Community Forums

Roaman · 05-24-2007, 10:23 PM

Considering buying this unit with 13K for $118K. Anyone know if the Dolphin LX are problematic? Does National stand behind their product? Seems to be a relatively clean unit and in pretty good condition. This could be our first motorhome. Thanks for any help!!

Roaman · 05-24-2007, 10:23 PM

Considering buying this unit with 13K for $118K. Anyone know if the Dolphin LX are problematic? Does National stand behind their product? Seems to be a relatively clean unit and in pretty good condition. This could be our first motorhome. Thanks for any help!!

paz · 05-25-2007, 04:01 AM

Roaman, welcome to irv2.

First off, $118k sounds a little high for that coach. Prior to buying our 37' Allegro Bay back in 2005 we looked at Dolphins. The Dolphin LX seemed to be about comparable to the Bay. We only paid a little more than $118k for our Bay NEW. It has full body paint, aluminum wheels, Workhorse W24 chassis (24,000 lb. GVWR), 7 KW genset, and just about every other option Tiffin offered.

For more information on price, check NADA Used RV Pricing. You can plug in mileage and optional equipment and they will give you a high and low retail price. This price is just a guideline because prices are very dependent on condition and vary by area of the country, but at least it will give you an idea.

As far as problems go, you might want to check RV America Owner's Reviews to see if you can find any reviews.

Good luck in your search.

RV Wizard · 05-25-2007, 05:15 AM

Roaman, welcome to iRV2.com. We are glad to have you join us here and look forward to reading of your decission. You have gotten some good information and some of our other members have owned Dolphins. I am sure you will get a response soon. I am going to put in a short cut for the National RV owners section to help you out in this area. Good luck and have a great summer.

Fred and Bonnie · 05-25-2007, 12:19 PM

Roman, the only weak spot I have experienced is the bedroom slide gear box. I believe the gear boxes on model years 2002-2005 were noted for shear pin failures and broken gears. Unfortunately you don't know there is a problem until there is a failure. I recently had a conversation with the Perris National RV Service Center, a total upgrade is available if so desired, costing approximately $700-800.

Best wishes on your future purchase.

Fred

Gary RVRoamer · 05-25-2007, 05:16 PM

We had a 2002 Dolphin LX 36 footer and it had numerous initial quality problems, all eventually taken care of with a visit to the factory in Perris, CA. After that it served us well for five years. We did not have any problems with the bedroom slide.

I would not pay $118k for a used 2005, though. You can do better than that.

Bill Davis · 05-25-2007, 08:25 PM

I had a shear pin go on my bedroom slide, 2005 NRV. I replaced it and learned what to do if it ever happens again. (there is a spare taped to the bottom of the slide). And the slide can be manually pushed in if it goes when the slide is out. PM if you need more info.

Roaman · 05-26-2007, 06:08 AM

Thanks for all your great information. We go for a test drive today and will see if the seller will go well below $118K. Regards,
Brad and Barbee

Gary RVRoamer · 05-27-2007, 01:10 PM

Check the NADA Guide for the year and model and offer no more than low retail for it. Do not add anything for optional equipment - a Dolphin LX comes with every significant feature already standard, so there is nothing to add on.

Good luck!!!

JKCTAZ · 05-31-2007, 08:03 PM

seems kind of high. An '04 has a NADA price of $83-91 retail (just bought it today for slightly under low retail) so sounds like this one is listed at high retail, or a bit more. Nice coach, just work them down to maybe the mid to upper $80's. Check the guides as others have suggested.

RV Wizard · 05-31-2007, 11:42 PM

JKCTAZ, welcome to iRV2.com. We are glad to have you join us here and look forward to reading of your adventures and experiences. Good luck and have a great summer.

JKCTAZ · 06-01-2007, 08:46 PM

Thanks for the welcome. I pick up my '04 Dolphin LX this Friday, and hit the road Saturday for a shakedown picnic.

Hopefully Roaman will get a deal and join the National Owners Forum.

Bill Davis · 06-02-2007, 05:16 AM

Good luck, welcome aboard, come on back to the National RV Owners Forum with any questions or comments.

Roaman · 06-03-2007, 12:33 PM

Thanks for your response and best wishes for your new purchase. We just had the coach surveyed and the dash a/c is not cooling properly and almost every cargo bay has at least one mounting bracket coming apart from the door. Not sure how this is going to be fixed or whether it will be a deal breaker. Best to check your cargo bay bracket mounts. Good luck.
Roaman