 2011. As I said, I think it's because all they can handle at the present time are chassis for the Breeze and the Bus.

Lault · 04-13-2012, 05:44 AM

I never got a why they stopped using the Powerglide on the Phaeton. B T said production would stop in Jan 12.

bcbounders · 04-13-2012, 11:32 PM

With the Phaeton being the #1 selling diesel pusher, is it possible that Tiffin just couldn't keep up with demand for chassis for it?

paz · 04-14-2012, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcbounders

With the Phaeton being the #1 selling diesel pusher, is it possible that Tiffin just couldn't keep up with demand for chassis for it?

I'm thinking you are correct, especially since they are building all their own chassis for the new Breeze in house. As the Breeze begins to gain in sales, they can't do both.

Cruzer · 04-14-2012, 08:25 AM

That's exactly it. They have the room, but not the time or manpower, in the Powerglide plant at this time to adequately cover three chassis. The Breeze took off far greater than they expected and it's only chassis is the Powerglide so they could not detract from Breeze production just so that they could offer the Powerglide as an option on the Phaeton. With the Bus it's different because no one really wants the Freightliner and they have typically sold 90% or better with Powerglide. But the Freightliner chassis as used in the Phaeton is well accepted so there's no reason to devote energy into making a Powerglide for the Phaeton if it detracts from the Breeze. They do have plans on resurrecting the Phaeton's Powerglide but it won't be until they are able to devote the time, resources, and additional manpower to do that. It will happen but no timetable has been set yet.