Community Forums

2popcorn · 09-12-2013, 11:23 AM

Does anyone have an opinion on the Alfa Gold? We are looking at a 2005
model. We were told the company was taken over by their employees & is now called the Alfateers. Are they a good company? The unit seems in good shape & well taken care of. Thanks for any help you can give us.

Steve Ownby · 09-12-2013, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2popcorn

Does anyone have an opinion on the Alfa Gold? We are looking at a 2005
model. We were told the company was taken over by their employees & is now called the Alfateers. Are they a good company? The unit seems in good shape & well taken care of. Thanks for any help you can give us.

Alfa is gone and there may be several owner forums or clubs that will help with knowledge. Alfa, like several others is truly a orphan coach.

JC2 · 09-12-2013, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2popcorn

Does anyone have an opinion on the Alfa Gold? We are looking at a 2005
model. We were told the company was taken over by their employees & is now called the Alfateers. Are they a good company? The unit seems in good shape & well taken care of. Thanks for any help you can give us.

Just be aware that some were known to have delamination issues which I've heard might have helped speed up their downfall. I've always been leery of revamped companies that have a large number of employees/management people who worked at the old company which went under and now work for the "new" company. Another good example would be monaco; nice looking coaches but the current company states that they're not responsible for the "old" companies screwups, quality control, etc. I've heard that a lot of their current management/other employees were also employed at the former company. Both cases don't give me a warm fuzzy feeling. Your choice, your money.

TexasTom · 09-17-2013, 12:39 PM

I have no first hand knowledge of Alpha's.

When I was searching I came across a nice coach. Looked to be in great shape. Because of all the negative press I consulted a couple different repair companies and got the same answer. If you're not expecting too much in terms of quality, then you won't be disappointed.

gman69 · 09-17-2013, 12:43 PM

I considered a couple of Alphas that I had found. did like the interior layout. however, have been told by many folks that they had a unique AC/heating system that didn't work well at all. so, looked elsewhere. still catch my eye, but am now leary of this issue and that it is no longer made.

CaptBill · 09-17-2013, 03:39 PM

I have a good friend that full-times in a 2003 Alpha, and he had sidewall delamination. That pretty much diminshed the value to nothing, as no one would want to buy it or take it in trade.

He found a company in Indiana that replaced the sidewalls, re-installed the windows, and manufactures all new storage bay doors. It cost him a bit over $20,000, but it looks beautiful now.

donwat91 · 09-26-2013, 04:20 PM

I just was talking with someone who Sales RV's . And we were discussing this same issue about Alpha . It seems Alpha changed companies that was doing there fiberglass bodies. The company that did this changed chemicals or something that was causing the fiberglass to chip like it's doing. This has caused this motorhome to lose its value. This guy I was taking to has this guy come to his shop and cut out the bad places and fiberglass back over the spots he cut out. It seems you try to save a dollar it cost you two to repair. Stay with the quality workmanship you've always done.
Donald"Dr.Don"Watkins
MSgt USAF Ret

HicksRA · 09-26-2013, 04:46 PM

There's a term for what happens to alpha bodies, but I can't think of it right now. The fiberglass will pit and look like someone shot it with a shotgun. Very expensive repair and ruins resale value.
I personally wouldn't touch one with a 10 foot pole and I was intrigued with them at first when I started looking at Class A's.
There's a reason you can find them at very good prices.

RWeigant · 09-26-2013, 04:52 PM

Alfa replaced my cousins sidewall. And told him that they would put a million bucks into the RV before they had a recall. After replacing the sidewall, it happened again. Both sides are the same. Garbage.

clyon51 · 09-26-2013, 04:52 PM

We looked at a few Alphas a few years ago because we liked the general 'looks' and the high ceilings. After some investigation, the delamination and heat/AC problems changed our mind and we moved on.

garyswann · 09-26-2013, 05:08 PM

They had lots of good ideas. High ceilings with fans, central air, large windows, and large slide outs. The only negative was the cheap looking woodgrain inside.
If it were me I would pass up any rv that the company that built it can't or won't continue to back up and support its product.
Good luck

clyon51 · 09-26-2013, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garyswann

If it were me I would pass up any rv that the company that built it can't or won't continue to back up and support its product.
Good luck

Gary, I hear what you are saying and I agree to a point. However, there are a few orphans companies out there that made very high quality coaches. Therefore, there are no issues with the coach, only parts supplied by the various suppliers that all mfgrs use and easily replaced.

RonLit · 09-26-2013, 10:25 PM

We have a Alfa see ya 38 footer and really like it. Is it perfect ?,no, but does it have more things that most of the higher end have? Yes.

Ours is an '02 and the delamination is only a problem in the freezing north.
Ours came from LA and their is no delam and all the systems work great.

I Know most of the people here do not like Alfas, but why? They have Freighliner Chassis, Cat engines, Allison Transmission, but they are always get defamed.

Ours has 67,000 miles on it and the biggest problem we have had is the norcold refridgerator.

All the other systems are still working.

just my two cents.
Ron.

Mr_D · 09-26-2013, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonLit

I Know most of the people here do not like Alfas, but why? They have Freighliner Chassis, Cat engines, Allison Transmission, but they are always get defamed.

I wouldn't say that they were "defamed", but some of us noted a lack of quality in their construction and having a '98 Santara with almost the same type of construction led me to conclude that I didn't want any part of them.
After 11+ years with our Dutch Star I've had fewer problems with it than we did in less than 2 years with the Santara.
The Santara was built to a price point.
The Alfa's were built to a price point.
Our Dutch Star is built to a price point.
A King Aire is built to a price point.
A Prevost is built to a price point.
Pick your point.