Fleetwood Revolution Prospective Acquisition

[Hugh D]

My wife, Michelle,and I would very much welcome some advice from you wise Fleetwood folks out there

Sometime during this next year, we intend to purchase new a 42/43' rear bath floorplan diesel pusher - which we will to drive East Coast to West Coast, do some touring along the way. and then live full time in the motorhome while we acquire some land and oversee the building of a new home there (probably in the Russian River Valley area, Sonoma County, Northern California). This could be a two year process.

A rear bath 42' Fleetwood Revolution is on the shortlist of motorhomes that seem to fit our needs. Also on our radar screen (in alphabetical order not preference ranking) are the 42/43' rear bath versions of the: American Coach Allegiance, Beaver Contessa, Country Coach Inspire, Holiday Rambler Scepter, Monaco Camelot, Newmar Dutch Aire, Tiffin Phaeton (and would be too a Tiffin Allegro Bus if they choose to come out with a rear bath plan).

We would be most grateful to hear from any of you (as briefly as you like) why you might consider Fleetwood the best choice to make, or equally why others on the list might be poor choices. As well as product and service matters, given the current state of the RV industry and prospectively the broader economy, we are also naturally concerned about the financial health and business stability of some of today's participants.

Many thanks for any input you can share with us.

Hugh & Michelle Dickinson
Currently Nantucket 'wash ashores'
2009 42/43' rear bath DP TBD
1965 RHD Morris Minor Traveller
Two English Springer Spaniels, One Maine Coon cat

[Hugh D]

My wife, Michelle,and I would very much welcome some advice from you wise Fleetwood folks out there

Sometime during this next year, we intend to purchase new a 42/43' rear bath floorplan diesel pusher - which we will to drive East Coast to West Coast, do some touring along the way. and then live full time in the motorhome while we acquire some land and oversee the building of a new home there (probably in the Russian River Valley area, Sonoma County, Northern California). This could be a two year process.

A rear bath 42' Fleetwood Revolution is on the shortlist of motorhomes that seem to fit our needs. Also on our radar screen (in alphabetical order not preference ranking) are the 42/43' rear bath versions of the: American Coach Allegiance, Beaver Contessa, Country Coach Inspire, Holiday Rambler Scepter, Monaco Camelot, Newmar Dutch Aire, Tiffin Phaeton (and would be too a Tiffin Allegro Bus if they choose to come out with a rear bath plan).

We would be most grateful to hear from any of you (as briefly as you like) why you might consider Fleetwood the best choice to make, or equally why others on the list might be poor choices. As well as product and service matters, given the current state of the RV industry and prospectively the broader economy, we are also naturally concerned about the financial health and business stability of some of today's participants.

Many thanks for any input you can share with us.

Hugh & Michelle Dickinson
Currently Nantucket 'wash ashores'
2009 42/43' rear bath DP TBD
1965 RHD Morris Minor Traveller
Two English Springer Spaniels, One Maine Coon cat

[Jack Myton]

Perhaps we are a tad biased, but we consider the Revolution a great coach. Made by American Coach, on the AC assembly line, using an excellent Spartan/Liberty Chassis, and marketed by Fleetwood, provides superb value. The members of the Revolution Owners Group have a real appreciation for the Revolution and if you get serious you can join, it's free, and ask our members what they think. http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/...tionmotorhome/

[Bob (WA0MQE)]

If I were you I'd be more concerned about support and service. If you read enough of the articles in this and other forums, Fleetwood does not have all that good of a reputation regarding service and support. I can't say either way about the others, but over and over I've heard Tiffin is one of the best for after sale support.

I know that if and when I'm in the market for another coach it won't be Fleetwood again.

[riggarob]

This is one of those topics that can ugly, quick. I've owned 3 FW's, in the last 4 1/2 years. Loved 'em all. Our current is an '08 Providence,40X. We wanted a Rev, but was out of our price range, and my wife won't buy used. Having said that, service is no different w/ RV's as it is w/new homes, and new cars/trucks. 1st: I personally would NOT order a new anything. You order it, it's yours. When you buy off the lot, you get to drive, and check everything out. (and move on, if you don't like what you see). 2nd: Don't fall unto the "Tiffin Mystique", as my Tiffin Bus owner friend says. He has had to go to the factory so many times for repairs, that he finally left it there, and flew back to NH, until they could do it right. Remember ALL RV's have issues, but if you find, and have a good relationship w/the dealership, everything will get repaired. On another note, it's a shame that we, as consumers, have to put up w/units that cost so much, come from the factory w/known defects, and they wait to see if you catch any of them. Good luck w/whatever you buy, and especially w/the new house, 'cause that can be more emotionally straining than buying an RV. Robbie

[Hugh D]

Jack, Bob, and Robbie. Thank you very much for your comments/advice. My wife is currently out in LA visiting family with a visit scheduled this week to the Pomona show to have a good look at the various models. I do particularly take your points on service.

Hugh

[JH SECHELT]

Hi Hugh,

Sounds like we are doing the same thing. We bought a 2008 Revolution 40E with the Bath & a half at the end of May. We just sold our house & will have to be out a week Friday. Plan on Heading south for 6 months then coming back to Vancouver Island (where we bought some land last year) and will build our next house. Plan on traveling 6 months of the year & sitting back & smelling the roses the other 6 months.

We looked all over for MH's (We've had 5Ver's for the last 30 years or so). Liked many that we saw, specially the Beaver Marquis , But it was out of our price range. We wanted something with 2 bathrooms & a full size propane oven, Most don't even have a propane oven. After 6 months of looking, we kept coming back to the Revolution. Still Love just looking at it. And we had to go all the way to Yuma, Az to pick this one up, and will be heading back shortly. Have a few small adjustments that have to be made but so far its been working great.
I think what ever you find, there is always some good & bad. Fleetwood is a very large company and should be around for years to come. The DW & I think the Revolution provides one of the best bangs for the buck, out there.

Good luck & enjoy the hunt.
JH

[riggarob]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Jack, Bob, and Robbie. Thank you very much for your comments/advice. My wife is currently out in LA visiting family with a visit scheduled this week to the Pomona show to have a good look at the various models. I do particularly take your points on service.

Hugh </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Your quite welcome. Let us know how you make out. Also, how the attendance was at Pomona. Trade mags say up, people on forums say down. would like to know from your wifes perspective. Robbie

[Hugh D]

Robbie, Michelle went to the show on Sunday. She said there were more sales people than lookers! Had a good time; lots of attention and brochures...Hugh

[Hugh D]

And good luck to you JH. Have a great trip. Looks like you may be a year or so ahead of us. We intend to sell our house in Nantucket first, but the market's completely dead at the mo'...Hugh

[riggarob]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Robbie, Michelle went to the show on Sunday. She said there were more sales people than lookers! Had a good time; lots of attention and brochures...Hugh </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanx Hugh. I had a feeling that was the case. I went to the CW dealer in NH today ( I know a lot of the people there), and asked how it was going. They had sold a few TT's, but no MH's in over a month. I hope things get better for these guys. Thanx again, Robbie

[Gary RVRoamer]

You can get an American Allegiance for about $20k (MSRP) more than a Revolution LE. After discounts, there's even less difference. For that small difference, you get American Coach' fabled customer support and factory service, including free repairs at major rallies. And an American Coach has a higher resale percentage than the regular Fleetwood brands, so you should recover much of the extra you paid.

[Togators]

We bought an 08 Expedition 38F almost exactly 1 year ago. This was the entry level of the 1 1/2 bath models. After owning 2 with the traditional layout, we are in love with the rear full bath. No one evers goes into our bathroom. When we tailgate, everyone (there's a bunch) use the 1/2 bath and that leaves our's to us. As for Fleetwood, every problem that I found has been fixed. Any Fleetwood dealer is happy to see you because they get payed directly from Fleetwood. The other issue is the financial strength of FW. They are closing one factory to combine to another. The are being proactive to todays market demand. Their revenues come from many areas, towables, manufactured homes, as well as their coach lines. With todays economy I would be hesitant to purchase from a manufacture that only produces RV's. If I was in the market, I would buy Fleetwood again.

[Hugh D]

I know this is by no means scientific. However, I thought some of you who have viewed or contributed to this topic over the past two weeks might be interested to see a simple consolidated nose count of the number of positive and, in a few cases, negative comments posted on the Eve Community and Yahoo Groups regarding the various competitors/products my wife and I have under consideration:

American Coach (11 positive, 1 negative); Country Coach (13+, 0-); Fleetwood (3+, 2-); Monaco (7+, 0-); Newmar (6+, 1-), Tiffin (35+, 2-)

It is notable that Tiffin has a clear lead in owner 'votes', but maybe this just reflects the relative composition of the various owner groups. Don't know. Any comments or interpretation most welcome....Hugh