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aknavy · 01-25-2019, 06:34 PM

I've got two coaches that have my interest at the moment. I'll be looking at the Essex 4503 tomorrow, and believe that it is a late 2006 model, as it has Comfort Drive.

The floorplans are nearly identical, and they are build on the same chassis, with the same drivetrain. Significant difference I can find - the Essex has a heavier front axle, is hung wall construction, and the Zephyr is laminate construction. Floors are an 1/8th difference in thickness.

I have to travel from Pensacola to Tampa area to see the Zephyr...wish it were local.

To me, the Tiffin has a better use of space, to include a pull out counter. Kitchen is important to me, as I'm the poor fool that has to cook, and our fiver has a great kitchen. The Essex looks classier to me - higher end, nicer decor. Better color schemes, nicer tile, prettier outside.

The price difference between the two - the Essex asking is 45k more than the Zephyr, and the Zephyr comes with a hydralift, new tires, and new batteries.

Other than personal preference, is there any real, substantive difference between the two?

Crasher · 01-26-2019, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aknavy

I've got two coaches that have my interest at the moment. I'll be looking at the Essex 4503 tomorrow, and believe that it is a late 2006 model, as it has Comfort Drive.

The floorplans are nearly identical, and they are build on the same chassis, with the same drivetrain. Significant difference I can find - the Essex has a heavier front axle, is hung wall construction, and the Zephyr is laminate construction. Floors are an 1/8th difference in thickness.

I have to travel from Pensacola to Tampa area to see the Zephyr...wish it were local.

To me, the Tiffin has a better use of space, to include a pull out counter. Kitchen is important to me, as I'm the poor fool that has to cook, and our fiver has a great kitchen. The Essex looks classier to me - higher end, nicer decor. Better color schemes, nicer tile, prettier outside.

The price difference between the two - the Essex asking is 45k more than the Zephyr, and the Zephyr comes with a hydralift, new tires, and new batteries.

Other than personal preference, is there any real, substantive difference between the two?

Sounds like they are both nice coaches. Do you have a need for the hydralift? If not it could be sold. New Batteries and new tires could have a $7500 value depending on the brand of each. If the Essex will need new of each, the difference will be well over $50,000 when you're done. I suspect the Newmar will be quieter on the road and easier to heat and cool due to the type of construction. I'm very pleased with our Tiffin which has been trouble free and a better use of interior design, however, my second choice would have been Newmar. A good local Tiffin dealer is the difference for us.

aknavy · 01-26-2019, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crasher

Sounds like they are both nice coaches. Do you have a need for the hydralift? If not it could be sold. New Batteries and new tires could have a $7500 value depending on the brand of each. If the Essex will need new of each, the difference will be well over $50,000 when you're done. I suspect the Newmar will be quieter on the road and easier to heat and cool due to the type of construction. I'm very pleased with our Tiffin which has been trouble free and a better use of interior design, however, my second choice would have been Newmar. A good local Tiffin dealer is the difference for us.

I don't "need" a hydralift, but if I had one, I'd probably put a bike on it. After looking at the Newmar, we decided to pass, as it had a 6-8 inch crack extending from one of the bedroom slides.

96 Wideglide · 01-26-2019, 04:44 PM

Take a good look at the Tiffin for cracking at that very spot.

aknavy · 01-26-2019, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96 Wideglide

Take a good look at the Tiffin for cracking at that very spot.

Yeah, after dealing with my own cracks in the fiver, I look pretty closely. I'm guessing the Tiffin is prone to it as well, huh?

Crasher · 01-26-2019, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aknavy

Yeah, after dealing with my own cracks in the fiver, I look pretty closely. I'm guessing the Tiffin is prone to it as well, huh?

I have not heard of Tiffin cracking there. There have been some recalls on early roof problems and also in the wet bay floor. If those have been addressed at the factory, then those problems are fixed and do not reoccur.

96 Wideglide · 01-27-2019, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aknavy

Yeah, after dealing with my own cracks in the fiver, I look pretty closely. I'm guessing the Tiffin is prone to it as well, huh?

Yeah, there was a long thread a few years back where a members brand spanking Zephyr cracked from the lower corner of one of the rear slides, down to the beltline.
Tiffins fix was to grind the crack out, seal, then cover with a paint matched trim piece.

aknavy · 01-27-2019, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96 Wideglide

Yeah, there was a long thread a few years back where a members brand spanking Zephyr cracked from the lower corner of one of the rear slides, down to the beltline.
Tiffins fix was to grind the crack out, seal, then cover with a paint matched trim piece.

That's what was suggested for my fiver as well. No thanks, I'd rather have the underlying issue fixed.

aknavy · 01-28-2019, 07:32 PM

And...the Zephyr is cracked as well. I'm not really feeling all that bad about my own crack now.

Electra 225 · 01-28-2019, 10:17 PM

They should have put the seam in the middle (under the slideout opening). Of course I say that assuming there IS a seam in the photo under the flat trim piece. I know the trim piece was added as part of the fix. However, there may be a joint there without framing behind it. Hence, it stress cracks. A corner is a bad place to put a butt joint.

If I'm wrong, and there is no joint there, then they should reinforce the corners (framing wise) before lamination. Just my carpenter brain opinion.