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07-29-2015, 02:34 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Sequim, WA
Posts: 1,421
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Quote:
Originally Posted by smlranger
We may sell our lake house sooner than I had expected so I have been pondering, just pondering selling the Allure and getting a new DP. Just half crazy I guess. DW sure thinks I am.
However, absolutely nothing I see trips my switch.
So, fellow CC owners.... tell me I am crazy to even think of letting the Allure go for one of the new 'box on a truck frame' coaches.
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Given the length of time you've been on iRV2, the quantity of your posts, and obvious RV'ing experience, there's little we can add in the way of advice as to whether or not you should buy a new or new-to-you coach. You have the wherewithal, so if it itches you can scratch it!
Like you, there is nothing absolutely compelling about the new coaches to us. We could have afforded a newer coach this last time but saw none that really gripped us until DW stepped into this one at Premier in Junction City. She said, "it spoke to me". I'm just glad it was this one talking to her instead of the late model Prevost nearby.
As you know there are good arguments against "new". Money aside, there is a hassle factor in managing repairs. Sometimes warranty work is more trouble than non-warranty work, up to a point. Nobody would opt for a major engine repair out of warranty. But if that's important, buy a warranty (really a service contract).
I love shopping for coaches and think it would be great fun to look around the country for that polished diamond. Something in the sweet spot prior to the EPA mandates, no known issues with radiators or PTO's, or wrist pins, etc. Yet not so old as to have many obsolete systems and options for which parts/support are no longer available.
Luxury but not scary complexity. Love the look and stance of a Prevost. But I need to understand how something works to a moderately detailed level. In talking to some of the techs who work on motor homes, I don't think I have enough years left to get a good grasp of the workings of that kind of machine.
That leads me to ask, who will fix what I cannot? How far away are they? Same questions apply to upgrading the current coach or a candidate-for-purchase-coach.
In any case, your problem is a good one to have and I hope you have a great deal of fun solving it!
Best,
__________________
Dave & Cathy, 2002 Country Coach Affinity, 42', #6103, CAT C12, Sold - Retired From RV'ing, Linux Mint
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07-30-2015, 08:56 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,451
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We have the twin brother to CoCo Dave's motorhome. And I like what he says a lot. I really enjoyed the year or so I spent researching coaches before we bought ours. I love new tech and inventions. I am on email tech lists and look over each new advance in smartphones, smart watches, computers, windows 10, and so on. But things are much slower in the bus world. Coaches newer than mine still have very similar systems. And your coach is newer than mine.
To me the main thing in newer coaches is that the electronics are very different. Plus now they have slides coming out of slides. Or the entire wall is a slide. Oh and I noticed the 2016 New Country Coach has electronics on the steering. So maybe that is something worth having.
I really like the fact that I know the systems of our current coach. I don't pretend to know how to fix everything, but do know some of the basics in case of problems. Unless I loved! a new rig and had excess money to buy it I prefer what I have.
But if you want a new rig go for it. I have a bad habit of buying "projects" fixing them up and then reselling for a new "project". I have made it just past five years of owning our Affinity and so far have resisted the urge to go on to something new. I think spending four years trying to make a 1975 GMC motorhome "like new" wore me out.
Or maybe you could research a new coach and then do nothing. Have the fun of shopping but not the aggravation of fixing new problems.
__________________
B Bob
Currently Coachless
2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
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07-30-2015, 12:31 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club Solo Rvers Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 37,725
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CoCoDave
Nobody would opt for a major engine repair out of warranty.
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I can vouch for that!
__________________
2009 45' Magna 630 w/Cummins ISX 650 HP/1950 Lbs Ft, HWH Active Air
Charter Good Sam Lifetime Member, FMCA,
RV'ing since 1957, NRA Benefactor Life, towing '21 Jeep JLU Rubicon Ecodiesel
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07-30-2015, 04:59 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: San antonio, TX
Posts: 624
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B Bob and CoCoDave,
If I had a coach like yours, we probably would not be looking for a newer coach now. We have looked at several 02 Affinitys--I really like the floorplan, only having two slides, the tag, the sharp wheelcut and heated floor. Unfortunately, the ones we have looked at have been sorely neglected. Looked at an 01 and an 01 in Junction City last month, and we were disappointed. If we found the perfect for us 02 Affinity, I just might go for it rather than the buses we are considering now.
We couldn't care less whether a newer coach is cost effective or whether the money is well spent--we are looking at the enjoyment we plan to have in it.
__________________
USAF Retired
2000 Prevost Marathon H3-45
Towing 2019 RAM 1500
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07-30-2015, 08:22 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Northern California
Posts: 5,868
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Peralko
B Bob and CoCoDave,
If I had a coach like yours, we probably would not be looking for a newer coach now. We have looked at several 02 Affinitys--I really like the floorplan, only having two slides, the tag, the sharp wheelcut and heated floor. Unfortunately, the ones we have looked at have been sorely neglected.
We couldn't care less whether a newer coach is cost effective or whether the money is well spent--we are looking at the enjoyment we plan to have in it.
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It is great that the next coach for you does not need to be cost effective. That is a luxury not many have.
However, It would appear your current rig would be a great upgrade for the rest of us.
Improved Wheel cut: How much of your time is spent backing in tight quarters?
Heated Floors/Hydro Hot: Nice to have but you will probably want throw rugs anyway?
Two Slides: Not a lot of additional floor space, but will need 2 feet additional in length to accommodate the slide mechanisms. Hence a 42 ft rig.
Your rig looks to be well maintained and well known to you. Someone will get a bargain when you move to a newer rig!
__________________
Dean
1995 38' CC Magna #5280 **** Sold after 21 years of enjoyment.
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07-30-2015, 08:35 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club Solo Rvers Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 37,725
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Quote:
Originally Posted by deandec
It is great that the next coach for you does not need to be cost effective. That is a luxury not many have.
However, It would appear your current rig would be a great upgrade for the rest of us.
Improved Wheel cut: How much of your time is spent backing in tight quarters?
Doesn't need to be just backing, just normal driving.
Heated Floors/Hydro Hot: Nice to have but you will probably want throw rugs anyway?
Shouldn't use throw rigs with heated floor according to our manual. Have yet to use the floor heating as it hasn't been cold enough. I wouldn't have ordered it had we bought new.
Two Slides: Not a lot of additional floor space, but will need 2 feet additional in length to accommodate the slide mechanisms. Hence a 42 ft rig.
Slide mechanism doesn't take that much room.
Your rig looks to be well maintained and well known to you. Someone will get a bargain when you move to a newer rig!
Probably true, they did with our Dutch Star we traded.
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See notes in red.
__________________
2009 45' Magna 630 w/Cummins ISX 650 HP/1950 Lbs Ft, HWH Active Air
Charter Good Sam Lifetime Member, FMCA,
RV'ing since 1957, NRA Benefactor Life, towing '21 Jeep JLU Rubicon Ecodiesel
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07-30-2015, 09:24 PM
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#21
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: San antonio, TX
Posts: 624
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Quote:
Originally Posted by deandec
It is great that the next coach for you does not need to be cost effective. That is a luxury not many have.
However, It would appear your current rig would be a great upgrade for the rest of us.
Improved Wheel cut: How much of your time is spent backing in tight quarters?
There have been several times in our coach I wished for a better turning radius. A recent example was when we checked out a coach in Phoenix. The only place to turn our coach around was a circle just down from the dealer. I figured I couldn't make it without backing up, so I disconnected the toad, and sure enough--I would not have made it with the toad attached. With a sharper turn radius it would have been an easy turn.
Heated Floors/Hydro Hot: Nice to have but you will probably want throw rugs anyway?
I love heated floors. Tried them out at CC a couple of times. However, Marathon dos not put heated floors in their coaches, so I may have to forego that, although some other conversions do have them. It is not a must have, but if we were to go for an 02 Affinity, I would insist on it.
Two Slides: Not a lot of additional floor space, but will need 2 feet additional in length to accommodate the slide mechanisms. Hence a 42 ft rig.
We have no need for slides, and one of the reasons we are not thrilled with another Country Coach, is any coach we'd seriously consider, like a 07/08 Magna or Affinity, would have four of them. We are seriously considering Prevosts with no slides. The newer CCs also have the dark/ black/brown colors that we don't care for. Early 2000's generally have much better colors, whether CCs or Prevosts.
Your rig looks to be well maintained and well known to you. Someone will get a bargain when you move to a newer rig!
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We would like to sell it to someone who will appreciate what has been done to the coach, and where I can explain how things work. We'll see how it turns out!
__________________
USAF Retired
2000 Prevost Marathon H3-45
Towing 2019 RAM 1500
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07-31-2015, 07:40 AM
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#22
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Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Sequim, WA
Posts: 1,421
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Wheel cut/turning radius matters. Here's where we spend our last night of most trips. It's only 75 miles from the stick house so that we arrive at home early enough in the day to make the coach-to-house transition without being rushed. Getting out of this park with our 38' Windsor was a challenge. With the 42' Affinity it's much easier.
The turn at the north end is tighter than it looks because of the rocks, railing, and fence. The problem is that the coach body overhang from the steer axle to the front bumper cannot extend beyond the edge of the road.
We like the site labeled "our spot" because we can leave the toad hooked up, it's convenient to the rest of the facilities, and the view is great. The Affinity's wheel cut let us continue to use the place we favor without a lot of extra maneuvering.
So if you're shopping for a coach wheel cut is something that might be important to you depending on the length of the coach and where you plan to use it.
FWIW
__________________
Dave & Cathy, 2002 Country Coach Affinity, 42', #6103, CAT C12, Sold - Retired From RV'ing, Linux Mint
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08-03-2015, 04:50 PM
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#23
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,519
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smlranger: You might want to attend, if convenient, the 2016 Country Coach Allure 480 Debut!
All the Best!
__________________
2008 Newmar Dutch Star 4304
2005 HR Navigator 45PBQ - SOLD
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08-03-2015, 05:43 PM
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#24
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Moderator Emeritus
Country Coach Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Glen Allen, VA
Posts: 7,902
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Quote:
Originally Posted by srh
smlranger: You might want to attend, if convenient, the 2016 Country Coach Allure 480 Debut!
All the Best!
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We are 3,000 miles from JC now so no can do. It will be interesting to see if CC can really start building coaches again.
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08-04-2015, 07:24 PM
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#25
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,519
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Quote:
Originally Posted by smlranger
We are 3,000 miles from JC now so no can do. It will be interesting to see if CC can really start building coaches again.
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SORRY, I missed your location in your signature! For some reason, I thought you were out in the west coast. Yes, it will be interesting to see if Ron Lee can pull off building CC's!
__________________
2008 Newmar Dutch Star 4304
2005 HR Navigator 45PBQ - SOLD
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08-04-2015, 10:47 PM
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#26
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Over the next hill, around the next curve...
Posts: 5,662
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Smlranger,
Please go on notice, that I hold you personally (and more importantly, financially) responsible for the what may happen in the months ahead...
We're now in Denver (John Fogerty concert on 8/8 at Fiddler's Green), then doing the Rocky Mountain National park for a bit, and Pikes Peak area too. But when we're ready to leave Colorado, we were suppose to cut up NE thru Kansas and Nebraska and on into the Sioux Falls area of South Dakota.
But nooooo, maybe not now, as I've been slowly trying to add a trip to Oklahoma into the mix. Please understand, that if I talk the DW into a deviation into OK, that this will mean a visit to Newell. This is where I'll be both appreciating, and expecting, your assistance...
And heck, I like my Allure! But, admit I have lusted for a two slide'd 40' XL Prevost convention. Sure like Marathon's. And a Newell with less glitter, would also float my boat!!!!
And as a retired Aerospace employee. Let me assure you that you can catch a plane to JC for the roll out !
Best,
Smitty
__________________
07 Country Coach Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600
Roo II was our 04 Country Coach Allure 40'
OnDRoad for The JRNY! Enjoy life...
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08-04-2015, 11:07 PM
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#27
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Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club Solo Rvers Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 37,725
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I'm still learning with our rig. Have to use the whole street width to get in beside the house BUT the tail is longer and I don't want to snag the neighbors mailbox with it (like Crankshaft in the funnies). I think the rig turns as sharply as the non tag 40' DSDP (50° wheel cut) once I lift the tag. I do know I backed into our favorite spot just as easily or even easier with the 45'er.
__________________
2009 45' Magna 630 w/Cummins ISX 650 HP/1950 Lbs Ft, HWH Active Air
Charter Good Sam Lifetime Member, FMCA,
RV'ing since 1957, NRA Benefactor Life, towing '21 Jeep JLU Rubicon Ecodiesel
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08-06-2015, 01:21 PM
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#28
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Moderator Emeritus
Country Coach Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Glen Allen, VA
Posts: 7,902
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Smitty77
Smlranger,
Please go on notice, that I hold you personally (and more importantly, financially) responsible for the what may happen in the months ahead...
We're now in Denver (John Fogerty concert on 8/8 at Fiddler's Green), then doing the Rocky Mountain National park for a bit, and Pikes Peak area too. But when we're ready to leave Colorado, we were suppose to cut up NE thru Kansas and Nebraska and on into the Sioux Falls area of South Dakota.
But nooooo, maybe not now, as I've been slowly trying to add a trip to Oklahoma into the mix. Please understand, that if I talk the DW into a deviation into OK, that this will mean a visit to Newell. This is where I'll be both appreciating, and expecting, your assistance...
And heck, I like my Allure! But, admit I have lusted for a two slide'd 40' XL Prevost convention. Sure like Marathon's. And a Newell with less glitter, would also float my boat!!!!
And as a retired Aerospace employee. Let me assure you that you can catch a plane to JC for the roll out !
Best,
Smitty
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Don't put that one me . I have an appointment for Sept 21 at Complete RV of Denver, NC for new carpet, repaint/re-clear the roof radius and maybe some paint touch up on the rear where I have a few nicks and scratches.
As to the lusting for a Newell, I wasn't aware they made anything shorter than 45'. We looked in one (used) at Tom Johnson's when we were there last year and it was just a bit too fu fu for our tastes. Guess that is why the more conservatively-decorated Allure really tripped our switch. That said, I'd love to take a Newell for a test drive.
__________________
2007 Country Coach Allure Siskiyou Summit, sold/traded Nov. 2018.
2019 Grand Designs 384GK-R 5th wheel. Glen Allen, VA
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