Tiffin RED 38KA vs Phaeton 40QKH

[LivingMyLife]

Hello all, Merry Christmas.

So we are having a bit of a dilemma and would like some input from all of you.

We are tossed between a:
-2020 RED 38KA (new bunk model)
or
-2017 Phaeton 40QKH (fully loaded with heated floors, aqua hot, dishwasher, etc).

The Phaeton is actually a little cheaper but it’s used with 12K miles.

One thing the wife really wants is the heated floors, which the RED does not have. The Phaeton has them, as well as a bigger motor.

So...which would you choose? 2020 RED with all bells for this model year or a 2017 Phaeton with all bells from that model year.

[Oregonpharme]

You are comparing apples to oranges, but both are good units, one is a premium unit with many more features. I would likely choose the Phaeton, because after 35 years of marriage I leaned that a Happy Wife equates to a Happy Life!
As for 12,000 miles, that is like new when considering a diesel in either of these units. Both the 6.7 and the 8.9 liter Cummins are million mile engines when kept serviced, the Allison transmissions last nearly that long too.

[allegro1x]

looks like you posted this again some way? Dave

[Solo_RV_Guy]

12000 miles is "not even broke in yet" for that engine or transmission . The bigger question - did the original owners use those 12,000 miles to get all the little (or big) problems fixed? All new coaches come with some kind of defects, if they're taken care of it's a plus over your dealing with it in a brand new coach.

The Phaeton is a nice coach and is a significant step up from the Red, and I'm with your DW, I hate cold floors too. She'll love the heated floor in the Phaeton (Happy Spouse, Happy House). You'll like the higher torque and HP from the bigger Cummins, too.

Whatever you buy, I hope you have many, many fun and happy miles and meet a bunch of new friends along the way.

[LivingMyLife]

Originally Posted by Oregonpharme

You are comparing apples to oranges, but both are good units, one is a premium unit with many more features. I would likely choose the Phaeton, because after 35 years of marriage I leaned that a Happy Wife equates to a Happy Life!
As for 12,000 miles, that is like new when considering a diesel in either of these units. Both the 6.7 and the 8.9 liter Cummins are million mile engines when kept serviced, the Allison transmissions last nearly that long too.

Very true! We are so torn in this. Thanks for your input.

[LivingMyLife]

Yes, this was posted twice (at the same time) by accident. Appreciate everyone’s comments.

[PKI]

Generally, the numbers are similar, but the devil is in the details. ISB vs ISL -- not the 20hp, but rather the engine design and specifications. Also the transmission ... does the Phaeton have a 3000 vs what does the new Red have? Heated floors may die over time, so take that one with care (value long vs short term). More towing capacity may be of value. A 12K milage clock is really of no significant consequence. The 1 year warranty may have value for you. The battery bank is older - consider that position.

My choice would be the Phaeton. Yours may not be same.

You should look close at your next three to five years operating costs for each and verify that both can be supported by your discretionary cash flow.

You and the wife will figure it out. Talk it through. Use logic and facts. Too big a purchase to let emotion drive the decision. Besides, the rest of us have that approach covered. Pat

[Roger G]

Originally Posted by LivingMyLife

Hello all, Merry Christmas.



So we are having a bit of a dilemma and would like some input from all of you.



We are tossed between a:

-2020 RED 38KA (new bunk model)

or

-2017 Phaeton 40QKH (fully loaded with heated floors, aqua hot, dishwasher, etc).



The Phaeton is actually a little cheaper but it’s used with 12K miles.



One thing the wife really wants is the heated floors, which the RED does not have. The Phaeton has them, as well as a bigger motor.



So...which would you choose? 2020 RED with all bells for this model year or a 2017 Phaeton with all bells from that model year.

We had an Open Road with vinyl tile and really didn’t see the need for heated floors especially since we live in the south. Traded for a Phaeton without heat floors, big mistake. Never will own a coach with ceramic tile without heated floors.

[accsys]

No one has mentioned this yet, but another advantage for the Phaeton is that it most likely has had all the little things that go wrong with a new rig repaired whereas you will have to do that on a new one. BTW, our Phaeton has over 85,000 miles on it and has never skipped a beat - we love it.

[LivingMyLife]

Originally Posted by accsys

No one has mentioned this yet, but another advantage for the Phaeton is that it most likely has had all the little things that go wrong with a new rig repaired whereas you will have to do that on a new one. BTW, our Phaeton has over 85,000 miles on it and has never skipped a beat - we love it.

These are all very good points! Spoke to the wife yesterday and we looked at the Phaeton again. She doesn’t like the style of the window frames and the Tiffin logos around the window valances. She says it is too ornate!

She likes the RED simplicity better. She’s killing me lol. I would much rather have the bigger motor, more comfortable seating, be able to save some money (cause Phaeton is cheaper), etc etc.