Fleetwood quality opinions wanted

[rocketpod]

I thought I was settled on getting a 2011/2012 Tiffin Allegro Open Road 35QBA, but now I'm not so sure. There have been issues popping up on the TiffinRVNetwork forum. Two of the four slides may develop a rattle (Schwintek mechanism), thermal cracks in the fiberglass roof radius, walls are not locked into the floors like Fleetwood and Winnebago and the walls are not vacu-bonded. A similar model to the Allegro 35QBA would be a Southwind or Bounder with bunks. Thanks in advance.

[NLOVNIT]

We've been very happy with our 06 Bounder. Had only a handful of QC issues at the start which our dealer promptly took care of. The V10 Triton runs like clockwork - no issues. Between the Bounder & Southwind, the Bounder is the better bang for the buck. I don't care for the new Bounder Classic (but that's the one with the bunks you're comparing). It's just a gussied up Storm, IMO. Save yourself 20 grand & get the Storm if you want bunks.

That said, some members have had issues with FW quality. You can do a search & find threads on the subject. I guess I just got lucky.

Lori-

[RovinOn]

Even though some may tell you otherwise but I believe they have their quality issues. It all depends on what suits your needs and your likes. Some are built better than others but they still all have their issues.
As N said the Bounder is a good bang for the buck, My wfe and I started with a Bounder and loved it. The opportunity came up and we moved up to the Southwind and we love that one as well, but they both had their issues.
Good luck with whatever you decide, I don't think you'll go wrong with either of these two.

Regards,
RovinOn

[bosshawg]

We have no problem with our Discovery. Have not had it that long but it seems fine. I think all of them will have some problems.

[njs42]

Back in 02 when I was looking I wanted either a Dolphin LX (National), or a Pace Arrow (Fleetwood). I obtained the e-mails of about ten owners (legally) of each type rig and ask them what they thought. As predicted all wrote back to give their rig a blessing----except one person who had owned both and he gave a strong reccomend for a Dolphin LX.

I then looked carefully at each, how they were made etc; and concluded for myself the National product was better, meaning better quality; comparing those two models. I believe I did the correct thing---that was nine years ago.

I hear people rave about their Bounders (Fleetwood).

I have a friend with a high end Fleetwood and he has had nothing but problems. To be fair I have heard from some Dolphin owners who were not happy.

If I were to consider a Fleetwood it would be a Bounder for sure the ones I have seen I liked and thought they were well built. But whether fair or not I have been suspicious of Fleetwood quality, I would have to do due diligence before I bought. I think that is what you are doing.

This is entirely unscientific---but it is an opinion none the less and what you ask for.

Good luck on your purchase--I wish you well.

[RLS7201]

I've had the opportunity to look at two 2011 Bounders this year. I've also toured the factory. You couldn't give me a Fleetwood product made in the last 3 or 4 years. The quality and engineering are just not there. I'll just keep polishing my 95 Bounder.

[B Bob]

Two of my friends of been traveling by motor home for the last six weeks one and a gas Fleetwood and the other one in a diesel Fleetwood pusher both made in 2003. I e-mailed my friend today to ask them if they've had me trouble in their trip which is about 5000 miles so far. They made it up to almost the arctic Circle and now back to Calgary and I've had only one very minor piece of trouble on the whole trip on both motorhomes.

That said all motorhomes have problems. Problems go with the territory when you have an RV. One of the best things you can do is to make sure that you have a dealer that's reasonably close to you that can fix your problems in a timely manner.

[rocketpod]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RLS7201 I've had the opportunity to look at two 2011 Bounders this year. I've also toured the factory. You couldn't give me a Fleetwood product made in the last 3 or 4 years. The quality and engineering are just not there. I'll just keep polishing my 95 Bounder.

Any specifics? Thanks.

[njs42]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocketpod Any specifics? Thanks.

You did not ask this of me but I can tell you from my previous reply the specifics I saw. I went to each model Fleetwood and National in old clothes. I got into the basement and looked at the welds, wires, pipes etc;, I went on the roof and looked at fit and finish, I took drawers out on the inside and looked at fit and finish and techniques for running wire, pipes etc; I looked for construction debris behind the cabinets. Split cabinet bracing etc; How were the drawers made. I looked for any sign of care and quality when doing the construction.

I also looked outside for how the basement doors lined up, fit. How they latched.

In every case the Fleetwood did not compare favorably to the National product (just those two models----(Dolphin and Pace Arrow specifically).

Then I visited the National factory----I guess I can tell you that visiting any of the factories can give you pause----I saw things that I did not like such as a 2X4 wedged under the shower pan for stability. ( my shower pan is strong and sturdy so it must work fine--or specifically it did on mine). But they impressed the heck out of my wife (she wanted the Pace Arrow with all her heart)

It was a struggle because the Pace Arrow was very nice and pretty and my wife liked it a lot----so did I when I first saw it-------but in the end it was the National product that had better fit and finish and exhibited better construction, welds, wood construction, outside components.

When I drove the two models which were both Workhorse 8.1 the Pace Arrow pulled to the right (could have been for a multitude of reasons---but I was not impressed that they let me drive one that did pull----they said it could be fixed---I wondered why they didn't just fix it before people drove it). That, perhaps was more the dealer than the product---I'll never know I bought the competitor.

I will add again when I ask Pace Arrow and Dolphim owners to compare the two each extolled the virtues of what they had----except the one person who had owned both---he favored the National product. He was my tie breaker.

National is gone---Fleetwood is still here. It's a conumdrum.

Get some old clothes on and go top to bottom on your desired models and see what you find---I mean really look, take the drawers out, get down and look behind those cabinets---stand along side and see how things really fit on the outside. Imagine yourself building one of these things----thats what I did and it worked well for me---I believe I made a good choice so does my wife----a very important specific.

I have no ax to grind about Fleetwood-----but these are the specifics related to my one purchase.

[JMonroe]

All makes, models and brands suffer from the industry disease of 'hit and miss' quality control. You can't name a brand for which you won't find both dedicated fans and rabid detractors.

Our last motor home was an 07 Tiffin Open Road. We had few problems with it and all were taken care of by the dealer and/or Tiffin. I too, however, was concerned about serious problems reported in the last couple years with the Tiffin products and determined to broaden my horizons when looking for an upgrade suitable for full timing. For what we were looking for we ended up with a Fleetwood/American Coach product. Much of that decision was based on engineering and design differences. Tiffin makes a beautiful coach, but we felt the construction design methods were outdated and matching that with the cracked roof caps, cracked floor tiles and even one with a wall separating, we went with the American Revolution. Of course the various brands within either the Tiffin or Fleetwood families will use materials and construction of varying quality.

I've reported the many issues we've had with our Revolution since taking delivery. At one point I was extremely disappointed by the apparent lack of quality control during assembly. That said, however, we are systematically getting all of those problems resolved (working with the factory service department) and none have been serious safety or engineering issues, just a simple lack of care during the build process and/or items they simply installed, but did not manufacture (like a faulty air valve on the chassis, or the cook top). We love spending time in the coach, more so as the annoying warranty items are checked off our squawk list.

Bottom line, you'll be the final quality control check for whatever brand you buy. I suggest you buy the one you really want and go from there.

Good luck!

[RLS7201]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocketpod Any specifics? Thanks.

The two Bounders I looked at had heated wet bays to keep the fresh water and waste tanks from freezing. Then Fleetwood run the water lines and filter into an unheated bay. The owner of the 33R had already froze and repaired those lines. DUH! If that's an example of their engineering, I don't want any.
While at the factory, the tour guide was bragging about the full body paint. It looked like an orange peal. You wouldn't buy a car with with a paint job like that.

Richard

[RVNeophytes2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocketpod I thought I was settled on getting a 2011/2012 Tiffin Allegro ...

I am six months into owning friends' 2005 Excursion 39S by Fleetwood, and love it. DW wants to eventually trade it for a newer model with a side hallway, eg no walk-thru shower area, but even she agrees ours is ideal (high-end Monaco is 1st choice, upper end Fleetwood her 2nd, Country Coach her 3rd). Ours is a former NASCAR bus, used for a 15,000 mile year-long American icons tour by our friends, it is just past 90K with top-shelf maintenance: runs like a Swiss watch, no surprises. Of course, that's more a credit to Spartan and Caterpillar than to Fleetwood.

Generally, the QC has been high. It presents itself like a more expensive rig. In fact, my buddy who replaced it with a Newell is suffering from severe trader's remorse. One of my closest friends is a longtime broker, owns a Prevost. He can be counted on to say, "Gawd, what a gorgeous coach you have" at least a half-dozen times, every time we go somewhere.

That said, my intuition is that Tiffin nudges Fleetwood out when it comes to overall quality, design, features and most importantly support.

Not that Fleetwood is lacking in the support department: they've happily sent me manuals I've requested, and answered a fuse location question I had gratis.

I'd say pick the one with the features and floorplan you desire, and go with it.

[pcurt23]

You may also want to get opinions about which chassis gas owners like the best. Ford chassis seems to be a rougher ride than the Workhorse. My Georgie boy on a Ford was like riding a bucking bronco on rough roads.

I have a 07 diesel bounder and have had relatively few problems with the coach. Most of the problems I have caused myself before I learned how to operate all the stuff. Fleetwood fixed everything to my satisfaction. Some stuff I fixed myself because it is cheaper than driving to the dealer. I did go on a tour of Fleetwood and was not really impressed with their quality systems (cleanliness of the plant in particular). This is our third coach and the best so far. I usually let the layout of the coach be the primary factor. We like the two zone living of the 38v.

[rocketpod]

This is all great info. Thanks for posting!

I really do like the Allegro 35QBA floorplan and features. I needed to gauge other SOB owners. I know forums tend to be more full of problems than kudos. All this will help me make the final decision. If anybody has more to share please do.