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06-21-2012, 08:47 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: FL
Posts: 1,355
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I always admired the Alfas from afar, but my SIL's father owned one for four years and got rid of it a couple or three years ago after he had significant delamination problems and some other issues (but I'm not sure what they were specifically). He has owned probably six large Class As since I've known him as he full times, and he recently told me it was worst RV he'd ever owned.
__________________
--2005 F350 Superduty Crewcab, 6.0, 4wd, short bed, 3.73 gears
--2016 Montana 3711FL, 40'
--SOLD 2014 Wildcat 327CK, 38'
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06-22-2012, 08:08 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,451
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Mr D - First hand experience is everything. That is why hearsay is not allowed in court. But my overall opinion after 32 years of motor homing is that in the general "pecking order" Monaco is a bit higher on the quality scale than Newmar. Both make a full line, but Monaco IMO is known for higher lines. The Signature being an example of that. But things are changing. I have not seriously looked at motor homes for almost three years. I have however, seen quite a few new Monacos, Tiffins, and Newmars at shows. The list prices make my eyes bug out.
My wife and I both like Dutch Stars. That model was on our short list three years ago when we were shopping for a used coach. I can tell you a minister friend of mine who has full timed for ten years has owned a DS and a Country Coach Magna. His comments were positive on the Dutch Star, but said the Magna was "much more heavy duty".
But we should go back to Alpha which was the original subject.
__________________
B Bob
Currently Coachless
2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
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06-22-2012, 08:19 AM
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#17
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,943
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A friend of mine is on his 3rd Alfa and really only problem he has is it should have been painted. Gel coat is a chore and decals are a pain.
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06-22-2012, 01:26 PM
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#18
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Junior Member
Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Where I park it
Posts: 4
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Alfa See Ya: To buy or not to buy
Yes, lets do get back to the original question about whether to purchase an ALFA product. I have been an ALFA owner for 5 years, bought mine used in 2007 and I agree that owners either love them or hate them. Alfateers is on speed dial on my cell phone and I have found them extremely knowledgable about all the units. They can diagnose and evaluate an ALFA coach over the phone and have a full facility shop in Fontana, CA for repairs, repaint, and upgrades on all the units that remain on the road today. They know each coach by it's serial number or VIN number and have complete parts lists for each individual coach available on computer. We have a close knit community that gets together at Quartzsite every January, and a national rally every year in the spring that is a great community event and one where information is shared freely. There remain 7 distinct chapters of the original ALFA Owners Groups and they are all committed owners. 6 of the chapters are part time RVer's and the 7th and largest is the Roadrunner full timer chapter. I go to Freightliner to get chassis, Allison transmission and engine service, (mine has a Cummins ISL 400 Turbo) or I go to Cummins for engine service regularly. I would call Dometic for my refrigerator issues if they existed, I call Fantastic Vent if I have a problem there. I call Carefree if I have an awning problem,I call Thetford if my commode were to act up. My tires are Michelin, my tow bar is Roadmaster. I call whomever has the most knowledge about it. Almost all of the coaches have had some form of interior upgrades many are unique and some quite exquisite. Just like when you buy a house you make the changes that suit your taste not the previous owners.I love the storage volume of an ALFA, I love the high (7 foot) ceilings and the 4 foot main slide that expands my living space. I love the power of the Cummins engine going up a hill effortlessly, and I love the engine compression brake coming downhill. I know about the fiberglass delamination issue that plagued many owners and was totally frustrating, but that issue if it exists among the current coaches would have shown up on the 2004 unit long before now. Yes, the some of the decals on my fiberglass finish are starting to fray around the edges particularly in places where the exposure to long term sun has been present. I am contemplating having them removed and the unit repainted. My friends have already had this done. But I kept the coach washed every 3 months and hand waxed religiously every year and the decals are in remarkably good shape overall.Every RVer has their particular desirable features and love for their particular coach brand. I have not run into a "perfect" coach manufacturer yet. All they can do is correct the issue, hopefully with the customers best interest at heart, and we all move on down the road. Gentlemen, let's not throw stones when we all live in glass houses! The only person I would see with the right to respond is that owner who has owned their coach for 5-7 years and never, never had one problem!Cathe
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12-21-2015, 07:23 AM
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#19
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Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 1
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Looking At Alfa See Ya
My wife and I are looking at purchasing a 2004 Alfa See Ya. As we have read, we know the company doesn't exist any more. We live on the East coast and are looking for something to travel in and take the three of us (our family, Best part of my life - wife and I and our fur baby) around the USA.
We are new to the groups.
Dennis
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12-22-2015, 09:20 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,451
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Dennis - The short answer is no you should not purchase and Alfa on the east coast unless you are prepared to mechanically deal with lots of issues and no factory to support you. Alfa coaches were made by Johnny Crean who basically created the Fleetwood line of extremely successful motorhomes and then went on his own with Alfa. They were made in Southern California and went away with the crunch in the 2007-08 time frame. I live 100 miles away and could likely find lots of guys/shops to do work on these coaches. I am not sure you you could.
These were pretty good rigs known for being 7' 2" interior ceiling hight. They also included a lot for the money. But if you are a typical family looking for a vacation rig you should get something that you can get fixed easy.
Coaches that would be low priced and be much easier to find mechanics to work on them would be things like Fleetwoods, Winnebagos, Tiffins, Monacos, and Newmars of the same era. Fleetwood Bounders sold in huge volume in that time period and Winnebago sold lots of their smaller class A's too. Those would be good bets for you guys IMHO.
__________________
B Bob
Currently Coachless
2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
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12-22-2015, 07:04 PM
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#21
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Senior Member
Vintage RV Owners Club Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: c above
Posts: 5,525
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Some Pic's would be nice.
Tim
__________________
1982 Pace Arrow P30 454
KarKaddy SS, Toad: 2009 Genesis
Tim, Joe and Lilly too. Mpls Minn.
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12-22-2015, 08:05 PM
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#22
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 619
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When I was looking for a used coach, I talked to two people that had made a living repairing coaches and inspecting them. Both told me not to look at Alpha's because they did not think the quality was where it should be. This is obviously not first hand information, but since I was paying them for their evaluation, I took their advice. They recommended Newmar, Tiffin and Country Coach. I ended up with a Newmar and have been pleased with my choice of manufacturers.
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12-22-2015, 08:17 PM
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#23
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Willow Lakes RV & Golf Resort, FL
Posts: 3,163
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There are lots of Alpha's out and about. Two in our park and as I travel I see many more. I don't know a lot other than the owners I've talked with state their major issue is small delaminating spots in the gel coat. It's fixable but can be costly if your a newbie. No factory backup can be testy but most maintenance is easily accomplished with a "Reliable" service center. Best of luck. Use due diligence pay for a complete survey with fluid analysis.
__________________
Clay & Pebble
2012 Providence 42 M. Spartan Chassis, 450 ISL
Ford Edge toad, RM All Terrane, TST TPMS, SMI Air Force One, RVM95....
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12-22-2015, 09:27 PM
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#24
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Avon Lake, Oh
Posts: 2,958
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Everyone just shakes at any mention of the word 'Delam". I've seen many coaches with some form of if. Anyone know of a coach that disintegrated because of it?
__________________
2000 HOLIDAY RAMBLER ENDEAVOR
40 FT--330HP CAT
2 SLIDES-TOAD 2012 focus
Fulltime-Home is where we park it.
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12-23-2015, 10:17 AM
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#25
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Over the next hill, around the next curve...
Posts: 5,663
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The specific of the unit your looking at, should be used in making a determination on if the Alfa is right for you.
We looked thru several Alfa's, as I liked the extra the headroom in some of their units. Most Alfa's owners I've talked to remain fans of their coaches. Sure, delaminated impacted coaches should be IMO avoided, but this is not only an Alfa issue.
If it checks out good, and meets your layout needs, and is priced fairly - Alfa being an orphan would not deter my decision in anyway.
Best of luck to you,
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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12-23-2015, 10:35 AM
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#26
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Full-timer/volunteer w/SOWERS
Posts: 3,958
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These folks are what remains of the company: Alfateers RV Service - 909.428.6775
Folks I know with Alfa coaches love them. But... Some of the repair issues are a problem.
I think it was Johnny Crean's dad who founded Fleetwood. It is too bad Alfa went under. I was going to buy one when the company closed. Now, all these years later, I think if the floor plan was what I wanted and the price fit my budget I would chance it if the rig were in good working order.
None of the rigs on the road are without problems from time to time. Some brands seem to be more problem prone than others. If the service record is available and looks good I think you will be pleased. If you get it, one of your first trips might be to the Freightliner factory in Gaffney, SC. Call for an appointment. They will service your chassis and bring it back to nearly new condition if you have the bucks available.
Merry Christmas and Happy trails,
Rick Y
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Rick & Melissa Young, 2011 Itasca Meridian 40U, Frtliner XCL, Cummins ISL 380HP/DEF, Allison 3000 MH, 2014 Honda CR-V, SMI AF1, Blue Ox, EEZ TPMS, TruCenter steering control
Servants On Wheels Ever Ready. Best job we ever paid to do . (full time volunteers)
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12-23-2015, 12:58 PM
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#28
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Senior Member
Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Show Low Az
Posts: 1,325
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If you would PM me I can send you to 2, Yahoo Groups Sites. I am chapter president of the Alfa Roadrunners. We have over 150 members.
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Dale&Susan, 08 Alfa Gold, DaGirlsRv Blog
2015 F-150XLT_2000W Solar_800 AmpHr Lithium
Magnum_MSH 3012 & PT100
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